超級ABC來了

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Release date: May 29, 2009
Category: Indie, pop, easy-listening

Just in time for summer, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Lala Hsu (徐佳瑩) releases her first album – light and breezy-sounding, innovative, and innocent.  For those who don’t know LaLa, she was declared first place in One Million Star’s (超級星光大道) 3rd season. Throughout the season, she was praised for her amazing songwriting skills, especially with her now first single, 身騎白馬 (Riding a White Horse). This song was the combination of the theater of traditional drama (歌仔戲)  fused with a modern melody – and achieved the highest points (25) for that episode. The video below shows LaLa’s first time performing this song for the public on the show:

Without further ado, here is some brief commentary on each of her songs (all which are single-worthy and self-composed, I might add!):

01. 喔伊細 – Oh Easy
- this song has a  “raw demo” effect…but it’s grown on me! LaLa mentioned in an interview how this was written as a birthday song to one of her friends.

02. 圓舞曲 – Waltz
- A little rocky-edge from the original version sang on the show. It has one of those melodies that you just drown in and almost forget everything else surrounding you….has very story-like lyrics.

03. VIP
- this is a sweet, innocent just-beginning-to-fall-in-love song.  It’s her declaration to him, that she’s already noticed all his little quirks…and that he should ask her out on dates no matter what the weather is like…he’s become her Very Important Person!

04. 失落沙洲- Sandbank
-Lala has mentioned in interviews that this is her favorite song because of the film soundtrack-quality to it and how difficult it is to sing. Her voice is very, very beautiful and soothing in this. The story behind it is based on her first love, who, when they broke up, told her that she would never be able to find someone who loves her the way he does. A few years later, she reflected upon those words and realized that that may be true…but she wasn’t sure if that meant she still wanted to be with him.

05. 白旗 – White Flag
- “White Flag” was originally composed in one week, because the singing competition’s week theme required her to work with a children’s choir. She came up with this song and it is now one of the tracks! One incredibly catchy track.  I’m particularly fond of the vocal only + drum part at the end.

06. 身騎白馬 – Riding on a White Horse
- LOVE this single. See above for more explanation and her first live performance. I admit – I totally belt out the chorus when it’s time.

07. 一樣的月光 The Same Moonlight
- Quite the cheesy theme of seeing the same moonlight, but I’m a cheeseball. Another catchy song, most radio friendly I would say.

08. 明知故犯 – Knowingly
- The very first LaLa song that I completely fell in love with. The melody floored me…it’s captivating, adventurous, and just a little bit mysterious and dark. Unfortunately, I like her original version better than her “enhanced” album version. Points for the violin background though.

09. 出口 – Exit
- This track is encouraging and cheery.  These lyrics describe my attitude towards life right now: 這小小的舞台 (This small small stage) /有我大大的夢想 (Holds my huge huge dream) /還有你陪伴的目光 (And your gaze accompanies me)/看我不迷失方向 (Looking at me not losing direction)/為你而閃爍的模樣 (For you I will shine)/耶～喔～為你而閃爍的模樣;  (Yeh…For You I will shine).

10. 哼情歌 – Hum Love Song
- Such a simple song, with bare minimum lyrics.  Lala’s voice is so clear here…

11. 沒鎖門 (MSN10周年形象主題曲) – Didn’t Lock the Door (MSN theme song)
-Fun and upbeat. For some reason, this song doesn’t leave much impression on me though. Maybe a few more listens…

Inference: I’m so proud of LaLa’s first album. My initial reaction was that it was underproduced and to me, some songs still sounded like raw demos….but I realized later, after a few more listens, that that is the intended effect. Cheer Chen has songs styles very similar to this. Hope it goes to #1 on the Billboard charts! It totally deserves it!!! Seriously, the best composer since Jay Chou!

Rating: 4.5/5

Lala kickin it with the boys