| -- Generously contributed by Peace from Hypermart Kopi-O Forum. Thanks a lot! |
 |
| Album: Chemistry -- The Best Of Tanya [Compilation] Singer: Tanya Chua Record Label: Universal Music Limited Taiwan Release Date: December 2001 Number of Tracks: 16 (3 new tracks) |
| Tanya Chua is familiar enough to need no introduction. But for those who do, they would do well to pick up a copy of Tanya's latest compilation album 'Chemistry', which features tracks from her past 3 albums as well as a couple of new tracks. Those who have bought Tanya's previous releases would find that the songs in this album are enhanced to bring out the life and flavour of the tracks. It is a decision well made without intruding into the original feel of the songs. One of the more outstanding tracks would be her very first English single, 'My Colour TV Set' (Track 4). It is a folksy rock-influenced blend that is smooth and easy on the ear. The first two tracks are the new Mandarin releases, 'Two Of Us' and 'Mo Qi'. The quirk about the two new tracks are that both seem unusually commercially-friendly, as if designed for mass consumption. 'Two Of Us' is a comfortable-sounding, easy-listening R&B track written and composed by Tanya herself, in which she promotes the joy of loving freely. 'Mo Qi', written by trusted partner Yao Qian and composed by the award-winning, LA-based Singaporean songwriter Corrinne May Ying Foo (What a mouthful!) is a catchy pop hit that is different from the usual 'Tanya flavour' but doesn't alienate fans. The third new track is an English version of the Tanya-written Faye Wong hit 'Da Cuo Le'. Titled 'It's Your Chance', the song seems to lack the unique smoothness of Faye's interpretation. The song attempts to be catchy and chorusy, but it comes off sounding too common and deadpan. Faye's version conveys an undercurrent of emotion beneath the superficial veneer of carefree insouciance which is lacking in Tanya's chorusy version. In this compilation, the more outstanding tracks would be: Track 03 Hu Xi Track 04 My Colour TV Set Track 07 Ke Yi Ai Ni Zhen Hao Track 10 Chong Dong I have always liked 'Hu Xi', because it fuses chill-out rock with a sense of peace and emotion. This raw edgy quality is in short supply in the commercial pop market today. 'Chong Dong' is a typical R&B ballad. What makes it stand out is the slightly nasal, indulgent nature of Tanya's vocals, which lends sensual intimacy to the song. This is definitely an A-class album. As with any album, there is room for improvement. Universal Music has exploited the commercial idea of repackaging Tanya's old hits and new songs into a compilation, and then genially terming it as the product of 'chemistry' between Tanya and Universal. That is a wise move. However, where arrangements of the track listings, as well as choice of songs are concerned, Universal has opted for the convenient way out -- package all her great hits into one album, regardless of their nature. This has resulted in an album which is chock-full of great hits that are heavy in feel and which may be a turn off to more sensitive listeners. Could anyone take a repeated medley of 'Wo Xiang Fang Jia', 'Ni Kuai Zou Kai' and 'Hao Wu Liao'? In addition, I personally feel that Tanya's signature hit 'Hu Xi' is the most appropriate starting track, in contrast to the somewhart ordinary-sounding 'Two Of Us'. The question that comes to mind here, too, is: Why didn't they include Tanya's "Why" from her third solo release? It is a worthy track. This album is a good buy. It is definitely a collection of Tanya's greater hits. But track by track, one inevitably feels a sense of fatigue. My suggestion is, get this album, but listen to it on a lower volume. Then the album won't appear heavy -- it will last the test of time. Grade: A- |