Review: Hurt

Category: Music
Genre: Pop
Artist: Christina Aguilera


Cher once brilliantly said of Meryl Streep that she was an acting machine just as a shark is a killing machine. Christina Aguilera is the singing equivalent, a ruthlessly efficient pair of lungs capable of both bludgeoning power and octave shredding range. A shame she rarely finds songs as strong as "Beautiful" to show off these talents. So while "Hurt", like "Beautiful", is written by Linda Perry, the Diane Warren of modern pop, it is just too frail and delicate a creature to avoid being overpowered by Aguilera's sledgehammer vocal.

"X Factor" hopefuls across the country will no doubt be scribbling awestruck notes, but the rest of us may find the production over the top and the melody undernourished. Aguilera seems to be apologising for some terrible wrong, but the fact she does it in a voice as boomingly authoritative as God condemning Adam robs it of any real heartbreak. A huge hit, of course, but somehow unlovable.

by Jaime Gill(taken from Yahoo music launch)

Review: Rudebox

Category: Music
Genre: Pop
Artist: Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams - 'Rudebox'

If Mariah is the butterfly in the pop world, and Elton John is the gay pride, then there is no doubt Robbie Williams is the man of ego. As "rudebox" makes its way to UK chart, I thought it was from last album intensive care. Considering the last album did not reach the height it used to, quickly a new album is drop out to recapture his ego. This born entertainer (which british calls him) makes a few new steps, after parting from guy chamber, and sticking too much with Stephen Duffy, now he hoops around with a numbers of musicians(From pet shop boys to William Orbit), switch to a new directions disco-based; blending cover versions("we're the pet shop boys"), Streets-style rapping and '80s electro pop into this strangest release of the year.

Rolling back to 80's, as Madonna did in her Confession on the dance floor, potray a very good chart success in UK, Robbie's now seems reworking that formula, as while adding his homage to the Queen of pop(She's Madonna). A two way speaking monologues about his life story in "The 80's" & "The 90's" would catch more attention way back a few years.(Provided he had been talking too much about himself in the all sort biography) It is also strange having Lily Allen to do some cameo in "keep On", which a highlight of the album.

Don't like the first single "rudebox"? then fastforward to the next single "Lovelight" This is the main highlight. With a hidden track(which is common among his album, those die hard fans would knew it) "Dickhead", this album not easy-digest but as it will haunt you again in the coming months. Either love it? but won't hate it.

Review: Shayne Ward

Category: Music
Genre: Pop
Artist: Shayne Ward

My CD of the time would be Shayne Ward's debut. The X-factor (UK latest version od pop idol)1st runner up? I guess i come across it, but don seems remember who the hell he is. Handsome? consider yes, he got the look just doesn't like the image, but however this debut album of his is 80% cover versions.

(brought a couple of UK artist eg: ronan, westlife, they seems don write any new songs already, except covers nowadays) This UK lad ain't getting any different, however he sings well(of coz 1st runner up), songs are good. Singles taken out from it includes No Promise, That's My Goal, Stand By Me(not the one we knew) are a very radio friendly, however would it pick up it's airplay in M'sia is a question. Altot it does well in MTV channel.
Singers coming from these kind of shows, tends to sings very well when doing a cover.(E.G. Clay Aiken comeback effort too) Ballads are what Shanye do best from this debut album. Doesn't like the cover of AllMy Life, as maybe always thought this song always are better if being sand by groups. From Back At One(popularised by brian Mcknight), shows he's a bit lack of maturity in his voice. Would definately looking forward for his next album.

What I like most is he did cover some song i like very much which didn't catch the public eyes like I CRY (originated from westlife)

Hope he would do much better than Will Young and Gareth Gates, (were a household names from POP Idol) which to proof that competition idols also have a longevity in music career too. Points-7.5/10

Review: The Dutchess

Category: Music
Genre: Pop
Artist: Fergie

A blown up single, LONDON BRIDGE, had push this album to release much ahead of its schedule date and hence as she plan to make an image to match each and every song in her album, are only able to make six. Six alike to 30's 70's movie actress. Looking at her production team, its found no different from the Black Eyed Pea writing team, Will.i.am, as a new franchise of the BEP. Is she the key ingredient in BEP or The BEP make her the success? hard to argue, but its indeniable that THE DUTCHESS is a very good album. Putting pieces of different pop,RnB, Hip Hop elements, from mariah soundalike to beyounce, Madonna to Kelis, Fergie blends them nicely into this album. With the ballads of ALL THAT I GOT(THE MAKE UP SONG) & the cover-version of FINALLY, had her touches almost all sides of (commercial) musical elements.

The follow-up single, FERGALIOUS, sure to shift her name further up. Already climbing fast up the billboard chart.

And too, the BEP are also going to release the next album in 2009

Review: HUMAN

Category: Music
Genre: Pop
Artist: Leo Ku Gui Ji 古巨基

Leo Ku, branded famous since his comeback with his extreme commercial-karaoke-friendly hitsongs(with 3 album hitting into HK IFPI 2005 Top Ten Album Sales), latest album "HUMAN" is also another unmissable work. Stillriding high on pop wave, but turning back to his olden days of musical route with an level up. From the theme of games, comic, til songs-movie's, now he had catch up a theme of non-love theme lyrics.
This time it speaks as in the theme, HUMAN, on the aspect of society, family, friends, and still love. This time it widen the defination of love to broader spectrum.

First single, "shower花灑", had not storm the chart as before but yet receiving waves of good reviews, as given an opening of the album of less commercial cantopop. To balnce up the old audiences taste, the second single"love too late愛得太遲" is the old fashion k ballads, specially with vivian chow duet version, and also a mini movie on the theme song which comes along the bonus DVD.

Actually, the first impression doesn't appeals to me, until the next follow singles such as Blackie黑仔, dates you, 約定你repeat mistake重複犯錯 , these are the songs, as a fans would look for. A little bit of new stuff, old element, something sweet, furious, and while still keeping it k-friendly. Looking through the production group, combine the musician, ivana wong, david tao, mark lui, lin xe, added to the old team.

Whether, the message bringing across is too heavy or not, yet my personally, reckon it is better than the last album "startrack"