A Funky Beats: November 2005

Funky Beats

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

S.H.E - Bu Xiang Zhang Da

Artist : S.H.E
Song : Bu Xiang Zhang Da (Don't Wanna Grow Up)
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : What a cute song ! It juz brings out the kid in me. Latest offering from the ever so cute Hebe, Selina, and Ella...errrrrr....minus the gothic doll-like make up :)

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

Janice - In Love Again

Artist : Janice Wei Lan
Song : In Love Again
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song
Review
: This Chinese-Filipino-Korean mix has been raised in HK, but she attended schooling in an international school. For months, Janice has remained a mystery to all. There were no pictures of her floating around. The company wanted her voice to target the audience and not her image. Only her voice can be heard through the radio until ...now. Great voice indeed !!!

Friday Hill - Baby Goodbye

Artist : Friday Hill
Song : Baby Goodbye
Genre : Slow Alternative
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : OMG, this song is like so unique. It has ballad, pop, rnb, rap and alternative all blended together. Formed from the ashes of Blazin Squad, the trio is definitely catching my attention.

Amiel - Love Song

Artist : Amiel
Song : Love Song
Genre : Pop
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : This platinum-selling single is about a guy Amiel took out on a few dates, but never went anywhere, and all she had left was another love song, another 'f-cking love song'.

Kai - Every Little Thing

Artist : Kai
Song : Every Little Thing
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : The vocal quintet Kai was formed in 1992 and has since been delivering power ballads one after another. Way to go Asian Americans.

Rebekah Lavauney - Dance With You

Artist : Rebekah Lavauney
Song : Dance With You
Genre : RnB
Language : English
Preview : Song
Review : Ex-Australian Idol finalist.

Westlife - Change Your Mind

Artist : Westlife
Song : Change Your Mind
Genre : Pop
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : Latest from Westlife minus Brian McFadden. I usually love Westlife belting out those powerful ballads but their pop songs aren't very far behind. Relaxed, refreshed and bursting with energy, Westlife delivers this track superbly.

Yummy - I Won't Cry

Artist : Yummy
Song : I Won't Cry
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : A new all-gurl group. Sounds and looks yummy to me :)

Leo Ku - Genius And Idiot

Artist : Leo Ku
Song : Genius And Idiot
Genre : Ballad
Language : Cantonese
Preview : Song
Review : Good song. His usual stuff.

Sylvester Sim - Di Yi Ke Yuan Ying

Artist : Sylvester Sim
Song : Di Yi Ke Yuan Ying (The First Reason)
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : A follow up to his hit single. Quite a good effort.

Alex Fong - Hope I Heard It Wrong

Artist : Alex Fong
Song : Hope I Heard It Wrong
Genre : Ballad
Language : Cantonese
Preview : Song
Review : I just can't can't get enuff from him.

Kenji Wu Ke Qun - Bu Xue Ji Nian

Artist : Kenji Wu Ke Qun
Song : Bu Xue Ji Nian
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : The first ballad I heard from him.

Leon Lai - Good Day

Artist : Leon Lai
Song : Good Day
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : One of Canto-pop's absolute kings, Leon Lai returns with his latest Mandarin surprise called "Good Day". A very catchy tune.

Juno Mak - Gun Gun Yu Wai

Artist : Juno Mak
Song : Gun Gun Yu Wai
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : Juno is a much better singer than many of the other singers in the HK pop industry, but he gets little credit. His voice is smooth and pleasant to to the ear. Perfect for relaxing.

Jay Chou - Lang Man Shou Ji

Artist : Jay Chou
Song : Lang Man Shou Ji
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : Songs about having a good time. Such a refreshing change from his normally sad numbers.

Jay Chou - Hei Se Mao Yi

Artist : Jay Chou
Song : Hei Se Mao Yi (Black Sweater)
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : I felt that this is the best song on the album. Full of emotion, simple lyrics and easy music.

Jay Chou - Feng

Artist : Jay Chou
Song : Feng
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : One of the reccomendable song from the album.

Jay Chou - Ye Qu

Artist : Jay Chou
Song : Ye Qu (Nocturnes)
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : Kind of a sad song if you were to watch the MV. A typical Jay Chou's song wich had me hooked on his work.

Alan Luo Zhi Xiang - Zi Wo Cui Mian

Artist : Alan Luo Zhi Xiang
Song : Zi Wo Cui Mian (Self Hypnosis)
Genre : Ballad
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : This track was Written by Alan's good friend and superstar Jay Chou to help him get over a recent tragic loss. By the way, in the MV, Alan hallucinates that he is Jay and even performs some of his friend's trademark movements.

Alan Ke You Lun - Lessons In Love

Artist : Alan Ke You Lun
Song : Lessons In Love
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : Another cute song from him.

Alan Ke You Lun - Ku Siau Bu De

Artist : Alan Ke You Lun
Song : Ku Siau Bu De (Can't Cry or Laugh)
Genre : Pop
Language : Mandarin
Preview : Song
Review : Other than his hit single "Zero", this is his 2nd best song in the album. Give it up for 2005 best new artist.

Tuesday, November 01, 2005

Finch - Three Simple Words

Artist : Finch
Song : Three Simple Words
Genre : Rock
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : One of the first band I listened to which exposed me to punk/emo rock. And I was immediately hooked.

Sugarcult - Pretty Girl

Artist : Sugarcult
Song : Pretty Girl
Genre : Punk
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: It's a unique song where the vocals chop and change from pop to more punkish throughout the song. One of their first songs that propelled them into mainstream exposure.

Allister - You Lied

Artist : Allister
Song : You Lied
Genre : Punk
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : My fav from this chicago based band. A recommendation from a friend.

Lifehouse - Blind

Artist : Lifehouse
Song : Blind
Genre : Slow Alternative
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: The acoustic guitar makes a pretty intro for "Blind". Overall, lifehouse seems to have turned down the amps and geared more towards romantic emo ballad. Strange but they sounds great !

Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To

Artist : Franz Ferdinand
Song : Do You Want To
Genre : Alternative
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : Influenced by 1980s post-punk and garage rock, you will either love or hate this Scottish Alternative band ! For me, I find it quite unique at the beginning but now, the repetitive choruses and fuzzy guitars buzz around me like a neurotic bee to the extent that you just want to say schew, go on get lost.

Big Brovaz - Favourite Things

Artist : Big Brovaz
Song : Favourite Things
Genre : RnB
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : This large UK hip-hop outfit first came to my attention with their hitz song Baby Boy. This followup song is great ! The chorus is actually copied from "My Favourite Things" from "The Sound of Music" ??? I guess so...

Craig David - Don't Love You No More

Artist : Craig David
Song : Don't Love You No More
Genre : Pop
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: "Don't Love You No More" is a real pop/adult contemporary type of song. It's about a fading relationship and the woman in the song just one day said, "I Just Don't Love You No More." It's a sad story but a great song and people in strained relationships will be feeling this song.

Frankie J - More Than Words

Artist : Frankie J
Song : More Than Words
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: It's tempting to label ex-Kumbia Kings vocalist Frankie J as Latin pop's answer to Usher. Both have smooth, supple voices; both smartly co-mingle R&B, hip-hop and radio-ready grooves; and both young men have a fondness for hats. But whereas Usher has a penchant for showbiz showboating, Frankie J lets his talent take center stage. This latest single cover from him is the best version of the song I've ever heard.

D-Side - Dear You

Artist : D-Side
Song : Dear You
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : Latest boyband. OK.....I wouldn't want to comment much :)

Vienna Teng - The Tower

Artist : Vienna Teng
Song : The Tower
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: California native Vienna Teng draws comparison to Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt. It's not hard to see why when you have listened to her music. Beautiful piano playing with a voice to match.

K-Ci & Jojo - How Could You

Artist : K-Ci & Jojo
Song : How Could You
Genre : Ballad
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : Nice n easy with angelic voices.

Brad Paisley - Wrapped Around

Artist : Brad Paisley
Song : Wrapped Around
Genre : Country
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review
: Heard that he directed the MV of his song on his own. One of the feels good songs which attracted me to Country music.

Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places

Artist : Garth Brooks
Song : Friends In Low Places
Genre : Country
Language : English
Preview : Song Lyrics
Review : In case you are not aware, Garth Brooks is a superstar in the field of country music. This song is picked from his live CD. One thing I like about live songs is the fact that, when the singer lightly strum a few chords on his guitar at the beginning of some songs, the audiences will go ballistic because they recognize what song is going to be played. Oh.....how I missed going to concerts !!! :)