petricia
09-07-2008, 04:02 PM
For those who has followed the Taiwanese variety show, One Million Star Season 2, Y2J will not be new faces to them. Yuming (赖铭伟) is the champion for Season 2 while Jane (黄美珍) won the most popular contestant for that season. Throughout the season (at least the episodes that I was glued to), there has been continuous interest whether they are a couple or not and I think that generated enough interest (media- and fans-wise) for this debut album of theirs. Both of them are interested in Heavy metal and Rock and hence there is no surprise that their debut album is a rock album.
An interesting story about their band name: 'Yuming' means 'a divine tree' in Yuming's native language while Jane's nickname in her native language is 'Tong' and hence the band's unique name, Shen Mu Yu Tong (神木与瞳). Both of them are descendants from the natives of Taiwan. There has been a saying that all natives (referring more to the original tribes in Taiwan) of Taiwan are great at singing and I must say, that is very true in this duo.
A simple overview of the album: Terrific!
I must admit, I know nuts about rock/ heavy metal/ anything that's heavy on the ears and most of the time, I hate those kind of songs, as they give me constant headaches. However, I simply adore this album and it has been on my playing list ever since it is available on my subscribed online radio. I am just waiting for the Deluxe version of the album to be released in Singapore before buying one.
Although I was surprised about their decision of forming a band, this is definitely not the duo's first time working with each other. Before and during the competition, both of them were singing in a pub, at times as partners. Just a quick search on Youtube will return several performances that the fans had posted online. On their own, perhaps they would be doing pretty well in the music industry; after all one is Mr. Champion and the other is Miss Popular. Yet, I think they made the right decision and forming a band; their vocals complimenting each others' so well, bringing out the best in each other. Throughout the competition, I find Jane's singing a little too piercing to the brain while Yuming's vocals could be a little dull at times. Yet, none of these flaws are present in this album. Some may hail the sophisticated technology while I believe that they found the balance between their singing. The rockish elements suits them to a 'T'; their powerful vocals manage to go very well with the heavy elements in each song. At the same time, each song simply has the ability to tug the chords of my heart, attracting me in their own little ways.
Efforts have been made to showcase both vocals in this album, as well as a to share a little more about the singers. For example, there is a song that combines elements of rock and Chinese opera in the album. For those who followed the show, they would know that Yuming used to play a part in these performance-cum-rituals opera and it will, no doubt, bring a smile to their faces. As for Jane, there is a track (Se-Ma-Se-Nay-Ku) where she is just singing without lyrics and I must say, it is beautiful... A highly recommended track for those who are not too concern about lyrics.
Now for some recommended tracks:
Wei Ni Er Huo (Live For You) - The hit track of their album, where the album takes its name. A very good showcase of both Yuming's and Jane's powerful vocals and quality of their vocals. A song that will definitely make its way into my 'must-learn-to-sing-in-karaoke' list.
Wu Zhuang De Qiang Wei (Armed Rose) - Jane showcased her powerful and yet soulful voice as the main vocal while Yuming did a good job in just complimenting her. The whole song is just so good that I can repeat it 5 times without stopping. (Hey... I hate heavy metal stuff so yea.. that's my max. for songs that constantly pounded into my eardrums. :bleh:)
Cao Jie Zhi (Grass Ring) - A more tone down ballad; one that I expect a good MV from (hopefully a Karaoke hit). The question-and-answer style suits my hearing very well and I am hopelessly attracted to the song as a result.
Se-Ma-Se-Nay-Ku - a nice simple track. Simply melodious to the ears and perfect track to ease the mind.
Hope those who like/hate the album, post a thread to this review.
As for those who hasn't heard this album, go and have a listen. I am sure you won't regret it. :-)
An interesting story about their band name: 'Yuming' means 'a divine tree' in Yuming's native language while Jane's nickname in her native language is 'Tong' and hence the band's unique name, Shen Mu Yu Tong (神木与瞳). Both of them are descendants from the natives of Taiwan. There has been a saying that all natives (referring more to the original tribes in Taiwan) of Taiwan are great at singing and I must say, that is very true in this duo.
A simple overview of the album: Terrific!
I must admit, I know nuts about rock/ heavy metal/ anything that's heavy on the ears and most of the time, I hate those kind of songs, as they give me constant headaches. However, I simply adore this album and it has been on my playing list ever since it is available on my subscribed online radio. I am just waiting for the Deluxe version of the album to be released in Singapore before buying one.
Although I was surprised about their decision of forming a band, this is definitely not the duo's first time working with each other. Before and during the competition, both of them were singing in a pub, at times as partners. Just a quick search on Youtube will return several performances that the fans had posted online. On their own, perhaps they would be doing pretty well in the music industry; after all one is Mr. Champion and the other is Miss Popular. Yet, I think they made the right decision and forming a band; their vocals complimenting each others' so well, bringing out the best in each other. Throughout the competition, I find Jane's singing a little too piercing to the brain while Yuming's vocals could be a little dull at times. Yet, none of these flaws are present in this album. Some may hail the sophisticated technology while I believe that they found the balance between their singing. The rockish elements suits them to a 'T'; their powerful vocals manage to go very well with the heavy elements in each song. At the same time, each song simply has the ability to tug the chords of my heart, attracting me in their own little ways.
Efforts have been made to showcase both vocals in this album, as well as a to share a little more about the singers. For example, there is a song that combines elements of rock and Chinese opera in the album. For those who followed the show, they would know that Yuming used to play a part in these performance-cum-rituals opera and it will, no doubt, bring a smile to their faces. As for Jane, there is a track (Se-Ma-Se-Nay-Ku) where she is just singing without lyrics and I must say, it is beautiful... A highly recommended track for those who are not too concern about lyrics.
Now for some recommended tracks:
Wei Ni Er Huo (Live For You) - The hit track of their album, where the album takes its name. A very good showcase of both Yuming's and Jane's powerful vocals and quality of their vocals. A song that will definitely make its way into my 'must-learn-to-sing-in-karaoke' list.
Wu Zhuang De Qiang Wei (Armed Rose) - Jane showcased her powerful and yet soulful voice as the main vocal while Yuming did a good job in just complimenting her. The whole song is just so good that I can repeat it 5 times without stopping. (Hey... I hate heavy metal stuff so yea.. that's my max. for songs that constantly pounded into my eardrums. :bleh:)
Cao Jie Zhi (Grass Ring) - A more tone down ballad; one that I expect a good MV from (hopefully a Karaoke hit). The question-and-answer style suits my hearing very well and I am hopelessly attracted to the song as a result.
Se-Ma-Se-Nay-Ku - a nice simple track. Simply melodious to the ears and perfect track to ease the mind.
Hope those who like/hate the album, post a thread to this review.
As for those who hasn't heard this album, go and have a listen. I am sure you won't regret it. :-)