Album Review

Ken Zhu
On Ken’s Time : Never Stop (Yong Bu Ting Zhi)

In order to appreciate this album, you really need to look beyond its cover. Though some of us might have problems with Ken’s “Ah Beng’s ” hairstyle and his status as an ex-F4, this album is definitely worth a second chance. Out of all ex-F4 solo albums, I find Ken’s the most unique. His hardwork and patience definitely showed in this album. “Yong Bu Ting Zhi” or “Ken’s Time” is influenced by British rock though it’s softer compared to Jones Shi’s. In terms of song selection, it offers good variety in compositions and lyrics. The fact sheet is filled with some popular composers including David Tao. As for the vocal quality, well, Ken’s voice is borderline flat, but still hopeful and he definitely has room for growth.

Notable tracks:
I highly recommend [一個好人]. It has great composition and its lyric is an ode to Hua Ze Lei, Owen Jing, Ji Qian, Yuan Ying, and alike. If you are a big fan of Taiwanese idol dramas, you’ll recognize those names as the guys who always end up NOT getting the girl. Next, [La La La] is a fun semi-punkish piece. [傻情人] has awesome piano solo; it’s a pretty enjoyable tune. The title track, [永不停止] is pretty good, a bit rockish, decent lyric. The album version that I bought is the HK release, so I get an extra track [分手一百天] which takes [永不停止] melody and replaces it with Cantonese lyric. Another notable piece: Ken actually wrote [黑白] which is a tribute to his favorite actress Audrey Hepburn; it’s a decent work.

In a nutshell: Buying F4 album: Ultimate guilty pleasure. Buying Ken’s: Forgivable.

Track Listing (HK Release Album):
1. 永不停止 [Yong Bu Ting Zhi: Never Stop]
2. 可是我 [Ke Zhi Wo: But I…]
3. La La La
4. 一個好人 [Yi Ge Hao Ren: A Good Person]
5. 黑白 [Hei Bai: Black and White]
6. 中計[Zhong Ji: Main Plan]
7. 傻情人 [Sha Qing Ren: A Foolish Lover]
8. 復活 [Fu Huo: To Recover Life]
9. 領悟 [Ling Wu: To Comprehend]
10. 帶我離開 [Dai Wo Li Kai: Take Me Away From Here]
11. Bonus Track: 分手一百天 [Fen Shou Yi Bai Tian: Separated 100 Days] - Cantonese

Click here to check out one of his fansite

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Written by Tanti on Feb 21, 2006

14 Comments, Join the discussion

  1. ~Jessy~

    [In a nutshell: Buying F4 album: Ultimate guilty pleasure. Buying Ken’s: Forgivable.]

    Haha… Gotta agree that he has the best vocal among F4. :)

    Feb 21st, 2006

  2. shez

    :P i liked F4, i watched all the meteor garden trologies (2nd= nt to bad, 3rd= terrible) but got to agree that ken has the best voice

    Feb 22nd, 2006

  3. Tanti

    Yep, I noticed this since “Here We Are”. A side story: There was a point when I played this song so much that my husband, who has no knowledge of Chinese what-so-ever, got it in his head. As he attempted to sing the song, instead of “Yao Yuan Zhou Gao Fei”, he went on singing that lyric as “La La La Cow’s Face”. I was pretty speechless. :) Hehehehehehe…The other that was an earworm for him was Vic Zhou’s 試著愛我一天, where all he can sing is “Shi Shi Ai Ni” (when it’s supposed to be “Zhe Xiang Ai Ni”). It’s pretty close though. :D Better than Cow’s Face.

    Feb 22nd, 2006

  4. Shez

    LOL cow’s face :P i tried to teach my friend mice love rice, it failed miserably

    Feb 23rd, 2006

  5. raven

    definitely worth buying, but it seems like he’s being an F4 member an obstacle in making this a credible artists’ album, but it’s definitely worth a second chance. His voice is better in live performances thought, than in CD

    Mar 27th, 2006

  6. Tanti

    Really? That’s good to know! :) I don’t think he’s going to stop by North America anytime soon though. :P Thanks for stopping by! :)

    Apr 1st, 2006

  7. oceanic

    This album is a mistake. Unless he improves like how Jerry did, dont even think of recording, please.

    Sep 21st, 2006

  8. Rainy

    ken is so cute!

    Oct 24th, 2006

  9. nicky

    Buying this album is a big mistake. his voice is so boring

    Nov 2nd, 2006

  10. Tian Ping

    I’ve already had this album, and that’s such a pity if you haven’t. Ken’s voice is perfect! To be fair, he’s the best of F4, though he’s not noticed well. I love him!!!!!

    Jan 20th, 2007

  11. ma.teresa franco

    i lpve this ken zhu simply but gordios

    Feb 17th, 2007

  12. ma.teresa franco

    ilove ken zhu his music is briliant

    Feb 17th, 2007

  13. JENNY LI

    KEN he is famous for his talent .Listening to his ON KEN’TIME U will know.But I like ” Qing ren” in “F4 Fantasy forever live concert world tour ” and “Heat of the night” in ” F4 music party ” KEN _ good cooker, good singer :D !!!

    Oct 22nd, 2007

  14. ken'wife

    Anyway I alway love you

    Nov 11th, 2007

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