Deserts Xuan
My Life Will…
Sometimes, all you need is a guitar and a voice. This proves true for Deserts, who at 25 is already a highly accomplished singer/songwriter. She started composing music at 13, and has been performing live for quite some time. The release of her debut album this year almost seems like an afterthought; her music was definitely not meant to be confined in a CD, and she certainly doesn’t need it to showcase her skills.
Nonetheless, the CD is what I own and my only access to Deserts’ delightful voice. It is light and cute, but not deliberately. Her clear voice exudes confidence and also her unique style. The way she articulates makes sure you never forget it is she who is singing.
I’m not going to describe every song individually, because, by the way I describe them, you’d probably think they were all the same. But no, they each hold their own special charms. The first track, “Scream”, however, is the song that got me hooked. It’s sincere and doesn’t try to be what it’s not. Simple and heartfelt. Another track I’d like to mention is “Live Jiuguan 300 Miao” just because it’s the coolest song on the album. Haven’t heard a melody like that…ever.
The fact that there are only eleven songs is irksome. First of all, Track 10, “Malaimo”, isn’t even a song; it’s just Deserts singing gibberish for about 30 seconds. Cute, but unnecessary. And Track 11, “Bao Bei (in a day)”, is about the same as “Bao Bei (in the night)”, with just slightly different background instrumentals. So that basically makes nine songs. Might as well just take out a few more I wasn’t too fond of (like Tracks 8 and 9) and make it into an EP.
Nonetheless, this album is a must-buy. Especially if you like acoustic/folk music or need something easy but meaningful to listen to. And yes, you all know this already, but I love people who write their own music. Needless to say, Deserts is one of them. The songs all seem very personal and close to her heart, and she sings them with unprecedented familiarity. Top-notch coffeehouse music. I’m talking the crème de la crème. Cheer Chen has competition.
01. Scream
02. 寶貝(in the night)
03. 迷惑
04. So?!
05. Ain’t my man
06. My life will
07. Live 酒館300 秒
08. 信任的樣子
09. 無狀態
10. Malaimo
11. 寶貝(in a day)
Discuss this album here.
Watch the music video of “Scream” on Youtube.
Written by Christine on Aug 15, 2006
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10 Comments, Join the discussion
Del
funny this time you didnt give us links, like ‘purchase here’ or ‘discuss here’.
i too have just bought this album recently and what captivated me was how the whole cd felt like an acoustically unplugged mini concert (something i have a serious thing for).
i could just imagine her sitting in a small hall right in the middle, lights out, only a softly-dimmed spotlight on her. first row of the audience is so close that they could reach out and touch her. and there she is, just the voice and the music, sitting behind a mic, holding a guitar, with a couple more musicians behind her. the intimacy!
lol back to the album, i do enjoy it. its not mainstream hence i doubt many would like it. but ’sincere’ is right.
i dont agree on your comments on 10 and 11. the whole feel of the cd is not commercialised. hence, 10 and 11 are justified. i love bao bei so much that she could have 5 other different versions of it i wouldnt mind.
Aug 15th, 2006
Christine
I forgot. I added them now =]
I guess you’re right. I was too preoccupied with trying to shorten the album into an EP. Don’t get me wrong, I love the indie feel. It’s so cute when she laughs in Malaimo and I think Bao Bei (in a day) is even better than Bao Bei (in the night).
Regarding your small hall scenario, that’s exactly what it looks like, according to Youtube haha. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W9F8ND4RUY
There actually aren’t any musicians behind her. It’s all Deserts.
Aug 15th, 2006
stephanie
Haha, I like the Malaimo one!
Aug 16th, 2006
shez
wow lovely review christine ^^.
wow i need to check her out!
composing at 13? and only 25? woooow
Aug 16th, 2006
Cali
I agree - she’s very, very good. I love the album =)
Aug 16th, 2006
kim
I purchased the album too!
Keep a look out for her second ablum. Coz actually a lot of my favourite zhang xuan songs are unpublished in the first album. XD
Hell! Why isnt this place taiwan!! I wish I could watch her live some day!
Sep 22nd, 2006
bitchpeople
was looking for her guitar chords and stumble my way here. absolutely agree. she’s amazing! thumbs up! if only i have the chance to watch her live performance. damn, it would be awesome!
Nov 23rd, 2006
ChinChin
oh my she’s my fave ever since I heard Scream! It took me a long time to find her name cause I’m not Taiwanese! or even Chinese! I envy all of you for having her album but it ’s hard for me to buy her album since I’m overseas someday I’m gonna have one! but I don’t like her smoking and even exposing it to her videos!
Jul 29th, 2007
Exia
Hi guyz =) need bao bei (in the night) lyrics in english. Anyone can post it here?? Love its melody but can’t understand the meaning lol.. Thanks in advance
Dec 21st, 2007
Tony
wow, what an awesome album. my friend randomly recommended this album for me at the store, and i’ve been listening non-stop ever since. i love that she’s not pop and love that i’ve just discovered something so amazing outside mainstream chinese pop!
Mar 25th, 2008
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