A Mei has always been a singer whom I respect, and her concert is certainly one of the best I have ever attended, largely due to her great showmanship and impressive stamina. Having grown up listening to her songs, I am familiar with her catalogue from beginning till now and her big hits are the "must sing" songs when I go to a KTV.
So what does she have to offer with the new album after 15 years in the music scene? Sadly nothing much. 12 tracks in the album and the only one that really struck a chord in me is the rock ballad 我最亲爱的. This song, where she sings to an old love, is like a continuation of 我可以抱你吗 and showcases this vulnerable and tender side of her, which I find very alluring.
Unfortunately, the rest of album ranges from 'not bad' to 'quite bad'. Without the right songs, A Mei can only do so much and often runs the risk of sounding like the A Mei stuck in the 90s. My short notes on the other songs:
都什麼時候了- Really? This is the first single? As magnificent and dramatic as this song sounds, I find it rather unbearable. As the chorus goes 忘了, 快乐, 算了, my mind is going 够了 够了 (Enough already)
一個人對話 - Also another excessively produced song where A Mei practically sings a duet with herself, but did not turn out well due to a lack of a memorable hook
還有眼淚就好 - a straight forward pop ballad not unlike the songs that made her popular in the 90s, nice but a bit dated
他們 - This is what 解脱 will sound like in 2011. Pleasant but not particularly memorable
你在看我嗎 - The title track. Her R&B efforts never appeal to the masses (anyone's favourite A Mei's songs are 感应 or 不要骗我?) and this one continues that trend. I think A Mei should note that R&B has evolved since the 2000s and singing R&B will not earn her any new fans
潛規則 - If I did not check the cover art on my iPhone, I would have thought I was listening to something from the 姐妹 album. Quite forgettable as well
來鬧的 - Finally the album picks up with this catchy rock anthem. The best amongst the uptempo numbers, thanks to the cute repetitions in the chorus 亲亲亲亲亲...
渴了- I believe this is also a single, a competent party track, the type of songs where A Mei just shines effortlessly
High咖 - another decent dance track, made from the same factory as 渴了
你和我的時光 - this ballad is written by the guy from 苏打绿 and sounds distinctively different and more contemporary compared to the rest of the album.
快樂暢開 - A Mei attempts electronic with a song which prob has a better fit with a conventional pop arrangement
If you have heard the album, let me know your views or any info that can add to my listening experience.
（Added 20 Nov - After continuing to listen to the album for 3 weeks, I realise my earlier lack of enthusiasm for the album is largely due to the first 2 tracks. Excluding them, the album is actually able to withstand repeat listening and 你和我的時光 is definitely a song that grew on me since.)
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