I started a mag-like Tumblr quite a while ago. I like them because it's easy to post songs.

Here's one called Dedicated to ... . Enjoy.

Yes, I know, it's the title of a book but this Annie (who is a writer, singer, lyricist, actress), has nothing to do with Nancy Garden. She's the multi-talented Annie Yi, who so happens to be very pretty, too.

Well, I've recently been obsessed with cataloguing my music collection, and have today decided to put in all my Harlem Yu cds. Unfortunately, as a natural progression, I thought since I only had a couple of Annie Yi's I'd do that next.

I didn't know of their relationship, of course when I stumbled upon Annie's cover album 百樂門小艷紅之快活歌 and thought, wow here's another cover album I may like. Ironically, I was into cover music because of Harlem's Night Club, but let's not split hairs. At first, I was quite unused, even put off by her voice - if you look around now, they are so many who sound like that - a little girl's voice, high pitched and small. But as I listened, because the selection of songs and arrangement were really good, I realised that she had so much skill. With my little knowledge about her, I looked around and found some information and discovered her writing, and film (which I never got to watch) ... then I read that she and Harlem were a couple.

Her next two albums, I treasure too. Both representing the Annie Yi that people should see, beyond the pretty face. She's cool.

Then her divorce and the ensuing scandal which led to her being banned in China. All at once, she seems to have dropped out of the Chinese entertainment scene.

But today, I found a lovely article online talking about her musical career and I could not but agree with the author of that piece, that we can never know what conspired in her life and should not judge her, and I'd like to add - just judge her quality of work. After all, we also hope that our bosses do that, too.

I wonder too if we will get to hear or see this strong Annie Yi soon.

It's funny that i consider time away from blogging to be either a holiday or a mad busy time. Perhaps, it is - diary writing is no longer a must, and rather something i do in leisure. Although i still burn to write ideas down, i find that you do need a certain kind of a frame of mind to sit down, switch on the computer, log on to Blogger and write thoughtfully.

i've had a wonderful time away from blogging and its revelatory properties. Plus, i did celebrate a birthday. ...

My favourite gifts are clothes/accessories (because my friends have lovely taste); books (ah! those who buy books have the greatest taste, of course. And they do need a lot of courage to buy me books because i can be quite critical. but that applies to fashion as well, i guess. Now you know how i feel when i buy books for people - doubtful and hopeful.) and finally - when all else fails - hard cash works the best! Of which, i must say thanks, Mom - cos the cash went into my CD buying collection.

Hmmm, which makes me wonder - why doesn't anyone buy me music anymore? The last time i got one wwassss .... Joni Mitchell's Hits - nice!!! Okok, i think Lizzie did offer to get me Tanya Chua's latest album, but i said i preferred a CD player ;-)

i think i better put up a Must have list ... all separately.

i recently gained a neighbour at work ... who's been lending me cool music! Good and Bad, ya?

The first few albums i lent her were my two all-time favourites - Shinkai [Mr Children] and OK [A-yue]. And she has thrown Bump of Chicken my way, yummm, lovely folky sounds.

Oh, and my birthday present to myself is What A Wonderful World (WAWW) [Mr Children] (which i lost) and Acoustic Fukuyamania (an instrumental album featuring Yoshikawa Chuei, and has artwork by Junko Terada).

So, i've been playing Bump of Chicken's Jupiter, Misuchiru's Shinkai & WAWW, Northern Bright, ...and now the Misuchiru's Best of compilations. i'll probably dig out my L'arc En Ciel, Glay and Luna Sea soon enough. All which should last me until the evening.

Music for inspiration and not in English or languages that i am familiar with - should help me write. That said, i need to finish my household chores before starting the word slogging.

Later la.

Finally to marineko-chan - congrats to finally finishing your paper! (i'm glad you found inspiration in OK)

(note: Coelacanth is the first track of Shinkai, which alludes to this extinct organism as a source of inspiration, a muse)

As i type, the Korean drama 'Love in the Vineyard' is playing. (DVD) In fact, it has been my habit to either play a CD or any drama when i'm awake at times like this. Adds a little bit of life to the dead of the night.

okok, not trying to be romantic. Being the otaku that i am, something is always playing in the background.

Well, i've been spending X'mas day with the family (a bit) and had an enjoyable hour or so - wrapping gifts. yes, i love doing that. It's fun and i think it makes gift-giving and gift-receiving much more personal. (but i digress) Anyway, i wanted to borrow a drama called Love in the Aegean Sea from my mom, and ended up coming away with it! Madam Mother is giving away stuff because she's inspired by her friend. That's nice, thanks Mom! So here i am with another set of VCDs, which although i appreciate the gesture and i want to watch the drama, is totally against my new 'collection' policy of ... DVDs only from now on.

Why so? i'm bitter over the fact that i have huge boxed sets of The Gift (Sung-mool) and All About Eve and a whole bunch of other stuff in VCD. The colours are starting to fade; the sound is going AND there are no English subs! There is even this tiny idea, pushing its way to the front, convincing me to give some of my favourites away (read: Sung-mool and AAE) and replace them with DVDs. That way, they should keep for a longer stretch - although one never knows. Maybe i should wait.

And why is that, you dare ask? I would have loved to own the OST 'I have a Date with Spring' in CD, i'm telling you. And the humongous 6 CD collection of Lo-Dayou's best songs, one of Harlem Yu's earlier albums (forgot which), most of my Jacky Cheung collection, Eason's first album and some other indie albums. All this i happen to own - in cassettes. What use are three cartons of cassettes to one who does not own a cassette player? Was i to know that cassettes would now be practically obsolete? Talking of obsolete, i've been trying to replace my discman which a friend borrowed but has not returned (for around 3 years!) and discovered that there aren't any being sold in the shops. (okay, maybe if i really hunt for it i will find one but right now i need to do some shopping around if any) Does this mean that CD players are going the way of cassette players? Ha? Oh dear, i would still want to own a CD player even if i rip music into my mp3 because eventhough mp3s may be handy and can carry entire albums, i would still buy CDs that produce clearer, louder and sharper sound. (not forgetting how much i love owning a nicely made album with lyrics and all that)

Sure, you can download them - lyrics, photos and music. You may even pay for them. I'd rather you call me old-fashioned then, because my CD collection is growing. ;-p

On another level, e-books are bound to become the rage since it would be way-too-cool to carry entire libraries with you without breaking your back. i can imagine wanting to own one!

However, i'm not at all worried that i'll have to replace my entire collection of literature as i may have to with the music and moving pictures. Because, this technology that plays the paper book ain't gonna get obsolete so soon. Good old pencil and paper. Good old paperbacks, hardcovers and tradepaperbacks. Good old use your fingers to turn the page.

And if you need batteries - eat, sleep, love.

i wanted to go back and write a little more about Zhang Zhen-yue's Ok album. The simple fact that after all this time, the entire album remains in my MP3 player, just goes to show how much it has become an important part of my life. Perhaps, i can wean myself off it after i write a bit more about it.

First of all, i have quite a number of his CDs. Full name, Zhang Zhen-yue 張震嶽, he is also 'affectionately' called A-yue. He made his debut years ago in his teens, a fresh-faced aboriginal teen. I have one song in the Treasure Island soundtrack, called Hate Summer. He took a hiatus and joined the national service which is compulsory in Taiwan. When he returned, he took the music scene by storm with 'Boring Afternoon', a grungy-Taiwan-rock album with down-to-earth lyrics that spoke straight into the minds of teenagers. And he has a band now, Free Night. He also dabbles in live music (i don't know what you call it) like Lim-giong, as DJ Orange. OK is his fifth album, i think. I have all except one as A-yue and one EP as DJ Orange (the one which the cover is picture of an orange). Some people cannot like his voice, which is kinda reedy but they still like some of his songs which are very 'listenable' with lyrics that i can only describe as everyday thoughts into poetry.

Now for OK, (i wanted to put in some of the information which came out in the media some time ago but, afterthought - i'll not. It's simply rude and insensitive to speculate.) I think one of the most famous labum covers around is the Beatles' Abbey Road album which has the Fab Four walking across a road, supposedly to represent a funeral march. (BTW, i don't own any Beatles album - hint2)

So somehow, i feel that this is album has a quiet solemnity about it, perhaps more of a wake of sorts.

Note that his album cover is a total departure from his other ones. He is in funereal black, a suit to boot. Head bowed (you can't see his face), carrying a guitar. It really looks like he is paying his respects with this album. Overall, the music is more toned down from his earlier ones, mostly ballads with rap.


First track: 念是一种病 or Missing (you) is a Kind of Illness seems to sum up the sound for the entire album. He shares composing/writing credits with Chyi Chin, which up till now i can't seem to find a reference to.This version has Tanya Chua accompanying, lending enough of her sexy voice to create more pathos.





His skill in lyric writing makes him one of the more formidable singer-composers of today. It isn't specially poetic or 'skilled' when it comes to the choice of words, usually. But the lyrics in this entire album does transcend some of his grungier ones, a bit of them harking to his much earlier work such as Hate Summer. He is no Lin Xi - yet you can relate to him easily - the modern folk rocker that he is. The simple words, slang and even the semi-swear words do make the songs poetry, although of a everyman kind. In 路口 Street Intersection (Track 3), he even punctuates with a tiny 'Ma-de', a close equivalent to 'motherfxxxker'.

As you listen you realise it's an album of good-byes and memories. Take the ninth track. He shares he 'singing' credits with MC Hotdog and Patty Hou. Called 就让这首歌 Let This Song..., i was surprised and impressed with Patty Hou (which later made me see her in a better light when she acted in the drama 'Delicious relationships'. This is another song of goodbyes, or rather one which describes a mutual goodbye. Intros with - let this song, play and play tonight. We are both not wrong, only we see much clearer now the things we did not understand. There is nothing to be said, let's not say it yet, let's just keep silent. A final embrace, the end of a love. 

Hence, we need to go into detail one tracks 7 and 11, entitled 再见Goodbye. The seventh track is a faster more upbeat comparatively, while the final track - as finales go - is slow, slow death. My little sister tells me this song is in the soundtrack of a movie, where one of the protaganists is being battered to death. Ugh, cruel. Because, it begins with: i'm afraid i will never have the chance, to say a word of goodbye to you, because maybe i may never see you again. (tears will start filling your eyes la)

If between the goodbyes, there is a song which preludes it all. A song that speaks and is sung for those who were left behind. If you have ever had that feeling, you will know, a song which reminds me of Rene Liu's Men (Door). The words speak true of a person who is now forever afraid to be left behind without a clue or a sign, begging to be told of the exit. I can believe these words as i would and have felt this pain and can never forget being left behind without much of a word. Can't you trust me enough to tell me first? , they all seem to say. And you can feel it in - 孤獨的夜哨 Lonely Evening Whistle.

I sometimes think that 小宇 Small Space is an extension of Lonely Evening Whistle, or perhaps a mirror. As the protagonist throws caution to the winds with a declaration - I don't care what happens in the future, as long as we are happy now. I don't care how it would end, at least the person i would miss is you. I don't care what happens in the future, but i want to see you each day. i don't care how it would end, i would like to be with you. These two songs have become personal somewhat, as they speak too what i believe much in and fear most.  

很难Very Difficult, track 4, is one of my favourites. The chorus should be my theme - for: At times i would like to lock myself away, or perhaps, learn to open up the doors to my heart. The ties between people (the direct translation should be: a man and another) becomes blind and deaf, becoming used to (disconnected coldness). At times i would shed tears, without reason. Do not tell me this is self pity, self doubt. Who would not want to be like the birds, free and untethered, who does not hope to be, who doesn't - only it is very difficult.  Somehow, this song is a mirror, and extension of Bobby Chen's Ran-er (But), of which he ends with - I want you - free(dom) like a bird.

As for the song that takes the album title - OK ...? It is as if he wants to say - eventhough i'm alone, i'm getting along, i'm OK. The words we always use ourselves when we do not know how to describe the awful things life has thrown us, but we persevere, wounded but hopeful. We are OK.

And so:

And so as you soar above the hills and valleys, i am on a lonely road that never ends. I often feel your breath, at the back of my ear, but never feel your beating of your heart. 
At times, we forget the people around us need to be loved and cared for, excuses are distances we prolong. Unexpected, all of a sudden, soundless and untraceable, we are always complaining about ways and means, yet never willing to look within ourselves, thinking if we have done anything stupid, perhaps it is a test (from  God). Only this wound needs more time, only we would still miss/remember the past, those people or happenings or things will leave me far behind, and we will eventually leave them to turn into memories. 

I'm OK. I hope you are OK, too.
(by the way, i started to write this post on 2nd November 2008.)

A few days and it'll be Christmas. There's this book by Charles Dickens where the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (an immortal name) is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.

This past few days, somehow feels like i've been visited by my Ghost of Past. To nonchalantly say, Hi! is a tough, tough thing to do. i think i would rather face an angry crowd of Harry Potter fans on embargo day than visit a deep grey pool, hidden inside my Norwegian wood. (For i turned a corner and nearly fell into it.) My advise to anyone is it is good to have closure (of any kind) or you'll always feel awkward or even cowardly when you meet that someone again.

On the other hand, i've been complaining about missing sleep, as usual. Apart from updating this blog right into midnight, i've been busy reading. Corydon has taken a strange shade, somewhat like an allegory of war now. i hope with all my heart, it doesn't fall flat.

So a song that suits both my sentimental, nostalgic mood (if you understand the lyrics), and a lullaby to boot. There was a time when this album sat in my cassette player for nearly half a year, i'd play it at night without fail, keeping me company in dreamland. It opened an entire world of music for me.

SONG FOR A MOOD
Remember the Time - Johnny Chen. It may sound obscure, but Johnny Chen made me start to see R&B in a different light, and learn to study the credits of composer, lyricist, arrangement & producer, creating a new realm of possibilities to my music appreciation. This song is from his second album, Because of Love. Sleep well.

One of my favourite blogs, Dramabeans always feature a Korean song, sometimes one on a soundtrack. Even though, i'm not always interested in the songs or even listen to them, i like the idea of sharing some music, though not entire albums. One of the latest songs featured was Tei's Queen, the 'theme' of Uhm Tae-woong in Chunhyang, which i liked for its jazzy feel.

But i digress.

Made me want to share some music, too. i've going to try and share songs to fit my moods or current humour.

Feeling down lately. And in the need for a song everytime to cheer me up. This is a great one. (you would have read it in an earlier post)

SONG FOR A MOOD
Three Musketeers/Samchongsa - Kim Dong Wan featuring MC Mong & Ho Inchang, from Kim Dong Wan's first solo album

Can't get on Youtube tonight. It explains my inconsolable grey mood. Jay and i have been finding much joy in going online and watching the crazed and funny antics that loads of Shinhwa Changjo upload on Youtube.

They really cheer you up, these guys.

The Hongkong five-man group, The Wynners are here to promote their concert set to greet the New Year. They've been singing on and off for 33 years, it seems. Alan Tham, Kenny Bee, Chan Yau, Phang Kin Sang and the other guy - forgot his name, sorry.

Will Shinhwa come together like them to sing after 33 years? (Maybe not songs like Wild Eyes or Hey Come On, but there are other nice songs.)

The Backstreet Boys are singing in Hawaii this month. Shinhwa is effectively Asia's Backstreet Boys. I think, the guys who are soloing are even more talented than the Americans. Or maybe 'cos i'm only more familiar with Asian pop for i nearly never buy Western music when there so much talent in Asia.

Anyway, to the 6 ajusshi - Eric-sshi, Minwoo-sshi, Dongwan-sshi, Hyesung-sshi, Junjin-sshi and Andy-sshi, thanks for the laughter.

note: i went and filled sky's player with all their music plus Fly to the Sky's. Imagine her surprise - no more TVXQ! (evil smile)

Ah, that man with the simple and infectious smile. It's quite suitable that he sing that song which is the fifth track on this album. Entitled, Three Musketeers, it features the rapping of MC Mong and Ho Inchang. Such a funky tune, it truly lights up your day. And talking of fun and funky songs, the ninth track called (translit.) Loving Summer has Andy rapping. Again a very suitable person to do the rap. The song is simply so cute. The chorus is very simple and pure fun.

And as i said earlier, the eighth track has Eric Mun's rap but didn't know that also features the song-writing skills of M. In a recent interview together, it was revealed that Dongwan started writing songs first but Minwoo followed suit, influenced by this action. However, he did it so well, Dongwan laughingly admits, that Dongwan stopped. Such a back-handed compliment, exactly what you'll expect of Dongwan who's always trying to lighten up the mood. His tribute to M's skills, saying that it has been said it has a distinct style, that M has started a whole new genre. So, My Love composed by M with rap by Eric, sung by Dongwan. Still at times i wonder if he wrote it tailor-made or not - because Dongwan sings it a little higher than his other songs (like a perpetual falsetto). Maybe just my imagination.

'Can't love u' is a duet with Byul, whose husky voice nicely juxtaposes with Dongwan's clear tones. Another duet, 'The one left behind' this is the 10th track, has fellow Shinhwa member and ballad singer, Shin Hye-sung's contribution to this album. Reminds me of the remark i made earlier about Dongwan under the shadow of Hyesung. Their voices complement each other a little too well, until if you weren't listening carefully, you would think same person. Which was the reason why i missed it the first. But this is the kind of ballad Hyesung is known for.

The first track is in actual fact an extra new track which Dongwan penned. It is lighthearted which explains why lil'one Eri liked it more than the first single Handkerchief (here it is the fourth track). 'It's my Fault' somehow sounds very, very familiar. Exactly like those songs you'll hear included on a soundtrack of any drama, played when the protagonist leaves the love of his live etc etc. And the seventh track, roughly translates like Love, Poor is a ballad which has Mando-pop tones.

The delightful sixth track is Scream, a cover of song written by Takuro of Glay and Shun of Exile. It features rappers D.Bace and DJ Tukutz of Epik High. Nice, very nice. He likes J-rock, i think. He sang X-Japan's Tears and La'cryma Christi's Cry Sour Grape (but was very strained with the Toshi's song, X-Japan is kinda metal so that kind of screaming is very hard act to follow).

Finally, current favourite remains the Three Musketeers for it brings a smile to my face everytime i hear it.

Kim Dong Wan-sshi, good job.

Recently getting very much interested with K-pop. In fact, it's probably the fault of those 6 legendary hyper-active boys, Shinhwa. It is really without a doubt that I really love M and Kim Dong Wan's new albums.

And even though at the beginning, i found the sounds a little too overwhelming, i've now discovered the beauty behind the boom. It's cute and fun and sexy, perhaps cos i don't understand the lyrics so i don't feel quite put off by them. (the main reason why i steer clear of English songs especially R&B and hip hop is that the lyrics can be quite offensive).

Anyways, my current favourite M song is 'The 'M' Style', which i remember first hearing and wondering why M is singing 'Hamster" etc. Actually, it's M-style. But this song encompasses the entire feel of the album - deliciously fun yet deeply sexy, plus the pounding, infectious boom-booms. Eri liked it too, when i played it for her.

Apart from falling into the M blackhole, i've been doing a little bit of surfing and listening to KDW, in fact notice that my entire MP4 is filled with only Shinhwa, M & Kimdongwan with a smattering of tunes from Fly to the Sky.

Kim Dong Wan's first solo effort, it seems is meant to geared towards a more J-pop direction. That accounts for me finding it more palatable. (M's is very much Western, American hip-hop & R&B which to me holds less weight). Read next post, because i'm going to explain more ... najung-e

Lil'one Eri says FT Island is okay but the guy who sang the first song has got an irritating voice. She hopes that he's not the lead singer. Oh dear, not very promising, yeah?

So far Cheerful Sensibility is okay-lah. Except i hate that Primadonna song. I think the vocals is by that same guy, too. i always skip it. Hahahah ...

i've been thinking over the previous post on KDW and realised that i'm hardly flattering KDW's first solo effort. Well, if you're a great fan of K-pop and the type of R&B popularly preferred, you probably wouldn't understand how tiring and monotonous it is to get the same sound all the time. M's latest album for example is (to me) quite an extreme R&B, hip-hop, dance combination which though, cool and sort of sexy lacks a little emotion, coming across cold at times. (sorry, dear but i loved your first album much more than this one. Though, i cannot deny that it's very individual, sexy and truly M).

Anyway, in the eyes (or rather, ears) of someone who's been listening to all sorts of Asian pop, Dongwan's album will be classified as something commercial and easy listening. But it has a lot of sincerity which reflects what i think KDW wants to say. He's moderate, really and compared to OTT M, he's just nice. I suppose this does come also from the fact that he'll definitely be compared to Hye Sung (being second vocal as opposed to HS's main in Shinhwa), whereas it's probably impossible to beat M for that flambouyancy. Thus, KDW is just nice la, not OTT and not sentimental.

Whatever it is, i like the album for all that it is.

Will Jay please lend me Hye Sung's album?

So my verdict. He has a sweet voice. Not very powerful, but not irritating either. His album is surprisingly, not pure R&B (like M, which i actually dislked at the beginning) but a nice mixture of a little pop, hip-hop, R&B and rock. One of those that you'll enjoy on anyday, plus will grow on you. Loved track 8, which has rap by Eric Mun. Also there's a duet, which is quite good. (makes me want to learn Korean, so that i can read the titles and transliterate the lyrics) Korean pop can be quite boring or monotonous or sound too alike. This is more varied, so i like.

kimdongwan is ... ? a good companion & friend. Worth a listen for daring to be more friendly and less artsy. (but too commercial, is it? very him)

(You oddballs at home should know i don't like to copy and burn music, but since Sky might wanna have a listen. I've a sampler of five tracks, just let me know and i'll send you the link.)

there's a Tai-yu song called a piece of falling meteor. there are many versions of it, being a well known folk song, of course. But i only have two versions, one sung by the very soulful Chyi Chin (in the album, Innocent) and the other by my most favourite voice, the folksy, crazy Bobby Chen. Close, close friends all know i love, love Bobby Chen's music - so free and at times utterly uncaring about trends and commerciallity.

However, i much prefer the soulful, near ethereal rendition of Taiwan's 'Father of Rock''s (it doesn't mean he is old, ok). It reminds you of a meteor - burning up, disintegrating as it hits the earth's atmosphere, so sad.

Big sister, Sky loves Chyi Chin - who wouldn't. Still, his albums are so sporadically made, you wonder if you'll ever get to hear his voice ever again. After living practically like a hermit half his career, he has finally disappeared into semi-retirement. Plus, i must say, cannot buy any of his backlist. Except those China versions which i feel quite reluctant to buy. Sad, even. i keep thinking that they are bootlegs.

(now, this is why i want to go to Taiwan. Wanna buy them original cds. Especially Chyi Chin's, second hand also no problem.)

And the most coveted Chyi Chin CD which i do not even possess any version of - the Purple Rain one. (Best of albums are all ok and whatnot, but really, what makes people think the popular songs are really the favourites?)

As for the wandering Wolf, fans can only play back those old albums when they miss his voice.

got my Explore M cd (the repackaged one) and gosh, i thought - what happened? Gee, the saucy look just does not suit M, not at all.
His previous solo efforts have always been a little on the edgy, sexy, sort of hip-hop look. Which looks great though honestly, i could not care less. i'm purely interested with his music. (so why comment on it? 'cos it's just difficult to ignore)

but really - plumed hats and too much haute couture really doesn't suit the more macho men of Korea. You may think that i'm exaggerating or worse, discriminating. i'm not, honestly. if you're sort of thin, lean or even near to skinny, the androgynous look is fine. (even then i can remember one of Lee Ki Chan's albums where he wore a curly wig) Ugh! Please la, control those overactive creative juices. Not everybody can pull off a Takuya Kimura or a Hyde, not even a Tetsu.

my point is just keep on playing good music, the frills you need not have if you're that good. i would support good music over good looks anyday. so don't bother to dress up.

(Afterthought: on the way home, i was listening to M. i guess if music is all that counts - i'll be able to look past the no-frills and embrace the too-frilly. And so be it, M.)

i used to love Rene Liu.

It all began during those odd few years when i had CD buying binges. i just bought and bought. But when i look back, i laso realise that it was a wonderfully uninhibited sort of activity. (aiya, binge ma!)

this uncontrolled purchasing meant also that i was more open to try new things - and so i did. and so it led to Taiwan folk singer-composer Bobby Chen (who i couldn't understand or like at the very first), and then his then protege, Rene.

i loved outwandering - the entire album. her earlier albums were very easy listening, too but this album is so plain, simple and easy to listen/accept. it didn't invite much attention yet some of the songs rang a bell deep within me, somewhere.

track three is called 'the sound of the door', a prelude to track 9 (the door). a song that illustrated the memories of a father leaving home. i used to sit in my room at night with this song playing. the door brought tears.

'heartbroken party' is a tender song - made me think of friends who were there during the bad times, thankful to have them and not of men, heartbreak and falling in love.

best of all, the title track 'outwandering' gave much joy. for it was like an invitation to wander about unhindered and light-hearted, making new friends and experiences.

listening to it again, reminds me not to forget to be a little adventurous. And even though, i've practically stopped listening to Rene Liu because she's just so commercial now - her earlier albums i still treasure. and funnily enough, i remember her explaining in an interview why she changed her style completely. One of her bosses told her that her voice was awful. poor gal! but truly, i miss that voice.