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Yoga Lin - Perfect Life

And that's what we've all been waiting for (I hope ;p). Yoga Lin's new album. I had a big shock when I saw the tracklist - so big! But it turned out kinda different, I'm gonna talk about it later.

It's a really long tracklist so I'm just gonna mention my 3 favorite tracks - 自然醒, 紀念品 and 不換 which I really recommend. And of course the fabulous Fly My Way but it was known a long time ago. You can type it in YouTube and check it out, I've uploaded the last two.
About the second part - well I thought it's gonna be studio version of any of these, but it turned out to be Senses Around Live Tour. So just lives.
But just to note one thing: if you liked Yoga's last album you definitely will find yourself liking this one.
About the cover: OMGD, he looks like Edison Chen there ;D So at first I was like 'what? Edison's new album? No, wait, it says Yoga... wtf? I'm confused' XD

Artist: Yoga Lin 林宥嘉
Album: Perfect Life 美妙生活
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: pop/rock
CD1
01.美妙生活
02.自然醒
03.想自由
04.我總是一個人在練習一個人
05.紀念品
06.不換
07.擁有
08.早開的晚霞
09.想念
10.晚安
11.Fly My Way
CD2 - LIVE
01.Song 2
02.Ain't No Sunshine
03.突然想起你
04.春光乍泄
05.作伴
06.飄
07.Carnival
08.我只在乎你
09.老實情歌
10.Everyday
11.The Hindu Times
12.羅密歐與朱麗葉
13.First Of The Gang To Die
14.雨和眼淚
15.Darling
16.How Deep Is Your Love
17.眼色
CD1 only

CD1 + CD2

^credit: uwants^

PopHolic is a new boyband from Taiwan. That's all I've found about them.
Funny thing, they're called PopHolic but their music isn't something you'd expect from a boyband. I mean that's not a normal "pop" like, say, TopCombine does. It's more of pop-rock. You can actually hear guitars here. And that's a big plus. And they're so cute!
I've tried to make a review but then I realized all the songs are pretty much the same. I mean, not that it's a bad thing. Some of them are more punkish, some are slower but they have one thing in common: sooo sweet! That's what I think about this entire album :D It's this kind of pop-rock for teenagers but I think you'll like it no matter how old you are. It's the kind of music that makes the world colorful and happy.
My feeling are very positive about this position and the whole band ;)

Artist: PopHolic 流行駭客
Album: 同名專輯
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop, rock
01.揀愛
02.戀愛感冒
03.No Money But Happy
04.的機會
05.Let's Go
06.我學會
07.Summer Party
08.HyperSelf
09.Say Hi！
10.無畏

^credit: maypaycmusic ^

Quoting Tami "crying tears of joy" coz YiDA is back! Man, I've srsly missed him. He's been absent for such a long time only giving some signs that he's alive by his tweeter.
He tweeted about his album long time ago but after that there was a long silence and one single which was 微光. A wonderful and strong ballad. Long time of silence and here it is - an EP. Only five tracks but... feels like a lot!
So, the EP, entitled after it's first single starts with mentioned before 微光. Afterwards is Broken Heart with kinda creepy beginning. But then it's a really pretty ballad. But the style of this track is very similar to the first one. Next song is 倒敘 which is hard to describe. Not a ballad but not a upbeat either. Not slow but not fast. I can't find any words to describe it - you gotta hear it. 保留 touched me. I dunno why it's just so beautiful I'm deeply touched. track11 is a weird name for fifth track but let it be. What I like about it is that it's different than the rest of the EP. Not to mention that it's only an instrumental but what an instrumental! Wow.

Artist: YiDA Huang 黃義達
Album: Glimmer EP 微光EP
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 微光
02. Broken heart
03. 倒敘
04. 保留
05. track11

^credit: maypaycmusic^

Frankly, I had no idea Shawn can sing. For me he was just an actor. An awesome looking actor to be precise. When I saw this album I was like "OMGD! Shawn!" and I had to check it out. Especially that it's title kinda makes me laugh xD
The album starts with good rocking. And I mean rocking, not some silly pop-rockish sounds. He really rocks it! An absolute awesomeness. This is when I knew it's gonna be good. But with the second track it changes to some upbeat, dance song. Not that it bothers me, no way since it's a great and entertaining song. Dance continues with 喂！喂 ! So far so good. On the other hand 其實我們很熟 is an acoustic ballad which completely took my heart which happens really rare. And another ballad 默背妳的心碎, this time more classical, you know, with piano and all that stuff. Can be, it's kinda pretty to tell the truth. 男人愛麻煩 is a duet with, here a surprise since it's not a girl, with Hanjin! The song is a pretty acoustic ballad. To keep you awake Shawn gives us a dance track with some rapping. I dunno why it reminds me of Stanley Huang... But it's a very interesting track that Stanley Huang' would like also I guess ;D 你說我太帥 is, I guess, my second fave here. Hard to describe. It's a very happy rock song that makes me think of summertime and, you know, lots of fun. Fantastic song. 有骨氣 is much slower, but not boring. The kind of "ballad" I like. Cuz it's not really a ballad but anyway it's a pretty one. And for the end a remix of second song.
So, all in all, it's a very good album and I enjoyed it a lot!

Artist: Shawn Yue 余文樂
Album: Not a Star N.A.S 不是明星N.A.S
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/rock/dance/ballad
01. 不是明星
02. 給我一杯
03. 喂！喂！
04. 其實我們很熟
05. 默背妳的心碎
06. 男人愛麻煩 (陳奐仁合唱)
07. 快瘋了
08. 你說我太帥
09. 有骨氣
10. 給我一杯 (NIGO® REMIX)

^credit: uwants^

This lovely Taiwanese - American guy is killing me softly with his songs. Why? One simple reason - his album is perfect. Wonderful songs both in English and Mandarin. From beautiful ballads to pop rock songs that can melt your heart. Highly recommendable.
Btw this photo session for the album is amazing - he looks so much better than he realy does lol XD

Artist: Anthony Neely 倪安東
Album: Lesson One 第一課
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: pop/rock/ballad
01. 第一課 Lesson One
02. Sorry That I Loved You
03. 末日快樂 Happy Armageddon
04. 散場的擁抱 The Last Embrace
05. 不耐煩 Fed Up
06. 幸福事小 The Little Things
07. 纏鬥 Brawl
08. 惡夢 Nightmares
09. 紳士 The Gentleman
10. 藏起來 Hide Away
11. The Blower's Daughter

^credit: lalulalu^

Any Alan lovers here? Alan wasn't sure about his music career lately but eventually he decided that he has to make music. And that's why we love him!
He comes back with the most incredible album he ever recorded! Full of rocking and strong songs as well as lots of beautiful ballads that can crush your heart. I'm absolutely in love with this album and I know what I want for Xmas~ So I'm gonna buy this little thing that gives me so much joy. I hope you'll support him with me.
And yes, Faith Yang is alive! Oh, gosh, I haven't heard from her for ages! And she + Alan = pure rockish love.
This is just perfect!
What're waiting for? CHECK IT OUT!

Artist: Alan Kuo 柯有綸
Album: No Fear 無畏無懼
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin/English
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 無畏無懼
02. 美麗
03. Lies You Said
04. 我恨你 (Feat.楊乃文)
05. 醒來後
06. 愛你
07. 流浪
08. 再給我多一天
09. 你的謊 (Lies You Said 中文版)
10. 全力以赴

^credit: maypaycmusic^

This little EP from Dong Cheng Wei gave me lots of joy. Too bad it's only 6 songs, coz I'd really like to hear more!
Be ready for some rockish sounds!
I enjoyed it from the very first to the very last track. I hope you will too.

Artist: DCD - Dong Cheng Wei 東城衛
Album: 同名迷你專輯 EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock
01.分裂
02.以戰止戰
03.在你離開那一天
04.天使的距離
05.浮世樂
06.夠愛

^credit: lalulalu^

All apologies. I've been so lazy lately and I tried to write something but in the end I didn't. But there's another reason. There's been a very few releases and none of them was interesting enough to post it. But today I looked thru chinese sites and found three good albums!
First of them is Zhang Yun Jing's album The Opposite Me. And I thought she is a boy. Even when I played it, she was a boy for me. But then I checked and he turned out to be she xD Boyish style can really mess a little XD
The album welcomes us with awesome rocking song titled 壞了. It makes us think very positively about the whole thing. In 相反的我 rockish style continues and slows down a little in 你是唯一. But no worries, it's still awesome. Rock ballads are really beautiful, so 愛情選項 is like that. Same goes to the next track. And 我不愛你了 is really pretty too. Even though 只愛你 is also good I get a little tired of ballads. I want something like the first track. I hope there will be something, since we still have 3 tracks to go. And in the next track my wish comes true ;D 正不正 is a happy, rockish song. And another ballad 簡訊. The last track is 好了 and it's the only song I didn't like as much as the others...

Even though there were tons of ballads, most of of them was very good. I think it's a very good album. Not the one that you forget once you listened.
Recommended for rock lovers!

Artist: Zhang Yun Jing 張芸京
Album: The Opposite Me 相反的我
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock
01.壞了
02.相反的我
03.愛情選項
04.你是唯一
05.不再聯絡
06.我不愛你了
07.只愛你
08.正不正
09.簡訊
10.好了

^credit: lalulalu^

I can't believe they're back O.o Even though I expected something different from this album, I'm happy that they're alive and keep on working.
Honestly, the album is full of ballads. Acoustic, rock, softer or harder. I don't see any sense in writing a review, since all ballads are kinda the same. Not that they sound the same, it's just... a ballad is a ballad for me XD
I'm not sure if they'll gain some new fans with this album... I hope they will. But for the people who already know them and like them I think they'll find this album pleasurable. Like I did.

And I absolutely love the cover.

Artist: Age of Water & Wood 水木年华
Album: Start On A Journey 启程
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 启程
02. 生命的意义
03. 旅途
04. 面朝大海
05. 你是我找了很久的温柔
06. 自由蓝
07. 那些花开的日子
08. 宝贝你听到了吗
09. 生命的尊严2010
10. 最好的年华

^download^
credit: valen music

I hate singles. Too little music! Especially when it comes to Alien. But since his album was released not so long ago... I forgive him.
I'm sure you've already guessed that new thing form Alien means big love. Yup, the first song 御守之心 is amazing. I absolutely love it. 御守之心眼泪结晶版 is... the same song just made into a ballad XD And I happen to love Alien's ballads.
And two instrumentals in the end as on almost every single.

Artist: Alien Huang 黄鸿升
Album: Mimori Heart 御守之心 EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandrain
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 御守之心
02. 御守之心眼淚結晶版
03. 御守之心 (instrumental)
04. 御守之心眼淚結晶版 (instrumental)

^download^
credit: maypay music

I read about this band a long time ago, so I don't remember even a single thing besides that it's a two piece band from Mainland and the guy is French I think. And I didn't get interested in them at that time. I ask myself - why not?!
The only good word about this album would be: WOW. I'm kinda... shocked.
Last.fm calls it neo-electro-rock, whatever that means. I'd call it - awesome rocking. Wonderful discovery. Good guitars and voices. Beautiful melodies. Heavy positive rock. If you like chinese rock - this is for you.
Starting with titular track 落幕之舞 to the very end - 新界2.0 I love all songs here, ain't no doubt about it.

Artist: GEMINI 简迷离
Album: The Last Night Of Monster 落幕之舞
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock/electro

01 落幕之舞
02 钢铁侠
03 喷泉
04 迷离宫
05 奇光异景
06 留下来吧
07 大象的葬礼
08 人偶攻陷剧院
09 滴滴答
10 箱型鱼
11 新界2.0

^download^
credit: nesalmenore espacioblog com

Remember KatnCandix2? I could never tell what the hell is wrong with that name but suddenly I had an enlightenment lately and I get it now - it's cotton candy times 2~! ;D Lmao, it took a while XD On the other hand I never bothered to look at their chinese name and just figure it out... xD Anyways, sometime ago they released their first album which I really liked. Mostly coz it was on my playlist for like three months and I was way too lazy to delete it and I listened to it everytime after I listened to some other album and I just had to like it after some time. So I saw their new MV few days ago and I thought there'll be an album! And hey, here it is ;D
Their style haven't changed since their last album, that's good. They're still indie-happy and melancholic in the same time.
好日子 starts very indie and yeah, nice. Then we've got guitar ballad titled 贰拾贰 and it's really cute. Not boring, rhythm changes few times. And kinda similar 怎么说呢?. But 马戏团公约 is completely different, here starts the happy thing. And I liked it of curse. Very positive track with stronger guitar than on the previous songs. Shall we HOPE isn't that happy anymore but I couldn't help but love it. Btw look up at her shirt ;D And acoustic ballad 有礼的谎. And titular track - 再见王子. One of the best here, good that they chose this song to promote. It's really beautiful. Next is 变成你们喜欢的我 so pretty! And this guitar in the back is really sweet like... a cotton candy XD 时空胶囊 is getting better with time, but the beginning is kinda boring but then drums are added and guitar and everything's fine again ;P 追忆逝水年华 is an interlude or rather intro to the next issue - 回不去的旅人. As for me too slow. But it's a good album from them.

Artist: KatnCandix2 棉花糖
Album: Goodbye Prince 再见王子
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Pop/Indie/Rock/Acoustic/Ballad

01. 好日子
02. 贰拾贰
03. 怎么说呢?
04. 马戏团公约
05. Shall we HOPE
06. 有礼的谎
07. 再见王子
08. 变成你们喜欢的我
09. 时空胶囊
10. 追忆逝水年华
11. 回不去的旅人

^Download^
credit: sharetera

This is the first EP of Super Band. Some time ago I posted their new and second EP Go South, now for the request of Dan here it comes~ I'm glad you liked them, they're legends in Taiwan.
Little about them. They're Lo Ta-yu, Jonathan Lee, Wakin Chau and Chang Chen-yue. Superband was formed in 2008. It's a short-term project. Unfortunately the EP released this month is their last and they will comeback to continue their solo careers.
First is a live recording of 纵贯线兄弟姊妹. Amazing song. 公路 is very positive too. I really liked it, especially the chorus. Next is 天使的眼泪 which is slower than the previous songs. And 抱著你 with a great guitar solo. 亡命之徒 surprised me. You can hear rapping here. Never expected those guys to rap. Great one. And for the end 亲爱的 and I liked this one too.
Frankly, I think this EP is better than the second one, but that's just my personal opinion.

Artist: Super Band 纵贯线
Album: North Bound 北[上]列車
Year: 2009
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Ballad/Rock
01. 縱貫線兄弟姊妹
02. 公路
03. 天使的眼淚
04. 抱著你
05. 亡命之徒
06. 親愛的

^Download at veryCD ^
Sorry, it's the only link I could find. To download it you need a p2p program like VeryCD or any other. Then you need to click on the first red button below the file list.

Yes, it's the same Yu Yang that used to be in the legendary Tang Dynasty! Ah, this whole album is so good! I really enjoyed all songs here including that weird Intro. It's rare to hear that kind of rock nowadays. It has its oldschoold feeling while some modern elements are added as well. I like when oldschool rockers still continue to release albums with the same style. 路上的人永远在路上 is a great song with a beautiful guitar. Another beauty is 向远方. Coz today everything seems to remind me of something this also somehow reminds me of Peng Tang. But you don't have to agree, it's just my thought. And as for faster rhythms we've got 爱是野兽. Lovely! And this guitar, simply amazing. And again let's go little slower with 迷失在春天. I love it so much! 谁 is completely different than all the songs here. Weird beat in the background along with guitar. 来自另一个世界的电话 is good! Again, faster 简单朋友. 新的夜晚 is even more fast. Listen to that guitar solo somewhere in the middle. Instrumental 南锣鼓巷的夏天, but still amazing. And the last track - 这个夏天（2010版). Love, love, love. Unfortunately I haven't found any MVs, but here's something from his previous album so you can have the outlook on how it sounds like:

Artist: Yu Yang 虞洋
Album: Simple Life Won't Beat Us 平淡的生活不能把我们击倒
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Rock
01.Intro
02.路上的人永远在路上
03.向远方
04.爱是野兽
05.迷失在春天
06.谁
07.来自另一个世界的电话
08.简单朋友
09.新的夜晚
10.南锣鼓巷的夏天
11.这个夏天（2010版)

^Download ^
credit: maypay

Gonna be rock today, coz I'm gonna post two notes about rock. First goes FUSION (FUSION樂團). Pretty boys reminds of some korean boyband but they're actually rocking all the way! I don't know if it's true or not but I heard they are produced by the same guy that produces Tizzy Bac. Mainland has lots of good rock bands, I love it. The Underground is just filled with them!
So for start we got 時光軸. In some moments they sound so indie. For example this song reminds me of Sodagreen, I dunno why. SummerRun starts so good, that nanana~ makes me sing it all the time. 我的愛呢 isn't that slow but on the other hand it has some mellow and soft rhythm. And the titular song 如果未來 is soooo Sodagreen! It's their style and even vocalist has little similar voice to Sodagreen's Greeny. One of my favorites here - 雞肋, but honestly saying most of songs here are written in one style. But I like that. Srsly the guy's appearance doesn't fit their music at all. Why such look? And the next track 好想對你說? Another great thing! 假設 is accompanied only by guitars and then after some time a little of beat is added, so indie! I remember I used to listen that music only, great times. I was afraid My Way would be another Sinatra's cover, but no, what a relief. Something more original, but still the same style. I like it and even the chorus is in English. Something like two verses, but always ^^ If you're already asleep then you can wake up while listening to 自由自在. Something fresh and faster. Pretty 誰 is next and the last track is 123 with A-Yue. The first track I've heard from them and I though the whole album is gonna be like that but I was kindly surprised even thought I still love this song.
Don't forget to check out their MVs first!

Artist: FUSION FUSION樂團
Album: 如果未來 If In Future
Year: 2008
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Rock
01.時光軸
02.SummerRun
03.我的愛呢？
04.如果未來
05.雞肋
06.好想對你說
07.假設
08.My Way
09.自由自在
10.誰
11.123（FUSION&張震岳）

^Download^
credit: e-sabah

I Love Karen Mok is perfect for those who don't really know Karen and want to get to know her and also for those who like her and want to have all the biggest hits till 2008 gathered together. You'll find here amazing upbeat songs as well as slow ballads. I tell you what - Karen is really worth giving a try if you don't know her. I fell in love with her from the very first hearing and now she's one of my favorites chinese vocalists of all time.

You'll find here such goods like L!ve 拉活, 手, 愛死你 - an amazing duet with Alan Kuo (you can find this song here or on his latest best collection Attitude only). Next is my favorite ballad 他不愛我, also 廣島之戀 - duet with Zhang Hong Liang, Alive! (我的自由式), I Will Be Fine, AM PM, my fave 24 hrs and 野 and also I Karen Medley of 5 or 6 songs. And I mentioned only a few of my favorites, but this album is really precious.
RECOMMENDED!

Oh and by the way - she is not only a great singer, but an actress too! She's also very beautiful and I wish she'd sing something in Italian someday ^^

Artist: Karen Mok 莫文蔚
Album: I Love Karen Mok Best Collection 就i Karen 莫文蔚精选
Year: 2008
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Pop/Ballad/Rock
CD 1
01. L!ve 拉活
02. 陰天
03. 愛
04. 請把手機關掉
05. 天下大同
06. 一口一口
07. 看透
08. 單人房雙人床
09. 我明白他
10. 日場夜場
11. 手
12. 你給我多少時間
13. Close To You
14. 如果你是李白
15. 愛死你 (Feat. 柯有綸)

CD 2
01. 頭號粉絲
02. 他不愛我
03. 廣島之戀 (Feat. 張洪量)
04. 如果沒有你
05. Alive! (我的自由式)
06. I Will Be Fine
07. 黑雨
08. AM PM
09. You Are So Beautiful
10. 其實我一直都想對你說
11. 一個人睡
12. 隱隱
13. 忽然東風
14. 24hrs
15. 野
16. i Karen情歌組曲 (他不愛我 + 陰天 + 愛 + 如果沒有你 + 單人房雙人床 + 廣島之戀)

^Download^
credit: blpaulina's blog

Yoga Lin - Perfect Life

PopHolic - Debut Album

YiDA Huang - Glimmer

Shawn Yue - Not a Star N.A.S

Anthony Neely - Lesson One

Alan Kuo - No Fear

DCW - Dong Cheng Wei EP

Zhang Yun Jing - The Opposite Me

Age of Water & Wood - Start On A Journey

Alien Huang - Mimori Heart EP

Gemini - The Last Night Of Monster

KatnCandix2 - Goodbye Prince

Super Band - North Bound Mega EP

Yu Yang - Simple Life Won't Beat Us

FUSION Band - If In Future

Karen Mok - I Love Karen Mok Best Collection

Ni hao!

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