Album Review: Yoon Jong Shin – ‘Vol. 12 行步 (행보) 2010 (Pace)’

Album release date: October 2010
Genre: Kpop
Rating: 4/5
Review by: jct

Note: This review focuses on the overall album as a whole with more emphasis on the songs that are not covered in the monthly project singles. Review of the monthly singles can be found here.
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Yoon Jong Shin’s 12^th album marked his 20^th anniversary since debut as a singer-songwriter, and it isn’t just a collection of outdated or mediocre materials. The album not only compiles the songs together from his monthly project singles 2010, but it also includes 5 new songs. In this album, he mixes different music genres along with his usual assortment of ballads. Although not all the results are spectacular, there are enough good moments that make Vol.12 worthwhile.

Versatile

The album starts off with songs sung completely by other artists, but composed and produced by Jong Shin. This is something he has never done before in any of his previous full albums, which obviously have its advantages and disadvantages. The artists, Lyn and Kim Yeon Woo, are chosen for the songs, “Refresh’ and “King of Regrets” respectively, are excellent as their vocals fit perfectly with the songs. However, this is not the case with the song sung by Yoo Hee Yeol. Although Yoo Hee Yeol is a talented producer, he seems to lack passion while singing the song, “Empty Confession”.

On this album, Jong Shin is certaintly taking a few chances musically as the songs are somewhat different from the type of materials he always recorded. He is definitely exploring different genres and incorporating them into ballad. The most obvious are the songs “Instinctively”, and “I hope, I hope”. Although, some works, some doesn’t at all especially “I hope, I hope”. In this song, he explores dance/disco music, and it’s so awful beyond words. Seriously, the less said about it, the better. (See ‘Album review: Yoon Jong Shin's monthly singles’ for details)

The album's biggest hit, “Instinctively”, is a mid-tempo vintage R&B/pop/rock song with the guest appearance of Swings. The pairing of the two is perfect as the rap complements well with Jong Shin’s distinct vocals. The lyrics are also very original. Also deserving mentioning is the song “Can’t Live Without You (Late Autumn version)”, which is a romantic ballad that displays a wide range of his vocals with sweet and original lyrics. The next song, “The Temperature of Separation” is also a love ballad with smooth vocals, with the accompaniment of some electric guitar sounds. The album then ends off nicely with a holiday song which gets everyone anticipated for the Christmas holiday. The musical arrangements and beats for this song fit nicely with his vocals.

Sending a Message

Basically, Jong Shin is a sending a message to his fans that he is able to break into new grounds in music production. This is a good thing, but at the same time, in stepping outside the box, he reveals that he’s only most impressive in ballad/pop/R&B genres. That is because he is a singer with a lot of passion and incredible lyrics, but sometimes ordinary when it comes to vocals. Of course, his vocals are at its most impressive when it comes to ballad. However, when he steps outside of ballad, only pop or R&B/pop music fits him best because these two genres are filled with singers with somewhat mediocre voices, but great style and song production. The other music genres just don’t fit him well.

Vol. 12 has 16 songs, and clocks in at slightly over an hour, so anyone buying it is likely to feel they’re getting their money’s worth. That said, some of the songs’ quality do falters. However, he does break into some new musical grounds in this album by integrating different music genres into ballad, which is impressive on some parts. Overall, Vol. 12 isn't his best album, but the album lives up to its title as he moves forward with his music.


Track list:

1. 새로고침 (Feat.서인국) (Vocal Lyn) (Refresh feat. Seo In Gook)
2. 빈 고백(Vocal Yoo Hee Yeol) (Empty Confession)

3. 그대 없이는 못살아 (Spring ver.) (Can't Live Without You)

4. 막걸리나 (Rice Wine)

5. 본능적으로 (Feat. Swings) (Instinctively)
6. 이성적으로 (Rationally)

7. 넌 완성이었어 (You were perfect)

8. 치과에서 (Feat.조정치) (At the Dentist)

9. 바래바래 (I hope, I hope)

10. 해변의 추억(Day ver.) (Memories of the beach)

11. 해변의 추억(Night ver.) (Memories of the beach)

12. 후회王 (Vocal Kim Yeon Woo) (King of Regrets)

13. 그대 없이는 못살아(늦가을) (Can’t Live Without You - Late Autumn version)
14. Walking Man
15. 이별의 온도 (The Temperature of Separation)

16. 12月 (December)