Album Review: 2AM – ‘Saint O’Clock’

Album release date: 2010
Genre: Kpop, Ballad, R&B/pop
Rating: 3.5/5                
Review by: jct

On their first full album, Korean male group, 2AM delivers more love ballads with tints of R&B/pop. Most of the songs properly showcase the group’s strong vocals and rely less on studio computerization. However, there are quite a handful of songs that sound very similar to their previous songs.

Strong Vocals…

2AM pretty much delivers their usual set of ballads onto their first full album, and the results are mixed. Despite being a young group, there’s nothing particulary fresh or new about what they’re offering. But despite that, the album does have its moments particulary around the middle of the album with more tender and slightly original tracks.

The album’s title track “You Wouldn’t Answer My Calls” is a piano-centered song about a broken heart. Both the title track and the second single, “Crazy”, sound very similar to their previous single, “Can’t Let You Go, Even If I Die”. Thus, the songs really lack originality. Things do get better though after these two songs, but most of the songs are quite typical especially the R&B/pop songs such as “Just Me feat. Glam" and “Mirage”. Both are mid-tempo songs with nice vocals, but it's nothing outstanding as they are simply the usual contemporary R&B/pop songs.

… but Same Old Song

As mentioned earlier, the problem with the songs in this album is a lack of originality. Nearly all of their songs sound similar to their previous singles. And the songs that do sound somewhat different simply aren’t that spectacular or outstanding. However, each member does have strong vocals, and they really stand out. Overall, the album is not bad at all, as it is expertly produced and well-sung, but most of the songs sound like the same old thing.

Tracklist
1. Intro – Phone
2. 전활 받지 않는 너에게 (You Wouldn’t Answer My Calls)
3. 미친 듯이 (Crazy)
4. 바로 나야 feat. GLAM (Just Me)
5. Mirage
6. 다시 사랑하기엔 (To Love Again)
7. 이젠 없다 (Not Now)
8. 불안하다 (Anxious)
9. Love U, Hate U (feat. 방탄소년단)
10. With Or Without U
11. 사랑한단 말 못해 (I Can’t Say I Love You)