Jessy 撰写的产品评论
-
2007年1月3日 An must-listen album
I’ve heard of this newcomer for awhile, never thought I’d like his music. Once I listen to the album, I can’t put it off.
Even though Khalil started his career in Hong Kong, he decided to use Mandarin for this album. It may be a better choice as in it can reach a wider audience. The songs are a mix of soul, R&B and hip hop. It’s very rare in Chinese music and very fresh to listen. Khalil composed, arranged and produced almost all the songs in the album, and even wrote some of the lyrics.
The prologue is a spoken intro by himself consisting of Mandarin, Cantonese and English, which shows his fluency in the 3 languages. “妹妹 Mei Mei” is a song he composed for his cousin sister. The repeated melody is catchy and the lyrics are sweet. Following is “春风吹 Chun Feng Chui“, an accapella song except for the beat. A very addictive song indeed, the tune keeps stuck in my head, so as track 9, “我们能不能 Wo Men Neng Bu Neng“, another catchy R&B about anti war and racism. Both have been my favourites.
The beat of track 6, “叫我怎么说 Jiao Wo Zen Me Shuo” reminds me of Michael Jackson’s “Butterflies”. More to my excitement, there’s a little part of him beat boxing. Romantic R&B ballads “每天每天 Mei Tian Mei Tian” and “总结 Zong Jie” are both worth listening too.
My favourite song goes to track 8, “南音 Nan Yin“. It starts with a slow melody yet the instrumentation and complicity build up towards the end. The melody is simple yet so creative that every line gives me unexpected surprise, while the ending of the song with a line of Er Hu is complementary and not intrusive at all. The lyrics by 林夕 Lin Xi are excellent. It’s about a sad and true story of a blind musician, whose rare talent was not appreciated. It’s definitely an amazing Blues/Soul song.
It’s worth to take note that there’s a hidden track after “等着你回来 Deng Zhe Ni Hui Lai“, the remake of an Chinese oldies. What’s more of that is before the bonus song, there is a recorded conversation where Khalil tries to start a conversation with a girl in a coffee shop. The dialogue really makes me scream: How sweet! :D
Khalil has to be very talented in arrangement. All the songs in the album have very additive beats and they never make you bored. His ad-libs can be so creative and soulful, but it’s so smooth and pleasant that you don’t feel that it’s exaggerating.
I’ve never been so excited listening to an album after Justin’s debut album. No matter you like or don’t like this soul boy, this is a must-listen album.
-
2 位顾客认为此评论有帮助，并投它票∶
2007年1月3日 Sweet but not too sugaryGenie Zhuo Wen Xuan - The first time I heard of this name was 5 years ago. She was merely 15 when she released her first album, after being spotted when she impersonated her idol Coco Lee in a contest. The second time I heard of her was the soundtrack of Taiwanese drama series Xiang Cao Lian Ren Guan/Lover of Herb. She sang the main theme and the ending theme. She didnt release her second album until 2006. She had a kiddy voice back then, and shes still having some of it now. That makes her vocal less convincing, but in a way it also makes her vocal more distinguishable.
This album cleverly uses the chracteristic of her vocal. The songs are sweet, romantic and some are cute. Super No.1″, Xing Fu Tiao Wei and Wu Lu Mu Qi Xiao Nv Ren are cute and lively. Unlike other teenage female singers in Taiwan, her vocal is sweet but agreeable and not too poppy. Chang Yi Xiu catches my attention with a taste of Chinese opera and its not over-doing it.
Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Li Ye is a romantic duet between Gary Chaw and Genie Zhuo. Liang Shan Bo is a classic character from the play Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Tai or The Butterfly Lovers, which is always regarded as the Chinese Romeo and Juliet. The song is basically a mixed of Eastern and Western culture. As long as the two persons love each other, cultural or race difference do not matter at all. Love conquers it all. Gary and Genies voices blend perfectly with each other. Whats note-taking is that they are actually singing the same key! Kudos to Gary!
Genie also composed one song in the album. Dui Ni De Ai is a sad ballad in which Genie expresses her own feelings that during the recording, she got so emotional and she cried. Dong Tian De Ju Zi is a little boring, but Ke Yi Bu Ke Yi is another sweet ballad that suits Genies vocal perfectly, along with Ai Wo Hao Ma, a cover of Tarcy Sus song recorded 15 years ago.
Recommended tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 10
-
2007年1月3日 A lot of potential
“糖不甩/Tong But Lat” is a dessert specialty consisting of glutinous rice mixed with sugar coated crushed peanuts, sesame. The Khalil Fong’s composition is a surprise for me. A blend R&B and Chinese oriental sound is not common in Taiwanese music, but it sounds totally fresh in Cantonese music. I would say it takes a considerable amount of courage to plug it as the first single from the album.
The first time I heard “小峽谷之1234/Siu Hap Gok Ji Yat Yee Sum Sei”, I thought it was Joey Yung for a moment. The fast-beat song composed by Edward Chan and Charles Lee has a kind of disco feel, and Fiona adds a unique style to it. I was impressed by the improvement of her I thought once weak vocal.
Track 3, 4, and 6 are normal slow ballads with Fiona’s sweet voice. The theme song of the movie “新札师妹3/Love Undercover 3″, “树娃/Shu Wa” has its name taken from Fiona’s lead role in the movie. “狐狸今天你愉快吗/Woo Lei Kam Tin Nei Yu Fai Ma” is another soft ballad that allows Fiona’s clear crisp vocal to stand out.
“Dear Fiona” is my favorite song in the album along with track 1 and 2. The song gradually grows from a soft guitar-accompanied melody to a rock tune with strong drum beat and electric guitar sound. A great song that I listen to repeatedly and Fiona defeinitely develops her own style when she sings it. The lyrics are uplifting. I love it when she sings “trust in you dear”, it’s as if she’s asking her to believe in herself.
“梦游/Mong Yao” uses electronic sounds that create the atmosphere of sleepwalking. “雪花飄/Xue Hua Piao” is the Mandarin version of “糖不甩/Tong But Lat”. Fiona did quite a good job singing Mandarin, but it’s still not as good as the Cantonese version. Whereas “社会歌/Say Wooi Goh” has the same melody as of track 2 with different lyrics and a different arrangement.
At track 10 is another short and sweet ballad, “给10年后的我/Kap Sap Nin Hao Dik Ngo”. What will we become in ten years time? Will we be more successful, more mature, experienced, wise? Or will we be tired, numb? Will we forget the dreams that we once determine to achieve?
“Electric Angel” is an album that shows us Fiona’s potential as a singer. I’ll be looking forward to her next album.
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7, 10
-
1 位顾客认为此评论有帮助，并投它票∶
2007年1月3日 Averagely decentNuan Nuan is most suitable for new couples that are deeply in love. The song is a bit too sugary for me, but I believe a lot of fans will love it. Compared to it, I prefer Ke Le Jie Zhi and Xiao Shou La Da Shou, also both sweet love ballad. Ke Le Jie Zhi has the feel of happiness, and Fishs vocal is more natural in it. Xiao Shou La Da Shou is a Japanese cover. It sounds familiar to me initially, then I realized Zen Bao Yi did that song before too. Nevertheless I still love the song a lot.
Qin Qin, the title song that describes the feeling of first love, is another song that I adore. Its not a song of total different style, but its quite different from the ballads that Fish sang in the past. Its more similar to her early songs Yi Ye Zhang Da or Di San Zhe, with a much better vocal. Her good control of vocal can easily be heard when she changes from one range to another.
Both Xing Fu Yang Guo Zi Dian and Fei Yu have a special efect applied on her vocal to make it lighter. I dont like the effect as it makes her voice sound fake to me. Id rather have her original clean vocal. If it weret for the effect, I might like the melody of the two songs. Unfortunately, I try to avoid these two songs.
Shi Yi is composed by Jay Chou, a rather normal ballad. The male background vocal adds a bit of specialty to the melody of Bu Shi Wo Bu Ming Bai. Xiao Xin Yan, the duet between Fish Leong and Chen Qi Zhen is definitely Qi Zhen style. Fair enough, its composed by her and thanks to that, we hear a different Fish Leong in this song.
There are also two first times for Fish in this album - her first recorded Hokkien song and her first composition, Xu. The album starts with an acoustic song and ends with another acoustic tune. This album is generally lighter, sweeter and happier that her last one.
Recommended tracks: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12
-
1 位顾客认为此评论有帮助，并投它票∶
2006年5月11日 Great Album with Positive MessageYoull Shine Again; What can I say more about this song? I already love the Cantonese version (track 2 of Justin album) so much, and hes even better singing this English version. Justin has showcased his range, his powerful vocal and his ad-lib in this song. Even though I prefer the original arrangement to this piano-only arrangement, I love the English lyrics more. I see the light, see a rainbow, see the beauty thats within you . Youll shine again. Yup, Justin write the lyrics himself.
Dream Away; This is another English song, but with three lines in Cantonese. First time Justin writing Cantonese lyrics? In fact, this is more like an outro or a demo, taking into account the length of the song. With only guitar accompaniment, its like a lullaby Justin sings for you before you sleep. Its so sweet! Oh and I love the way he sings the words close your eyes.
There will sure be fans to feel disappointed of the lack of R&B songs. Indeed, I love his Erica and Superstar so much. But look, theres no R&B but we get to hear so many more new elements in this album. Moreover he has never labelled himself as an R&B singer, however good he is in that genre. Hes more into pop and soul.
Its such a pleasure to listen to Justins song with a earphone, because I can listen to the background vocals clearly. All the vocals are done by Justin himself. Another thing is that unlike some other Hong Kongers who have lived in a foreign county, Justin pronounces Cantonese very well.
After listening to the whole album, I find that the songs have gone much more positive compared to his previous songs such as Hoe Yan, Ngo But See Hoe Yan, Erica etc. Will it be suitable to say that Justin album describes his past while No Protection describes his present?
Recommended tracks: 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12
-
2006年5月11日 Great Sophomore from Justin
Two days before having his first concert in the most prestigious concert stadium in Hong Kong, Justin has his second album “No Protection” released. With the first album being such a success and him being the first HK artist to launch a concert just after one album, many people have been expecting this album a lot. Making the second album is always harder than the first one. This album never disappoints me!
The intro is a short clip of 4-year-old Justin singing, recorded by his mother on cassette years ago. He sounded so excited that I can almost visualize a small child jumping, belting out the Alan Tham’s song. The intro puts a big smile on my face.
決戰二世祖 Kuet Jin Yee Sai Jo (Battle With The Rich Man’s Son) is one of the surprises from this album. The tune is so catchy and the electronic modified child’s voice adds color to the song, even though the idea has been used several times by other singers (with Akon’s “Lonely” being the most famous one). The lyrics are also interesting, which is about him competing with a rich man’s son to earn a girl’s heart.
運 Wan (Luck) is a slow ballad. It sounds placid at the verse, then the tension builds up from the second chorus. I’ve grown to love this song more and more the more times I listen to it, especially the lyrics, which is very uplifting and motivating. It’s best to listen when I feel down.
“Now I’ve realized how lucky I am, to sigh about the imperfections in life at the customs”
“However bad the days are, do not forget that as long as I’m still breathing, my heart still beats, I’m not abandoned”
If you like “Meng Ngang” from his debut album, you gotta listen “Kong”. Nice melody with an amazingly wide range. The song uses the love story of King Kong and the beauty to describe the determination of a lover. However, there’s also a story behind this. There was once when Justin said he imagines himself as King Kong and all the bullets (paparazzi and the negative news) won’t hurt him. That’s also the reason why you see King Kong appears on the album cover. The lyrics are very well written. “Me, I never hurt anyone” “I despise, I don’t believe, I’m not scared, disappointment makes me stronger.”
夢女 Mong Lui (Dream Girl). I’ve always loved this kind of dreamy, mystery feel. Love the arrangement, love the feel and the few lines of speaking in Spanish (if I’m not wrong bout that) by a girl. It’s so sexy!
Volar is another big surprise from Justin. This song sounds like a blend of American hip-hop and Cantonese pop. I love the way he raps too.
情永落 Ching Wing Lok is actually the name of his first girlfriend. When I first knew that, I thought this will be a sad love song. It turns out to be a very positive song. According to him, when he broke up with her, it was as if the end of the world. But it was because of that incident, he started to compose and produce songs. Every cloud has a silver lining; every negative thing has some positive elements in it. Justin’s voice sounds very powerful in the chorus. Gotta love it when he sings the high notes.
美麗之最 Mei Lai Ji Joi (The Most Beautiful); What a powerful ballad! Justin has said how he loves this kind of ballad. And this kind of song is perfect for him! This song gets me high and it’s another song that I keep repeating.
-
2006年5月11日 A Rare Talent
The first time I heard his song “Erica” is from radio. I had no idea who the singer is but I love the song immediately. Before I know more about him, he has received the “best male newcomer” award in various music awards.
Justin grew up in the United States. After coming back to Hong Kong, he met famous album producer, Mark Lui, and became a composer. He has since then composed songs for other singers. His impressing performance as a background singer in Leo Ku’s concert then led him to become a recording artiste.
First, I was skeptical that he’s one of those composer-turn-artiste singers, as a lot of them can’t really sing. However, this guy can really sing! He doesn’t have a unique voice, but there’s something special in his voice, something that’s able to move the listeners. His wide range and outstanding singing skill make his otherwise good composition even greater.
Most of the songs in the album are composed by himself. The songs are main stream, yet they give room for him to fully use his skill and range. “好人 Hoe Yan”, “我不是好人 Ngo But See Hoe Yan”, “命硬 Meng Ngang” and “我有今日 Ngo Yao Kam Yat” all have the potential to become popular radio hits. There’re 2 versions of “好人”. The last track is titled “Hao Ren (Original). The last track sounds like a refined and more easy listening version, but the first track, which is the remixed version is more creative.
“Erica” is catchy and R&B and a little David Tao-ish, likewise for “Superstar”. They get better each time you listen to them. Acoustic “冰淇淋之味 Bing Kei Lam Gee Mei” talks about his experience of racism in United States. “Loving You” and “White Christmas” are the 2 covers of oldies. Being a fan of the original song, I prefer the original version of “Loving You”, but I have to admit that Justin did a brilliant job in the falsetto part.
This is a must-buy album. After listening to this album, I have no doubt that he’s the most potential newcomer in 2005.
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
-
2006年1月27日 Worth buying album
This is Z Chens sixth album. Like his previous albums, it has never been disappointing.
Happiness (Kuai Le) is the only song composed by Z Chen in the album. He creatively uses this popular tune from Cantonese oldies Needing You Every Minute (Fun Fun Jong Sui Yew Nei) as a sample to create a new song. The tune is simple but nice and the lyrics are also meaningful. It talks about our happiness is in our hands and its decided by us.
Another radio hit Just Once is in a catchier tune and Z Chen sings it with his style naturally. Let The Time Says (Rang Shi Jian Kai Kou) is kind of a rock style which Z Chen seldom sings. Because I Love You, a cover of an English oldies shows Z Chens ability in singing English songs. And my favorite song from the album will be track 7 Delay, a moving number with equally touching lyrics.
Overall it is quite a quiet, soothing album. Compared to his last album, it lacks the variety in genre of songs, but its more intimate and pleasant listening. The songs are able to reach out and touch the hearts of listeners. It is actually quite suitable to listen to at night or in the car on your way home.
One thing that can be improved is the cover of the album. For me, it is too plain for an album cover. Same for the lyrics booklet. I was hoping for more words in the booklet. Overall, this album is worth buying.
Song list:
1. Happiness (Kuai Le)
2. Just Once
3. Let The Time Says (Rang Shi Jian Kai Kou)
4. Worry (Dan Xin)
5. Close Lover (Tie Shen Qing Ren)
6. Because I Love You
7. Delay (Tuo Yan)
8. Optimist (Le Tian Pai)
9. Premonition (Yu Yan)
10. Put My Heart in Your Hands (Fang Wo De Zhen Xin Zai Ni De Shou Xin)
Tracks recommended: Happiness, Because I Love You, Delay, Optimist
-
1 位顾客认为此评论有帮助，并投它票∶
2006年1月27日 Amazing VocalFish Leong collaborates with many different singer-songwriters in this album, including one of the most creditable songwriters in Taiwan, Lee Hom who composed the title song Si Lu(Silk Road).
I dont really like the title song Silk Road when I first heard it. After a few times listening to it carefully, the song really gets to me. I feel like Im wandering in Silk Road, the never-ending mass desert. Fishs rendition is flawless. But I still think there should be more background vocal and contra vocal towards the end, not only the last chorus. The arrangement can be made to sound grander. My favorite song in the album, Wo Hai Ji De (I Still Remember) is written by the composer who wrote If There Is One Day (Ru Guo You Yi Tian) in Fishs sophomore album. If you like that song, youll certainly love this as well. It shows her powerful voice and her vocal range. A nice but not easy song to sing in karaoke.
Dont be mistaken that Shou Shou De (Lean) is a song for sliming centers commercial. Its about the concept of lean love brought up by the producers. Eighty percent of happiness is enough. This song is cute, naturally cute, unlike some fake cuteness in Taiwan or Japan. Fishs voice is sweet but not over. It reminds me of one of her earlier songs Loving You Is Not Only Two Three Days (Ai Ni Bu Shi Liang San Tian). Ke Xi Bu Shi Ni (Sadly, Its Not You) is the theme song of Korean Series Sad Love Story. Fish sings it perfectly. I absolutely love her vibrato at the end of each phrase.
Other songs worth mentioned are Lu (Road) written by JS, Yi Dui Yi (One To One) by Tanya, rockish Xia Yi Miao Zhong (Next Second) and slow ballad Ying Wei Hai Shi Hui (Because Id Still).
Fish Leong is no doubt one of the best female vocal in the industry and her vocal has improved a lot since her first album. This small town girl aint nominated Golden Music Awards Best Female Singer for nothing.
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9
-
2006年1月27日 One of his Best Album!
“狼 Wolf” is a Nicholas-styled rock song. This 25-year old guy really loves rock music and you can sense his passion in the song. I kinda like its lyrics, which demonstrates the rebel and resistant spirit of young generation. “塞车 Traffic Jam” is the first radio hit from this album, using traffic jam as a metaphor for a state of stagnant relationship. A potential hit K-song but somehow I think it’s just mediocre compared to the other tracks in the album. “纠缠 Pester”, “苏三想说 Susan Wanna Say” and “不幸的人 Unfortunate People” are pop-rock songs that really suit Nicholas’s voice and image. I love “纠缠 Pester” the most among them three. “鹰 Hawk”, another pop-rock song written by Nicholas himself, uses a lot of guitar in its arrangement, which reinforces Nicholas’s image as a guitarist. He also wrote “多得你少 Thanks to You” and co-wrote “同门 Brothers”. “多得你少 Thanks to You” is an incredible ballad, showing Nicholas’s vocal range. “怕黑 Scared of Darkness” and “不幸的人 Unfortunate People” are equally good while “同门 Brothers” is a lovely ballad with meaningful lyrics.
Unlike a lot of albums in the market where there are only a few good songs in the album, all the tracks in this album range from average to excellent. In fact, Nicholas is one of the few singers whose albums I can listen to for more than one month. The songs get better the more you listen to it.
Apart from “Wolf”, this album seems to deviate from the rock style Nicholas usually has. I love his previous albums but this album is more pleasant listening, which makes it closer to the market. It also has to be noted that his vocal has improved a lot. The booklet is a simple one but Nicholas looks gorgeous in the pictures. No more bad boy look, the pictures taken in a bungalow-like mansion show the mature side of him. Below are some treats of the pictures in the booklet.
This is definitely one of his best albums so far.
Song recommendations: 1, 3, 6, 9, 10
-
2006年1月27日 Most Potential Newcomer
The first time I heard his song “Erica” is from radio. I had no idea who the singer is but I love the song immediately. Before I know more about him, he has received the “best male newcomer” award in various music awards.
Justin grew up in the United States. After coming back to Hong Kong, he met famous album producer, Mark Lui, and became a composer. He has since then composed songs for other singers. His impressing performance as a background singer in Leo Ku’s concert then led him to become a recording artiste.
First, I was skeptical that he’s one of those composer-turn-artiste singers, as a lot of them can’t really sing. However, this guy can really sing! He doesn’t have a unique voice, but he has a wide range and as a newcomer, his singing is really outstanding.
Most of the songs in the album are composed by himself. The songs are main stream, yet they give room for him to fully use his skill and range. “好人 Hao Ren”, “我不是好人 Wo Bu Shi Hao Ren”, “命硬 Ming Ying” and “我有今日 Wo You Jin Ri” all have the potential to become popular radio hits. There’re 2 versions of “Hao Ren”. The last track is titled “Hao Ren (Original). The first track sounds like a refined and more easy listening version, but the other is more creative.
“Erica” is catchy and R&B and a little David Tao-ish. Acoustic “冰淇淋之味 Bing Qi Lin Zhi Wei” talks about his experience of racism in United States. “Loving You” and “White Christmas” are the 2 covers of oldies. Being a fan of the original song, I prefer the original version of “Loving You”, but I have to admit that Justin did a brilliant job in the falsetto part.
After listening to this album, I have no doubt that he’s the most potential newcomer in 2005.
Recommended tracks: 1, 2, 5, 6, 7
-
2006年1月27日 A Great Rock Album
Nicholas Tse’s fifth Mandarin album “Shi Fang (Release)” features songs written or composed by several most celebrated composers, including FIR, Wu Bai, May Day, You Hong Ming, Yida Huang, Tanya Chua, Vivian Hsu etc.
Although he merely wrote a song in the album, Nicholas co-produced all the songs in the album, also played the guitar solo in Ji Mo Tang Kou.
It started with “Yong Zhe Zhi Ge 勇者之歌” composed by Ah Qin from F.I.R. It’s very much a F.I.R-styled song. However, Nicholas’s vocal sounds a bit forced on the high notes. This makes the other songs in the album much better than this first radio hit. For example, “Ai Hui Lai 爱回来” and “He Shui Dao Liu 河水倒流”, both have good beats and are catchy.
“Ju Jue Gu Dan 拒绝孤独” and “Ji Mo Tang Kou 寂寞堂口”, composed by Wu Bai and May Day respectively, are the 2 best songs in the album. “Ju Jue Gu Dan” starts with a simple verse, then the tension builds up as the song goes. The song really brings out the whole rock atmosphere. The following song “Ji Mo Tang Kou” then puts you in a high mood. The song is great and Nicholas’s guitar solo is excellent! It then continues with another brilliant rock number, “Shang Yi Ci Xia Yi Ci 上一次下一次”, composed by Huang Yi Da.
Though do not stand out as much as the rock numbers, there are good ballads in the album. “Ni Wei Xiao Shi Hao Mei 你微笑时好美” reminds me of Nicholas earlier Mandarin songs. “Zhu Guang 烛光”, an up-lifting song with beautiful melody line and “Gei Tian Shi Kan De Xin 给天使看的信”, Nicholas’s first attempt to a Waltz-like ballad are both well delivered too.
Unlike most Chinese albums which the themes are about love and relationship, there are songs in this album about courage, dream, hope, peace, environment and social problems. Overall, the songs are great. A great rock album!
显示∶ 1-12 共 12 件
页:
1
书签及分享