Big Bang – Asia Best 2006-2009

Release Date: August 19, 2009

Track Listing

Haru Haru
Make Love – English Version –
Lie – Korean Version –
Number 1
Lollipop feat. 2NE1
So Beautiful
Stylish
La La La – Korean Version –
Remember – Korean Version
We Belong Together – Korean Version –
Together Forever

Review

Big Bang is a Korean boy band signed to YG Entertainment. The group has 5 members. G-Dragon, T.O.P.,Taeyang, Daesung and Seungri. Asia Best is a compilation of the their hits from 2006-2009 and is a perfect introduction for those new to Big Bang (like myself) and K-Pop in general.

Much like 2NE1, Big Bang was recommended listening from those more knowledgeable in K-Pop than I. Their sound is described as Hip-Pop with a dash of R&B and Dance. I found that to be a reasonably fair description of their music although I tend to notice a much stronger dance influence than anything else. Perhaps that’s just me who notices that, I don’t know.

Their songs are definitely catchy no matter what genre they’re working in. I had heard their song Lollipop on the 2NE1 mini-album and thought it was pretty lame. But now that I’ve had some time to sit down & listen to it again (& again & again…) the song isn’t as bad I had once thought. In fact, it’s some pretty hot stuff.

Other tracks worth noting are mostly the more up tempo dance-like tracks such as Haru Haru and Lies. Both songs have some nice piano melodies and are not heavily influenced by electro-pop like some of the later songs on this album. Speaking of that, songs like Number 1 and So Beautiful are prime examples of that influence.

Those are not too far off from what you would hear from a North American pop artist (complete with auto-tuned vocals). Both songs have some really sweet hooks and are well constructed pop songs. It’s difficult to pick which one would be worth listening to more but I tend to lean more towards the smoother groove of Number 1.

The final song worth investing some time is the ballad Together Forever. It’s sung completely in English and is a sweet slice of R&B goodness. The group harmonizes quite well. It was nice to hear something that shows off their vocal abilities (sans auto-tune and all that).

The groups English pronunciation is spot on. I know it’s a dumb thing to pick up on but with many Asian artists incorporating English in their songs I appreciate those who take the effort to sound somewhat coherent. It makes me wonder if any of the members perhaps speak English? I dunno… Just wondering.

Anyway… I liked what I heard on this album. Great stuff.