Reviews written by Christine
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Life's A Struggle
1 people found the following helpful
September 24, 2006 Shawn SungHis name is Shawn Sung, not Shawn Song as listed. I do believe Life's A Struggle is the best rap song in Chinese. It's so genuine and not trying to be bigger than what it really is. I'm rather impartial to the rest of the album though. All pale in comparison to the song the album's named after.
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Huo Yuan Chia (EP+DVD) (NTSC Version)
2 people found the following helpful
September 10, 2006 Same Jay Chou, Same TalentAt first glance (listen?), Huo Yuan Chia does seem a lot like the rest of Jay Chou's faster-paced songs like Lanse Fengbao, but upon closer inspection, it is evident that this song has its own special merits. Part of the reason for Jay Chou's fame is that he does things in his music that are unprecedented and sometimes just plain weird and awkward. Nonetheless, the weirdness is what sets him apart. The repetitions of "huo" and "wo" seem like perfect targets of mockery, but they make the song very different, sort of like the "he he ha hi" in Shuangjiegun. Another notable point is the Chinese operatic singing in falsetto. These are mere details, but they all contribute to the composition that is Huo Yuan Chia. It's not his best work, but it's not the reuse of previous material as some people have mentioned. All of Jay Chou's songs have his own style in them and he hasn't changed much (yes, he pretty much admits to selling out). Nonetheless, I don't mind letting him do what he's good at.
As for Hin Sai, just let me explain that I don't know any Cantonese though, according to Cantonese-speakers, his pronunciation is far from perfect. I'm fairly impartial to this song. I wouldn't have cared if they didn't include it in the EP, though a one-song EP wouldn't exactly be a good marketing strategy. It's a nice slow song with pretty piano playing in the background. A bit melancholy too. Props for attempting another language.
Now that that's out of the way, let me get to the best part: the music videos. I won't describe them individually, but all of them are high-budget, good-quality MVs with interesting storylines as well. The only MVs not up to par were Lanse Fengbao (CG was too fake for liking) and Heise Maoyi (incredibly drab). Sometimes watching the MVs really makes the songs sound better. The DVD also comes with clips from a concert he held in Hong Kong, which is a great bonus.
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September 10, 2006 Album Title Does Describe It
The only way I can describe this album adequately is as thick velvet in a solid color. Weird, I know. Let me elaborate. The album is incredibly good quality. David Tao's vocals are rich and his talents are still present in the composition. However, there aren't any stand-out tracks in my opinion. I've had the album for a few weeks and still haven't fallen head over heels in love with a certain song. Every song is composed well but nothing is very unique or contains that special something. So all in all, there's nothing bad about this album, but there's nothing to get excited over either. All are, more or less, in David Tao's signature R&B style. Very comfortable music to listen to whenever you just want to chill. It's mostly composed of ballads. Don't expect songs like Gui or Sunzi Bingfa from The Great Leap. The album is just a rolling landscape of love songs, along with his remake of Wang Bu Liao, which isn't as great as Yueliang Daibiao Shei De Xin, but is a pretty catchy reinterpretation. I recommend this album for lovers of love songs, namely slow ones. It's a beautiful and definitely consistent release. Literally seamless. The songs seem to flow into each other naturally.
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1 people found the following helpful
August 23, 2006 BeautifulIf you like ballads, this is the album for you. Fanfan is fantastic at singing these songs. Her voice is on the deep side and very smooth, which I like. It's not piercing or too sweet-sounding. I didn't like Track 1 or 5. I know she needed some faster, more upbeat songs to break up all the slow ones but she sounds much better singing the slower ones. They were also composed better. Track 6, the duet with Angela Chang, is brilliantly composed. Their voices complement each other perfectly. This is great for lovers of those pretty, slow K-songs.
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My Life Will...
1 people found the following helpful
August 21, 2006 PerfectSometimes, all you need is a guitar and a voice. This proves true for Deserts, who at 25 is already a highly accomplished singer/songwriter. She started composing music at 13, and has been performing live for quite some time. The release of her debut album this year almost seems like an afterthought; her music was definitely not meant to be confined in a CD, and she certainly doesn't need it to showcase her skills.
Nonetheless, the CD is what I own and my only access to Deserts' delightful voice. It is light and cute, but not deliberately. Her clear voice exudes confidence and also her unique style. The way she articulates makes sure you never forget it is she who is singing.
I'm not going to describe every song individually, because, by the way I describe them, you'd probably think they were all the same. But no, they each hold their own special charms. The first track, "Scream", however, is the song that got me hooked. It's sincere and doesn't try to be what it's not. Simple and heartfelt. Another track I'd like to mention is Track 7 "Live Jiuguan 300 Miao" just because it's the coolest song on the album. Haven't heard a melody like that...ever.
This album is a must-buy. Especially if you like acoustic/folk music or need something easy but meaningful to listen to. I love people who write their own music. Needless to say, Deserts is one of them. The songs all seem very personal and close to her heart, and she sings them with unprecedented familiarity. Top-notch coffeehouse music. I'm talking the crème de la crème. Cheer Chen has competition.
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Dancing Diva (Perfect Celebration Edition) (CD+DVD)
Dancing Diva (Perfect Celebration Edition) (CD+DVD) DVD Region All
(15)Our Price: US$21.99Related promotions:5 people found the following helpful
August 21, 2006 Entertainment, Nothing MoreJolin is basically packaged to produce a profit. Everything from her revealing clothing to her edgy dance moves is meant to appeal to the masses. And so they do. Even I, the anti-Jolin, cannot help but admit that Jolin's songs are catchy and instant hits. It is a shame that most of the fast songs are covers, though. Nonetheless, the songs are great for some shallow listening and the music videos all look like they cost a whole lot of money. The downfall of this album is the collection of slow songs: boring, uninventive, repetitive. Only track #4 "Jiazhuang" won't put me into a temporary coma. What a shame they take up half the album. The upbeat tracks, on the other hand, are rather enjoyable. They're not the creations of lyrical geniuses or brilliant composers, but still fresh. In an odd "I have nothing else exciting to listen to" sort of way.
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S.H.E Forever New + Best Selection (CD+DVD)
S.H.E Forever New + Best Selection (CD+DVD) DVD Region All
(5)Our Price: US$19.49Related promotions:6 people found the following helpful
August 21, 2006 UnneededIf you are an S.H.E fan, you probably already have most of the songs in Forever. Even though there are new songs and previously unreleased songs, they aren't good enough to make this album worth getting. Even Jay Chou's composition is mediocre at best. If you don't have any of S.H.E's more recent albums, then I suppose this purchase would be nice. However, I don't consider this a very good best-of compilation because it doesn't really represent the very best songs they have released in recent years.
Songs I do like are 6. Super Star, 7. Tian Hui, 11. Hou Niao, 16. Yi Yan Wannian, and 17. Yuegui Nushen.
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1 people found the following helpful
August 20, 2006 Highly RecommendedArys Chien, proficient songwriter by the name of Deep White, and Duan Yu, lovely female vocalist, form the new group Deep White. Avex Trax promoted them madly, proudly listing all the artists for whom Arys Chien had written lyrics. However, this duo really requires no such introduction. Their music speaks for themselves.
Let me get straight to the point: their debut album is good. No overused background music, stereotypical love song lyrics, or weak vocals. The best part is that everything from musical arrangement, lyrical composition, guitar-playing, and vocals is done by Arys Chien and Duan Yu themselves, which is a major plus for me.
Arys Chien's talent is quite evident in his musical arrangements, which are heavily layered, complex, and always unique, employing fantastic acoustic and electric guitar-playing as well as nice string and piano arrangements. The music is always varied and innovative while retaining beauty. Not to mention quirky.
The lyrics throughout the album are moving, insightful, and at times, funny. The songs don't recycle the same old words by setting them to slightly different melodies.
Duan Yu's vocals are very strong, confident, but also sweet. She isn't a top-notch singer, but her passion and emotion are apparent.
The album is balanced well, with some awesome ballads mixed in with some great rock numbers. They vary in tempo, instruments, and styles. The upbeat songs may just save the album from being just another Chinese pop album. And yet, through all the album's diversity, Deep White's distinctive, consistent attitude is present throughout.
It's always so hard reviewing albums I enjoy because there are only so many times I can repeat the words "amazing!", "great!" etc. My only complaint would be that Chien doesn't sing enough, but he contributes so much in other aspects it doesn't really matter. Duan Yu can hold her own. All in all, Deep White's debut is solid, featuring 100% talent and a whole lot of spunk.
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Heroes of Earth Live Concert (Deluxe Edition) (2DVD+2CD)
Heroes of Earth Live Concert (Deluxe Edition) (2DVD+2CD) DVD Region All
(10)Our Price: US$33.99Related promotions:2 people found the following helpful
August 20, 2006 EnjoyableI was never really a Leehom fan, but I must say this concert DVD can convert anyone to a rabid fan. His singing is better live than in the studio (that really is saying something) and he's got amazing stage presence. He can really get the crowd going, and it doesn't hurt that he knows how to play five instruments, namely piano, violin, guitar, drums, and erhu. I didn't feel the need to fast-forward any parts in the concert. Everything is pretty much entertaining to watch. Half the time I'm just wondering how someone can be so good-looking and musically talented at the same time. He also dances a bit, which is cute.
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3 people found the following helpful
August 4, 2006 Not a Marketing GimmickYes, the fact that it is an all-female rock band is enough for some people to just buy the album out of curiosity or intrigue. But if you don't buy this album, just let me assure you that you are missing out on one of the better Chinese pop albums released so far this year.
And, in case you were wondering, it's not a recording company's attempt to make a female pop group seem credible by dressing them in punk-rock garb and electric guitars. They actually play their own instruments and write most of their own music (gasp!). The four-member rock band is composed of more than some pretty faces, for once. Let's move on to their lead vocalist, Cha-cha. She has a crisp, young, spirited voice with tons of energy and a lot of attitude. Her voice basically grabs you and says, "Hey! Listen to me!" without being grating to the point where you'd rather give that Rainie Yang CD a few spins. Her sweet, powerful, emotion-filled voice juxtaposed with heavy rock is a perfect fit. I am using the term "rock" a bit loosely though. Some may still consider Cherry Boom to have a relatively more pop sound: so be it. It's good pop then.
It's not every day that you'll find a Taiwanese girl band that writes and plays its own songs. So savor the opportunity. And no, I'm not saying they're the next female Led Zeppelin. But they're pretty damn good at what they do.
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July 6, 2006 Highly Recommended
Arys Chien, proficient songwriter by the name of 深白色, and Duan Yu (端妤), lovely female vocalist, form the new group Deep White. Avex Trax promoted them madly, proudly listing all the artists for whom Arys Chien had written lyrics. However, this duo really requires no such introduction. Their music speaks for themselves.
Let me get straight to the point: their debut album is good. No overused background music, stereotypical love song lyrics, or weak vocals. The best part is that everything from musical arrangement, lyrical composition, guitar-playing, and vocals is done by Arys Chien and Duan Yu themselves, which is a major plus for me.
Arys Chien抯 talent is quite evident in his musical arrangements, which are heavily layered, complex, and always unique, employing fantastic acoustic and electric guitar-playing as well as nice string and piano arrangements. The music is always varied and innovative while retaining beauty. Not to mention quirky.
The lyrics throughout the album are moving, insightful, and at times, funny. The songs don抰 recycle the same old words by setting them to slightly different melodies.
Duan Yu抯 vocals are very strong, confident, but also sweet. She isn抰 a top-notch singer, but her passion and emotion are apparent.
The album is balanced well, with some awesome ballads mixed in with some great rock numbers. They vary in tempo, instruments, and styles. The upbeat songs may just save the album from being 搄ust another Chinese pop album? And yet, through all the album抯 diversity, Deep White抯 distinctive, consistent attitude is present throughout.
It抯 always so hard reviewing albums I enjoy because there are only so many times I can repeat the words 揳mazing!? 揼reat!? etc. My only complaint would be that Chien doesn抰 sing enough, but he contributes so much in other aspects it doesn抰 really matter. Duan Yu can hold her own. All in all, Deep White抯 debut is solid, featuring 100% talent and a whole lot of spunk.
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The Outsiders (Vol.1-20) (End) (US Version)
The Outsiders (Vol.1-20) (End) (US Version) DVD Region All
(24)Our Price: US$35.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:October 10, 2005 Don't BotherI don't even know where to start. Dylan Kuo (Guo Pin Chao) was, by far, the worst actor in the series, not including the extras. It's inconceivable that he was cast as the main character. Besides his height and good-looking face, he has no other redeeming qualities. He really has to work on the major thing, which is acting. Best performances would probably have to go to Lu Ming Jun and Lan Zheng Long. Their acting was a little more believable. The plot and script are mediocre, but not bad. There were some ridiculously sappy moments, and many unrealistic occurrences, but overall the plot/script was okay. I don't know who the director is, but he really needs to work on his skills, or lack thereof. The series lacks direction and needs to be heavily editted. Some scenes look like a 10-year-old grabbed a videocamera and tried to make a movie. Maybe their budget was low, but I know plenty of low-budget films that came out rather good. I give this series props for having a plot that appeals to teenage girls who don't know any better, but otherwise, it isn't a series worth watching.
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2 people found the following helpful
October 4, 2005 Refreshing, Different, UniqueThis largely underrated group has almost rid itself of Jay Chou's shadow, coming out with its own individuality. Many people criticize the change in group members; I don't know the reasoning behind this change, but this album should be reviewed without relativity to the previous album, for it is in a class of its own.
The female voice is refreshing amidst the familiar male voices, keeping the songs from getting too tedious. The new male member has a smooth voice, though nothing too unique.
The first track Po Xiao is my personal favorite. It combines classical, rock, and rap elements, which makes it a pretty unique and exciting number.
Track 5 Mu Dan Jiang is another well-executed song. Its background music is mainly comprised of Chinese instrumentals, and the accent is done well by Lara.
All in all, this is an album worth buying. It is different from its predecessor and a step above a lot of the music coming out of Taiwan nowadays.
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