Just got Jay's 依然范特西. First impressions are pretty positive, but nothing startling. Except that he's mumbling lesser on some tracks, like the theme song for his new movie. Amazed at his perfect diction! Will post a review when I have more time to listen to the album.
Life at Kaffir is very... different from HQ. I had wanted to rant and whine, but I realised there's really no point. It's just another 1 year 2 months more, and it's either I downgrade (fat hope) or I "thunder through all" (Kaffir's motto). LOL.
For now, life may not be a fantasy, but in two years time, I would be flying off to live my dreams. It's good to know that something good is waiting for me at the finishing line of this interminable marathon, that there is something to look forward to at the end of this arduous journey. I keep telling myself that I am a lot more fortunate and blessed than a lot of other people, and that is one way I spur myself to endure whatever comes my way. God has been kind to me in many ways, and perhaps it's only fair that He take some other things away from me.
依然范特西?... Yes, of course. From the day I get back my pink IC.
That's the title of Jay Chou's new album slated for an 8 Sept release. Hopefully the title (rehashed from his 2nd album for the uninitiated) is not suggestive of his impeded flow of creative juices. Heard his duet with 费玉清 and it sounds, ermmmm, 不伦不类. To begin with, they have such drastically different styles that you'd never imagine them crooning on the same track. The DJs even made fun of Jay, known for his mumbling, for his perfect enunciation on the song, apparently due to the coaching from his duet partner. LOL.
Stef's "Best of" compilation is also coming out in September! 28 old songs (all of which I have on original CDs...)+ 2 new tracks (only...). Would buy it for sure, although it's obviously Warnermusic's way of squeezing every cent out of her, since her recording contract with them has ended and she is signing on with Capitol (Jolin's current record company, incidentally). More looking forward to her new album with Capitol.
The dearth of updates is mainly due to my being really busy. Also I am saving my updates till the end of the week, after the Army Half Marathon, when I would be running 10km. So this short entry was posted just to pacify dear jinny who requested an update. LOL. Ciao then.
Collected it today, and have just listened to it once through. First impression is pretty decent, very "Jay Chouish", as in it does not really deviate from the style of his past N albums (sorry, not his fan so dunno how many albums he has released). Luckily I don't have any of his prior works, so haven't gotten sick of it yet.
The ballads are mediocre, but mid-tempo and fast numbers are pretty good. Wah he's really damn pro with his falsetto, but his mumbling doesn't do justice to Fang Wen Shan's lyrical genius. The overall production is of reasonably high quality, and the arrangement is flamboyant and sophisticated, though never OTT (over the top).
Can't agree with the ST Life! review that his duet with Lara (of 2nd gen NanQuan MaMa fame) is the best duet we have heard this year. I can't stand Lara's sugar-coated vocals, and there's a lack of chemistry between them IMO. Bei Feng Chui Guo De Xia Tian by JJ/Jin Sha easily pwns Jay/Lara.
Recommended for the production quality and the excellent compositions (esp. lyrics), but nothing spectacular enough to be deemed a 'breakthrough' by Jay's standards. But you can't fault him for his style is quite uniquely refreshing in a market drowning in bubblegum pop.
