ShuiMei
09-04-2006, 05:01 AM
I am not proud to admit that when I heard "JJ" Lin Jun Jie for the first time I was not overly impressed. I thought his voice, while strong and clear, was disturbingly feminine and his songs, while heart-wrenching and well-composed, to be overall, not especially memorable: my how times have changed.
With my first impression, I had brushed JJ off as a ballad-singing pop-star that did not have much else to offer the already ballad-congested Chinese music scene, an impression that no longer holds any ground as I'm still kicking myself over such assumptions. What had originally turned me off from this talented Singaporean singer/songwriter I quickly overcame, as his voice began sounding less feminine to my ears, and more endearing and serene. Simply, JJ's voice is made of the kind of stuff that makes girls swoon.
His debut album was indeed dominated by emotional, heart-wrenching love songs, which is fine for a ballad-loving Chinese public, but myself personally, I prefer an artist with a bit more style and punch, which is not to say JJ hasn't had his fair share of songs of a more upbeat nature on his past albums, they just played a distant second-string to his all-encompassing ballads. From his debut album 'Moon Walker' and on to his second 'Haven,' JJ's musical identity was mostly defined by his sweet voice and love songs, but with the release of his third album, 'Bian Hao 89757' I think JJ has finally found his balance.
Catchy upbeat/mid-tempo songs like "Mu Nai Yi" (Track 2) take on a whole other identity beyond typical pop music, JJ's composition makes it exotic and dramatic but still fun to listen to. The title track "Bian Hao 89757" (Track 3) also proves to be a deliciously fun dance-pop track. The techno/electronic sound effects can be a bit overkill but it's still infectiously addictive. Many thanks to JJ for not rapping in English either, he sounds much cooler in Mandarin, whereas in English he sounds more akward and admittedly dorky (see: Haven's "Di Er Tian Tang').
However, in this reviewer's opinion, it is JJ's foray into more urban-influenced music like rap and hip-hop that really stand out. Songs like the dramatic and highly experimental "Ming Tian" (Track 6) are executed wonderfully. It's strange and new, clearly different from anything else JJ has ever done before. There are so many different elements in the song, the foreboding background singers, the haunting organ melody, the frenzy of different sound effects, the sudden homage to 'Ode to Joy'- they all work extremely well together as the overall song gives me the feeling of an old-fashioned mystery radio-drama.
I also think JJ's use of English in tracks like "Ming Tian" (Track 6) or "Tu Ran Lei Le" (Track 5), limited but fitting, is much better than a whole song in English. Haven's Endless Road is akward, at this point in time, I think a few lines of English in a few songs works better. Until JJ starts writing better English lyrics or find better English lyricists to help him, I hope he sticks with this formula.
Moving on, other tracks like the devilishly clever "Dao" (Track 9), which is about stealing music or the genre-skipping, three-songs-in-one "Ting Bu Dong, Mei Guan Xi" (Track 10) also find their place in the album, and shine brighter than songs like the heart-breaking "Sha Shi Bi Ya De Tian Fen" (Track 4) which, while pretty, is standard JJ fare. They can sound a bit all over the place, "Ting Bu Dong, Mei Guan Xi" (Track 10) for example, is a sort of "uptempo-ballad-rap" song, but they can really grow on you as well. JJ's experimental sound and style make them refreshing and welcomed listens, even if they sound a bit strange or awkward at first.
My favourite song off this album is undoubtedly the endearing acoustic pop ballad "Tu Ran Lei Le" (Track 5). When I had heard the song for the first time, from the very start of the song I knew I was in love. Though lyrically repetitive, the song never feels that way as JJ's sweet singing and captivating composition just draws you in from start to finish, this song is pure euphoria to my ears. I just swoon whenever JJ sings "you're just a part of me."
Another unexpected favourite is the seemingly simple but sweet "Jian Jian Dan Dan" (Track 7), which is a light track that is surprisingly catchy. The way JJ sings the first half of the song is so soft and serene, it's like he's lulling you to sleep. It's not as grand or dramatic as JJ's other ballads/love songs, but its modesty does wonders as it proves to be a pleasant listen. It's followed by the vocally gorgeous "Wu Jin De Si Nian" (Track 8) which really showcases JJ's vocal skills. The composition isn't as memorable as it doesn't really start to pick up until the middle of the song, I find that most of the ballads on this album pick up around the end, which is a little disappointing. I also find myself cringing a bit at the guitar solos but JJ's serene voice makes it easy focus on him.
After a string of new, much more experimental tracks, I was almost certain that JJ would close off this album with a song that was more of his signature sound, and I was right. A beautiful ballad, "Yi Quan Nian Yi Hou" (Track 12) is the kind of song that has made JJ so successful, and amidst this well-rounded album, it's a perfect way to close.
Overall, JJ's third album is an excellent release, what I would easily consider to be his best offering to date. With a mix of fun, catchy songs, to more experimental tracks, along with his signature ballads, JJ doesn't disappoint and regardless of the variety of sounds and genres that are placed throughout the album, he makes a masterful transition of each song from start to end. He clearly saw the rather two-dimensional range of his music before and is making a fine effort to grow and develop as an artist. I really admire his courage and willingness to try something new, and while it did take some getting used to, I think he's done a wonderful job of expanding his musical horizons. I'm not sure how others will react to his experimenting, as there are bound to be some comparisons to Jay Chou, especially with rap tracks like "Dao" (Track 9)and "Ming Tian" (Track 6) but so long as JJ stays loyal to his signature sound and makes proper use of that swoon-worthy voice, he'll be just fine, and I think he has done just that.
With his gorgeous voice and infectious music, JJ has more than managed to live up to all the hype that was created after his sophomore album 'Haven.' Surely, this album is only a slice of what JJ has to offer us, and I am more than willing to hear what else he has in store for the future.
Boy, am I sorry that I had ever slighted him in the first place.
Favourite Tracks: Tu Ran Lei Le (Track 5), Yi Quan Nian Yi Hou (Track 12), Ming Tian (Track 6), Jian Jian Dan Dan (Track 7), Mu Nai Yi (Track 2), Bian Hao 89757 (Track 3)
I didn't think I would enjoy this album as much as I do now when I first heard it, the more I listened to it the more I liked it. This review doesn't so much reflect my first impressions so much as it reflects my current opinion of the album, though my first impressions were very positive as well.
With my first impression, I had brushed JJ off as a ballad-singing pop-star that did not have much else to offer the already ballad-congested Chinese music scene, an impression that no longer holds any ground as I'm still kicking myself over such assumptions. What had originally turned me off from this talented Singaporean singer/songwriter I quickly overcame, as his voice began sounding less feminine to my ears, and more endearing and serene. Simply, JJ's voice is made of the kind of stuff that makes girls swoon.
His debut album was indeed dominated by emotional, heart-wrenching love songs, which is fine for a ballad-loving Chinese public, but myself personally, I prefer an artist with a bit more style and punch, which is not to say JJ hasn't had his fair share of songs of a more upbeat nature on his past albums, they just played a distant second-string to his all-encompassing ballads. From his debut album 'Moon Walker' and on to his second 'Haven,' JJ's musical identity was mostly defined by his sweet voice and love songs, but with the release of his third album, 'Bian Hao 89757' I think JJ has finally found his balance.
Catchy upbeat/mid-tempo songs like "Mu Nai Yi" (Track 2) take on a whole other identity beyond typical pop music, JJ's composition makes it exotic and dramatic but still fun to listen to. The title track "Bian Hao 89757" (Track 3) also proves to be a deliciously fun dance-pop track. The techno/electronic sound effects can be a bit overkill but it's still infectiously addictive. Many thanks to JJ for not rapping in English either, he sounds much cooler in Mandarin, whereas in English he sounds more akward and admittedly dorky (see: Haven's "Di Er Tian Tang').
However, in this reviewer's opinion, it is JJ's foray into more urban-influenced music like rap and hip-hop that really stand out. Songs like the dramatic and highly experimental "Ming Tian" (Track 6) are executed wonderfully. It's strange and new, clearly different from anything else JJ has ever done before. There are so many different elements in the song, the foreboding background singers, the haunting organ melody, the frenzy of different sound effects, the sudden homage to 'Ode to Joy'- they all work extremely well together as the overall song gives me the feeling of an old-fashioned mystery radio-drama.
I also think JJ's use of English in tracks like "Ming Tian" (Track 6) or "Tu Ran Lei Le" (Track 5), limited but fitting, is much better than a whole song in English. Haven's Endless Road is akward, at this point in time, I think a few lines of English in a few songs works better. Until JJ starts writing better English lyrics or find better English lyricists to help him, I hope he sticks with this formula.
Moving on, other tracks like the devilishly clever "Dao" (Track 9), which is about stealing music or the genre-skipping, three-songs-in-one "Ting Bu Dong, Mei Guan Xi" (Track 10) also find their place in the album, and shine brighter than songs like the heart-breaking "Sha Shi Bi Ya De Tian Fen" (Track 4) which, while pretty, is standard JJ fare. They can sound a bit all over the place, "Ting Bu Dong, Mei Guan Xi" (Track 10) for example, is a sort of "uptempo-ballad-rap" song, but they can really grow on you as well. JJ's experimental sound and style make them refreshing and welcomed listens, even if they sound a bit strange or awkward at first.
My favourite song off this album is undoubtedly the endearing acoustic pop ballad "Tu Ran Lei Le" (Track 5). When I had heard the song for the first time, from the very start of the song I knew I was in love. Though lyrically repetitive, the song never feels that way as JJ's sweet singing and captivating composition just draws you in from start to finish, this song is pure euphoria to my ears. I just swoon whenever JJ sings "you're just a part of me."
Another unexpected favourite is the seemingly simple but sweet "Jian Jian Dan Dan" (Track 7), which is a light track that is surprisingly catchy. The way JJ sings the first half of the song is so soft and serene, it's like he's lulling you to sleep. It's not as grand or dramatic as JJ's other ballads/love songs, but its modesty does wonders as it proves to be a pleasant listen. It's followed by the vocally gorgeous "Wu Jin De Si Nian" (Track 8) which really showcases JJ's vocal skills. The composition isn't as memorable as it doesn't really start to pick up until the middle of the song, I find that most of the ballads on this album pick up around the end, which is a little disappointing. I also find myself cringing a bit at the guitar solos but JJ's serene voice makes it easy focus on him.
After a string of new, much more experimental tracks, I was almost certain that JJ would close off this album with a song that was more of his signature sound, and I was right. A beautiful ballad, "Yi Quan Nian Yi Hou" (Track 12) is the kind of song that has made JJ so successful, and amidst this well-rounded album, it's a perfect way to close.
Overall, JJ's third album is an excellent release, what I would easily consider to be his best offering to date. With a mix of fun, catchy songs, to more experimental tracks, along with his signature ballads, JJ doesn't disappoint and regardless of the variety of sounds and genres that are placed throughout the album, he makes a masterful transition of each song from start to end. He clearly saw the rather two-dimensional range of his music before and is making a fine effort to grow and develop as an artist. I really admire his courage and willingness to try something new, and while it did take some getting used to, I think he's done a wonderful job of expanding his musical horizons. I'm not sure how others will react to his experimenting, as there are bound to be some comparisons to Jay Chou, especially with rap tracks like "Dao" (Track 9)and "Ming Tian" (Track 6) but so long as JJ stays loyal to his signature sound and makes proper use of that swoon-worthy voice, he'll be just fine, and I think he has done just that.
With his gorgeous voice and infectious music, JJ has more than managed to live up to all the hype that was created after his sophomore album 'Haven.' Surely, this album is only a slice of what JJ has to offer us, and I am more than willing to hear what else he has in store for the future.
Boy, am I sorry that I had ever slighted him in the first place.
Favourite Tracks: Tu Ran Lei Le (Track 5), Yi Quan Nian Yi Hou (Track 12), Ming Tian (Track 6), Jian Jian Dan Dan (Track 7), Mu Nai Yi (Track 2), Bian Hao 89757 (Track 3)
I didn't think I would enjoy this album as much as I do now when I first heard it, the more I listened to it the more I liked it. This review doesn't so much reflect my first impressions so much as it reflects my current opinion of the album, though my first impressions were very positive as well.