Considering the fact that so many of you wouldn’t shut the eff up about this album – my continuous promising and postponements of posting it didn’t help – you have left me with no alternative than to bust out a ginormous review for you, right here and right now. I will serve you track-by-track realness and you’re going to eat it raw and your scroll bar will weep like a little biotch, because this thing is going to be equivalent to a gigantic veiny boner. Are you gagging yet?

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Junsu‘s “Tarantallegra” album is as mind-numbingly amazing and exquisitely confusing as its title. I don’t know how much sense that makes as a descriptor, but I’m hoping it’s effective because I felt all kinds of mixed emotions as I listened to this thing. A week later, I’m still quivering in anxiety.

Tarantallegra is by no means perfect, regardless of how amazing of a singer I think Junsu is. It’s important to state this in advance, because Junsu is one of K-pop’s most highly revered singers, not just by me, but by the global K-pop fandom and Korean professional critics errwhere. The fact that he’s immensely talented goes without saying at this point, however, I do believe that even the most talented people shouldn’t be easily rewarded with praise, because there is always room to grow. And where there’s room to grow there is room for mistakes to manifest in one form or another.

So, were there any of these mistakes crawling about in Tarantallegra, or is it as brilliant as we had expected it to be?

Let’s find out.

read the rest of this review, only on McRoth’s Residence

*there are five pages of it, so make sure you don’t miss anything :x

Part 1

Part 2

as seen on McRoth’s Residence

The week before last, I asked you guys a very simple question:

“What was the best album of 2011?”

Instantly hundreds of you began to vote. Some so dedicated, that at times the leader board seemed like a mother-flippin’ battle field. A damn near blood bath!

And when I was certain one album had finally snatched the top spot for good, in came a dark horse to claim the throne.

What a victory, you guys.

I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Below you will find the album that blog readers chose as the best of 2011!

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Congratulations, Navi!!! Your fans must be high-class ninjas, because they absolutely slaughtered the poll when I wasn’t looking.

For those a little fuzzy on Navi, here’s a snippet of my “Hello” review, written earlier this year:

“Those of you familiar with solo singer Navi know that she is widely referred to as the Queen of Covers (i.e, “2 Different Tears”, “Hot Issue”, “It Hurts” )… …But covering songs is one thing.  Providing new and original music stripped of popularity and recognition is a completely different ball game. “Hello” sees Navi step out of the shadow of her endearing title and into full stride as she utilizes her raw talent to captivate, all on her terms and under nobody’s name but her own.” - [Review] “Hello” by Navi

What can I say, my readers have great taste in music. ;)

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Thanks to everyone for participating and I’ll see you soon when I reveal Reader’s Choice for Best Mini-Album.

Here are the rest of the albums that placed in the top five:

The year is nearing the end, folks, and in true celebratory fashion, McRoth’s Residence is here to present its third annual “Top Kpop Songs Of 2011”!

Below is a list of 25 Top Kpop Songs (with reviews), written by yours truly (McRoth), plus contributing writers drowningn00b and lolpenny. That’s it! We sat through the rules, and now it’s time to enjoy the songs that we at McRoth’s Residence thought were some of the best of the year 2011.

QUICK REMINDER: These 25 songs span from July to December. For the 25 songs chosen for January - June, please check out the Top Kpop Songs Of 2011: Mid Year Roundup, which features 2NE1, B2st, DBSK, SISTAR19, and many many more!

Read More

*** Full list of Top Kpop Songs Of 2011 (July - December) post and commentary can be found only on mcrothsresidence.com

> ”Top Kpop Songs Of 2011” playlist available on YouTube (Here)

> ShortForm ‘‘TOP KPOP SONGS OF 2011 Party’ announcement will be made on Facebook and Twitter very soon!!

> McRoth’s Residence is now on Tumblr - follow me here

> “Top Kpop Songs Of 2011: Mid Year Roundup”

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> TOP KPOP MVs OF 2011 (coming soon)

> POLL RESULTS: Best Album Of 2011 (12/19/11)

> POLL RESULTS: Best Mini-Album Of 2011 (12/23/11)

> McRoth’s Residence: Best Album and Best Mini-Album of 2011 (12/23/11)