KPB Classique ⚣ 2018-2019 Edition ~ FINALE

boom bazooka joe

boom bazooka joe

he/him
This one makes me sad.








































































































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SHINee | Countless
The Story Of Light - The 6th Album
Sep 10, 2018
KPJ Charts Submision

Score: 7.81
TOPS: (11) @tj-x (10) @boom bazooka joe @leedlelee... (9.5) @chrisjche @nikkysan @Slice of Life @Wills (9.25) @Untouchable Ace (9) @ohnostalgia (8.75) @Remorque (8.5) @RUNAWAY (8) @eatyourself
BOTTOMS: (6) Glitterizer @yeeungelic (5.5) @humbleandkindness80s @KimLippington (5) @Salami

5 VOTES: 32
10 VOTES: 25
15 VOTES: 29
20 VOTES: 27
FINAL PLACEMENT: 31

​
Sadly, today we say goodbye to SHINee’s first entry, the absolutely gorgeous “Countless.” In 2018, SHINee released 3 mini albums that ultimately became The Story Of Light, which was their 6th full length album. “Countless” was released on Sep 10, 2018 as the title track of the 3rd part of the trilogy. “Countless” has a litany of writers, including Jeon Gan-di, Jamil "Digi" Chammas, Adrian McKinnon, Jeremy "Tay" Jasper, Sara Forsberg, Leven Kali, MZMC, Yoo Young-jin, and prodcused by Jamil "Digi" Chammas.

The Story of Light EPs were SHINee’s first output after Jonghyun’s passing, and I can only imagine the immense pressure the guys felt. Wanting to be there for their fans and each other, honor their dear friend who they missed immeasurably, and prove that they could go on as a group without him. Even on the songs that aren’t blatantly sentimental, there is a melancholy and nostalgia, a warmth, that I find inescapable in a lot of their releases in 2018.

I became a Shawol during the “Don’t Call Me” era, so I had a lot to dive into as a new fan during that time. When I started listening back through their discography, “Countless” was actually one of the songs that immediately stuck with me. It’s not the flashiest song with the coolest choreography and the best video - it’s just a classically GOOD song with beautiful melodies and vocals. I…sort of understand why it placed as low as it did in this rate, but I wildly disagree. This was actually on a short list of 11 contenders for me. I simply find the song that beautiful and enjoyable.

I don’t often go to K-Pop for deep lyricism. On rare occasions do I even bother looking up translations to songs I like – it’s just not usually what it’s about for me. “Countless” was one of the exceptions. The song sings about someone who, while they may at times push away, counts the infinite reasons why the other person is right for them. ”You are my word, my sentence, my entire language.” Damn, if that’s not love – I don’t know what is! This song is definitely a love song, and while the lyrics don’t explicitly make it seem like it’s dedicated to Jonghyun, it still feels like it is.

I love everything about this song. I love the repeated pattern in the verses, especially how each member sounds on it. I love the gradual build of the chorus. I love the bursting instrumental bridge. It’s actually one of my favorite SHINee songs of all time.

Not a ton of commentary on this one. yeeungelic doesn’t find this SHINee at their best: ”There are better shinee eras, but they’re allergic to flopping.” Well, I will agree with you on the last part, friend! Meanwhile, eatyourself also mentions flopping: ”I like it mainly because it sounds like a Zara Larsson albumless flop single.” If only Zara was still releasing stuff this good.

A few members have differing opinions on teh chorus. MmmDani isn’t a fan: ”I’m not overly fond of the chorus production, it flattens the whole thing for me. The vocals have a great flow to them.” Where we you listening, bestie? chrisjche loves: What a beautiful chorus melody.”

Christopher gets what is so special about this track: ”Remember, I’m a SHAWOL, so…probably grading this higher than I should. But their vocal blend is just so damned PLEASANT. Slinky little verses, and again…proper chorus event.”

I encourage watching the video if you have a moment. It’s really pretty, and the boys all look so damn good. And the live performance from their chorus is also a highlight. Stan SHINee! And sorry to bestie tj-x for being the next one to lose your 11 – you picked a GREAT song and I’m sorry these hags don’t get it like we do. ​

Viewing Material


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boom bazooka joe

boom bazooka joe

he/him
TOP 30 REVEALED

2018
(songs pre-selected via monthly charts)
Baby Don't Stop - NCT U
Blooming Day - EXO-CBX
Good Evening - SHINee
Now or Never - SF9
One of Those Nights (feat. Crush) - Key
Tempo - EXO
Under My Skin - Taemin
(7/10)

(songs selected via user submitted ballots)
Complete - ONF
Days Gone By - Day6
Gravity - EXO
Look - GOT7
Lullaby - GOT7
Nanana - IMFACT
Shinin' - Jonghyun
Touch - NCT 127
(8/15)


2019
(songs pre-selected via monthly charts)
9 and 3 Quarters (Run Away) - TXT
CROWN - TXT
Famous - Taemin
Obsession - EXO
SUNSET - KNK
WANT - Taemin
You Calling My Name - GOT7
(7/10)

(songs selected via user submitted ballots)
Baby You Are - EXO
Highway to Heaven - NCT 127
Love Talk - WayV
MIROH - Stray Kids
Movie Star - CIX
Our Summer - TXT
Superhuman - NCT 127
Valkyrie - ONEUS
(8/15)

We are literally as even as we can get right now, with 15 songs from 2019 (7 pre selected, 8 voted for) and 15 songs for 2018 (7 pre selected, 8 voted for).

But which songs shouldn't make the upper half of the rate? Sound off on the next 5 eliminations! Oh, and speaking of the next 5 eliminations, next up, we say goodbye to a solo track, and then we have a first in KPJ Rate history (I don't actually know if that's the case at all I'm just making shit up for dramatic effect) -- a 4 way tie. ​
 
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MmmDani

MmmDani

From Yeeungelic:

First of all, apologies for the tankery of it all, my scores do skew higher for the majority of songs left. Apart from Nanana, she can choke.

My prediction is that Shinin’ or Under My Skin will go next, being the slightly weaker solos left.

Also big thank you to @boom bazooka joe for letting us join in, I have thoroughly enjoyed stalking the thread so far!
 
boom bazooka joe

boom bazooka joe

he/him
Thanks for your patience, friends. I am hosting the January PJ Charts and doing reveals this week, and I simply don't have the time or the brain power to be doing those and doing eliminations. If I can squeak out one or so this weekend, I will, but at present, my plan is to resume eliminations next Monday. Wait for me! Xx

In the meantime, here is a thread of Juyeon's pits that always puts me in a good mood.

 
boom bazooka joe

boom bazooka joe

he/him
Thank you for your patience, friends! Let's get into this Top 30!








































































































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Taemin | Under My Skin
Taemin - The 1st Japanese Album
November 5, 2018, MV released on November 12th
KPJ Charts Submission

Score: 7.9
TOPS: (10) (10) @chrisjche @leedlelee... @MmmDani @Untouchable Ace (9.5) @humbleandkindness80s (9) @boom bazooka joe @Christopher @ohnostalgia @tj-x (8.5) @nikkysan (8) @askew @Macsun @Slice of Life @soratami @ysev
BOTTOMS: (6) @Salami (5.5) @ohdenny (4.5) @eatyourself (4) @yeeungelic

5 VOTES: 45
10 VOTES: 39
15 VOTES: 33
20 VOTES: 28
FINAL PLACEMENT: 30

​
I have a lot of thoughts about this song and it's placement, despite not feeling like I have a ton to say about the songs ddd. I often feel like Taemin gets unfairly maligned here, but it's also quite obvious that, when it comes to male acts, he has one of the biggest fanbases here. So in ways, I feel like he tends to get more attention than most male artists but also under appreciated. Does any of this make sense? For instance, this is a ballad, and a Japanese comeback at that, so it was shocking that this was on the pre decided songs in the rate. Like this CHARTED on KPJ in a pretty decent way!

It's placement here is both surprising and unsurprising, tbh. I would have liked it to do a bit better, but I'm also a bit surprised that it did as well as it did (for the reasons I mentioned above.) All in all, I feel very that girl doing math meme when I think about it.

Anyway, enough about my incoherent thoughts because I kind of have a headache right now. "Under My Skin" was released as a single for Taemin's first Japanese full length album Taemin. It was written by Junji Ishiwatari, Ryan Curtis, Ronnie Marinari, and produced by Cesar Peralta (InnerV8 Musiq). In "Under My Skin," Taemin sings about his love for someone, and particularly how that person helps him reveal his most inner and real self; the part that's been hiding "under his skin" for so long.

Honestly? The track is stunning. Taemin has a gorgeous voice, and he manages to sing so evocatively and emotionally, something that is extra highlighted on this track. I find the whole thing quite stunning. Some of you also did, but some of you didn't. ​
eatyourself says ”I often enjoy tacky but I don’t like this.” Searching for the tacky but whatever you say, bestie! Glitterizer simply asks: ”...ok?” To which I say, well yes! yeeungelic comes out as another ballad hater, which we have enough on this forum, so maybe we SHOULDN’T open registrations: ”Prefer the synthy, sexy bops to the ballads.”

Meanwhile, MmmDani experiences growth, and I don’t mean that kind: ”This didn’t grab me on my first few listens through, but it’s hitting me hard now. This is just a great song.” 10 giver chrisjche recognizes how tailor made this feels for Taemin: ”Such a beautiful track and suits his tone perfectly.” Humbleandkindness80s is vibing: ”pretty and spacey, stunning chorus.”

Christopher stans in moments while also saying a handful of really questionable and confounding statements: ”Starts off with strong Britney/GLORY vibes. Let’s see where TAEMINEE takes it…this is hands-down the best ballad of the rate, it’s quite a pretty song. Still, I can’t help but feel like it should have gone to Onew…Taemin’s vox, while quite improved from his debut days, don’t really soar as much as the melody wants them to. Still, great effort, great track. Never thought I’d have a rate where I put TAEMIN over the rest of the SHINee boys, but…here we are.” I mean, his solo discography is pretty unrivaled so why are you surprised, bestie?!

If you get a chance, watch the live version of this. It’s gorgeous!
​

Viewing Material




Next up, we have a 4 way tie. Two songs I regret not giving a higher score, and two songs I regret not giving a lower score. I haven't decided yet which order I will eliminate them, so your guess is as good as mine. ;-)​
 
Christopher

Christopher

boom bazooka joe said:
I mean, his solo discography is pretty unrivaled so why are you surprised, bestie?!​
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Taemin is my least favorite member of SHINee, regardless of his catalog! He's not the sexiest (Minho), he's almost the worst vocalist, and he's supposed to be the best dancer but I think Key is just as good if not better.

I can't hate the kid cuz I'm a Shawol, but I'll begrudge him the fact that SM pushed him into the career I wish any of the rest of them had.
 
Christopher

Christopher

ohnostalgia said:
I will never understand the phase the forum went through where they tried to paint Taemin as an untalented vocalist all because they thought he was “too overhyped”. Criminal should’ve won the KPB 2020 rate and I will forever be sad about that.
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…but this forum always thought he was the second weakest vocalist in SHINee? At least we did back in 2010. Before he went solo, there was always criticism of his live vox. And people making excuses because he was the dance captain and/or maknae.

In fact I distinctly recall people praising how much his voice improved on his solo debut (which is true, I just still don’t find his tone is super pleasant or particularly strong).

Perhaps there was a later Taemin backlash I missed when I went off PJ Kpop for a while…
 
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