Wang Lee Hom - Heroes of Earth

[ShuiMei]

Super ABC (American-Born Chinese) Taiwanese recording artist Wang Lee Hom released his 11th Chinese album entitled "Heroes of Earth" at the end of last year. After over ten years since entering the Chinese music industry, Wang Lee Hom has finally arrived with a musical identity and sound that truly resonates with the public. Lee Hom's previous album "Shangri-La" was simply wonderful and I absolutely adored it, relishing in his newly established and embraced "chinked out" sound that he has aspired to have change the nature of Chinese popular music. Citing the plethora of cover songs and remakes that dominate many Chinese music albums, like many other artists, Lee Hom hopes to grab hold onto traditional Chinese music while infusing it with modern influences. Clearly with a new mission and a new sound, Lee Hom has no intention of stopping anytime soon, his "Heroes of Earth" album continues this musical journey, the main question is: how does Lee Hom's latest offering fare?

Actually, it fares quite well, at first. Lee Hom's refreshing "chinked out" flavour is prevalent throughout the early half the album, as he wastes no time getting into a fusion of Chinese instrumentals mixed with western-styled hip-pop. The album starts off strong with songs like the impressive "Zai Mei Bian" (Track 1) and "Hua Tian Cuo" (Track 2). "Zai Mei Bian" initally comes off as another cute, fun hip-hop inspired track from Lee Hom, that is until it gets to the stylish and catchy chorus that really stands out from the norm. One also cannot talk about this song without mention the mind-numbingly fast, quick-lipped rap at the end of the song, which can only be described as insane. Moving along the other side of the spectrum, the Chinese-influenced R&B-inspired "Hua Tian Cuo" is a less whimsical, more matured ballad reminiscent of the wonderful "Xin Zhong De Ri Yue" off his "Shangri-La" album.

The real gem on this album is the delicious title track and undoubtedly my favourite song off "Heroes of Earth." "Gai Shi Yin Xiong" (Track 3) is a complex mix of different sounds and styles, almost like several songs crashing into each other and forming one. Some people may think of Jay Chou when they think of intricate blending and mixing of styles and sound effects, but what Lee Hom has done and comes out with is completely different. It doesn't come off as experimental and polished as Jay's work often does, what happens here sounds more raw, it sounds spontaneous, as if everyone came together on their own accord, making the song as they went along, but somehow it all works. Of course, the notable addition on this track is Chinese-American rap artist Jin 'tha MC,' while many have praised Jin for his work on this track, he actually throws the song off for me, his sound is just not as lively as Lee Hom's and his very ABC-Cantonese is very distracting. Regardless, the beat of the chorus is just deliriously catchy and the best way I can describe it is "infectious fun."

Ballad-wise, I was slightly disappointed with both "Kiss Goodbye" (Track 4) and "Di Yi Ge Qing Chen," (Track 7) while both are fine and enjoyable songs, I found myself hoping for Lee Hom to break out into a more powerful sound, a stronger voice, particularly with the latter, but the song remains fairly light and constant, though there are several points of where his voice begins to build, it just descends back quickly. I think Lee Hom's voice sounds best when he's singingly loudly, it really demonstrates how strong it is, this album was missing that kind of strong, all-encompassing, climatic power ballad that Lee Hom does so well. I think "Kiss Goodbye" was supposed to fill that role, but it fell somewhere inbetween, it was more of an "Ai Cuo" rather than a "Forever Love," regardless, it is a beautiful song and lovely example of what Lee Hom does best. Unfortunately, it is after this gorgeous, but fairly standard, heart-wrenching ballad that the album begins to lose the edge that it started with.

The much anticipated collaboration between Lim Jeong Hee and Korean pop sensation Rain (or Bi) "Wan Mei De Hu Dong" (Track 5) is lacklustre and anti-climatic. I found Lim Jeong Hee's singing to be over-dramatic for this mid-tempo Spanish flavoured track while Rain's singing does nothing for me. Furthermore, while I have always hoped that Lee Hom would become more experimental with his music, to really push the boundaries, "Ran Kai" (Track 9) is an industrial mess of sounds and lacks musical direction. Unpolished and unclear, it sounds incomplete and leaves the album on a sour note, the sweet but unspectacular "Ai Yin Wei Zai Zin Zhong" (Track 10) is an endearing effort; however, it feels more like a bonus track and is thus a striking reminder at how short the album feels.

Ultimately, Lee Hom's latest offering is a quality album that starts off with a burst of life and energy but unfortunately, starts to die out as the album comes to a close. Songs like "Gai Shi Yin Xiong" and "Kiss Goodbye" are fine examples of what Lee Hom does best: experimenting with his newly-established "chinked out" sound and heart-wrenching ballads. However, despite the great first few songs, the later tracks are admittedly more forgettable, and at ten tracks, one of which feels more like a bonus track, and another that feels disappointingly short, one can't help but feel an appetite for more after listening.

When compared to his previous offering, "Heroes of Earth" doesn't quite measure up, but regardless, it is a good album that has much to offer. Lee Hom's "chinked out" sound has proven to be his greatest success to date and I am much looking forward to what else he has to offer us in the future. My greatest hope for future albums is that Lee Hom steps out of his comfort zone more often, as I sometimes feel his music is too "safe" and I'd love to see what he could do if he pushed his boundaries once in a while. Being more experimental does run the risk of more songs like "Ran Kai" but it also brings the possibility of something new, exciting, and innovative, something Lee Hom could easily accomplish with his remarkable talent, excellent work-ethic and unshakable tenacity.

Favourite Tracks: Gai Shi Yin Xiong (Track 3), Kiss Goodbye (Track 4), Zai Mei Bian (Track 1), Hua Tian Cuo (Track 2)

[attentionxreader]

Personally, I felt that this album blew me away. I've always thought of Lee Hom as a talented musician, so, this album has definitely showcased his talent.
But we both think differently song-wise. I adore Rang Kai for some reason. I just love how he uses only chinese instruments on it, and the beat is really catchy, whereas you say that it's a huge, giant mess. I like the fact that it's so unpolished and raw. It adds something to the track that I just don't know how to describe.
But I do agree that Di Yi Ge Qing Chen was lacklustre. I like when he sings high notes but in this song, the notes are low and it doesn't show off his voice. BUT, the music arrangement of the song is beautiful. The guitar and piano just adds an effect to it.
As for Zai Mei Bian, when I first heard it, I was all "WOW! This song is awesome!" and the rap at the end was all fast and...well, fast.

Okay. that's it.

[qinshihuang]

i also like rang kai a lot... i thought the very, very heavy reliance on percussion was quite refreshing, and he manages to hold an interesting tune over it.

di yi ge qing chen didn't impress me at first, but it did grow on me, and furthermore so now that i've heard the concert version with his little intro before it.

zai mei bian and hua tian cuo are definitely great "chinked-out" music. and i agree that this album lacked his trademark - what i like to call "all-out ballad" - in the mold of wei yi, ni bu zai, forever love, etc... so that was kind of disappointing... and yes, it was a bit short.

anyway, i wish him luck with his future efforts to carve out a real identity for chinese pop music.

[ShuiMei]

I don't have any problems with most of the instruments used in Ran Kai, how they came together was the most cohesive part of the song, but when it came together as a song with Lee Hom's voice, it's like an 'industrial mess' to me. I find the underlying beat, the one that sounds like a mix between something electronic and a horn or something, the one that goes throughout the whole song, to be especially jarring. It is very raw, which I can see as being part of its charm, but it's not enough to win me over :D and placed peculiarly at the near end of the album :?

and exactly, that kind of epic ballad like "Wei Yi" and "Ni Bu Zai," I was waiting for it and it just didn't come, I felt a little let down.

[quadshock]

Rang Kai is not a mess... unless you're so used to the "one, two, one one two" beat that anything beyond that is way over your head

[shez]

great review!! leehom is my hero! he's done SO much with this album and i personally feel that his music gets better and better with time :)

[roche]

and this is the magic of lee hom.....

what i love is that he does have a central theme to his albums
and yet within each album has so many different styles of songs that caters to different people!

I think i wrote my (brief) review previously (in the lee hom subforum) but that was based on a "first listen" of the album when it was first released.

Let me give it another go again after had 8 months to listen to this album over and over again :angel:

I personally love this album, especially the first 6 tracks.
I'm usually more of a "ballad" type person, but i'm loving all the fast tracks in GSYX!


Gai Shi Yin Xiong is a song with so much energy, it just inspires one to cheer "Gai Shi Yin Xiong Dao Lai!" with him.
(check out the concert DVD!)
I think it's great how they incorporated "Ba Wang Li Hong" as the beginning of each line of the opera bits. :-)
The electric guitar was pretty cool too...I think i just really like how this is a refreshing song - there's a lot going on, but everything just comes together really well in this energetic package!!


Zai Mei Bian is not a song that I thought I would have liked - but I do!!!
Somehow i feel like it's got this laid-back feel to it, then suddenly the "way-o" bursts out.... this the "way-o" is really infectious, also inspires one to go "hey ho" along! the rap is good fun too, i think lee hom's ABC accent is pretty strong here, and it's funny how when they have these imitation contests the taiwanese (or native speaker) fans imitate the intonations too. haha.
and one fine day i realized that hey, i sort of knew the words to the rap! and that's a miracle. i never am able to "hear" the lyrics of a song without "seeing" them.


Hua Tian Cuo is a great song, though as Shui Mei said I got the feel that it was sort of like Xin Zhong De Ri Yue part 2, and i personally like XZDRY better. (but note that XZDRY is one of my fave lee hom songs of all time) I agree that HTC is more polished/matured though.


However, I don't agree that Kiss Goodbye is bland, I thought it was a great ballad by Lee Hom!!! Granted, Lee Hom doesn't sing it in the same vein-popping style that he sang say Wei Yi in, but it definitely qualifies as a power ballad in my books. It starts off with the piano intro, then Lee Hom's voice comes in low and subdued...however, it gradually builds up and reaches the climax at the chorus. Lee Hom's voice, though low in the beginning, is still strong.

I really liked the piano solo too.....though I've seen a clip of a performance where he further jazzed it up and it was simply amazing!!!!
(okay I just listened to the album version again, and I guess yes, it's less "powerful" than some of the other versions I've heard where he sings live during a performance) but it's still a great ballad....and the mv's really sweet too :love: A must-see! :-)


Di Yi Ge Qing Cheng Okay here i agree that this is definitely not one of Lee Hom's better ballads. It lacks the "break out" into a power-crooning and so it there doesn't seem to be a chorus part of the song - everything is just light and it's easy listening, but no real "oomph". It's funny though - if you watch the concert DVD Lee Hom introduces this as a song that he really likes, but that Sony doesn't like - coz it wasn't plugged. But Lee Hom calls this a "song of hope" - it's about the start of a relationship, where there is enormous potential, and "both parties haven't done anything to let down the other party yet" - a clean and fresh slate.
He contrasts this to his numerous other ballads, which are mostly about long-distance relationships and heart-breaks.
So yes, this is an important song to him, but I guess it didn't reach out to me as well as his heart-wrenching, emotive ballads.


Wan Mei De Hu Dong is an upbeat song...I remember thinking it had a very mexican / spanish sound to it when I first heard it. I still like the beat, it's very (for lack of a better word) "groovy". I also like the "hey hey' "ho ho" parts, its fun and upbeat. Lyrics-wise, I guess this song has barely any :angel: but i like to think that this is a song for one to just bop along, and not meant to inspire with beautiful words :angel: I thought Lim Jeong Hee had a pretty good voice though.


Da Cheng Xiao Ai is a very simple song - deliberately so, just like "Yi Shou Jian De De Ge" in the previous album. It's a very easy to listen, very folk song-ish.
It's a good contrast to the other energy-pumped songs in the album. Like Di YI Ge Qing Chen, it doesn't quite have a "burst out section" but somehow it just fits into the context of this song. I gotta say though, that I don't quite like the lalalalas at the end of the song - it's a tad too long. But other than that it's a good song to relax and listen to.


Rang Kai oh i was totally like "whhaaaa?" when i first heard this song! i was like "it sounds like a construction site or something"...very chaotic sounding. But after awhile, it grew on me, and I guess thought it's definitely not one of my fave lee hom songs, I recognize that it's unique and interesting. It's entirely percussion-based, and I do quite like the beats.


Ge Er Men This song reminded me a lot of Follow Me, and I can't say I'm overly fond of either.


Ai Yin Wei Zai Xin Zhong I loved this when I first heard it on the Tao Zi show, when they first screened the mv the China fans made for Lee Hom as his birthday present. However, as a song on the album - well, I guess I would have preferred 10 "real" Lee Hom songs, and this track as a bonus track. It's a nice gesture though, I'm sure the China fans are delighted, but.....
As a sidenote, I've always thought that "Finally" should have been on this album as the 10th song - but I guess it got released separately as part of the OST.


So this marks the end of the "Chinked-Out" style that Lee Hom will pursue...
Here's a quote from Lee Hom, posted by singerchick in the lee hom discussion thread:

"It's extremely important that people realize the importance of Chinese music, and just because I'm not continuing the "Chinked-out" vibe, does not mean that the Chinese culture should be less respected or forgotten. I have two "Chinked-Out" albums and those albums will always be there, along with the growth of Chinese music and it's own identity. However, what I do not want to do is overdrive my point or overdo it. Appreciating Chinese music is important, but I don't want to force it down everyone's throat and for the rest of my musical by sticking to this one style. I can't categorize my music under any one arbitrary category, my music changes with my life and my mood. Sticking to one style not only prevents myself from truly expressing my soul and emotions, but also cheats my fans of experiencing the wide plethora of musical styles in the world. I stress once again the importance of loving your own culture. There is nothing wrong with musicians that stick to one style, I respect that. It is all a matter of personal taste and for me, I find that my musical muse lives an eccentric life. Now that Chinked-out has become more popular, I'm sure many other artists will continue with this genre. But for me, I don't stick to one style just because it's popular, I do a style because I think it's interesting and will inspire the musical being in each and every one of us. Like a person, music becomes boring to me if it remains forever stagnant in one style, I think it's natural that music changes with the musician. I always like to challenge myself and my music, because my music is a reflection of me. I hope the ears of my fans are up for the challenge as well and accept the changes I have gone through as a person."


I guess I have mixed feelings about this....

Even though a lot of singers tried doing the chinese style thing, i feel like they did it sort of in an ad-hoc fashion, without a real aim, solely for popularity's sake, and perhaps to "butter up" the china audience.

To me, Lee Hom was really someone who took it beyond just that superficial level and really drilled deeper to exploring the connotations and expanded it into a theme and style.

So in a way, it does seem a pity that he's not seeing through this style that he - not quite created, but i guess more of "concretize" - through to its utmost potential. However, what he said,

"just because I'm not continuing the "Chinked-out" vibe, does not mean that the Chinese culture should be less respected or forgotten. I have two "Chinked-Out" albums and those albums will always be there, along with the growth of Chinese music and it's own identity."

is very true. Lee Hom is an experimenter, a musician. I think one of his strong points is his willingness to explore, create, innovate, take risks....and not remain stuck in a rut (even if it is a very successful rut).
Lee Hom pioneered and concretized the chinked out style, and should other singers emulate this and take it to the next level, the chinese music industry as a whole benefits, and it is too a measure of Lee Hom's success.


I'm definitely looking forward to the new surprises that he will bring in his next album!

[Nprob]

I think the rating should be about 90-95%.Maybe i misjudge a bit here because i love Lee Hom sooo much and i dun understand all of his lyric's song.However,some songs i understand are very meaningful.Then,wat i look up for this album is his care with it.
Firstly,he went back all the way 2 New York to record it.For this record progress,there are a lot of money were using.I don't mean,using a lot of money then u can create a best CD.However,i'm sure Lee Hom has his reason 2 record most of songs in New York.He doesn't like kind of ppl who waste money just for the fame.The only reason i can think is he could do his album there better than in Taiwan.
Secondly,i like the guests of this album.Jin,Rain,J-lim and one Peking opera professor.Once again,i would like 2 say famous guest could make him album better.However,why he choose 2 invite those guest also has his reason.Especially the Peking opera professor,it prove that how's he did his best for his album.
Thirdly,this album is really for his fans.I'm not chinese or belong 2 ourhome china.So there is no point for me to like the "Love on your mind" so much and love his chinese fans.Still,i just love the way he put this song into his album.I dun think there are anyone did it b4.For me,it's really unique and special.
Well,that's why i think the rating of this album should be higher.
By the way,i also look up his previous album by the way he travel around China with 15kgs of music instrument.Yes,it's wat i love from Lee Hom.He's talent,famous,handsome and with wat he has now,he can be lazy a bit in work,and be arrogent/However he's not arrogant,stilll serious in his music carrer and always try 2 explore smt news.He's real artist after all.He's the best for me.

[Singerchick]

I liked this album better than Shangri-la, because, as I have stated numerous songs, the fast on this album were more "unique." The ones on Shangri-la were a bit too "normal."

Also I enjoyed the fact that he added opera in this album.

I was glad he was able to use more aspects of Chinese music than the occasional Er-hu and other such "chinese" instruments."

I didn't like "Rang Kai" one first listen, but it grew on me.
I also didn't like "First Morning," but it's grown on me a lot, especially after watching his concert DVD.

However, there are some songs that I grew bored of. These include the song that his fans composed for him. It was sweet at first, but after a while it becomes normal and falls inthe abyss of "monotonous music" that is abundant in the Mandarin industry nowadays. Granted, I have to say it's still an excellent piece considering his fans composed it.

The downfall of this album was it's length. It was short. Also the first half was a lot stronger than the last half. For example, Ger Men, was catchy, but the beat was too simple and didn't leave much of an impression on me.

But then I'm a very picky person when it comes to music. I usually like no more than 4ish songs on an album (except for Jay Chou's "Fantasy"), so the fact that I liked about 75% of this album, is already saying a lot.



I guess I have mixed feelings about this....
Even though a lot of singers tried doing the chinese style thing, i feel like they did it sort of in an ad-hoc fashion, without a real aim, solely for popularity's sake, and perhaps to "butter up" the china audience.
To me, Lee Hom was really someone who took it beyond just that superficial level and really drilled deeper to exploring the connotations and expanded it into a theme and style.
So in a way, it does seem a pity that he's not seeing through this style that he - not quite created, but i guess more of "concretize" - through to its utmost potential. However, what he said,
"just because I'm not continuing the "Chinked-out" vibe, does not mean that the Chinese culture should be less respected or forgotten. I have two "Chinked-Out" albums and those albums will always be there, along with the growth of Chinese music and it's own identity."
is very true. Lee Hom is an experimenter, a musician. I think one of his strong points is his willingness to explore, create, innovate, take risks....and not remain stuck in a rut (even if it is a very successful rut).
Lee Hom pioneered and concretized the chinked out style, and should other singers emulate this and take it to the next level, the chinese music industry as a whole benefits, and it is too a measure of Lee Hom's success.
I'm definitely looking forward to the new surprises that he will bring in his next album!


Yeah, I know what your trying to say. I think when Leehom decided to coin this "style" he had an actual underlying motive, as described in his liner notes. Whereas when someone like Cyndi sang a long "Curled Eyelashes (or something", although the song is undoubtedly catchy, I doubt she was thinking, 'I hope that this can make people appreciate the Chinese culture more.'

In a sense, I think only outsiders like Leehom or David, or other such ABCS can understand the importance of appreciating one's own culture. Whereas native singers have a emic view of the culture and can't offer the same etic view.

[funkindagirl]

brilliant brilliant album!!!! never heard anything so fresh and different. mix of peking opera, fused with chinese R&B.
love all the songs! but my fav fav ones have to be:
mistake in the flower field, big city, small love and the perfect interaction
great collaboration with rain which included chinese, korean and english

[LayRyan]

This album is just average for me. although I have bought it Im still a lil bit disappointed. He shows great abilities in composing and singing (his vocals are really good), but most of the songs arent just my type. This chinese style is ok, but sometimes it sounds a lil bit rediculous with the opera stuff.
The most tracks I dislike are nr.8 (Brothers) and 9 (Get out of way). For me these 2 tracks are just there to fill the last lacks.
His Shangrila album was much better. Nevertheless I enjoy tracks like "Mistake in the flower field", "Kiss goodbye" and "The first dawn".

[kliu117]

I totally loved this album. Leehom did a great job fusing the beijing opera and all that. The songs that I found to be very good were: Zai Mei Bian, Hua Tian Cuo, Gai Shi Ying Xiong, Kisss GoodBye, Da Cheng Xiao Ai, Di Yi Ge Qing Cheng.