Latest Reviews
August 31
Artist: Benny Mao
Title: A Place Unseen
Genre: Rock/Pop
Rating ***
Benny Mao, a product of the dot-com bubble burst, decided to pursue his rock/pop music talents and release his debut CD to the world. The results are mixed on the CD but definitely represents a good start. Mao knows his vocal range well and doesn't try to do anything that stretches the range into uncharted territory. For me, that was a good thing because I think Mao has a good voice with plenty of emotion in his delivery and that alone deserves attention. The band that Mao pieced together for this CD is also noteworthy so if you like the Pop/Rock genre, "A Place Unseen" is a worthy addition to your collection.
Favorite Picks: "Expat" and "Uncertain"
Nelson
Artist: Phuz
Title: Water
Genre: Jazz, R&B, Pop
Rating **
The Houston based group Phuz is not new to the music scene, they’ve been around since 1991.This Filipino American quartet will provide a sound that gives their audience a different way to shake their heads. Dea is the lone female in the group who does the vocals while Edward plays the acoustic and does the beats and samples, brother Edwin is on bass, and Ken rocks out on the electric guitar. This group has a solid chance to succeed in the music industry. The first time I sample each one of their tracks I was pleasantly surprised. They have an up-tempo style that you could get down with. However after listening to their music a second time around I wasn’t as enthusiastic about their music. You can listen for yourself just go to www.phuz.com. Be mentally ready to listen to each track over and over to really know if this music is for you. "As one" and "So why" were cool but there was something missing. That missing ingredient could turn this group into a household name! Over all the music is good, but I’m not in a hurry to get my copy.
Ray
Moving Targets: I can't take my eyes off Edison Chen. I feel creepy saying this cause I think he's really young, but he has a charismatic presence on the screen and even when he's teamed with Nicholas Tse (as he often is) I still find myself paying attention to him. Sure his Cantonese is accented, but he ain't as bad as Michael Wong! I have to admit of the 3 movies I saw recently (Protege De La Rose Noire and Jiang Hu are the other two), this is the one that kept my attention the most. I'm not even watching my bb5 feeds right now! I guess I prefer seeing movies where Edison has a more leading role and he's more suave and righteous than dorky and dorky. Anyhow, that aside, the movie plotline isn't very complex and pretty much everything is predictable and something you've seen before. But you watch this for the eye candy. Aside from the male leads, Gillian Chung is one of the female leads and her role proves once again she is a far better actress than the other twin. Watch it if you like any of the stars I mentioned.
Jiang Hu: This movie tries too hard to be stylized, but there's enough in it's character interactions to keep things interesting.Iit's shot way too dark for my tastes (I thought I was watching an episode of angel ) but the characters and dialog really got my attention. Partway through, I finally "got it" and from then on, it was all good. (I don't want to be more specific as to avoid giving away anything). The best thing about the movie was the acting, particularly the four leads. I was stunned the first time I saw Jacky Cheung come on screen (bad hair extensions and all) and even Edison Chen's CBC accented Cantonese gave way to a quirky performance. Shawn Yu once again demonstrates why he is a contender to the Andy Lau career throne. And don't get me started on Andy Lau. Another bad hairdon't aside, his very presence is captivating. If you find yourself losing interest initially, hold on, if only for the contrasting of Andy Lau and Jacky Cheung's triad boss styles. The biggest weak subplot character storyline was a prostitute who Yu's character for some unknown reason becomes infatuated with. What a waste of movie time. To contrast, Wu Chien Lien was perfect in her cameo as Andy Lau's wife.
Protege De La Rose Noire: This piece of crap is purely for twins fans. If you watch for Ekin (like I did) you will be disappointed or if you watched cause you liked the, 92 black rose vs white rose (which I also liked) or the original black rose movies from the 60s, you will also be disappointment. It's complete absurdity and since it was Donnie Yen directing you're thinking there is lots of action. In fact, the fight scenes don't kick in until way later and most of the martial arts choreography is purley for laugh effects more than anything else. Lots of parodies of other movies including Drunken Master (oh joy, watch the twins dress up as 2 Jackie Chans!) and the Matrix series. I was truly disappointed. I think I need Ekin do another movie where he's a good guy in a triad.
August 13
Artist: Emilio
Title: Fade
Genre: Folk/Rock
Rating ****
Bare music. That's what Emilio creates with his acoustic guitar and his blend of Bob Dylan-like folk-rock vocals. The 5 song EP features songs full of emotion from "Fade" where he sings about Love fading to "Obsession" where his infatuation goes too far and becomes an obsession. If you enjoy acoustic folk-rock and you are in the mood for bare bones music with feeling, take a listen to Emilio.
Favorite Pick: "Fade"
Nelson
Artist: Bastion
Title: Exhibit A
Genre: Rock
Rating *****
Bastion brings what back what I loved about 80's music - dancable "modern rock" rhythms, airy electronic keyboards, and memorable vocals. To this effect, the band gets kudos for sounding more mature than your run of the mill local alternative band. Overall the music is a nice blend of guitars, percussion, and vocals. Neither overpowers the other. They even manage to throw in a political diddy with the track "Shock & Awe." Lead singer, Howie Lam, really shines in this style of music and that's what makes Bastion a band to keep yours eyes open for.
Favorite Pick: "Beloved"
Nelson
Artist: Charlie Liu
Title: No One But Me
Genre: Folk
Rating ****
Charlie Liu may singlehandedly revive 60's style folk music to a whole new audience. Of course, he'll modernize it but Liu definitely has a pleasant and soothing voice reminiscent of James Taylor or Paul Simon. With guitar-in-hand, Liu weaves a melody through his songs that captures your attention from the start and keeps you listening throughout. If folk music is your thing, this is one CD you need to get.
Favorite Pick: "Simple Misunderstanding"
Nelson
Previous Reviews
July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)
June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)
May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)
April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)
March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)
February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)
January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)
December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)
November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)
October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
If you have a have an Asian Pacific American project coming up (CD, video, film, book, more?) and are looking for more exposure let us know about it and we will try to review your project so that others can find out more!
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