Castle

I’ve been meaning to review this album for quite some time but I never got round to doing it coz I’m lazy and school’s been keeping me busy since I’ve gone back. But sometimes you just have to give yourself a break, right?

I talked briefly about Sherman Chung (鍾舒漫) before *here* and I think she’s a really good singer, so I’m happy I managed to get her album this time ^^

Sherman

First of all, I really love her voice…very R&B <3 Her voice is probably my favourite female one from Cpop because although I love Janice, at times she sounds really nasally while Sherman’s remains strong throughout all her songs.

Secondly, the thing I like about Sherman is that she’s not a ‘dainty’ and ‘girly’ sort of artist. It might be due to the fact that she’s very tanned (though you can’t tell in this picture) that she appears more tough. And she also has a cool exterior.

Also, she can pull off a sexy image without coming off as cheap and not actually having to stick to it to be popular, if you get what I mean? Basically, I think she’s gorgeous. Check out her AF gallery for more pics!

I’ve tried looking for videos on youtube and so if interested, click on the links and give Sherman a try coz I think she’s great :)

1. 扭曲 (Warp) – This song is very Sherman style and reminds me of her debut track 高手過招 (Throes of Masters). I was kinda disappointed with the MV because the clothes weren’t very nice and her dancing seemed to lack something. The track itself is relatively catchy and fast paced. This is the sort of “dance” music I enjoy listening to.

2. 我的青春幽靈 (My Youth Spirit) – I like the sound of the guitar strings (I think that’s what they are) and the tune is quite simple. Nothing too climatic. But the chorus gets a bit annoying with the repetitiveness of ‘set me free‘ but at the same time, I find it easy listening to any song because of her voice; it seems to suit singing every type of song.

3. 堡壘 (Castle) – Favourite track on this album. I lovethe piano playing at the start and throughout the song. It makes the song more dramatic and tells a story even without the lyrics, I think. But the lyrics are another reason I love this song. The man she loves is cold to her and hides himself from everyone and everything. He is like a castle, surrounded by high walls. The lyrics are honestly beautiful. If I get around to it I’ll translate the whole song. No promises though, because I’m lazy. And I wonder if people even need translations? Lol.

4. 請你合作 (Please Cooperate) - Honestly, I find this song kinda boring. But I think this has a lot to do with the MV. Yes, I love Purple. But the MV was so dark and gloomy I really couldn’t watch it (and only did to watch her and Kenny kiss XD). Kinda like DBSK’s Beautiful You, actually; the MV put me off the song. The singing is gorgeous of course, and being a slow paced song, it should be one I enjoy listening to. But IDK, it sounds like Sherman’s trying to put listeners to sleep? That’s the impression I get.

5. I Don’t Care – Another “dance-y” sort of track. It sounds more “techno” than her first track. But the “I don’t care” annoys me lol. There is nothing wrong with her english (I actually think she might have studied abroad because she appears to be very westernized in the way she sings? IDK, it might make more sense after you listen to her).

6. 億萬少女 (Billion Dollar Maiden) - This song reminds me of one of TWINs old ones about money and exchanging it for love etc etc. I actually haven’t given this song a proper listen before. Her voice is probably the only thing keeping me from disliking it lol.

7. 陽光小小姐 (Little Miss Sunshine) - NOOOO, a happy song XDD It’s pretty cute actually and I love the chorus. I think the maturity in her voice saves this from being a ditsy song !?!?

8. 紅茶易冷 (Chilling Red Tea) - My other favourite song. It’s really easy to listen to and definitely less “intense” than Castle. I haven’t actually read the lyrics properly, lol, but it’s a love song where I guess she uses “tea” to describe her love/relationship. It’s one of those songs where you won’t get sick of it because you don’t love it enough to put it on replay for hours non stop but you can listen to for a long time….if that makes any sense at all? xDDD

9. 剛剛好 (Just Right) – It’d be wrong to call this a ‘lighthearted’ song but like Track 8, it’s easy to listen to with nothing too dramatic. I like the part before the chorus where she sings quickly and I like her ad-libs too <3

10. 扶手電梯 (Escalator) – I don’t really know why the album ended with this track because it kinda makes you think that there’s more coming. Well that’s the message I get from this song!! (And yes, my music talks to me :DD). It’s kinda similar to Track 9, actually. Similar tone and style and I often can’t tell which track I’m listening to.

I was pretty impressed with this album (I actually like it more than The Next Dawn) but I think I’m probably biased because I liked her since she won that EEG competition yrs ago XD And it’s been soo long since I’ve listened to canto music.

It’s also Sherman who makes me think that perhaps Cpop does have hope! Yes, there are a few talented artists in HK atm but I mean, if they haven’t captured my attention then, to me, they’re lacking something.

I only realised after that WiKi has already translated her song names XDD And I’m so clever because only 2 of mine were different because I used “Youth” instead of “Teen” and “Black tea” instead of “Red tea” YAY :D/