Who: Lee Seung Gi

Genre: Ballad, a little jazz

Tracklist:

1. 바람 (Breeze)

2. 그리고 안녕... (And Goodbye...) [TITLE]

3. 사랑 (Love)

4. ~하니? (Do you?)

5. 그대와 나 (You and Me)

6. 친구 (Friend)

7. 배낭을 메고 (Wearing a Backpack)

8. 우리 함께 한 그 모든 시간

| iTunes | YesAsia |

Lee Seung Gi makes his long-awaited comeback to music (he's been a little busy with being a sought after actor and CF model) with this pretty consistent album.

[TITLE] 그리고 안녕... (And Goodbye...): Another quick start--does Lee Seung Gi have something against more than a measure of instrumental before he sings? I'm not necessarily complaining, it's just different, and I think this song could do with an instrumental start. Anyway... Who wishes they could do vocal climbs like Lee Seung Gi after listening to this song? If you answered "Not me," you're lying. It's not that he has an impressive range per se, but the growth in intensity through each climb is impressive. I don't know what it is about this song, but if you have ever seen the Korean Drama Secret Garden, I feel like Oska's songs are parodies of this one. It's good, but it sounds like a ballad. I don't know it would be a title song for another ballad singer, and even if it were, I don't think it would do as well as it will with Lee Seung Gi attached to it.

사랑 (Love): I wish this song had been the title song. It shows off a little more of Lee Seung Gi's range in a higher register, and I feel like I was listening to him perform it as I listened. The repetition of "sarang/사랑" could have been the lynchpin for this song being the title though, since I see its merits and problems, but overall, the song is just so much more beautiful to listen to than the chosen title track. It feels more substantial.

~하니? (Do you?): I expected cute, and I got a dance track. And a desire to watch Lee Seung Gi dance to this. The interactive parts of this song make it seem like a performance song, and if Lee Seung Gi never performs this, I am going to be severely disappointed. It isn't a difficult song to learn or to sing, but it is a quick, fun dance track that I doubt will require any crazy dance moves to learn.

그대와 나 (You and Me): SPOILER (highlight following text): this is the first song where an instrument plays a full measure before Lee Seung Gi's voice comes in, for anyone like me keeping score. This song is definitely a good filler song for this album. For a while, I was prepared to think it a song from this album I would end up forgetting, but Lee Seung Gi's vocals make it memorable. It isn't a difficult register or key, but his musicality and interpretation of the flow of the music is, if you excuse the slang, on point. Even though it's another ballad from Lee Seung Gi, the manner that Lee Seung Gi's voice ebbs and flows through the song gives it a unique flavor, and the song that I was prepared to pass off after my first listen, has become my favorite from the album after following listens.

친구 (Friend): This song is another one that feels like I'm listening to it live, but I know from the quality of the sound that it must have been done in studio. And even though it sounds like it was done in one take, the knowledgable part of me is disappointingly telling me that it probably wasn't (especially with the rounds he sings in--it would basically be impossible). I can still hope though, right?

배낭을 메고 (Wearing a Backpack): I'm not sure how to feel about this song. It isn't bad musically, but I guess it doesn't hit me right. It feels a little too processed I guess. Like they either worked too long on this one, or didn't work enough. But on the other hand, it certainly isn't a dance track like "Do You?" was. I don't know what it is, and I am positive that this song will be others' favorite off of this album, but it just isn't doing it for me. It just missed the mark.

우리 함께 한 그 모든 시간: This song is well placed at the end. This is the song, of all the ballad songs on this album, that will put me happily to sleep. And I mean that in a good way. It's soothing (if you don't listen to it too loudly, as there are some swells of sound), and musically, it feels like it's saying "we have come to the end of the album, thank you for listening, now fall asleep with a smile on your face. Good night." 

Overall: For the most part, this album is spectacular. There are some songs that aren't as spectacular as others, but for a comeback album after being away and focusing on acting, this is a great album for Lee Seung Gi. It's doing well already, and it will probably stay that way for a while once it hits airplay for more than 48 hours. If you're looking for pop, I'd recommend staying away, but if you love the sound of solid composing, singing, and no awkward rapping, or even if you're just looking for something to unwind to at the end of the day, I would recommend this album. 

Favorite Song: 그대와 나 (You and Me)

Least Favorite Song: 배낭을 메고 (Wearing a Backpack)

Favorite Feature: N/A

Favorite Lyric: "I will always support you the most."