Weibird Debut Album

Weibird Wei

Another TV talent show winner, another debut. But there is nothing perfunctory about Weibird Wei’s record. Instead of immediately cashing in after emerging triumphant in the campus singing contest of the Taiwanese variety show Happy Sunday in 2007, he opted to concentrate on his studies first.

But he continued to write songs, for the likes of Rene Liu (Still The Same), Angela Chang (Again) and Claire Kuo (Understand).

The release of an EP in March last year whetted appetites with that distinctive refrain in Keep Waiting. While the syncopated R&B and slurred delivery seemed overly familiar at first, he managed to make the song his own.

With the long-awaited release of his first album, he proves that he is a singular talent to contend with.

Care has been taken from the song-writing through to the CD cover, a whimsical and classy black-and-white cut-out design that meshes well with the album’s vibe.

Opening number Did You Or Did You Not slows down the tempo and turns a simple question into a plaintive cry. It also seems to hint at Wei’s confidence as he urges you to “turn off the radio”.

Besides affairs of the heart, there is also the sense of a young man engaged with life on songs such as Stories and Reasons.

His is an appealing brand of unfussy guitar pop, one that complements the youthful wistfulness of his vocals.

When you have a stack of albums to be reviewed and there is one that you keep wanting to return to, that’s as good a sign as any that Weibird is doing something right.

Fu Good

Della Ding Dang

No, the “Fu” is not a misspelling nor is it meant to be a rude title. It’s simply the corrupted Taiwanese variant of Feel.

More importantly, the track works as a slice of chirpy dance pop. Just as well, since it is the only new track in this best-of package from the Taiwan-based Ding Dang. Also included are songs spanning her three album releases from idol drama Autumn’s Concerto theme song I Love Him to her love duet with Mayday’s Ashin, Fireworks.

A collection of hits boosted by one or two new tracks is usually just an excuse to milk more money from fans though in this case, the offering is more substantial.

There is an additional disc of material which sees Ding Dang covering both Mandarin and English numbers such as Chao Chuan’s I’m A Small, Small Bird and Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You.

Bird is a great song, as sung by Chao. Yes, Ding Dang has the vocal range to sing it but that aching vulnerability is gone, replaced by subtlety-free showboating.

And that does not make me feel good.

(ST)