Still Fantasy. Still King of Mando-pop.

Right. Right. He's back with his 6th, 7th album? 7th full-album I think. Yes, yes. Titled Still Fantasy, it'll be released on 8 September 2006. Sometimes I wonder if we'll ever get sick of his stuff. I mean you gotta admit it's all sappy love songs....but damn man he's a talented lyricist.

The significance of this album would be him teaming up with veteran Taiwanese singer, Fei Yu Ching (the dude who sang "The Song of the Republic of China"). I saw Fei on TV just a couple of days ago. He had this show where he performed a few numbers with many Chinese singers. Man, he can sing...a very technical singer from what I've heard. Both music giants will portay their talents in probably the first single of the album, A Thousand Miles Away (Qian Li Zhi Wai) which was premiered on August 23.

Well, I guess as always, the album's gonna be a hit. So keep a lookout!

The Panic Channel

Right. Just in case you didn't know...this outfit consists of 3 Jane's Addicton members and a fresh talent who used to be in Skycycle. Drumroll please..... Presentingggg Dave Navarro(guitar), Chris Chaney(bass), Stephen Perkins(drums), and Steve Isaacs!

The Panic Channel's debut album, (ONe) is out in stores now. It's said to be packed with variety of styles...and probably away from the experimental touch. Well, maybe a pinch of it, I feel.

Two singles out, one for the radio: Why Cry and one for the beloved internet: Teahouse of the Spirits. The latter being a more edgy track and sounding like a real race car song! Why Cry is my current favourite. It's ballad like. Vocally, dynamic. A similar number to that would be She Won't Last. I love the guitar works on this one. It's mesmerizing.

This here, ladies and gentlemen...is a fantastic rock band. Diverse. Dynamic and spirited to rock on! Click on their banner to visit their very very informative site.

My album rating: 6/10

Leigh Nash out with debut album - Aug 15

The pretty face from Sixpence None the Richer finally gets a go at a solo debut album titled Blue on Blue this August 15. Leigh Nash is set to present her admirable voice with divine melodies. I’ve already listened to a couple of tracks from the album and, I’ve just got one word…"Beautiful!".

The album's got loads of piano and the tracks tend to be mellow. Good CD to be playing with candles lit and wine a when you’re all alone at home thinking or whatever. Lyrics were well written and with Pierre Marchand (worked with Sarah McLachlan) producing the album, it’s just gotta be one of those great ones.

Just a Little has that dreamy feel to it with the organs playing, sounding almost like a church hymn. It gets a bit boring after a while though.

Cloud Nine is a little more upbeat accompanied by piano. The good hook to the song makes it a sing-a-long.

My personal favourite is Blue, probably because of the bursting guitars and haunting melody of Leigh’s angelic voice.

Watch out for her first single which is already playing in US airwaves – My Idea of Heaven.

Album rating: 7/10

Nan Quan Ma Ma has got a colourful palette

OK! I've got another chinese music review. I'm kinda getting the hang of this.

So, here's a quartet fronted by female vocalist Lara (who is also a composer by the way) and backed by 3 talented dudes, Devon (drummer/DJ/Rapper), Yu Hao (Pianist/Rapper), and Zhang Jie (Guitarist). Their latest masterpice, Colour Palette was launched a couple of weeks ago and from what I've listened, it's not too bad. For those who love the sounds of Jay Chou, we'll you gotta get a hold of this album. Most of the tracks you hear are somehwat sinilar to Jay's style. After all, they are buddies of him and have been definitely influenced by Jay.

Track 2 on the album sounded like a Mayday/Jay Chou number. It's got a nice rythm to it. But my guess is, the hit will be Track 5 - it's mellow, dreamy, it's pleasant and easy. Among my other favourites are Track 7 & 12. However, don't expect any 'pick-me-up' tracks. They should've at least had one. Tsk Tsk.

The Return of the Dog

DMX returns with his 6th album, Year of the Dog...Again (due August 2006). 3 years since his last solo album, DMX is set to bring a more focused rap prophetic vision with singles like Lord Give Me A Sign, We In Here, and Give 'Em What They Want.

There was a delay in the album release due to a leak. Album leaks are getting viral these days, even Paris Hilton's singles were leaked several times before Stars are Blind became her single. Anyway, back to the Dog. We can expect some blistering hip hop numbers on this one. It's powerful, punchy and back to rap's roots. What else can you expect from a man that's the only artist to have the first 5 albums debut consecutively at #1 on the Billboard 200?

Hammer Me Timbers!

So he did it huh? The scary kid when screaming, Marty Casey managed to gain fame even after being placed only second in the INXS search. Let's just see now if Marty can lead the Lovehammers ahead of JD Fortune and INXS. I wouldn't be surprised, hearing how Marty Casey & The Lovehammers's second album (this ain't their first people) is so juiced with energy compared to INXS's Switch (no offense guys I still like your music).

First single - Trees. Simple lyrics, grungy, great sing along. More grungy works can be heard on Straight as an Arrow. My personal favourite so far is Rain on Brain. Now this number has got that modern rock touch to it.

All in all, a good noisy album. I only wished they put in more guitar works that just pure grungy riffs. My rating's 7/10. Out now from Epic Records. For more on the band check out: http://www.lovehammers.com/

John Mayer - All Blue-zy this September

John Mayer fans, be prepared for a bluesy album titled Continuum this September 12. He's had some time off, so this album had better be good. What was he doing for the past 2 years or so? Touring, touring, and more touring with Sheryl Crow and also his 'project-X': John Mayer Trio.

Continuum's first single, Waiting on the World to Change is already being embraced by airwaves all over. The track arrested me with its boppy tune. To be honest, great music, but I'm just not too sure if his soft vocals suit this whole new bluesy outfit. Well, we're yet too know...

Breaking the Norm of Taiwanese Music - Deep White

Alright. Here's my first ever Chinese music review. I was simply impressed when I heard a few tracks from this duo - DEEP WHITE ( 深白色 and 端妤 (主唱) ) otherwise known as Arys Chien & DY). Impressed simply because the musical arrangements were all done so nicely. And bear in mind that this is their first ever album and from the sounds of it, they planned it really well.

Moving along to what you will be listening to... I am confident to say that their self-titled album brings a fresh branding towards Taiwanese music. The track which stopped me at my tracks were the upbeat ones, namely, Nothing Wrong and That is Me - great guitars, sexy vocals, great beat. Then there are tracks that are accompanied by beautiful piano sounds like the one you'll find in I'm Cryin - I may not fully understand every chinese word there, but her sweet vocals just express it all in a way. And one more notable track is That Person (那個人).

We don't hear Arys on vocals much. Guess he's just one of those powerful but quite ones. After all, he has been writing songs for other artistes for quite some time. As for DY, I like her voice - unique & passionate. They're a perfect combo. Oh, and before I forget, this whole record was done by the both of them. Hats off to DEEP WHITE.

Pete Yorn Completes his Musical Trilogy

Come August 15, singer/songwriter Pete Yorn would've covered morning, day and night with his tunes. His final installment of a musical trilogy is completed with the release of Nightcrawler, following his last 2 albums - Music for the Morning After and Day I Forgot. He stays true to his musicality in this album. Dreamy, simple yet solid.

I doubt that he's a big person in Asia but some of you might have heard his songs in several movie soundtracks like Spiderman, Hellboy, and Shrek 2. I don't really fancy all of his tunes because it gets a little boring after a while, but I hope this new release turns things around for the better.

The Runaway Train's Coming Back This Summer

That's right, Soul Asylum's back with a spanking new album. THE SILVER LINING is expected to be swinging, soothing, and rocking like ever before. However, the death of bassist Karl Mueller last year has brought a new member to the band - Tommy Stinson.

You can hear snippets of their songs at http://www.soulasylum.com. I enjoyed the fact that vocally the band still sounds good, musically a bit mundane but I think the album's worth the wait.

Rating: NA

Ferocious Ferry - August 8

L.E.F. - Loud, Electronic, Ferocious. That's exactly what it's all about in Ferry Corsten's latest offering to the avid trance movement. I had a chance to listen to the first single, Fire (feat. Duran Duran's Simon Le Bon) and I thought to myself if Ferry might be blending a popish-rockish twist to his new works. Perhaps, because you'll find collaborations with Howard Jones, Guru, Debra Andrew, just to name a few. All in all, I'd say this is his best so far. The energy is relived, pumped and defintely melodious.

"I say Ferry ol' chap....you had me at Fire!"

Other notable tracks are I Love You, Cubikated (this one sounds real raw!), Possession. Album's officially out on August 8, and this has booked a place on my CD collection with 7/10!

There, there goes Yorke!

Frontman from one of the best bands of my time, Radiohead's Thom Yorke is all set for his debut solo career with The Eraser hitting stores on July 2006. And from what I've heard so far, we're definitely in for some experimental and electronic creativity.

I must say, most tracks do have a touch of Radiohead's ingenuity.

After all, Yorke did say in an interview with The Rolling Stone that the basic ideas for this album were all in his laptop. And this was his cornerstone of manipulating sounds and open new gates to a new sound space.

All in all, The Eraser is a sumptuous one and well, good listening pleasure. It gets 6/10 in my books.

Track listing:

1. The Eraser

2. Analyse

3. The Clock

4. Black Swan

5. Skip Divided

6. Atoms for Peace

7. And It Rained All Night

8. Harrowdown Hill

9. Cymbal Rush

Damon-ous! Simply Damon-ous!

Looks like Blur and Gorillaz weren't enough. Now, Damon Albarn is rumoured to already have started recording his debut solo album in Nigeria, THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE QUEEN due September '06. Grammy award winning producer, Danger Mouse (who had also produced Gorillaz second album, Demon Days has been entrusted with Damon's new journey.

"It is set in a Gothic subconscious world that's England"

Damon Albarn

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,4-2006220235,00.html

I wonder how goth this will be. Well, till we see his 'demonous' side we'll just listen to Gorillaz.

Even Angels Could Hear Them

Alright, so my review on this might be a little late. But as soon as I saw and listened to Angels and Airwaves on MTV, I was awestruck, and I'm definitely getting their debut album, WE DON'T NEED TO WHISPER (out 23 May 2006).

Tom and the boys have definitely brought alternative rock on to an epical journey with this fine offering. Their first single, The Adventure is already becoming a new anthem on the airwaves this year. It's a dreamy track racked with the energetic unison of riffs, beats, and lyrics that go "...and here we go life's waiting to begin...".

Followers of Tom DeLonge's previous side project, Box Car Racer would be pleased to know that The War has somewhat almost that similar kind of musicality. With raunchy guitars and quiet bars here and there.

This awesome foursome definitely have what it takes to step things up in the alternative scene. From the 3 tracks I've listened from http://www.myspace.com/angelsandairwaves, I give this album a 6.5/10.

Band members:

Vocals, Guitars-Tom DeLonge (former bands: Blink 182, Box Car Racer)

Guitars-David Kennedy (former band: Box Car Racer)

Bassist-Ryan Sinn (former band: The Distillers)

Drummer-Atom Willard (former bands: Rocket from the Crypt, The Offspring)

17 and Genuine

Uprising singer/songwriter Dave Mellilo hails from a place not too far from Disneyland. Though, his new EP, TALK IS CHEAP goes nowhere near 'playful'. His songs show individuality of a spirited youth, and Knights of the Island Counter does just that as you feel each guitar strum and piano key dance with a beat that varies from time to time.

My personal fav would be track 3 - This is 2005. It's got a catchy hook due to beautiful piano orchestration that gels so well with his lyrics (about self discover perhaps). Not too say the rest of the tracks are bad or anything, but there's really nothing special about them.

But the track 3 & 4 has got what it takes to hit the charts (top 30 at least?). Out in CD on June 13, 2006. If you like the sounds of Teddy Geiger, then you'd like his offering.

This gets 5/10 in my books.

Track Listing:
1. Sam's Song
2. Vatican Roulette
3. Knights of the Island Counter
4. This is 2005
5. Morris County Blues
6. For the Sake of Remembering

Hot Holly hits music stores June 6, 2006

You’ve heard her nightingale vocals on Fort Minor’s second single – Where’d You Go. Now, Holly Brook is out to prove that she’s not just a featured vocalist in someone else’s hit song.

Her debut album, LIKE BLOOD LIKE HONEY boasts melodic masterpieces with some sort of silent angst and a sense of renewal, all blended in perfectly well with her hypnotising vocals. Imagine Fiona Apple doing a duet with Sarah MacLachlan. Beauty isn’t it? Well, well, I honestly don’t know if she’ll be a one hit wonder or not? But with Linkin Park’s label, Machine Shop’s Recordings, I think she’ll be touring across the globe a couple of times.

Expect the pianos, slow jazzy beats here and there, and mellow tunes wrapped with a creeping energy. I could sense all that rushing in me as I close my eyes especially listening to Curious (I expect this to be the first single). It lyrically touched me and musically, it advocated my sense of seeking answers.

Heavy had me feel every ounce of her musicality. It takes you on a real ride with wonderful works on the piano with her passionate voice. Another track to look out for would be Wanted which I’d definitely want playing on my car stereo as I drive late at night. It’ll suit the ambience just right. It’s the kind of song that gets you thinking and reminiscing about certain moments.

All other tracks featured in this brilliantly produced album would get you right at the spot with a silent energy. She’s absolutely talented, a gorgeous red head, and definitely worth the attention.

Album hit stores 6 June, 2006. Holly Brook gets 8/10 on my list.

Track Listing:
1. Curious
2. Wanted
3. What I Wouldn't Give
4. Saturdays
5. Heavy
6. Is it Love