Latest Reviews

December 9
Artist: Project J, Justice
Title: Barbed Wire and Hip-Hop
Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
Rating: **

Project J, Justice's "Barbed Wire and Hip-Hop" is a CD with a political message. It aims to keep the issue of the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II in the forefront so that nobody forgets. While the message is important, the CD fails to mesh music and politics in the same way that notable political hip-hop projects like Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions..." were able to take political hip-hop to extraordinary heights. The music here feels more like a demo than a serious hip-hop production. While that may not hurt it's credibility for being a message CD, it will definitely hurt it's widespread appeal for a mass audience - an audience who definitely could learn a lot from the message - and that is a shame.

Nelson

Artist: Lawrence Chang
Title: When So Late Becomes So Early
Genre: Folk/Rock
Rating: **

"For better or for worse, I may never make another one quite like this," is how Lawrence Chang ends his "special thanks" on his CD booklet. While I applaud his efforts, it may be better for Chang to not make another CD like this. In the currently popular guitar folk-rock genre that seems to be prevalent in the Asian American music community, Chang's CD is more of a demo than a polished production. Vocals sound more like they recorded in a bathroom (ie: too much reverb) and they sound strained while being off-key at points. The distracting vocals detract from the music, which is actually listenable. I would have been happier with an instrumental CD. Perhaps Chang can work on strengthening his vocals for his next project but at least he has a decent start instrumentally.

Nelson

Artist: Erica O'Young
Title: On
Genre: Pop, R&B
Rating: **

Southern California’s own Erica O Young is another singer/songwriter, actress and dancer who’s making a name through the music industry. Unfortunately Erica’s debut album has not been released just yet but you can download two tracks from her website. The only catch you have to sign up to download her music. Erica has a good voice and her music had a catchy beat but it was a reach for me to enjoy her music. If you have an email account you don’t use sign up and download Erica’s tracks. If you don’t have one to spare you won’t lose too much sleep.

Ray

Previous Reviews

October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)

September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)

August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)

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!

AArisings, along with KQED radio show, Pacific Time, are seeking to increase our Asian American music library for future reviews. If you would like to submit your CD for possible review and/or airplay on the radio, please contact AArisings by clicking here.

If you would like to be a reviewer for AArisings, let us know and we'll contact you with more information.

Asian American Links | Featured Artists | About | Contact