Album Review: Girls Generation (SNSD) - Run Devil Run

Tracklist :

01.
Run Devil Run MV
02.
Oh! MV
03. Echo
04. 별별별(☆★☆)-Acoustic R&B
Ver.
05. Show! Show! Show!
06. 뻔&Fun(Sweet Talking Baby)
07.
영원히 너와 꿈꾸고 싶다(Forever)
08. 웃자(Be Happy)
09. 화성인 바이러스(Boys &
Girls) -feat.key of SHINee
10. Caramel Coffee (Talk To Me)
11.
별별별(☆★☆)
12. 무조건 해피엔딩(Stick Wit U)
13. 좋은 일만 생각하기(Day by Day)
14.
Gee (Bonus Track) MV
15.
소원을 말해봐(Genie) (Bonus Track) MV

Purchase this album

Popular
girl group Girls Generation (a.k.a. So Nyuh Shi Dae or SNSD) {Taeyeon,
Yuri, Tiffany, Jessica, Sooyoung, Sunny, Hyoyeon, Yoona, and Seohyun}
return with a repackaged version of their second album entitled ‘Run
Devil Run.’ This new release comes only 2 months after the release of
their highly successful second album, ‘Oh!’ This time around, three new
songs are included (the title track “Run Devil Run,” “Echo” and a R&B version of “Star Star Star”) along with all the original tracks
from their original release.

The title track “Run Devil Run”
showcases a new dark, sexy, and fierce image for the girls dubbed the
‘Dark Soshi concept’ by fans. On this song, the girls show off their
charismatic vocals coupled with a warning message for unfaithful males
in relationships. The character transformation for the normally innocent
SNSD is a welcome change of pace in the group’s direction to maturity,
as evident from their music video. “Run Devil Run” is catchy, sultry,
and the group’s most edgiest track to date. Listeners would most likely
put this song on repeat for a long time.

Track 2, “Oh!” is the
original album’s single. “Oh!”is a bubblegum pop song composed by
Kensie. The lyrics are very elementary, and the group gets to display
their signature cute image and vocals. It’s fast paced, electronic and
synth heavy. The chorus is infectiously catchy as well. Thematically,
“Oh!” is the polar opposite of “Run Devil Run.” Fans who liked the title
track may be disappointed that there aren’t many songs of that style on
the rest of the album. The next song, “Echo” is a good example of this.
As one of the new songs added for the repackaged album, it is also
another pop track that retains the same cute, perky spirit of “Oh!”
Thankfully, the song is listenable as well. Continuing on to another
‘new’ song, the track that follows is the acoustic/R&B version of
“Star Star Star” (produced and remixed by the hitmaking production
group, E-Tribe) from the original album. The track sounds similar to the
original, but with a more soulful and acoustic instrumental. It is a
very impressive group ballad that contains a beautiful melody and vocals
from each of the members. Following up on the ballad, is the sexy and
energetic “Show! Show! Show!” The instrumental on this song sounds like
it was made for the catwalk and not the dance floor. Regardless, the
song is catchy and even contains an unintentionally humorous dialogue
exchange involving SNSD’s resident English speakers, Tiffany and
Jessica. On the next track, “뻔&Fun (Sweet Talking Baby)” the group
switches back to being bubbly and cute. Unfortunately, the song just
sounds average and is not very memorable.

The next few songs on
the album contain a mix of predictable tracks and surprises. Track 7,
“영원히 너와 꿈꾸고 싶다(Forever)” is an incredible ballad on the same level as
“Star Star Star.” The track really shows off the voices of the best
singers in the group. Most notable being SNSD leader Taeyeon, whose
voice has incredible range and sound. After the song, the mood changes
once again to a cheerful tone with “웃자(Be Happy).” Once again, employing
an electro-pop instrumental accompanied by a memorable chorus, the
E-Tribe produced track, “웃자(Be Happy)” will please listeners that
enjoyed track 2, “Oh!” Similarily, track 9 follows suit on that same
perky theme with “Boys and Girls.” Key from SHINee lends a minor,
(almost unnoticeable and unnecessary) computerized male vocal to the
song. “Boys and Girls” is an extremely catchy standout track on the
album for its easy lyrics and infectious beat.

In a surprise
twist, the next track, ”Caramel Coffee (Talk To Me)” is unlike any other
song on the album. First of all, the song’s genre falls into the bossa
nova and lounge music category. Secondly, it is a duet showcasing SNSD’s
Korean-American duo, Tiffany and Jessica. The fan-favorite duo make for
a perfect choice on this song because of their excellent chemistry
together. The soothing and relaxing sounds of the harmonica, strings,
and keys give the track a unique flavor to compliment Tiffany and
Jessica’s heartwarming vocals. Listeners will be pleased with their
effort.

Track 11 is the original version of “Star Star Star.” As
discussed earlier, it is arguably the group’s best ballad on the whole
album. The original version only has a piano on the instrumental. That
is the only real difference between the two. Track 12, “무조건 해피엔딩(Stick
Wit U)” again switches up the flow to electro-pop, similar to “Oh!” but
with an annoying beat. The song’s content is disappointingly shallow as
well. Because of this, this track deserves a skip. “좋은 일만 생각하기(Day by
Day)” is slightly better. The pace is slightly slower but the song is
very listenable with its acoustic guitar and pop melody. “Day by Day”
may not an instant favorite, but it is a good song nevertheless.

The
last two bonus tracks, “Gee” and “소원을 말해봐(Genie)“ really need no
introduction. For the uninformed, “Gee” was the E-Tribe produced hit
that singlehandedly catapulted SNSD to fame. Originally released on
their first mini-album back in January 2009, the group has seen nothing
but chart-topping success as a result of this one single. The song
itself is a formula for bubblegum K-Pop at its finest: catchy hook, cute
image, easy lyrics, and memorable dance choreography. The melody and
lyrics combine for an addictive listening experience, even for those
that may not like pop. Despite their success with this formula, the last
bonus track ”소원을 말해봐/Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)” was the group’s
first real attempt to a more mature sound and sexy image. Released back
in June 2009 on their second mini-album, “Tell Me Your Wish (Genie)”
saw success throughout the entire year. Like “Gee” before it, the song
has a signature chorus and memorable dance. As in many of their older
songs, each of the members contribute at least a few lines of solo
vocals in addition to a strong group harmony. The track itself has a
Euro-dancepop feel due to its original Norwegian production roots.

Overall,
‘Run Devil Run’ is an impressive K-Pop album. There are many songs that
are established hits (the title track “Run Devil Run”, “Oh!”, “Gee,”
“Genie”, etc.) as well as songs that should’ve been hits (“Star Star
Star,” “Forever” “Talk to Me,” etc.). Although there is a variety of
bubblegum pop, electro-pop, R&B, ballads and bossa nova throughout
the album, there could still have been more exploration in other pop
genres. Hopefully, in the near future, we will see a more mature
direction in song selection for SNSD.

Rating: 4.5/5

Ratings
breakdown:
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.