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Category Archives: Rollercoaster

Rollercoaster #5: Triangle

04-Aug-08

Rollercoaster #5: Triangle

T-Entertainment, March 2006 Stern(5,g) Rollercoaster's fifth album was released in 2006, after a gap of 2 years since the almost flawless fourth. Gone is the sense of rhythmic drive, of energy, of joie de vivre. Instead we have something a bit more laid back, less characterful. I had been warned that the fifth album was a disappointment after the band’s previous efforts, but being a completist I decided to search it out anyway. My adviser was right. While the music is pleasant enough, it doesn't really justify getting out the credit card if you already have their previous albums. Here's a video of the fourth track, 숨길 수 없어요 (Can't hide it) [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFizzuUwkHg[/youtube] Links Buy Rollercoaster Triangle at YesAsia
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Rollercoaster # 4: Sunsick

15-Nov-06
(March 2004) Stern(10,g) A glorious mix of acid jazz, funk, fusion and latin. The latin element is new to this album. The fact that Tyle Brule, the FT's dude in the fast lane, has it on his iPod, adds to its street cred. Brule's been living with the album since the end of 2004 and still likes it 18 months later, so it has some staying power. I also remember that a year or so ago he was fronting a media show on TV called The Desk, and it always had a slot for the six coolest things that he had come across that week. One of them was a video from Sunsick - which I've failed to find anywhere online. Brule highlights ...
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Rollercoaster # 2: Il Sang Da Ban Sa

08-Nov-06
(July 2000) Stern(9,g) One of those annoying albums where it's hard to say which track is your favourite. You listen to one and think it's the best; and then the next track comes along and you change your mind. Probably my least favourite is the repetitive and slightly twee title track which closes the album. Mr Kwang describes Rollercoaster as lounge music, which I think is a bit derogatory. This album covers the ground which lies between acid jazz and funk. Jo Won-sun's laid-back vocals are a pleasure to listen to, but the instrumental numbers are equally appealing. It's not hugely demanding music to listen to; it just has you humming along and brings a smile to your face. Which is what you ...
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Rollercoaster # 1: Come Closer

14-Sep-06
(1999) Stern(9,g) Rollercoaster, according to KBS, were the first Korean band to turn to Acid Jazz. Certainly one of the western bands which comes to mind when listening to this album is the Brand New Heavies. But the use of horn effects and guitar rhythms in some of the tracks also bring to mind the theme music from 70s and 80s American police TV shows. But the fourth track, Where are you, is a lot more ambient - with lots of soothing Enya-like synthesizer sounds in the background. The band consists of Choi Jin-woo (aka Jinu) on Bass and programming, Jo Won-sun on lead vocal and keyboard and Lee Sang-soon on guitar. Both Lee and Jinu also provide some vocals, but Jo's effortless ...
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