Empty Handed

Chang Chen-yue

With the dissolution of Super Band, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Chang Chen-yue has gone back to producing solo material. Frankly, it’s a relief to have A-yue sounding like A-yue again rather than as part of a not-always-convincing group.

For this five-track release, he ransacks his trove of unused demos, which happily betray no smell of mothballs.

Title track Empty Handed is irresistible and, with its thumping beat and cheesy synth line, could become a getai staple.

The Mandarin lyrics go: “Oh life, has always been a dream/A beautiful dream, then I wake up empty- handed/Oh love, hopefully it bears fruit/Wipe those tears away, there’s still tomorrow ahead.”

Such endearing optimistic underdog persona was all but buried beneath the glitz and hype of Super Band, which also included Wakin Chau, Lo Ta-yu and Jonathan Lee.

Chang’s versatility as a musician can be seen on the other tracks. He raps on the cheeky and witty OK 2010, while the ballads Perplexed, One Day and Blues show his more sensitive side.

Empty Handed is a satisfyingly filling offering.

Love And FanFan (CD/DVD)

Fan Wei-chi

Congratulations, FanFan. Next month, the Taiwanese singer-songwriter is finally tying the knot with her long-time boyfriend, TV host and actor Blackie Chen. What better opportunity to celebrate love and commitment than on her new album?

The Most Important Decision, written by Chen Hsiao-hsia and Daryl Yao, seems to encapsulate how the bride-to-be is feeling: “You are my most important decision/I’m willing to wake by your side every morning/Even quarrelling is satisfying, not icy/ Because true love is not about winning or losing, there’s only intimacy.”

Her soothing vocals are a natural fit for ballads and there are plenty of them here. The uptempo Loss Of Conscience, by sodagreen’s Ching-feng, however, marks a welcome change of pace and has her rocking out convincingly.

The accompanying DVD is a little odd since it comprises birthday greetings and wedding congratulations addressed to her. On the plus side, you get to hear singer A-mei gushing about FanFan’s warm lips and Blackie getting all mushy.

All together now: Awww.

(ST)