Latest Reviews
March 4
Artist: titofelix
Title: All Good Things
Genre: Rock/Pop
Rating: *****
High energy rock with a very high pop appeal. titofelix has done it again by following up "Character Flaw" album with this latest release "All Good Things." Best part to this new album, other than the well produced foray of songs on the new album? It's free! The band has given people a downloadable version of the album for free. It's never any better time to discover this band.
From the start, titofelix just takes off with upbeat songs that has it's characteristic guitar focus but now the vocals have really matured and the rhythms are more pronounced. Just when you think that it's going to be more of the same, they change it up by tossing in "What Went Wrong" which shows restraint from the speed guitar riffs and keeps a slower tempo with smooth vocals that are doubled very nicely to give a rich sound. Definitely the highlights of the album are the slightly subdued song (by titofelix standards) - "What Went Wrong" and "These Anniversaries." You really can't go wrong with any of these songs though. Label execs out there, sign this band now!!!
One note, "On Your Shoulders" has a couple of parts where some guitar feedback seems to come in unexpectedly and could make you freak out. I'm not sure if this was intentional but it was interesting because the feedback sounded like it was coming from my right shoulder. :)
Favorite Tracks: "A Way to Everything," "What Went Wrong," and "These Anniversaries"
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Artist: PaperDoll
Title: PaperDoll EP
Genre: Rock/Pop
Rating: *****
PaperDoll is a band formed in 2004 in New York but listening to their latest self-titled 3 track EP and you get the feeling they are a throwback to the 80's "New Wave" era. Of course, even mentioning this probably dates me but PaperDoll, whose lead vocals are provided by Teresa Lee Chaisiri, brings back what I think is the best of "new wave" genre of the 80's - body shaking induced rhythms, catchy hooks, and a level of fun, particularly evidenced by the track "Everything is Fine."
It's obvious that PaperDoll's vocal identity is strictly Teresa Lee Chaisiri and her voice expresses emotion that I've not heard from a vocalist in quite awhile. Musically, the band keeps it pretty simple and that's what works for me. The emphasis is squarely where it should be, on the vocals. I immediately think of Gwen Stefani when she was in No Doubt in terms of vocal lead - like Stefani, Chaisiri stands out that much.
It's still early in 2007 but I'm going to bet that PaperDoll easily stays at the top of my list for best new band discovery of the year and I predict we'll be hearing great things from the band as the year goes on.
Favorite Track: "Everything is Fine"
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Artist: Basco Bros.
Title: The Love
Genre: Hip-Hop/R&B
Rating: ***
Known for their acting brotherhood, the Basco brothers have also been showcasing their music within their Band, the Basco Bros. Focusing on hip-hop/r&b, they've released their first EP titled "The Love" with 5 tracks. Starting off with an interestingly titled track "Vegetable," which Dante admits is a funny title but tells the listener that it's a song about Love. It sets the tone for the rest of the EP - simple instrumentation focusing on telling the story through rap, though admittedly the hook for "Vegetable" might get some odd looks if you sing it with your iPod headset on - but isn't that the point?
There is an underlying soulfulness to the EP that has a nice grassroots feel. We're not talking about a polished commercial pop album here. It feels like a demo but it is refreshing as a change to the overproduced music that is out there now. Simplistic and entertaining with what, probably, is some inside sense of humor from the brothers themselves to fill in beat poetry. It's not going to be for everyone but I can tell you that it is certainly unique and a great way to be introduced to the Basco Bros. before seeing them perform live.
Favorite Track: "Vegetable"
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Artist: Tila Tequila
Title: I Love U (single)
Genre: Rap
Rating: *
Tila Tequlia is arguably the most popular Asian American on the Internet right now. She's now taking that notariety and trying to translate it into a hit record with her single "I Love U" which is focusing strongly on the Internet marketing for the song. It seems to be working so far as the single has debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The single itself is a rap. It's all about attitude and not much else. Tila's squeaky voice is reminescent of old school female rappers from groups like J.J. Fadd and Le Tigre. Like those same artists, this looks to be destined for a 1 hit wonder strictly based on the publicity machine that is Tila Tequila. Longevity in the music industry is probably not the ultimate goal here - I think Tila is all about becoming a multimedia conglomerate delving into all sorts of media. Will she pave the way for other Asian American musicians? No.
Overall, a forgettable attempt at music.
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Red Doors is a film by Georgia Lee that had a limited release in theatres but has recently released on DVD. It's a movie about family dynamics that take a distinctly Asian American turn. A father who is searching for life after retirement, 3 daughters trying to find themselves, and a mother who is so much in her own world that she is oblivious to or really consciously ignoring the real family rather focusing on her ideal family. As things don't quite turn out as expected, the film focuses on the chaos that ensues after the father, played by Tzi Ma, decides to become a Buddhist monk.
Unfortunately, for me, I may have reached a saturation point for Asian American cinema. I felt that the film focused on themes that have been explored in so many other AA films that the entire film was quite predictable. I may be in a very weird position that is highly uncommon of the audience in general and I fully admit that. I think if you haven't been exposed to Asian American films before or have had very little exposure, this film will play as charming and chuckle-worthy.
Acting is good, particularly from Jacqueline Kim and Elaine Kao. Kathy Shao-Lin Lee's character was a bit unusual but that storyline felt a bit too ABC Afterschool Special-ish to me. And Tzi Ma was understated, having very little dialogue, actually. Of note, the male boyfriend characters were all non-Asian but it should be noted that originally two of the roles were cast with Asian American males but they were unable to work on the project at the last minute, which forced them to find quick replacements.
Overall, if you are new to Asian American cinema and want to get a taste of filmmaking from an AA perspective, watch this film.
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Previous Reviews
December 2006 (Music: Exit Clov, Moulann, Lillian Lee, Woody Pak)
September 2006 (Music: Megadose Soundflake, Jenny Hyun, Kellee)
August 2006 (Music: Gi, Asian Crisis; DVD: Lumpia Palooza 2)
April 2006 (Music: Kim Del Fierro, Eugene Song; Movies: Take the Lead)
May 2005 (Music: the PACIFICS; Books: What Wendell Wants; Movies: King Fu Hustle, Seoul Raiders, Leave Me Alone; Comedy: Take Out Comedy 2005)
April 2005 (Music: Jargon, Kite Operations, Twilight Sentinels, Jack Tung; Books: What Wendell Wants; DVD: Jin: The Making of a Rap Star)
February 2005 (Music: Jordan Segundo, Bento, Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana, Cynthia Lin; Books: Born to Lose)
January 2005 (Music: Anna Maria Flechero, Kristine Sa, Honore, The Francis Kim Band; DVD: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle; Movies: House of Flying Daggers, Yesterday Once More; Books: I Do. I Did. Now What?)
December 2004 (Music: Project J, Justice, Lawrence Chang, Erica O'Young)
October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)
September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)
August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)
July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)
June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)
May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)
April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)
March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)
February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)
January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)
December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)
November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)
October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
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