CD Reviews

All Star (我華麗的搖滾夢)

Various

Rock

Known for its neatly packaged mainstream Mando-pop artists rather than for promoting self-styled indie/alternative acts, Taiwan's Rock Records recently went against the grain and released an interesting double CD compilation entitled All Star (我華麗的搖滾夢).

Featuring 18 tunes by nine acts of varying styles, influences and musical directions, All Star is an album of contrasts from the get-go. Sure, some of the tunes could do with a bit of ironing out, but for the most part Rock's foray into the alternative scene comes up trumps.

The album takes listeners on a hurdy-gurdy ride of musical genres. From bubble gum-pop to pub rock and from funk to punk, All Star has something to suit everybody's musical tastes.

The album gets off to a corking start with a brilliant piece of work by Neon and a 10,000 Maniacs-like brand of contemporary folk-rock entitled No Regrets (無悔). Five-piece Tooth Cap (牙套) and its off-center and jerky Tell Me makes for an interesting, although not quite as pleasurable to listen to. Nurse's (小護士) upbeat piece of happy-go-lucky Brit-pop, Happy Heart (甜蜜在心) is another great tune.

A couple of other bands and tunes of note include Land of Mess (混亂之島), whose basic four-four-two brand of punk/pub rock might be a bit rough at the edges, but is still worth checking out. As is Coach's (教練) part-funk, part-pseudo nu-metal tune, Ballet Girl (芭蕾女孩), which sees the combo creatively flirting with two differing musical genres.

Along with the predominantly indie/alternative artists, All Star also features a couple of tunes by popular Mando-pub rock star Bobby Chen (陳昇). Neither of the blues-based tunes makes much of an impression, however, and Chen is outclassed by all of the other less well-established artists. The real star of Rock's All Star show is Neon, whose tunes are both perfectly executed and well produced.

Final Fantasy (最後的樂園)

Energy

Universal

Released two weeks ago, Final Fantasy (最後的樂園) is the sixth album by Taiwan's leading boy band, Energy. They may not be to everyone's liking and their clean-cut record label manufactured image may be considered loathsome by the more free spirited amongst us, but the Energy boys can hold a tune and can adapt in order to cover many genres.

The boys from Energy may be musically versatile, but rumor has it that yet another lineup is on the cards even before the act has had an opportunity to take the current album on the road. Founding member A-Di (阿弟) was forced to cut his boy band days short after he injured his back while recording a music video.

Like the group's previous releases, Final Fantasy is packed with tunes that range in style from hip-hop to the melancholy. There's no real winner as far as picking a best of, but some of the more enjoyable and together tunes include the soul-like Cowboy, the pseudo-nu-metal/hip-hop Heaven and Earth (天與地) and the weepy acoustic ballad Taste of Tears (眼淚的味道).

Of course, being what it is, the album has moments when you cringe and are forced to wonder just what the hell is going on. Numbers like the truly awful cover version of the Sister Sledge hit We are Family and the easily forgettable pop tune Holiday are two of the worst.

The bottom line with Final Fantasy is, that if you enjoy well produced, inane Mando-pop/hip-hop acts that can sing and dance, then at this juncture in time Energy is the best Taiwan has to offer.