Chinese Music Blog

An album released in the midst of Jay Chou and Lin Jun Jie, “Planet Music 集乐星球” stands out the most. The album finds a new style of Shin, after he left his name-sake band to pursue a solo career. We come to know Shin to be a hard-hitting rocker shown in his first solo album “I am Me我就是我” and his work with the band with ‘heavy metal’ – this album takes a new approach – ‘happy metal’. The songs on the album are creative and innovative and at the same time rock. The album takes the listener on a journey encountering heavy metal to pop rock.

We can see the imagination in the first two tracks. ‘Take Me To The Star” is about a different approach to life taking it easy to be able to find freedom away from the problems in life where he, in the end, 找到了解药finds the ‘drug of reason’. Track 2 前面 talks about chasing after his path in the future leaving his lover behind. These two tracks are a fitting start to the album with the new Shin; they are light and refreshing – ‘happy metal’ style.

However, Shin does not lose his roots though with rock numbers 告别的时代, 态度 and 超越. 告别的时代 is typical of what you would expect from Shin, slowly building to the point in the song where he lets his breath out. I have always liked his ability to effortlessly change notes from his singing voice to the heavy metal scream or to the high notes which are the traits in 态度 and超越.

小时候 is a interesting track reminiscing the young memories. I especially like the last lines “I think back to the times, there was this taste. When I haven’t drink it then I won’t be able to sleep, this memory stirred up, filled with happy smiles in my mouth” - an obvious reference to milk. 不OK is a satirical song sang in a sarcastic manner shown in the reply to a sorry “Did you do wrong again, letting me cough again”. 魂 is a rock ballad with a guitar solo near the end which I enjoyed very much. 释放 goes back to the ‘happy metal’ theme where the musical intro is an obvious sign of what to come. The tune is catchy and a simple song to sing along with. 不灭信念 ends the album strongly with another rock ballad.

The album is 10 tracks long, and each track is worthy to be part of anyone’s play list. His vocal abilities are one to be said that he cannot be underestimated as a singer. He has the great talent of easily reaching the high notes or letting out his scream – what is missing in most Chinese artists. I have enjoyed “Planet Music” and the style Shin has brought into the Chinese Music Industry – pop rock. Shin has not become softer by any means; he has just refined and become broader in a sense to what he has offered before.

The album rates 9/10 and for me probably the album of the year so far. 集乐星球 is awesome!

Track Listing
1. Take Me To The Star
2. 前面 (Front)*
3. 告别的时代 (Farewell Generation)
4. 态度 (Attitude)
5. 超越 (Transcend)*
6. 小时候 (Childhood times)
7. 不OK (Not OK)
8. 魂 (Soul)*
9. 释放 (Release)*
10. 不灭信念 (Never ending Faith)*

*=Favorite Tracks