[CD REVIEW] RubberBand – Beaming (2009)

Along with their fellow torch bearing brothers, Mr., RubberBand is one of the main suspects responsible for the increased presence of “band sound” in the mainstream Hong Kong pop scene.  Following up to last year’s hit album Apollo 18 (阿波羅18), the band has returned with a half new half old compilation titled Beaming.  The album is made up of 11 cuts from last year’s debut with 6 new tracks tagged on.  This move feels strange,  when considering the similar “buy one get one free” approach used by Mr.’s new album If I am… (which was released 2 months later).  It seems the major labels are pushing this “band sound” trend as much as they can while doing their best at capitalizing on it.  What this means to Hong Kong music lovers is more good than bad though, as we are finally seeing active major promotion of original music other than common manufactured karaoke pop.

The new tracks, conveniently placed as the first 6 tracks, starts off modestly enough with “天台飛人” (“Rooftop Trapeze”), a fun Swing number that is playful and joyous.  Singer 6號 (No. 6) feels at ease in the mist of the semi-jazzy arrangement, and his laid back non distinct voice easily fits into the music.  Compared to more soulful jazzy singers such as 王若琳 (Joanna Wong) or even 胡琳 (Bianca Wu), No. 6’s voice can hardly compare, but his vocal shortcomings fits the bill of the jazzy/light rock music style of the band.  On “阿波羅” (“Apollo”) and “夏令時間” (“Daylight Saving Time”), the band goes for a more laid back feel, and succeeds in writing something that would be the perfect musical accompany to a Hot Summers day.  Out of the new tracks, the highlight is probably “夾硬泥” (“Gap Ang Nei”), which lyrically explores the similar appearance of drummer, 泥鯭 (Lai Maan) and (軟硬天師) Soft Hard singer 林海峰 (Jan Lamb) and acts as a parable about pride through individuality.  The funky groove is appropriate and carries the song along with the lively/funny vocal exchange between Lai and Jan.  Not that all the band’s experiments are well considered though, as with the track “Try”, which sees popular “Lady K” (吳雨霏 / Kary Ng) joining in on vocals, comes off as a standard throwaway pop song due to the lackluster arrangements.  Luckily the remaining last song “衝” (“Go”), with its faster Big Band sound weighs in some excitement before rounding up the new tracks.  The remaining 11 cuts from their previous album Apollo 18 continue to be solid choices and offers sampling of their sound to those who’ve missed out previously.

All in all, Beaming offers a good glimpse of the capabilities of RubberBand –– fully demonstrating that the band does have something to offer musically, and certainly is worth more than their “get more pay less” / “quantity over quality” marketing approach would suggest.

夾硬泥 | RubberBand

Recommended tracks: 01, 04, 06

Track Listing:
01. 天台飛人 (Rooftop Trapeze)
02. 阿波羅 (Apollo)
03. Try… – RubberBand + 吳雨霏 (Try… – RubberBand + Kary Ng)
04. 夾硬泥 – 泥鯭 + 林海峰 + 6號 (Gap Ang Nei – Lai Maan + Jan Lamb + No.6)
05. 夏令時間 (Daylight Saving Time)
06. 衝 (Go)
07. Tears
08. 電玩男 (Gameboy)
09. 小涼伴 (Little Cold Partner)
10. 最後… 那 (Finally… It)
11. 城記 (City’s Remembered)
12. 一早地下鐵 (Early Subway)
13. 夜不眠 (Sleepless Nights)
14. 零度聖誕 (Zero Degrees Christmas)
15. 潛 (Submerge)
16. 遊車河 (Go For A Ride)
17. Hero

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lojun

I like to spend my time on the internet searching for the meaning of life. When I am not doing this you can find me listening to music or playing the bass…or stuffing myself silly on Burritos.

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