JJ Lin
Westside (Xi Jie)
JJ Lin did not disappoint me. He amazed me, finally proving himself to be a musician of Jay and Leehom’s caliber. Without sacrificing personal style, he has presented a challenge to all other singer-songwriters with this album. It is slightly disappointing that tracks 1, 3, and 6 are all bridges, useful in creating the overall feel of this album. But the album still has ten songs, the norm for C-pop albums nowadays.
As for the actual album, it is crafted like a book, something made for you to listen from beginning to end. Do that the first time through - the order of the songs is perfect, and somehow I feel that that is the order I should listen to them in; there is no other order. And that doesn’t mean the individual songs are not good - they are, every single one, stunning. I would divide this CD into individual chapters.
“独白 (Du Bai),” sounds like a movie trailer, starting off with a guzheng, then a piano part. A voice narrating in the second half of the track stamps some fear into your heart, leading nicely to “杀手 (Sha Shou).” Sha Shou doesn’t sound that scary, in and by itself. Yet it generates the emotion that JJ wants, a “Mei Li De Bei Ai (Beautiful Sorrow).” Beautifully haunting, this song breaks away from mainstream Chinese pop, exploring a darker side of life. “杀手@续 (Sha Shou @ Xu) is a one-and-a-half minute continuation of that sound, adding some electronic effects/enhances to the song.
Suddenly, JJ Lin switches gears in the album, from a very dark spirit to a more hopeful spirit in “西界 (Xi Jie).” I was expecting something related to gangster life (the name Westside), so I was slightly surprised when I heard the opening, which is just blissful. I can see the promised land through the amazing introduction and conclusion of this song. The extended metaphor of one lover being in the Western Hemisphere and the other being in the Eastern Hemisphere really caught my attention. It was extremely imaginative yet accurate – and JJ expresses the emotion of the lyrics exceptionally, through his vocals. He completes the transition from the darkness to light with “无聊 (Wu Liao),” a jumpy and enjoyable pop-rock fusion. There are many interludes of conversations in this song, directing us just to have some fun!
Another bridge comes, “单挑 (Dan Tiao),” a hilarious conversation (in English) between someone who is probably supposed to be Jay Chou and another person who is practicing his beatboxing (presumably JJ). Jay tells the beatboxer, “You’ve improved, but you aren’t as good as me. Let’s battle.” The beatboxer reacts, “Watch me.” The track ends, and the song “K-O” begins. The mere beat classifies it as a JJ-style hip-hop hit. JJ also adds Arabian influences in the background, bringing back memories of his “Mummy” hit. I think JJ is trying to do a kind of diss on Jay, as “K-O” shows JJ winning the beatbox battle/wrestling match after Jay’s challenge. Very interesting – I wonder if the media is going to make a big deal out of this – and how JJ and Jay are going to react.
The last six songs are a collection of different styles. “大男人•小女孩 (Da Nan Ren •Xiao Nv Hai)” is a very Jay-like ballad, a very easy-to-listen-to reminiscence of lost love. The song “L-O-V-E” had me jiving along with its jazzy ambience. I loved this upbeat R&B song; there are rarely any of these in C-Pop, and JJ totally mastered this one. There’s also a nice duet with Jin Sha, “发现爱 (Fa Xian Ai),” not as good as his last duet with her, unfortunately. “不流泪的机场 (Bu Liu Kei De Ji Chang)” is a ballad with an unique melody, using none of the phrases C-pop ballads often use and reuse. Very powerful and moving – I’m impressed. “Baby Baby,” is a rock-influenced, fast-moving fun song, and again shows his skills in fusing rock with other genres. He ends the album with “自由不变 (Zhi You Bu Bian),” a solid ballad topping it all off.
This album was amazing. His obvious reference to Jay in “单挑 (Dan Tiao)” and “K-O” and mimicking of Jay’s styles in numerous songs (without losing his personal style) will present a huge challenge to Jay. This album deserves to be bought – it proves his competency in all genres – and has heightened and confirmed JJ’s position in Chinese pop to the elite of the elite. He sacrificed flourish for simplicity in this album. But the simplicity adds something to the album because all songs nowadays are overly complex in harmonies and beats. Simply enjoyable music and JJ’s always-special vocals make up for the lack of complex backgrounds.
I used to dislike JJ – he’s convinced me otherwise. What really impresses me is how much energy and effort JJ put into this album, how he carefully crafted every sound. It really shines through every fine-tuned song, every emotion, every special effect, every harmonization. Two or three songs could be improved, in way of a better melody, and I will give it a 9/10, due to its unparalleled perfection and intellectal inventiveness. It’s a return to simpler eras in music and the use of melody as the main force behind the song. It also reflects a switch of focus to a darker/stranger side of life. But above all this, a complete victory for JJ as a result of his genius and hard work. Finally, after an almost two-year drought, I have found an awesome album. Listen closely to every note and sound - I guarantee you’ll be moved. This is one album you can lie down to, and lose yourself to.
01 独白 (Du Bai)
02 杀手 (Sha Shou)
03 杀手@续 (Sha Shou @ Xu)
04 西界 (Xi Jie)
05 无聊 (Wu Liao)
06 单挑 (Dan Tiao)
07 K-O
08 大男人·小女孩 (Da Nan Ren·Xiao Nv Hai)
09 L-O-V-E
10 发现爱 (Fa Xian Ai)
11 不流泪的机场 (Bu Liao Lei De Ji Chang)
12 Baby Baby
13 自由不变 (Zhi You Bu Bian)
Click here to buy. (Necklace Preorder Edition)
Click here to buy. (MV Preorder Edition)
Click here to buy. (Official Taiwan Version)
Written by Jed on Jul 3, 2007
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34 Comments, Join the discussion
Elena/musicelliety
Jul 3rd, 2007
Elena/musicelliety
Noooooo where did my wonderfully long comment disappear to? Sigh, let’s retype.
10/10?! Awesome!!
Jul 3rd, 2007
Elena/musicelliety
The rest disappeared too..
First of all, thank you very very much, yellow^3, for reviewing this. You’ve done a much better job than anything I’d be able to come up with in the near future. I shall learn from the likes of you. : )
I wonder what the whole Jay-referencing thing was about, what JJ and producers were thinking. Maybe we can discuss that in the future.
Jul 3rd, 2007
Elena/musicelliety
Ah excuse the spamming. But I meant in the forum, not future. Typo, sorry.
Jul 3rd, 2007
Jed
Thank you for the encouragement!!!! I really appreciate it.
I made some changes to the review after listening to it extensively over the past few days.
Jul 5th, 2007
Jolene
love your review! and love the album too! (:
anyway, speaking of LOVE, which version do you prefer? JY+JJ’s version or JJ’s solo version?
Jul 6th, 2007
Jed
JY+JJ’s version? I never heard of that one before! What does JY stand for?
Forgive my ignorance…
Jul 6th, 2007
Jolene
you’re forgiven!
JY= Junyang. relatively new artiste from singapore.
there’s another rendition of LOVE in junyang’s debut. its a collaboration with JJ.
Jul 6th, 2007
Jed
They’re basically the same songs. If I absolutely had to pick, I might pick JJ’s solo version because it has a little jazzier feel to it… Although JY’s voice is probably a little more suited, as JJ’s voice has like a vibrating thing always going on. Both are awesome though. :D
Jul 6th, 2007
michellegoh
woah. cool site. :)
JJ rox ! :)
jiayou!
Jul 10th, 2007
jaeyeen
pretty cool album.. i had bought the album!!LOVE? hm.. i think both jun yang and jj sang juz nice! haha.. i love westside a lot!!
if i was to choose which is the most special one, of course, the killa.. the coolest song of all jj’s songs..
Jul 17th, 2007
jewel-li
I like this album too; all the songs are great. I was surprised at him playing as a killer in his MV. he’s pretty brave to make such a MV without afraid of losing fans who like his cute, next door boy image. anyway, I think this album is nicely composed, u can tell he put in a lot of effort into composing each song. K-O is a cool upbeat song, I like the beatboxing. I thought it was Jay he was referring to too b/c of the conversation in track 6 about being 不夠吊. But I hope he wasn’t dissing Jay, b/c i love Jay too. 無聊 is a nice pop song. would never expect him to sing a song like L-O-V-E, it was great. the duet w/ 金莎is good too, but not as good as 被風吹過的夏天, one of my favourite duets. baby baby is a very cute and catchy song. and I love the ballads in this album, esp. 不流淚的機場 and西界, they’re so lovely, the best songs in the album along with 殺手.
Jul 19th, 2007
anonymous
I like this album too..but it was not wat i’ve expected…but stil..its good enuf…to draw the media’s attention…keke!!But i got a qn here…i listened 2 a local radio station in my country when JJ intro her new album…there’s a [art where he intro a long disatance relationship song related….but which was it??izzit Xi Jie or “bu lui lei de ji chang”??Can any1 tell me pls??If possible post bac ur ans bac here..Tq…
Jul 22nd, 2007
Ashley
Awesome review! I bought the album because of it. XD
But doesn’t Jay Chou not speak English? And the person in 单挑 is speaking English, right? I was just curious. ^^;; Thanks so much for this great album review!
Jul 28th, 2007
p3lly
luvbx dis song veri much…
Jul 30th, 2007
bei xiu an
Hi,
This review’s really good. I bought Xi Jie while I was visiting Shanghai and haven’t stopped listening it since I came back to the US ever since. I’m a Chinese student and have been learning the language for two years now. I’m having trouble translating Xi Jie. I got most of it down…it’s a little rocky and at some parts it doesn’t make sense. I was wondering if I can get a translation from you? I don’t think I can wait for school to start so I can ask my Chinese teacher. If you can translate Xi Jie for me, that’ll be great. Thanks.
Jul 31st, 2007
Elena/musicelliety
bei xiu an, we have Xi Jie translated in our forum here: http://www.chinesemusicblog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=36337#p36337
Aug 2nd, 2007
Christinn
My sister bought the JJ’s new album and I listened to it..playing randomly…after about 2 tries…realised many songs are really quite nice. Told me sister who then recorded them into her MP3. Many lyrics are written by Lin Qiu Li, whom used to write many songs in the 80’s or 90’s-really cannot remember. But I remember I used to like her lyrics.Glad that she/he is keeping her/his strength.
JJ’s composing skill is wonderful too..as usual.
I really like Xi Jie and Zi You Bu Bian. Usually I only listen to a song’s melody then decide if I like it. Then I will look at the lyrics and if its really fitting, I will love the song.
Here, I would like to recommend a song in his previous album-Yi Qian Nian Yi Hou.
The song is Ting Bu Dong Mei Guan Xi. I think the bian qu and lyrics are very very nice. And unique too.
I don think this song is so popular as JJ’s other songs but I really like it and really puzzled how come it is not chosen as his promotion song.
Aug 6th, 2007
coppi o
wow! his album is really cool hey..most of his songs are nice..i still reckon that his other songs are more popular but that’s just me..anywayz overall great effort and can’t wait for more of his songs..
>.
Aug 19th, 2007
~*~pink_cupid
ah!! JJ rockssssssss!! love his album so much! especialy xi jie, baby baby, killer.. ahh! ALL!! I LOVE ALL!! btw (offtopic) do ya listen the cantonese version of Jiang Nan? wow.. never know he can speak cantonese huh? so cute.. much different from the mandarin version.. but it is still good..! from his previous album.. i prefer jiang nan, endless road.. etc etc etc.. (lots to list out)
Sep 7th, 2007
godcheah
wow…i like it
Sep 7th, 2007
Liang_cin_cen
I like your album.
I always listen it. I like it.
You can always write a good album.
Oct 10th, 2007
wendy...
jj songs is totally owesome….great….
n he’s handsome too…
i gotta suport jj forever…
gambate…
hope to hear from u soon..
to have a concert in m’sia…
Oct 12th, 2007
aini
I really love this album.JJ shows that he really suitable call as”talent singer”
I always wait for JJ`s coming in my country,Indonesia.
Indonesian fans love JJ ….
Jia you
Oct 19th, 2007
Nadine
Jun Jie, You’re successfull in your music currer … all I can say to you is ‘Keep it up’ ! All your fans will support you ,all the time.
Nov 4th, 2007
TYYB
I thought this album was alright. I think his “Cao Cao” was a lot better. There are a few songs that are very beautiful, but I don’t think they can touch me like “Down” did. The title track “Killa” for some reason reminded me of Jay Chou’s music.
I respect JJ a lot as a artist and musician because he writes/sing his own music, perhaps on the same level and Jay Chou and Wang Leehom.
Nov 5th, 2007
natalie
i found this album the best ever from jj. this kid is super talented. his music doesn’t sound like anybody else’s and he has created his own signature sound. and yes, i would definitely put him in the same calibre as lee hom and jay. though i think jj has more maturing to do in his music compared to the other two, he has the better singing voice.
would vote this one of the best albums that i bought this year ( includes english-language albums). excellent stuff!
Nov 6th, 2007
Qianxun
JJ never fails to amaze me. Some of the songs in the album were pretty simple but I think it was his vocals that stood out. At least for me it was like that. I really liked Xi Jie. I’d close my eyes every time I listen to it because of the peaceful opening. It’s soothing. As for Sha Shou, it doesn’t haunt me as much as Jay Chou’s “Ye De Di Qi Zhang” but it has that horror film element to it, haha. My favorite track would be Bu Liu Lei De Ji Chang. The melody got stuck in my head for quite a while.
I’m glad that I bought this album. ^^
Nov 13th, 2007
jj fan
he rule the world man!jj nover let me down before
Nov 18th, 2007
rebecca
Well, the “Four Heavenly Kings” are supposed to be Jay Chou, Wang LeeHom, David Tao, and JJ Lin…so he’s definitely seen as part of the elite. As for dissing Jay Chou, I saw it as more of an acknowledgment/tribute? After all, JJ is the one trying to prove himself to be as “diao” as the other speaker, whom I doubt is meant to be Jay Chou. It’s more like friends goofing around and comparing themselves to an artist they like. Plus, last I heard from the asian news, all four of them seem to somewhat be friendly with each other? (Not sure about David Tao.) Like, supposedly Leehom specially flew in from Shanghai, where he was filming “Lust, Caution,” to support JJ’s concert.
Dec 14th, 2007
rebecca
“Earlier last year, JJ Lin visited New York to some work on his album. Since Leehom is a native New-Yorker, Leehom showed JJ around the city and introduced JJ to many of his own friends and provided aid in finding housing.”
oh yeah, not to spam but I thought it was absolutely hilarous that “Now fans have even noticed that both singers [LeeHom & JJ] have matching friendship rings.” There’s a picture of them on the Jay Chou forum.
Dec 14th, 2007
HANA
JJ IS THE BEST……………… I LOVE YOU SO MUCH
Jan 17th, 2008
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