Epitaph Album Review: TVXQ! - Storm Chaser
Epitaph | Like Snow White | Small Talk | Mahoroba | Storm Chaser | Light My Moon Like This
An emotional Japanese TVXQ mid-tempo with a central vocal refrain opening with the hook of "Doushite", this description recalls one of the greatest songs of the 21st century, Doushite Kimi Wo Suki Natte Shimattan Darou, also known as Why Did I Have To Completely Fall in Love With You in English. 13 years after its release, its climax still manages to make my spine chill. It is easily one of the group's most iconic songs, and for good reason too.
All this sets the expectations unreasonably high for Storm Chaser. The fact that both of them are emotional mid-tempos with hints of rock guitar doesn't help either. That said, Storm Chaser provides a surprisingly spirited fight for its own individuality, once again with a strong chorus. This time, the chorus has a stomping rock feel, anthemic in the face of the utter wind and rain pouring down. Storm Chaser's vocal refrain is strong and instantly memorable, while also playing itself as a successor of the album's previous single, Small Talk, with its choir hook.
The verses are not as memorable as the chorus, but they stand out on their own right with their occasional productional flourishes. However, most of their space is spent waiting for the fantastic chorus to arrive once again, sweeping you into its emotional whirlpool.
I wished Storm Chaser would do a few things differently (most notably, bring out the Changmin ad-libs a little earlier), but the song is another fantastic addition to the discography of the greatest boy band of all time. Besides, Storm Chaser is an excellent palate cleanser for the next track on the album.
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