Music
Review: Smile.DK - Future Girls
Written by: Kage
Alan
Album
Rating:
A-
Related: Smile.Dk
- Smile (Album Review)
Exclusive Info from Smile.DK's Management [July 8th, 2002]
Exclusive Smile.DK Interview [Dec
10th, 2002]
You know, it's funny. I thought for sure my reviews for
a-ha, Secret Garden
and Gigi D'Agostino would elicit some feedback, but not a single
comment has
been posted as of this writing. A little Pop album I picked
up in Hong Kong
a few years ago by an unknown group named Smile.DK, however, went
through the roof! Apparently the music really struck a
chord with people as much as it
did me. I consider myself VERY fortunate that I was in
Japan a year ago and
just happened to discover their second album, "Future
Girls".
Is it any good? Have they matured?? Will we
still love them??? Hell yes!
I was timid to listen to the album because follow-up albums are rarely
as
good as the debut and Smile.DK also replaced one of their singers, but
my
fears were totally put to rest upon hearing the first song. If
you don't
find yourself dancing to the first track on the album (and also the
title of
the album), "Future Girls", then you must be having a really
bad day. It's
outstanding! I had goosebumps on my arms during the chorus
of the song and
it's probably my second favorite track of the 14.
"Doo-Be-Di-Boy" continues right on along with a nifty little
hook and catchy
chorus. This also might have been a single over in Japan
and rightly so if
it was. "Hollywood" is essentially a filler
track, but is much better
sounding than some of the filler songs found on the debut album. Instead
of
trying to capture a broad spectrum of international flavors and
languages
like they did last time, Smile.DK has gone right for the Pop throat
here with
a jukebox full of consistent sounding melodies and music.
"Counting On You" slows us down for a ballad, which isn't
bad at all and
definitely doesn't come across as filler. I like the fact
they were
stretching a bit here and trying to demonstrate that they have a range
to
their songs. Just as we find ourselves being swept up in
that track, it ends
and we're treated to "Dancing All Along", another high
energy dance song and
one I believe was a single in Japan. Smile.DK must have a
huge fan base in
Japan because they've also included a "Kimono Mix" at the
end of the album
where they substitute "dancing all alone singing dam di do"
with "dancing all
alone in my Kimono". Trust me, it's cute!
"Together" is a funky little tune that is perfectly
danceable and
demonstrates a different side of their Pop sound while "Heal My
Broken Heart"
does much the same thing, only comes across a little on the filler
side (but
not much). "Kissy Kissy" may not have depth to
its lyrics, but you'll find
yourself tapping along with it nonetheless. "Love
& Devotion" is my other
half's favorite from the album, mostly because he says it reminds him
of me.
Awwג€¦ Like I'm going to complain about a song like
that? "Don't Let Go" is
one of my personal favorites with its sweet beat and fun little
chorus.
"Dragonfly" is the obvious standout here and seems to be the
closest in style
and lyric as their first huge hit, "Butterfly". Must
be an insect thing, but
the song is easily the best on the album and you can expect to be
hitting the
repeat button on this one. "Do You?" is the last
regular track on the album
and brings things to a nice close. It might have gotten a
little more
attention had it been placed before "Dragonfly", but it's
still a decent
track. Beyond that, we have two bonus tracks. The
first is "Someday", a
filler Pop track, but a filler track I'm glad I have. The
final song is the
"Dancing All Alone (Kimono Mix)" that I mentioned earlier.
Smile.DK have managed to recapture the energy from their first album
and
improve on it for this outing. Their sophomore effort is a
far more
consistent sounding collection of songs and I look very much forward
to
hearing what they do for a third album, which I hope to find out more
about
in the near future. I finally found an e-mail address for
their manager and
have requested information from him on the group, especially since
their
website doesn't seem to exist, so stay tuned and I'll share whatever I
am
able to find out.
Anybody looking for a copy of this disc would do well to contact Scott
at
Borderline Music (borderline_music@hotmail.com) and ask him to secure
some
copies if his suppliers can come through. Tell him that Modamag sent
you.
I'll also be covering a little EP that Smile.DK put out this year
titled
"Smile.DK-Smile Paradise", which Scott said he will be able
to get in. Keep
checking back!
COMMENTS
Date/Time of Posting: Jul 06 2002 / 19:00:01
IP Address: 68.37.153.116
name = Anthy
where = setsuna_shadows@hotmail.com
Subject = ^_^
comments = Fantastic to hear about the new tracks, and I agree that
Dragonfly is a really addicting song...however, I still can't press
the stop button on 'Mr. Wonderful' (even though it isn't featured on
this one ;D)
Date/Time
of Posting: Jul 12 2002 / 15:20:27
IP Address: 200.27.53.234
name = HANS RIVAS
where = FAITHLITA70@HOTMAIL.COM
Subject = FOTOS DE SMILE D.K
comments = ESPERO QUE CUANDO LEAN ESTO ME EMBIEN NOMBRES DE SITIOS Y
FOTOS DONDE APARESCA SMILE D.K YA QUE ESO DE QUE YA NO SON UN GRUPO ES
MENTIRA YO SOY DE CHILE Y PERMANENTEMENTE ENTRE LOS QUE AQUI JUGAMOS
DANCE REVOLUCION COMENTAN DE TODO LO REFERENTE AL JUEGO Y OBVIAMENTE
DE SMILE D.K ESPERO QUE EMBIEN ALGO YA QUE .....KAGE...Y...SEBASTIAN.....ME
ABIAN EMBIADO UNOS SITIOS PERO AL CAERCE EL SISTEMA DESAPARECIERON
.O.K.
- HANS LOS ESPERO AMIGOS DE MODA MAGASING...
Date/Time of Posting: Jul
25 2002 / 09:55:06
IP Address: 65.104.92.194
name = Marc ramirez
where = Squallleonheart99@ffonline.zzn.com
subject = Smile D.k
comments = Smile d.k is one the best singers i have heard since e-rotic
their songs have some really catchy beats to it i could get petit love
out of my head for whole intire week or so and all i want to know is
where can i get their cd's
Date/Time of Posting: Aug
10 2002 / 21:17:24
IP Address: 64.212.140.68
name = Sean
where = good_vz_evil@hotmail.com
Subject = albums?
comments = hmm... I tried emailing Scott from borderline music, but it
said his email was full and couldn't be delivered. is there any other
way to contact him? I love smile.dk and I really want their albums!
Date/Time of Posting: Aug 16 2002 / 00:07:03
IP Address: 66.188.212.248
name = Smile.dk Fan
where = smiledk@gosympatico.ca
replyemail = You wanna see how they look like?
comments = Here for all of you that are dying to know:
http://resident.virtue.nu/JPN-TOCP-40093_front.jpeg
~That was with the Nina and Veronica. Nina is the black hair girl and
Veronica is the blonde. On Future Girls it isMalin and Veronica
http://resident.virtue.nu/JPN-TOCP-40137_front.jpeg
email me if you *REALLY* want to buy their cds. Or more info~
QUESTION Date/Time of
Posting: Sep 07 2002 / 22:15:50
IP Address: 211.28.89.146
name = [tpog]
where = panda_dingl@hotmail.com
smile2subject =
comments = doea anybody know if they have an official website??
Date/Time of Posting: Sep 26
2002 / 18:32:07
IP Address: 12.85.137.91
name = Jason
where = Hermes88@worldnet.att.net
smile2subject = AAAAH
comments = I want this CD!!! How could they not release this in
the US?! *runs into a wall and passes out*
Date/Time of Posting: Oct 04
2002 / 11:40:55
IP Address: 47.248.0.42
name = Mark
where = you don't need to know
comments = Yeah, it sucks that they are vastly under appreciated here.
I mean, they weren't even a MANUFACTURED pop band! I suppose
that's a requirement these days.
Date/Time of Posting: Nov 18 2002
/ 09:24:19
IP Address: 164.47.78.254
name = peng thao
where = linda_thao_gurl@yahoo.com
comments = hi there i was just wondering if i can have the song url of
butterfly so that i can put on my page in asianavenue. if that
all right with you and all. thanks
Date/Time of Posting: Nov 20 2002
/ 16:07:44
IP Address: 209.245.232.61
name = Richard Malone
where = db_astra@eudoramail.lycos.com
comments = I found some albums and singles on JPopHelp.
http://www.jpophelp.com/scripts/proddetails.asp?artist=SMILE+d%2Ek&dnum=200
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