Reviews written by Jordy
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September 3, 2007 Incredible Artist!!
Wow! This is an incredible album! Sa Ding Ding manages to effortlessly blend Traditional/Folk music with Electronic beats and rhythms for an unforgettably ambient experience. She sings with a tonne of passion...disposable pop this is not. Not only is this top-notch, high-quality music, it's also really, really cool. There are no 'filler tracks' here. I am an instant fan. Love this album. Look up her website for a preview and then buy the CD!! You won't regret it! 10/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Around the World with Eighty Dollars (2nd Version) (CD+DVD)
Around the World with Eighty Dollars (2nd Version) (CD+DVD) DVD Region All
(12)Our Price: US$18.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:January 9, 2007 Middle-of-the-Road Twins Album"Around The World With 80 Dollars" is Twins second Mandarin album. Compared with "Trainee Cupid", Twins first Mandarin album, this one doesn't quite live up to their initial effort. While by no means a bad album, "80 Dollars" has fewer memorable songs and some that are just plain filler tracks.
Starting with the great: Track 02 "Around The World With 80 Dollars" (the titular track) is a dancey and mildly aggressive song (by Twins standards); Track 03 "I Really Want To Love Him" is a great ballad, not boring at all, has a chorus you want to sing along to, and has a fantastic MV included on the DVD.
The good: Track 04 is a happy, up-tempo pop track with some nice harmonizing in the pre-chrous build up; Track 06 is a Mandarin re-do of "The Missing Piece" from their last album with, sadly, the exact same arrangement (the arrangement is great, it just would have been nice to have changed some things up a bit); Track 08 is really different in that it's very punk-rock, and the girls really try to sing in an edgy, abrupt style that works for the track.
The safe and average and mostly-forgettable (and "didn't we already have this EXACT song?"): all the other tracks. While, once again, non are bad or terrible, they're just there. Nothing grabs me with them and makes me want to listen. An honourable mention though goes out to Track 05 and Track 09 which are solos by Gillian and Charlene, respectively...sadly, the songs themselves don't really allow either to shine much. Imagine you're walking a dog through a park...now add music...that's pretty much what both songs are like.
Recommended to Twins Fans; Not Recommended to those who are not Twins Fans (this album won't convince you otherwise). 6/10.Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Jump Up 9492 (Version 2)
Jump Up 9492 (Version 2) DVD Region All
(6)Our Price: US$17.99Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:January 7, 2007 Great Mandarin Album!This is my first time hearing a Mandarin album by Joey, and I'm extremely pleased with how great it is! 'Jump Up' has a lot of Radio playable hits like the strong, slow-rock/ballad (Track 01) "Love Revival", the hip-hopish and danceable duet with Alan Luo (Track 02), or the expertly sung piano-ballad (Track 03) "Don't say love me". A few tracks (like 04 and 07) are from her most recent Cantonese album, however the arrangement and style are quite different, so it's worth having these newer versions of the older songs. Overall there is an excellent balance of vocally driven ballads and funky dance tracks. Also, Joey displays much greater range (especially in the lower register) and it also sounds like she got more 'into' the songs by really opening up and emoting through her delivery. The DVD also has three professionally done Music Videos (not those photo-shoot sessions that pass as MVs on some releases). I'd recommend this album to Joey fans (obviously); to ballad and non-ballad fans (as there is a good split of both); and to fans of quality, radio-playable hits, who may have been a little put-off by the quirky tracks on "Ten Most Wanted". 9/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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January 2, 2007 Top-Notch!
'Breathe Me' is my first Sandy Lam album...I'm blown away!! Polished to a diamond sheen from beginning to end, diverse and evocative, it's slap-you-in-the-face good. Track 01 starts us off with a pinnacle example of pop-disco as honed by a true Diva. Even with strong beats, attention never shifts away from Sandy's enchantingly melodic voice. Track 03 is an enigmatic and sultry slow-tempo electronic song with a feeling of reflection and reminision. Track 04 is an emotive and cleansing ballad that slowly builds with some great minimalistic drum, piano, and guitar use. No synthesized midi instruments here! Track 07 is a wonderfully deep-south Alabama/New Oreleans sultry sound. Powerful, powerful vocals in this one. I'd run out of space to go on about each track, but all of them are expertly arranged, loving produced, and sung with true talent. There aren't any boring songs here. Not. A. Single. One. I need another Sandy album of this quality right now! A contender for album of 2006! Recommended to everyone. Seriously. If you have to get one album, get this one. I can't think of a more well-rounded, higher quailty album that I've heard in 2006. 10/10 Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Yumiko New + Best Selection (AVCD+CD)
Yumiko New + Best Selection (AVCD+CD)
(2)Our Price: US$21.49Usually ships within 7 - 14 daysRelated promotions:January 2, 2007 Steady ImprovementsI'm a fan of Yumiko's. Once again, here is an artist that does more than just the 'piano-ballad' and actually tries new styles...sometimes they don't come out that great, but I'd rather listen to someone who takes risks than plays it safe with album after album of 'piano-ballads'. First off, the three new songs: Track 05 'up and down' is, likely, love-it-or-hate-it. It's a song with heavy beats but is more mid-tempo...kind of like an urban-style track. Interestingly, it features Shanghai Yumi who raps in Shanghainese quite impressively. Track 06 is standard Yumiko heavier dance-pop. Good and sort-of catchy, but not truly memorable. Track 07 is a pleasantly safe ballad; ultimately forgettable. Her deeper and smoother voice works well with ballads, but if you're buying Yumiko only for the ballads, you'll likely be disappointed. Track 08 is the Mandarin version of Track 05 with the same arrangement. As for the main 'best of' disc: it's broken up from Track 01-12 being her fast hits and 13-19 being the ballads, going from oldest to newest in each group. Track 02 is one of her best dance tracks ever (Relative Humidity). 01, 03, 04, 05, and 06 are mostly forgettable pop from her early career. The other fast hits are great examples of dance, electronica and power-ballads. The only pure-ballad of any consequence that isn't ho-hum is the suprisingly amazing Track 19 'When a Rose Finds True Love'. Recommended to Yumiko Fans; Fans of dance or electronica; or anyone looking for a change from safe piano ballads. 7/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
1 people found the following helpful
January 2, 2007 Wonderful ArrangmentsThis is my first Miriam album, so I won't be making any comparisons to previous albums. I bought this album solely for Track 05 'Big Silly'...it really IS that good. It's reminiscent of North American 80s pop power-ballads and Miriam's voice comes through strongly and with fantastic range! My other favourite is Track 10 which is a slow, mellow, almost country-like song. Great melody, and Miriam again gets to display some nice range. The remaining tracks are primarily soothing, slow-tempo, calm songs (aside from Track 01 and 03 which are rock and experimental rock, respectively) which are fairly average except, and this is a BIG except, for their arrangements which have a broad selection of instruments (even an Irish flute in Track 04). I like putting this album on just for a wallpaper-soundscape while I work or am just wanting background music; cranking the volume up for Track 05, of course. Recommended to fans of well-produced and professional music; fans of 80s inspired power-ballads; and anyone in need of some pleasant background music to work to. 7/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Diamond Love (AVEP)
2 people found the following helpful
January 2, 2007 Fantastically DifferentI'll get this out of the way...I LOVE Jill. I think Hong Kong music needs more diverse styles outside of piano ballads and Jill delivers. 'Diamond Love' continues the funky, edgy beats from 'Hit Me', while adding greater depth. Track 01 'De Ra Go' is a very heavy, bassy, Lee Jung Hyun-esque song sung completely in Spanish (or another langauge close to it). Track 02 is a light summery-pop song with a great latin inspired arrangement. Very, very catchy. Track 03 is a ballad. Yes, Jill sings a traditional ballad and, get this, it's really good! She displays a very strong voice and nice range. Track 04 returns to a latin-flavoured club/dance track which also allows for some melodious singing. Finishing is Track 05 which is more of an easy-listening song. Nice and mellow and smooth, but sort of forgettable. 'Diamond Love' has a superb balance between slow and fast; ballad and dance. I completely respect the fact that Jill only released 5 stronger tracks rather than watering them down with 5 other forgettable tracks just to get a 'full' album out. Recommend to Jill Fans; fans of dance, club, or electronica; fans of ballads; or anyone looking to support some much needed diversity in Hong Kong music. 9/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Do U Know (CD+DVD)
1 people found the following helpful
January 2, 2007 Excellent Ballad AlbumI'll start off by saying that I enjoy this album more than Janice's previous album 'My Love'. There's a nice consistency to the album with no weak-links aside from Track 09 'Do you know where you're going to' which is a pleasant song but doesn't open up at all to let Janice play up her strong voice. All of the songs are ballads, excepting Track 05 which is a great, happy, up-beat dance/pop song, and Track 13 which is a medly of Christmas tunes. Now, even though the other tracks are ballads, Janice's capable and strong voice, as well as arrangements which aren't just plain old piano-keyboard arrangements, keep the ballads from being boring or dull. In fact, you'll likely find yourself humming the tunes to these ballads after the album has played through, they're that memorable. The DVD has some nice Videos for some of the tracks, although they mostly amount to footage from Janice's movie 'A Melody Looking'; still, it's a nice addition and doesn't hurt at all. Another nice feature is that, when played on a computer CD-Rom, the disc runs in its own music player which also displays the lyrics for the current song! Recommend to all ballad fans, and to anyone looking for a capable singer with a strong and melodious voice. 9/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Perhaps Love (2-Disc Special Version) (Hong Kong Version)
Perhaps Love (2-Disc Special Version) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(5)Our Price: US$19.49Related promotions:January 2, 2007 Favourite Movie Of 2006Wow! I only just recently purchased and viewed this movie, and I have to say it was one of the best movies I have ever seen! Great acting (Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhou Xun are both terrific to look at), great songs, incredible sets, awe-inspiring editing, and a story that doesn't baby-feed you every little detail add up to a movie I have to watch over and over again just to enjoy the feeling the film gives me. Don't let the fact that it's labeled a "Musical" turn you off...while there is some singing and a little dancing, it completely fits with what the movie is about and doesn't feel tacked-on or embarassing. 'Perhaps Love' is a triumphant emotional rollercoaster that doesn't over-play its hand...that is to say, it can make you cry without having anyone on-screen crying. Having virtually no faults for what it sets out to do, it's essential viewing. 10/10. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
A World Without Thieves (DTS Version) (Hong Kong Version)
A World Without Thieves (DTS Version) (Hong Kong Version) DVD Region 3
(28)Our Price: US$10.99Usually ships within 1 to 2 daysRelated promotions:April 24, 2006 Enjoyable Arthouse-like FilmI hadn't read much about this film before picking it up, but I'm glad that I did. The cinematography is great, the characters have emotional resonnance, and the plot moves steadily. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys a very well-rounded film, as I truly enjoyed it from the first opening scene to its poignant ending. 8 out of 10 stars. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Home Sweet Home (DTS Version) (US Version)
Home Sweet Home (DTS Version) (US Version) DVD Region All
(3)Our Price: US$10.99Related promotions:April 21, 2006 Drama with a dash of HorrorThis is a movie to see at least once, particularly if you're a fan of Karena Lam because she truly gives a powerful, multi-faceted performance as the disfigured woman. Shu Qi does an admirable job as well as an increasingly desperate mother. The story-line is very much 4/5ths tragic drama, 1/5th horror. The only thing in this film which irked me slightly were the 12+ scenes involving a screaming/crying child...after a while it just became grating. Otherwise, a good movie which really helps you to see that your life COULD be worse. 6 out of 10 stars. Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This) -
Chihiro Onitsuka The Ultimate Collection (Taiwan Version)
Chihiro Onitsuka The Ultimate Collection (Taiwan Version)
(3)Our Price: US$17.99Related promotions:February 22, 2006 Superb!What an incredible voice! She has such great tone! I love the fact that she's written the lyrics and music for all the songs that ended up on this compilation. All the songs feel so real. Her music is in a similar vein to that of English singers Sarah McLachlan and Tori Amos. Incredibly emotive, these songs can bring you to tears; and I don't even understand really any Japanese!! Fantastic! Did you find this review helpful? Yes (Report This)
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