Hins First Cantonese Album (CD+DVD) DVD Region All

With minimal involvement, the choice of songs this time is mostly restricted to the usual line-up of ballads. "After Shock" (Track 1) sets the tone of the album with a solid arrangement and melody that set out to enhance Hins' vocal strength, as well as challenge karaoke patrons. The second track, "A Soul-Stirring Love Song", marks a welcome return to the R&B ballads that Hins is known for. The song accomplishes exactly what the title promises with romantic lyrics, Hins' smooth stirring soprano vocals which are perfectly built for R&B, and a multi-layered arrangement that feels just right. Title track Siu Mon Su (Track 4), previously written for a stage play by a major Hong Kong radio station, is Hins' only behind-the-scenes contribution to the album. It strays away from the lovey-dovey ballads typical of Canto-pop for a soothing meditation on the struggles of everyday life. The melody itself doesn't exactly stand out from the rest of the album, but Cantonese speakers who can find a sobering message in Siu Mon Su should find this the best track of the album.

My personal favorite of the album is also the most minimally produced. "Ten Years Older" (Track 6) only features four things - Hins' vocals, a guitar, a violin, and a cello. As the ultimate demonstration of Hins' vocal ability, the bare arrangement allows Hins to carry the song from beginning, with the guitar gradually intensifying towards the end. While the lyrics are the typical "broken hearts" type, everything else elevates "Ten Years Older" to the most moving track of the album. The biggest surprise of the album, meanwhile, comes in the form of "Loving You the Second Time" (Track 8). Bossa Nova is a genre Hins hasn't delved into much, and he was definitely game, making it a successful genre attempt that isn't exactly groundbreaking, but pleasant enough to stand out as one of the better tracks of the album.

As the first Hins album exclusively for the Hong Kong market, Siu Mon Su is understandably on the safe side. The lack of a coherent album, such as Hins' excellent 2004 A.M. P.M., is made up for by an impressive line-up of solid singles that effectively showcases Hins' vocal ability. Even though Siu Mon Su isn't exactly Hins' own, the producers were able to capture Hins' strength with the song choices and deliver one of the better pop albums of 2006. Perhaps with the success of Siu Mon Su, Hins will finally be allowed the flexibility he needs to get back into the studio and produce a Cantonese album that is truly his own.

by Kevin Ma