Here We Go
MICappella
Local vocal group MICappella are on a roll. In the wake of their second-place showing in the television singing competition The Sing-Off China last September, they have now released their debut album with a gung-ho statement of intent.
The more upbeat numbers such as Maroon 5’s Moves Like Jagger and Jam Hsiao’s Princess are energetic and feature voice effects that are particularly impressive, given the guitars, synthesizers and drums used in the originals.
It is harder for them, though, to leave a distinctive stamp on ballads such as Mayday’s Minnan number Zhiming And Chunjiao and Hu Xia’s Those Bygone Years – their renditions are merely passably pleasant.
Also included on the album are two original tracks. The title track is a dancey thumper which spells out what they do: “Don’t need any instruments/Just need a type of voice/My efforts will have the world listening carefully.”
The emo ballad Forget It, in contrast, shows their more sensitive side.
Covers are well and good, but to really leave a mark, original material is still the way to go.
(ST)