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Joa Band stays true to unique sound

Joa Band
“Melting the Moon”
(Sony Music)

Korean folk rockers Joa Band have released their latest release, “Melting the Moon.” The album’s quirky and non-flashy style is certainly in keeping with the band’s unique sound. The best way to describe Joa Band and this album is, “All things opposite of what is mainstream and in vogue, but in a good way.”

The three-track EP is a slight shift from previous work but stays true to the distinctive sounds we’ve come to expect from the members. The title track, “Melting the Moon,” is a slow ballad piece that beautifully showcases the vocal abilities of the members, making it the best song on the album.

The second track is another slow ballad, highlighting the piano and a solo male voice. “The Night You Came” is a song about memories of a past love. Although there is no particular element that makes this song stand out, it is still a decent listen, with a nice, soft piano melody.

The last song on the album, “Turning the Boiler,” starts out with a tropical, Hawaiian-like feel, making the listener long to be on a beach somewhere. However, the song then suddenly makes an awkward switch to an accordion pop sound that takes one away from the beach scene to a room of full of polka dancers.

The tracks are certainly diverse and the band members do maintain their quirk, whether it be through the sounds of the guitar, piano or the accordion. Joa Band truly embodies what it means to be an alternative band.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)

Terius Nash alright, but nothing special

The-Dream
“Terius Nash : 1977”
(Universal Music)

Singer/songwriter and hit-making producer The-Dream has released his fourth album “Terius Nash : 1977.” The mastermind behind songs like Justin Bieber’s “Baby,” Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it)” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella” presents a 12-track solo album that doesn’t quite hold up to what people will have come to hope from the Grammy-winning producer.

The album’s title track “Rolex,” featuring Casha, has a catchy melody, but it is not a song that’s going to make listeners want to keep listening over and over again. The two songs that help resurrect the album are “Form of Flattery” and “Long Gone.”

“Long Gone,” with its acoustic guitar melody in the background and snare beats, is paradoxically calm and upbeat.

The album’s best track, “Form of Flattery,” has a slow R&B flow to it that is a bit trance-like and addictive. The song is about not having people compare their status to his because he is “embedded.”

The album is a good listen, but with the flux of similar hip-hop albums flooding the music scene, “Terius Nash : 1977” risks becoming white noise.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)

Hear the sounds of passion with ‘Les Misérables’

Various Artists
Les Misérables (Motion Picture Soundtrack)
(Universal Music)

The music from the much-anticipated motion picture musical of the year, “Les Misérables,” is now available for purchase.

The soundtrack to the film, which features an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried, includes songs from the film’s cast members. The cast manages to make the characters’ voices come alive and shine through each song.

Hathaway in “I Dreamed a Dream” is particularly memorable, brilliantly conveying her sorrow, passion and struggle through the mellow, yet powerful ballad. Jackman, who is certainly no stranger to the Broadway scene, also shines in his take on “Suddenly” and “Valjean’s Soliloquy.”

Pushing-every-boundary comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, best known for his roles as Borat and Ali G, also takes a stab at musical singing. Cohen is featured on “Master of the House,” along with actress Helen Bonham Carter. Cohen, with his at times overly-exaggerated accent, still makes the song work in his own comedic way.

Overall, the “Les Misérables” soundtrack is compelling, adding to the intrigue of the much talked-about film.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)