[CD REVIEW] Mr. – If I Am… (2009)

On the 2nd track 搖擺 (Swing), lead singer Alan, exclaims “放過自己” (don’t be so hard on yourself), “若我搖你擺　隨我的聲線漸大來破解為世所逼的債” “(If you swing with me, we can leave the debt of the world behind”) –– even if this were true for only a moment –– it is one tempting gesture.

The band, which debuted last year with their EP, was able to garner much mainstream attention –– from boasting collaborations with veteran Cantopop singer 譚詠麟 (Alan Tam), comparisons to Hong Kong Pop King 陳奕迅 (Eason Chan) to a handful of hit singles. The band had sparked a new “Band Trend”, and everything seemed to be going well.  But what felt like warm welcome, is only half the truth.  As not all press has been good, with the band being called out for potential song plagiarism and shown little respect by the independent music community.

Being their 1st full album, If I Am… is a mixed effort; there are some really fun songs while there are equally lackluster ones.   The hit plug song here is “如果我是陳奕迅” (“If I Were Eason Chan”), which plays off the joke that lead singer Alan sounds like Eason Chan.  The music lives up to the funny lyrics written by famed comic illustrator 小克 (Siu Hak) and bassist Dash, and effectively showcases all that is good about this band.  The same could be said about the aforementioned track “搖擺” (“Swing”), which is so dance inducing that one can’t help but start head nodding and foot tapping.  The first part of the album keeps things strong, until the mood start falling apart midway.  Tracks like “無謂再假” (“Unnecessary Re-Sham”) and “遇到了” (“Encountered”) are uninspired Karaoke songs that sound like something you would expect from the likes of 古巨基 (Leo Ku) than a rock band.

If I Am… is a fun and enjoyable album, there are definitely parts where the band sounds tired and repetitive (tracks 06 – 08), but the overall result is pleasing.  There may seem to be a general perception that Mr. is poised to become the premier Hong Kong rock band –– If that were the case, then it would be a sad day for rock and roll.  But from what I can tell, this doesn’t seem like the ambitions of the band members — who come off as being a bunch of young guys who just want to have some fun and rock out all day long, and who can blame them?

搖擺 | Mr.

Recommended tracks: 02, 03

Track Listing:
01. 背影 (Back View)
02. 搖擺 (Swing)
03. 如果我是陳奕迅 (If I Were Eason Chan)
04. 感動 (Touched)
05. 森林 (Forest)
06. 無謂再假 (Unnecessary Re-Sham)
07. 遇到了 (Encountered)
08. 尋找一千遍 (Finding A Thousand Times)
09. Mr. Tam (Pre-rocker One Take Version)

administrator

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.

read more from lojun