TOHOSHINKI - Heart, Mind and Soul

Tohoshinki began their Japanese career with the release of numerous singles including Somebody To Love, My Destiny, Stay With Me Tonight, Ashita wa kuru kara or Rising Sun/Heart, Mind and Soul, however, their first Japanese album named Heart, Mind and Soul was released in 2006 on March 23rd. This review is of the CD + DVD version, which contains with 13 songs and a DVD featuring 6 videos clip, 2 of which are the Korean versions.

The first track, which is an introduction to the album, is called Introlude and is a short mix of different songs from the album with electronics effects. The real beginning comes with two ballads: Kotoba wa iranai and Ashita wa kuru kara. Even if the rhythms are a little different, we can hear very good vocal performances from the members in the chorus.

Although the group shows their talents in ballads in particular, the slow rhythm is broken by the third track: Somebody To Love. The music style is quite dancey and, throughout the song, the sound of a piano plays along with Tohoshinki's members. The voices follow one after the other in the chorus but the upbeat rhythm is instantly forgotten when the following track begins: My Destiny.

In the jazzy atmosphere, HERO and XIAH's voices are really powerful. The effect is romantic and melancholic at the same time, which makes this song one of the fans' favourites.

The next song, Hug, marked the beginning of Tohoshinki's Korean career and, even if we are used to hearing the song in Korean, the Japanese version doesn't shock the listener. Lightly remixed at an instrumental level, drums and violins give this song a more sensible feeling compared to the original version and it's a pleasant surprise.

Of course this album doesn't contain only ballads. The next song, Break Up The Shell, is definitely a dance song. Very catchy with a lot of electronic effects, this song makes us want to dance, especially during the instrumental, which allows the listener to imagine a dance section from the group. However, the atmosphere doesn't slow down with the following song, Stay With Me Tonight. The catchy rhythm is enjoyable and it's very easy to memorize the chorus. We hear the leader, U-KNOW, doing a rap performance.

Then the following song, Aisenai aishitai, begins with Micky Yoochun's English words. This track is neither an upbeat song, nor a ballad. The listener can hear violins, which creates a very romantic atmosphere before an electric guitar plays in the last chorus.

Their voices become more mature and attractive and the following song, One, is certainly one of the most beautiful ballads from the group. The Japanese version gives an atmosphere that is full of love and, in the chorus, Tohoshinki's voices are perfectly in unison. HERO and U-KNOW show an excellent vocal performance, instantly followed by the other members. This song envelops us and we don't see the end coming. However, the next song takes us away from the romantic atmosphere. Here comes Rising Sun and it rocks!

A real success in Korean and in Japan, the Japanese version is slightly different. The rap seems to be quicker but the rhythm is still very strong, the chorus still absorbing and MAX's voice set the bar very high. At the middle point of the song, the rhythm changes and we can forget electronic effects for an unexpected, but very up-tempo, oriental atmosphere. Rising Sun is the one of the more powerful songs on the album, while the following song, Eternal, is probably the most sweet. Eternal's melody emphasizes the voices and we can fully enjoy each of the member's styles and intonation.

The last track has the same title as the album: Heart, Mind and Soul. A slow and soft rhythm, a piano, sweet voices, the melody and the chorus take us away as Tohoshinki's vocals seem to do a superb declaration of love.

This album, Heart, Mind and Soul, which marks the beginning of their success in Japan, shows Tohoshinki in a new light. Their voices had clearly evolved since their previous albums (TRI-ANGLE and Rising Sun).

Then a live tour was organized and fans were there, proving the success of the Heart, Mind and Soul. Since then, the group was very busy with recording their second Japanese album, Five in The Black, and almost one year later their third album, T. However, it's obvious that since Heart, Mind and Soul Tohoshinki's success is still growing.