Album Review: Fly to the Sky - Recollection (remake album)
Fly to the Sky – Recollection (remake album)
01 . 행복을 주는 사람
02 . 취중진담 (Feat. AND)
03 . 마지막 사랑
04 . 회상
05 . 이밤의 끝을 잡고
06 . 달팽이
07 . 세상끝에서의 시작 (Brian Solo)
08 . 소원 (Hwany Solo)
09 . 내 눈물 모아
10 . 한장의 추억
I have always enjoyed Korean remake albums, they bring back to life older songs and singers that I would not have normally come across as well as demonstrating the personal strengths of singers I admire. Fly to the Sky’s remake album, released on April 28, is no exception.
This is a very enjoyable album even if, like me, you didn’t know any of the original versions of the songs to begin with. It will appeal to FTTS fans who enjoy their style of music and voices, and maybe draw in newer fans who are keen to hear some of the songs they grew up with done in a modern and stylish arrangement.
For the purpose of this review, I have added links where possible to the original versions so that the new arrangements can be appreciated and compared.
Track 1 – BMW’s 행복을 주는 사람 (Person who gives happiness) started to grow on me after a few listens, but I wasn’t too keen on the opening of the song which made me think my CD player was skipping or the disc was damaged (though perhaps that was the point, considering the LP textured CD). Fly to the Sky’s arrangement picks up the beat more than the original and gives the song a touch more polish.
Fan-made video using the original track
취중진담 Feat AND (Drunken Truth) (track 2) was the main one to catch my attention. Originally sung by Kim Dong Ryul, the new arrangement focuses more on harmonising the vocals, something that has been done to fit FTTS voices very well indeed. The lack of instrumentals at the start emphasises this harmony they have created and it’s truly a wonderfully-arranged version, and one I would say is the best by far of the whole album. The division of parts between Brian and Hwanhee suits their vocals perfectly, and is fast becoming my favourite track.
Track 3 – Park Ki Young’s 마지막 사랑 (Last Love) is more of a traditional ballad and something that wouldn’t be out of place in a regular FTTS album. It is beautifully sung and the original performances by Park Ki Young showed why this song appealed to the duo to remake and bring back to the public ear.
회상 (December) was the second hit off Turbo’s third album – I really like the melody on this and the instrumentatals keep it as light and cheerful as the original arrangement, losing the bubble-gum pop sound in the process and turning the song into something more modern and palatable. With a nice rhythm and beat, it’s one I’d love to see performed live. I wasn’t too keen on the small section of rap at first, but on second and third listens, it does help break up the repetition of the song nicely.
Track 5 – 이밤의 끝을 잡고 (Hold On to End of this Night) taken from Solid’s second Album in 1995, is nicely done but doesn’t really stand out for me. It is one I think was chosen by Hwanhee as he has sung it before on X-man a year ago and its easy to see how this melody can draw attention.
Track 6 – Panic’s 달팽이 (Snail), yet another from 1995, is one of the few in the album where I prefer the original version. It’s not a bad arrangement, but my personal feeling is that the lyrics and meaning are better expressed with simple piano as Panic did in 1995. It is worth watching the original MV – its inspirational lyrics are reason enough to like this song.
Kim Min Jong – 세상끝에서의 시작 (Start from world’s end) from the 1998 Drama "Mister Q" was the choice for Brian’s solo. Rearranging the intro and main tune as well as the addition of a rap take away drama feel of the original and it works well for Brian’s vocals.
Hwanhee’s solo – Kim Hyun Sung’s 소원 (Wish) – is more of a homage than a remake as it doesn’t tamper too much with the original arrangement and just adds a touch of R&B flavour to suit the lower range of Hwanhee’s vocals.
Track 9 – sounds like an FTTS song simply by the intro alone, but is a very nicely-produced version of Seo Ji Won’s 내 눈물 모아 (Gathering My Tears).
Seo Ji Won ‘Gathering My Tears’ MV
Track 10 – Cool’s 한장의 추억 (Memory of a Funeral) doesn’t try to over-complicate the arrangement or smother the already beautiful melody.
Tracks 2, 3 and 4 are ones I highly recommend, though the others, especially the solo songs, are growing on me with every listen. Definitely add this to your collection.
4/5
5/5 – Even if you’re not a fan of this artist/group this album is a must buy.
4/5 – If you’re a fan of this artist/group, you must buy this album.
3/5 – If you’re a fan of this artist/group, you might want to add this one to your collection.
2/5 – I don’t think a fan would even buy this.
1/5 – You might as well just flush your money down the toilet.
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