My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Chinese (# 1-5)

#1. Over The Rainbow - at17
Genre - Folk Pop
From Over The Rainbow Vol. 1 (Jul 16, 2008)

at17's best song to date. It delivers a strong wave of positive energy on a bad day. There's always a ray of hope at the end of the day, even in the worst possible scenario. Every aspect of the song is perfect. Ellen and Eman's interwining harmonic voices, the lush of string and brass back-up, it just paints a bright picture and brings a warm smile on your face. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.

#2. 少年維特 - 何韻詩
Genre - Alternative
From Ten Days In The Madhouse (Dec 12, 2008)

If at17's Over The Rainbow brings a rush of positive envergy, Hocc's Young Werther will drop your mood to the rock bottom and turn your smile into a frown. They are a pair of polar opposites. From the first deep piano note to the dark percussion and string arrangement, from hocc's dark and deep tone in her voice here, to Wyman's lyrics about our generation's sorrows and troubles, ...everything in the song makes you sad and angry. And when a song is able to make my mood swing one way or another, it's a good song.

#3. 囍帖街 - 謝安琪
Genre - Pop
From Binary (Jul 25, 2008)

Kay Tse has become one of my top favorites this year. Album after album, she has proved that she's the real deal. 囍帖街 in many ways is a perfect pop song. Well handled vocals, meaningful lyrics, memorable melody. My only hope is that her live performances can be more stable.

#4. 然後怎樣 - 陳奕迅
Genre - Pop Rock
From 不想放手 (Jun 30, 2008)

A question that I've asked myself over and over again this year.... What Happens Next? Obstacles are present in every step of my way since my graduation... It looks like I'm now taking a long way to get to my goal... when almost everyone else is already there.

#5. 花不痛 - 古巨基
Genre - Folk Pop
From Guitar Fever (Sep 12, 2008)


Tanya Chua wrote a great song. Leo Ku has finally returned to his most natural vocal performance style. Thank God. The lyrics are worth thinking about, Our hearts ache because we allow it to ache, be glad when it happens.

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Chinese (# 6-10)

#6. 貪生怕死 - 黃耀明
Genre - Folk Rock
From King Of The Road (Oct 3, 2008)



Ming Gor is HK's most innovative and daring musician. He is not afraid to try new images, include sensitive topics in his songs, or make 360 degree changes in music style every now and then. 90% of the songs in his 2008 album does not include electronic arrangements and instrumentation he and his PMPS group are known for. Instead, more real and acoustic are used to back up his voice. 貪生怕死 showcases Ming Gor's beautifully delicate vocals, his masterful control of emotion throughout the entire song... The lyrics of the song are also very meaningful and is worth reflecting upon.



#7. 跑步機上 - 容祖兒
Genre - Dance Pop
From In Motion (Sep 1, 2008)



I've always detested Joey's songs... until now. 跑步機上 and many of her songs in this album finally allows her to step out of her karaoke queen box and just let her explore more possibilities. This song has been frequently played during my workout sessions. I've now come to appreciate the energy that Joey brings into her upbeat tunes... she's one of the few female singers in HK who has that ability... This song and album has changed the way I look at her.


#8. 嬅麗緣 - 楊千嬅
Genre - Pop
From Wonder Miriam (Sep 26, 2008)



Picked this song totally out of personal reasons. I've liked Miriam since I was in grade 6. This is a song filled with lyrics and names of 30 songs throughout her career. It's such a great gift to fans like me... but the timing is a bit awkward... wouldn't it have been better if it were to be released before her All About Love concert last year?



#9. 我係邊個 - 林海峰
Genre - Pop Jazz
From 我哋大家 (Mar 7, 2008)



Jan Lamb's first attempt at jazz. It's surprisingly soothing! Of course I don't expect spectacular vocals from him, but the lyrics and his interpretation really suits the laidback and lassez-faire attitude of this genre of music.



#10. 甜蜜蜜 - 薛凱琪
Genre - Pop
From Smile (Dec 19, 2008)



I actually wanted to pick something from Khalil Fong's album, but since I haven't received it yet, a song written by him would do the job! I've always admired Fiona, she's like Miriam about ten years ago. The cute girl-next-door image, the somewhat uniquely sweet music style... 甜蜜蜜 is really really sweet, I'm sure a lot of guys like me would love to be the "Mr. Wrong" in the song.

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Western (# 1-5)

#1. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Genre - Pop
From We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things. (May 13, 2008)

It's my favorite Western song of the year because it's so bouncy and happy. I remember spending countless summer days listening to it in the car, on stereo system, on my iPod... and it never gets boring. After the summer, our world took a steep drop into the wrong direction and a song like this, so simple yet uplifting... can be a great cure for all our losses and dissatisfaction.

#2. Festival - Sigur Ros
Genre - New Age
From Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (Jun 24, 2008)



In their latest album, Sigur Ros became a little more acoustic and a little less grand. I personally prefer their spacious and grand soundscape a little more, just like in Festival. The vocalist's dynamic voice... the strings and other sound effects back him up... it's really amazing, and you need a good stereo system to really appreciate the richness of their sounds... it's totally out of this world.



#3. Grafton Street - Dido
Genre - Alternative Rock
From Safe Trip Home (Nov 18, 2008)



An album and song about goodbyes. Like Sigur Ros, Dido became a little more minimalistic in her music in her 2008 album too. Grafton Street, dedicated to her late father, has some haunting flute bridges as a tribute to her Irish heritage, making it much more unique... not to mention Dido's always soothing vocals. My school life ended this year... I am now just thrown into the real world without any directions... And no more saying goodbye for the last time again...



#4. The Story - Norah Jones
Genre - Blues / Pop
From My Blueberry Nights OST (April 1, 2008)




Not a big fan of Wong Kar Wai, but Ms. Jones' music has been part of my life for the past few years. The Story is like an extension of her 2007 album, taking a darking, more bluesy turn in music. Her lower register and the cello in the background makes this song so much more powerful and touching.





#5. Warwick Avenue - Duffy
Genre - Soul
From Rockferry (Mar 3, 2008)



As Amy Winehouse is off this year with zero contribution musically, several blue-eyed soul singers emerged in the UK music scene... and Duffy is my favorite one for sure. She's got that bittersweet raspy voice that adds a lot of flavor to the material she sings. Warwick Avenue is one great masterpiece, it's got that 60s vibe and Duffy's superb vocal performance... and the control of emotions is well handled.

Ten Days In The Madhouse: 好想學你安居這套房...

Rating: 88/100

Tracklist:

01. 青山黛瑪
02. 安妮寶貝
03. 楊子經書
04. 丹賴斯隊
05. 查理淑儀
06. 堂吉訶德
07. 少年維特
08. 愛德蒙多
09. 風見志郎
10. 美空雲雀

Listening to Hocc's latest Album "Ten Days In The Madhouse" is like walking into a big house with ten rooms. You would open each door to visit the occupants of each room (or song).

Madhouse might be Hocc's most daring and far from mainstream album to date. When she announced a project to raise awareness for mental patients, I was excited but also a little worried . Is the HK audience ready to accept an album based solely on this sensitive social issue? Will her music collaboration with Hobing and Hanjin be "big enough" to support this concept?

A main reason why I'm a fan of Hocc is her determination. The determination to focus only on the quality of her work. The determination of going after something she believes in. It's a great feeling to see her succeed time after time, even if obstacles arise one after another. I like people who know exactly what they want and would fight for the causes they believe in.

After listening to Madhouse several times now, my worries are gone. Hocc has once again delivered, and in many ways, evolved again.

青山黛瑪

We open the main door to see a little girl named 黛瑪. And we're joined by her to take a look at around this madhouse and visit her roommates... from the view point of someone with mental health issues. Are we really that different from them? Don't we see "normal people" do crazy things all the time?

In terms of techniques, Hocc's higher register has always been her weakness til now. There's a much smoother transition from chest to head voice. All her high notes seem more natural and less forced.

人類意難平的一切問題你都一笑避開
世間太傻 而你是天才旁人話你悲哀　
不過在你眼中清醒才悲哀　繁忙才悲哀
常人難道比瘋子更可愛


安妮寶貝

Along with 黛瑪, we opened the first door and see another young girl called 安妮. She's from a poor family, but always happy. Money doesn't guarantee happiness. And happiness should never be based on how many LV hand bags, expensive cars, and houses you have.

The song itself is okay, less emotional than the previous track but it's a nice tune before moving into the intense and fast tempo songs coming up...

然而路邊新雜誌多
推介富翁的快樂
有些思緒令我堅壯
然而舊區小朋友多 寶貝有天國
大人即使有未結賬單


楊子經書 / 丹賴斯隊

The 3rd and 4th rooms bring things to a broader perspective. We see mad behaviors of the so called normal people, or even ourselves sometimes. The former speaks of the self-centeredness of mankind. Every man for himself. The latter talks about those who like to rush to and follow crowds. But why?

Hocc adopts Hanjin's freestyle, funky music style in both tracks. I personally like the electronic vibe of 楊子經書 a little more, but they both don't leave a deep impression... it's just not Hocc's style.


查理淑儀

In the fifth room, we meet "Charlie and Cherrie" in the title. They still believe in true love, they are deeply in love, they vowed to protect one another til death do us part.... and people think they're crazy. Is there still true love in this world? I'm personally starting to doubt this notion myself too.

Here comes the first climax of the album for me. It's such a simplistic melody with the most beautiful and touching lyrics. Actually the demo version "Daisies" with just lalala was beautiful enough for me to dub this track a spot in the top 3 of this album.

查理淑儀　歷遍人生風雨
又携手　笑迎　海嘯時
如何維繫　互相保護而已
讓對方相信相依
而你跟他也可以


堂吉訶德

In this room, we meet a young man who lives in the world of online and video games. There are so much possibilities in the internet, we can find all kinds of things to make us happy there. When we make our way back to reality, it often disappoint us with all its cruelty.

Musically, it's another simple tune with pop rock influence, probably the closest thing to Hocc's earlier "rocker chick" style.


少年維特

An angry teenager awaits us in the seventh room. I think we can all see ourselves being this guy at some point around our high school years. He's angry and unhappy about everything... his love life (or lack of), his parents, peer pressure, the uncertainty of his future, and probably most of all, himself. I can certainly see myself in this song...

This is hands down my favorite of the album. The lyrics, arrangement, vocal performance are all in unison. It has the ability to bring your mood down, it's like a a ton of weight being dumbed on your shoulders. It's probably one of my top 3 favorites of the year too. Oh my goodness, I still can't recover from the shock of this song...

你為何話我　常在鏡前投訴
溫室裡長高　從來無能力　殺出新血路
難題是我所製造
你為何話這　純屬少年煩惱
即使你早知　人明天非更好


愛德蒙多

In the eighth room, we meet 愛德蒙多. A smart boy at school, gets good grades, but is being punished by his teachers for asking too many questions. Being someone who just graduated, I feel the education system here and around the world has forgotten to include classes to teach us how to survive in the real world. They just dump us out after they've sucked our tuition fees dry. In this case, 愛德蒙多 wants to find out more about love... as for me... sigh.

Another nice ballad (1 of only 2) in the album. But it's just not as good as track 5 查理淑儀.

沒法躲　知識滲出的恆河
洪流浸死了我　是古書哪本的錯
在試卷　誰剔出我階級前途　剔出怯懦


風見志郎

In the second last room, we find the Japanese Superman wannabe. He lives for one cause, and one cause only... to save the world. Plants, animals, and other natural habitats are being eliminated by humans as our population grows exponentially. It might take more than one man to do this job... but we can all make our own baby steps to try to make this planet a better place to live in.

This acoustic folk-pop track is another watercooler spot of the album. Although it's got great lyrics and it's in one of my favorite musical styles... I think it's lacking in some aspects... or else, it could've easily been in the top 3...

沙粒也顫抖　一粒一粒一粒拯救
伸張非一般的正義得一對手
可能　他的身軀好比妖獸
一天一天稀釋價值得他甘心去守


美空雲雀

At the last stop of the tour of madhouse, we see a little songbird. It is flying freely high in the sky, it brings a glimer of hope to the residents here. To all of us. If we stick together, if we believe that we can change the world together, it can really be done one day.

It's probably my #2 favorite of the album. As the closing track of Madhouse, 美空雲雀 carries an important positive message. The progression in the arrangement and Hocc's vocals is really uplifting and it brings you out of the blackhole we were sucked into at the beginning of this album. Another spectacular vocal delivery by Hocc... again her higher register sounds stronger than ever here.

看著藍天空　穿了一個洞
有誰還可以　信奉
同病抱擁　扶持上進
天下為公　靠携手相信


Strongly Recommended Tracks (in order): 少年維特, 美空雲雀, 查理淑儀, 青山黛瑪, 風見志郎

My 2008 Top 10 Singles - Western (# 6-10)

#6. Sleep Through The Static - Jack Johnson Genre - Folk
From Sleep Through The Static (Feb 5, 2008)

I like Jack Johnson's subtle transformation in this album. It's no longer just the fun and bubbly sing-a-longs that has become his trademark. Deeper lyrics are injected to his always laidback music style, to make it a little more meaningful, a little closer to the real world we all live in.

#7. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Genre - Rock
From Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends (Jun 11, 2008)

This has been one of my favorite workout rock songs in the past 6 mths. I just love everything about it. Chris Martin's always powerful voice, the grand orchestral arrangement. This is what I call a real power booster.

#8. Machine Gun - Portishead
Genre - Techno
From Third (Apr 28, 2008)

From the vocalist's voice to the drum machine loops mimicking sounds of automatic weapons that lasts throughout the entire song, one word comes to mind.... Fear.

#9. Little Bird - Goldfrapp
Genre - Folk
From Seventh Tree (Feb 22, 2008)



I'm enjoying minimalistic music more and more. Goldfrapp's new album just makes you wanna lie down on a field of green grass for the whole afternoon, stare at the blue sky, and do nothing.

#10. New Soul - Yael Naim
Genre - Indie Pop
From Yael Naim (Mar 18, 2008)

The Macbook Air commercial tune, fell in love after listening to it. Bought the album, even more surprised by her Hebrew-Middle Eastern musical influence.

Remember your new year resolutions list?

- Work out 3 or 4 times per week
- Get a full time job
- Get a new pair of glasses
- No more tears
- Read 10 books or more
- Drink less coffee
- Eat less junk/fast food
- Vegetarian diet one day per week
- Try to find someone you love
- Hold your temper
- Start a blog
- Dental check-up / cleaning
- Save more $ than spend
- Keep my room clean and tidy
- Learn a new skill, language, whatever
- Think positive and be happy always





Can you believe this? It's already the 4th day of Decemeber. For me 2008 has been a turbulent year to say the least. There were times of good and bad, up and down, smooth and rough. Some promises I made to myself on Jan 1 were kept, some were kept for a short while and later dismissed, some were completely forgotten.

In the past two days, I went to the dentist for cleaning and also went to the the optomitrist to get a new pair of glasses (it's been 3 yrs lol). Just to get some more items in before the year's end!

Birthday

I hate holidays or any kind of celebration. I haven't celebrated any birthdays since 2005. What happened on my birthday that year has changed me. But that's not the point.

I dread family reunions on holidays, in particular. I hate to pretend to be interested in how relatives are doing. The same goes for reunions of old frds, but this is much easier to take.

It's my birthday and I cannot find no cause for celebration...

This is a line in Jason Mraz's Mr. Curiosity. I listen to this song every year on this day...

Mr. Curiosity - Jason Mraz
From 2005 Album "Mr. A-Z"