she/her
Well I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
Gimme Love is far more deserving of top 10 and I remain disgusted.
The After School Discography Rate • FINISHED
- Thread starter vague
- Start date
Gimme Love is far more deserving of top 10 and I remain disgusted.
━ #23 ━
● Crazy Driver ●
Grade: 8.750
Honor roll: 10×4 (@RUNAWAY, @yuuurei, @eatyourself, @vague), 9.75×1 (@Cotton Park), 9.5×2 (@Attis, @Slice of Life)
Drop-outs: 7×1 (@Wills), 7.5×1 (@Mikl C), 7.75×1 (@Remorque)
@Love Deluxe's score: 8.75
@vague's score: 10
5 ballots: #21, 9.200 avg.
10 ballots: #17, 9.050 avg.
15 ballots: #26, 8.800 avg.
20 ballots: #22, 8.800 avg.
25 ballots: #19, 8.850 avg.
31 ballots: #23, 8.750 avg.
10 ballots: #17, 9.050 avg.
15 ballots: #26, 8.800 avg.
20 ballots: #22, 8.800 avg.
25 ballots: #19, 8.850 avg.
31 ballots: #23, 8.750 avg.
"Crazy Driver" is the b-side to After School's fifth Japanese single, Heaven, released on October 2, 2013. Its lyrics were written by Mutsumi and it was composed and arranged by Lubo Slavicek. "Crazy Driver" was also included on After School's second Japanese album, Dress to kill, as track five.
In the lead-up to the Dress to kill release date, After School's official Japanese Facebook page posted a series of "director's notes" for each track on the album. For "Crazy Driver", the director stated, "It's composed by a foreign composer but the melody is very favorable to the Japanese. Mutsumi, the lyricist, describes the speed of this track with the word 'Driver'. She adequately expresses two hearts and bodies that can't go back. A line in the verse, 'Just take me somewhere without asking the destination / Don't regret, are you turning back?', defined the identity of the character in the song. I was fascinated by this character."
(8.75) — "The choreography is hilarious oh my god, Jooyeon probably was like I could not graduate sooner! The vocal processing on UEE in the first few lines makes her sound like Kahi a bitsy."
(10) — "Okay, this is not actually quite a perfect ten for me, but I have a lot of nostalgia for the whole Heaven single package so that's where a lot of my love for this song comes from. I do still think it's a really solid song, but my god those "heys" at the end of the choruses are ear-splitting. Also, I don't mean this in a shady way, but some voices just sound so satisfying with a lot of heavy autotune/processing and Juyeon is one of those voices for me nn."
In the lead-up to the Dress to kill release date, After School's official Japanese Facebook page posted a series of "director's notes" for each track on the album. For "Crazy Driver", the director stated, "It's composed by a foreign composer but the melody is very favorable to the Japanese. Mutsumi, the lyricist, describes the speed of this track with the word 'Driver'. She adequately expresses two hearts and bodies that can't go back. A line in the verse, 'Just take me somewhere without asking the destination / Don't regret, are you turning back?', defined the identity of the character in the song. I was fascinated by this character."
—
@eatyourself (10) — "Okay Sophie-Ellis Bextor!"
@Attis (9.5) — "The usage of guitar reminds me of Perfume early stuff, overall the song feels unusual yet somehow worked?"
@Macsun (9) — "I like the production in this but it's sooo faceless. What a wasted opportunity."
@berserkboi (8.5) — "BOP!"
@M24 (8.5) — "It's such a weird song. The verses are quite long, and the chorus is only repeated twice. I still like it, even if it's in the less impressive half of the album. It's basically a closer of the first 'electropop' section of the album. Shh, Yes No Yes, Heaven and In the Moonlight are a very different vibe."
@roblognick (8) — "The bit at 1:10 ish when it sort of kicks it up a notch really saves this song as just before it I really feel like it's getting boring."
@SloMover (8) — "The production of the music is really interesting but the effects on the vocals detract from it. A bit of a shame."
@Attis (9.5) — "The usage of guitar reminds me of Perfume early stuff, overall the song feels unusual yet somehow worked?"
@Macsun (9) — "I like the production in this but it's sooo faceless. What a wasted opportunity."
@berserkboi (8.5) — "BOP!"
@M24 (8.5) — "It's such a weird song. The verses are quite long, and the chorus is only repeated twice. I still like it, even if it's in the less impressive half of the album. It's basically a closer of the first 'electropop' section of the album. Shh, Yes No Yes, Heaven and In the Moonlight are a very different vibe."
@roblognick (8) — "The bit at 1:10 ish when it sort of kicks it up a notch really saves this song as just before it I really feel like it's getting boring."
@SloMover (8) — "The production of the music is really interesting but the effects on the vocals detract from it. A bit of a shame."
—
—
Tomorrow's cut is a big one.
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it's not!
━ #22 ━
● Diva (Japan Ver.) ●
Grade: 8.790
Honor roll: 10×10 (@junglefish, @evilsin, @Ana Raquel, @Slice of Life, @berserkboi, @Macsun, @eatyourself, @BEST FICTION, @Oleander, @Remorque), 9.25×4 (@singabob, @Conan, @KimLippington, @M24), 9×4 (@RUNAWAY, @ysev, @chrisjche, @SloMover)
Drop-outs: 5×1 (@Vixen), 7×3 (@yuuurei, @eyeline, @GeiPanda), 7.75×2 (@Attis, @Mikl C)
@Love Deluxe's score: 8.25
@vague's score: 8.75
5 ballots: #27, 9.050 avg.
10 ballots: #21, 8.900 avg.
15 ballots: #18, 8.967 avg.
20 ballots: #20, 8.850 avg.
25 ballots: #19, 8.850 avg.
31 ballots: #22, 8.790 avg.
10 ballots: #21, 8.900 avg.
15 ballots: #18, 8.967 avg.
20 ballots: #20, 8.850 avg.
25 ballots: #19, 8.850 avg.
31 ballots: #22, 8.790 avg.
"Diva (Japan Ver.)" is the first track from After School's second Japanese single, Diva (Japan Ver.), released on November 23, 2011. Its lyrics were written by MIZUE, it was composed by Brave Brothers, and arranged by h-wonder. "Diva (Japan Ver.)" was also later included on After School's first Japanese album, PLAYGIRLZ, in 2012, and both the original and a re-recorded version were also included on their final release, BEST, in 2015.
"Diva (Japan Ver.)" was used as the ending theme for the Japanese variety show, Geinou★BANG!, during October and November 2011. Upon its release, the Diva (Japan Ver.) single peaked at #12 on Oricon, selling 17,448 copies in its first week of release. It charted for ten weeks and sold exactly 25,000 physical copies in total.
Following the precedent they set with the Japanese re-recording of "Bang!", After School decided to reimagine one of their Korean hits for the release of their second Japanese single, this time choosing 2009's "Diva". In an interview with Oricon, Nana compared the two versions, saying, "The Korean version has a bright and cute image, but in the Japanese version, feminine and sexy parts are emphasized." The choreography for "Diva (Japan Ver.)" was also reworked, featuring new choreography for the chorus and removing the iconic leg kick dance that became synonymous with the original Korean version.
Following the precedent they set with the Japanese re-recording of "Bang!", After School decided to reimagine one of their Korean hits for the release of their second Japanese single, this time choosing 2009's "Diva". In an interview with Oricon, Nana compared the two versions, saying, "The Korean version has a bright and cute image, but in the Japanese version, feminine and sexy parts are emphasized." The choreography for "Diva (Japan Ver.)" was also reworked, featuring new choreography for the chorus and removing the iconic leg kick dance that became synonymous with the original Korean version.
At the time of the song's recording, the After School members were still struggling to adjust to singing in a new language. The process of recording their second single was quicker and smoother than the recording of "Bang! (Japan Ver.)", but they still had a few hiccups. For Juyeon, she had trouble nailing the 'check shite soba ni iru yo' line in the chorus, calling it "difficult." Nana agreed, saying, "Pronouncing Japanese is still difficult, but there were a lot of repetitive phrases this time, so the lyrics helped us (laughs)."
As we've covered before, and will continue to cover, After School is no stranger to a plagiarism accusation. For "Diva (Japan Ver.)", the group's costumes came under fire for ripping off an April 2010 Interview Magazine "Tough Ballerina" photoshoot by Craig McDean, featuring pieces designed by Alexander Wang, Roberto Cavalli, and Ann Demeulemeester. After netizens demanded an investigation into the accusations, a representative from After School's Japanese label, avex, stated, "There’s nothing to check", and promptly dismissed the accusations. The SM Entertainmentification of it all nn.
Coinciding with the release of "Diva (Japan Ver.)", After School were chosen to be the faces of the SHIBUYA109 department store's 2011 Christmas campaign, which was displayed from November 23 until Christmas day. After School were featured prominently on the outside of the building and their stage costumes were displayed in an exhibit inside the store as well. Additionally, on November 27, the group held a mini-concert and high-five event to promote both their single and the store's Christmas campaign. Here's a video of the After School display being put up on the SHIBUYA109 building.
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@Ana Raquel (10) — "This is soooooooo much better in Japanese. Their vocals sound better here."
@Slice of Life (10) — "sorry to the korean ver. omg."
@berserkboi (10) — "This is fantastic in the Japanese version!"
@Macsun (10) — "Somehow this improves the original with stellar production. Also the debut of Kahi's 'granny rap' tone?! A TREASURE!!"
@eatyourself (10) — "It's a 10 in whatever language."
@M24 (9.25) — "The production is a lot cleaner here, I think I prefer it to the original version. However, somehow Kahi's rap seems different? Is it just me? I feel like her delivery was more... brash in the original. Having said that, Raina wasn't in the lineup for the original version, and her high notes before the last chorus make up for the more boring rap. So overall I'm giving this version 0.25 pts more than the original."
@SloMover (9) — "I've always really loved the Japanese version of Diva - it's not as impactful as the original but the essence and charm of the song still shines through this more contemporary (for 2012) makeover. I've also always really liked the styling for this release as well which was quite divisive at the time."
@roblognick (8) — "It loses a little of the oomph in this remake. The robotic singing on 'Diva', the way they changed the choreography for the video and the lack of Bekah in the rap (sorry Kahi, I love you very much)."
@Cotton Park (8) — "I'm they didn't translate the vocoder part that goes, 'Da dudaduda doo doo....'."
@Attis (7.75) — "This version feels sterile, it lacks the personality and amateur-ish charm the original had."
@eyeline (7) — "I do like that at least they remixed their Korean bops when releasing them in Japan but lord Kahi's granny rapping!"
@Slice of Life (10) — "sorry to the korean ver. omg."
@berserkboi (10) — "This is fantastic in the Japanese version!"
@Macsun (10) — "Somehow this improves the original with stellar production. Also the debut of Kahi's 'granny rap' tone?! A TREASURE!!"
@eatyourself (10) — "It's a 10 in whatever language."
@M24 (9.25) — "The production is a lot cleaner here, I think I prefer it to the original version. However, somehow Kahi's rap seems different? Is it just me? I feel like her delivery was more... brash in the original. Having said that, Raina wasn't in the lineup for the original version, and her high notes before the last chorus make up for the more boring rap. So overall I'm giving this version 0.25 pts more than the original."
@SloMover (9) — "I've always really loved the Japanese version of Diva - it's not as impactful as the original but the essence and charm of the song still shines through this more contemporary (for 2012) makeover. I've also always really liked the styling for this release as well which was quite divisive at the time."
@roblognick (8) — "It loses a little of the oomph in this remake. The robotic singing on 'Diva', the way they changed the choreography for the video and the lack of Bekah in the rap (sorry Kahi, I love you very much)."
@Cotton Park (8) — "I'm they didn't translate the vocoder part that goes, 'Da dudaduda doo doo....'."
@Attis (7.75) — "This version feels sterile, it lacks the personality and amateur-ish charm the original had."
@eyeline (7) — "I do like that at least they remixed their Korean bops when releasing them in Japan but lord Kahi's granny rapping!"
—
she/her
googling how to say homophobic in japanese!!!
Stop killing me and my babies! "Crazy Driver" has such an amazing build-up throughout the song it's like we're going and going and going up. So good. And don't get me started on the Japanese version of "Diva" because it improved on everything the original already had.
同性愛嫌悪 (dou sei ai ken o)
These takes of yours, I swear.
I know I didn't participate but I'm just popping up to say that I'm surprised both Ms. Independent & Diva Japanese version left so early.
The original version of Diva was too cute and bubbly for my taste, so the Japanese version was a huge improvement for me. A banger. Kahi's rap never bothered me, but I have to admit that the robotic Diva in the chorus can be grating. Lizzy should have been the main rapper on the 2012 version and Kaeun did good for the 2015 one.
The original version of Diva was too cute and bubbly for my taste, so the Japanese version was a huge improvement for me. A banger. Kahi's rap never bothered me, but I have to admit that the robotic Diva in the chorus can be grating. Lizzy should have been the main rapper on the 2012 version and Kaeun did good for the 2015 one.
he / they
I also wouldn’t be mad if the Japanese version of Bang left now as well!
And honestly that new choreography is an abomination. Even the girls thought so as in later performances of the Japanese version they do the Korean choreography.
And honestly that new choreography is an abomination. Even the girls thought so as in later performances of the Japanese version they do the Korean choreography.
━ #21 ━
● BROKEN HEART ●
Grade: 8.815
Honor roll: 10×7 (@RUNAWAY, @Ana Raquel, @yuuurei, @berserkboi, @Macsun, @GeiPanda, @vague), 9.5×4 (@junglefish, @Slice of Life, @Cotton Park, @M24), 9×4 (@singabob, @evilsin, @eyeline, @BEST FICTION)
Drop-outs: 6×1 (@roblognick), 7.5×2 (@Crisp X, @chrisjche), 8×6 (@Attis, @ysev, @Conan, @Hurricane Drunk, @Vixen, @Love Deluxe)
@Love Deluxe's score: 8
@vague's score: 10
5 ballots: #18, 9.300 avg.
10 ballots: #27, 8.700 avg.
15 ballots: #29, 8.600 avg.
20 ballots: #23, 8.738 avg.
25 ballots: #23, 8.770 avg.
31 ballots: #21, 8.815 avg.
10 ballots: #27, 8.700 avg.
15 ballots: #29, 8.600 avg.
20 ballots: #23, 8.738 avg.
25 ballots: #23, 8.770 avg.
31 ballots: #21, 8.815 avg.
"BROKEN HEART" is the third track from After School's first Japanese album, PLAYGIRLZ, released on March 14, 2012. Its lyrics were written by KAJI KATSURA, it was composed by Khris Lorenz and Michelle Lewis, and arranged by Khris Lorenz. "BROKEN HEART" is a unit song performed by Jung-A, Raina, Nana, and E-Young.
For the PLAYGIRLZ album, After School was split into two units - Jung-A, Raina, Nana, and E-young for "BROKEN HEART" and Kahi, Juyeon, U-ie, and Lizzy for "Miss Futuristic" - to allow the members to showcase "different charms". In an interview with Oricon Style in March 2012, Jung-A described "BROKEN HEART" as "a song to get your spirits up."
(8) — "Production wise and melodically, this sounds like an On Your Radar era b-side by The Saturdays. Never would've imagined a unit with this assortment of members but somehow it works! The 'just broken heart' line shouldn't make sense sonically, but it’s SO catchy."
(10) — "Best album cut on PLAYGIRLZ tbh! It made it so, so close to the top twenty and I'm kinda sad it fell just outside of it."
For the PLAYGIRLZ album, After School was split into two units - Jung-A, Raina, Nana, and E-young for "BROKEN HEART" and Kahi, Juyeon, U-ie, and Lizzy for "Miss Futuristic" - to allow the members to showcase "different charms". In an interview with Oricon Style in March 2012, Jung-A described "BROKEN HEART" as "a song to get your spirits up."
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@berserkboi (10) — "A chaotic bop I can see myself returning to!"
@Macsun (10) — "FUCK YES!! Eyoung killed it!!! Basement baby no more! What a bop. Raina and Jungah delivering as always but Nana is a highlight with her great pop vocal. Another killer production."
@Cotton Park (9.5) — "I forgot how much I liked this song until this rate. Points off for the synth that sounds like someone massaging a balloon. I usually like shit like that."
@M24 (9.5) — "I love the switchup in the chorus. That helps this song shine more than the rest of the new songs in this japanese album."
@SloMover (8.5) — "This is so cheap and screams 2012 but is still a slay and the tour performance is amazing."
@Wills (8.5) — "I like the parts where they leave the kettle on too long."
@Macsun (10) — "FUCK YES!! Eyoung killed it!!! Basement baby no more! What a bop. Raina and Jungah delivering as always but Nana is a highlight with her great pop vocal. Another killer production."
@Cotton Park (9.5) — "I forgot how much I liked this song until this rate. Points off for the synth that sounds like someone massaging a balloon. I usually like shit like that."
@M24 (9.5) — "I love the switchup in the chorus. That helps this song shine more than the rest of the new songs in this japanese album."
@SloMover (8.5) — "This is so cheap and screams 2012 but is still a slay and the tour performance is amazing."
@Wills (8.5) — "I like the parts where they leave the kettle on too long."
—
30 Spotlight ━ 8.524
29 Because of you (Japan Ver.) ━ 8.581
28 Ms.Independent ━ 8.597
27 Rip off — 8.629
26 Time's up ━ 8.661
25 rock it! — 8.685
24 Gimme Love — 8.742
23 Crazy Driver ━ 8.750
22 Diva (Japan Ver.) ━ 8.790
21 BROKEN HEART ━ 8.815
—
AH
너 때문에 (Because of you)
Diva
뱅(Bang)!
Shampoo
Virgin
Rambling girls
Bang! (Japan Ver.)
Dilly Dally
FLASHBACK
Eyeline (透視 / 투시)
첫사랑 (First Love)
Dressing Room
Love Beat
Dress to kill
Triangle
Shh
Yes No Yes
Heaven
make it happen (with Amuro Namie)
—
We'll start the top twenty off with the loss of another single. Before that happens, though, please let us know what you think will make the top ten and also what you want to make the top ten.
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he/him
Uhm I hate it here. Broken Heart and Gimme Love are better than anything on Dress to Kill. Sorry hags!
Ok maybe not better than Shh.
Ok maybe not better than Shh.
He/Him
What is going on with such a bulk of my 10s leaving all of a sudden? Should I start fearing for my 11 already??
Sorry for the hijacking post!
I don’t know who else is watching Kahi on ‘Mama The Idol’ but she performed a song by SoHyang and it made me ball my eyes out. I had NO idea Kahi had these vocals in her. Her reaction and Sunye’s immediate standing ovation so touching.
This whole program is iconic. I love having my After School, Jewelry and Wonder Girls leaders all in one group!
I don’t know who else is watching Kahi on ‘Mama The Idol’ but she performed a song by SoHyang and it made me ball my eyes out. I had NO idea Kahi had these vocals in her. Her reaction and Sunye’s immediate standing ovation so touching.
This whole program is iconic. I love having my After School, Jewelry and Wonder Girls leaders all in one group!
That was great! She doesn't have the pristine voice of a top kpop singer but NO ONE (I've heard in KPOP) has the versatility that she has. She's a true chameleon and could sing in any genre!
he / they
WOW! I did not expect that. She didn't really get that opportunity in After School and she clearly could have.
I'm truly finding it hard to give a top 10 now. Every song is excellent from this point on!