CD Review:

From our archives, Compass Magazine, Mar. 2002:

Translated by Elliot Billings and Cheryl Robbins

Creed/Weathered/Wind-up Records

Creed’s long-anticipated third album recently hit the stands and stays true to its hard-core rock foundations with an increased intensity. From start to finish, listeners will enjoy a range of styles, from hard pounding rock licks at the beginning to softer, more melodious songs at the end. This, combined with the group’s intense lyrics, creates a high-quality CD that will not disappoint Creed fans. In recent VH1 interviews, lead singer Scott Stapp expressed confidence about the success of the new album despite widespread criticism, from other bands and critics, that Creed has become overconfident and boastful. According to guitarist Mark Tremonti, this album takes listeners through different emotions and styles more effectively than any of Creed’s earlier works. –By Jonathan Weaver

Jacky Chan/ I Really Tried/ Tung-fang Entertainment

Recently, Jacky somehow managed to find time between his pressing film engagements and, with some Taiwanese encouragement, throw himself into production work on a new album. Although “I Really Tried” is mostly comprised of love songs, Jacky wants to make it clear that he’s not a “sensitive, mushy guy”. He and producer Huang Ming-wei chose from almost 200 songs and picked the ones which were appropriate to the image of the real Jacky Chan. Huang Ming-wei made sure Jacky first understood the overall mood of the song before slowly starting to introduce heartfelt emotion. As a result, Jacky has found his own voice, so to speak, and in this album he hopes to bring across to his listeners his musical ideal and attitudes toward life and love.–Provided by FM97.7 Family Radio

Jasmine Leung (Liang Ching-ju)/ Sunrise/ Rock Records

On this new album, Jasmine Leung performs interpretations of songs by regular collaborators Tsai Chien-ya, Pan Hsieh-ching, Li Chao-hsiung and Ke Ta-wei. Besides the upbeat love song style the listener has come to expect from Jasmine Leung, jazz and folk styles are also in evidence here. The first single, “The Happiness of Breaking Up”, is an encouraging song devoted to those who have lost in love. On this album, Jasmine invited good friend Wang Pei-jung to collaborate on “Sunrise” and “Small Love”, two successsful joint efforts which showcase Jasmine’s exquisite voice.–Provided by FM97.7 Family Radio

Li Tai-hsiang/Since the Time I Met You/Jingo

This CD includes performances by a chamber orchestra, as well as the vocals of this artist. The first and title track “Since the Time I Met You” is a musical version of a Taiwanese love poem. The second track, “This is a Secret”, is a love song that combines Taiwanese and the Amis aboriginal language. Li Tai-hsiang created other beautiful love songs by setting the work of several poets to music. Originally, “Ju Tan”, “Farewell” and “Tian Shui Nian” were instrumental pieces. Li Tai-hsiang gave them new life by adding lyrics. On “Spring Story”, he sings along with his children. For 10 years, Li Tai-hsiang has been struggling with Parkinson’s disease. Through this struggle, he has been able to create music that touches those who listen to it.–By Rachel Chiou