Let's be brutally honest here. If you happen to spot 26-year-old Penang native Wu Jiahui's plainer-than-vanilla album amidst a sea of glossed-up, opulently packaged discs at a record store, you'll be unlikely to give his nondescript one a second glance.

From the look of this unremarkable, less-but-not-necessary-more cover design, it's clear that this CD is not one that's designed for a "style over substance" offensive.

Now, let's just say that, for some unexplained reason, we decide to overlook the album's visual shortcomings and proceed to explore the audio offerings. Will we be "compensated" by some really good music then?

The answer is a yes, and no.

Riding on a high since the success of One Half (a hit from local movie 881), Jiahui's "girl-like" voice initially piques your interest like a lovely birthday surprise, but listen to one song too many and the novelty soon fizzles out, much like the ending of a sizzling love affair.

While some One Half-esque melodies such as Hear! Hear!, Jotto and Fairy Tale Fool are delightfully catchy, there's nothing particularly outstanding about them. Tracks like Although I'm Willing, Empty Space and Distance (composed after an argument with Jiahui's mother and ex-girlfriend over the phone) are simple and safe, but they're not quite sophisticated or sleek enough to keep listeners sticking around for long. Put it this way, his is not a voice you've never heard before; neither are the tunes, which you're likely to find familiar.

Although I'm willing to believe that this chap can do better, I'm sure he risks fading into sheer obscurity faster than one can say "Wu, who?" if he doesn't make greater efforts to promote himself.

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Panic(!) At The Disco, a band originating from Las Vegas, is well-known for their hit singles, such as I Write Sins Not Tragedies and But It's Better If You Do. Their first sophomore album, A Fever You Can't Sweat Out, sold millions of copies worldwide and garnered a growing number of newfound fans who're craving for more of their music.

Late last year, lead singer Brendon Urie and lead guitarist Ryan Ross announced that the trademark exclamation mark in the band's name will be omitted. This is because the labelling in their recently released album Pretty.Odd. already contain too many punctuation marks, and the exclamation mark will add to the confusion. Along with this change, Panic At The Disco also makes a departure from its usual cabaret-theatrical style, and adopts an odd, oldies feel instead.

Their new album contains 15 very different tracks that showcase the boys' musical styles. Tracks like Folkin' Around and I Have Friends In Holy Spaces show off their retro-esque groove to good effect. Nine In The Afternoon, the first single of this much-awaited album, makes this CD a worthy buy.

All in all, fans will love the album. However, if you're just a regular listener with general music preferences, its interesting vibes can be "too much to handle". In any case, why not just suss out their stuff and judge for yourself if you fancy the group's offerings or not?

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T (by Tohoshinki) is talented Korean vocal-dance group TVXQ's third Japanese offering.

This CD has a very different feel from their two previous releases. It features popular chart-toppers like Summer Dream and Purple Line, and bouncy, feel-good tunes like Rainbow, Song for You, Together and SHINE, and includes hauntingly beautiful ballads (delivered with great emotion, no less) such as Lovin' You, Love in the Ice, Forever Love and Kiss Shita Mama Sayonara (an original composition by members Yoochun and Jaejoong) as well.

The quintet has been deviating from their usual mix of torch songs and catchy melodies, experimenting with newer and more mature styles, and delivering R&B-esque numbers like No?, Darkness Eyes and Clap!, to the delight of their fans.

Apart from the great music, T also comes with two DVDs showcasing their music videos, fantastic live performances and other gigs at various events. This item is, all in all, a must-get!

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With everyone rushing to ride on the tidal wave of the Beijing Olympics, it's no surprise that even cookie-cutter popster Angela Chang is jumping on the bandwagon.

I'm referring to the attention-seeking outfit she's decked out in for the cover of her new release, of course. With all the five symbolic rings neatly positioned on her yellow top, the bright-eyed one looks all set to compete for a piece of the Mandopop pie.

With a "techie" CD name and a chic, Katie Holmes-like China doll hairdo, Angela seems to be aspiring towards creating a new "I'm different, hear me roar!" appeal. But roar the pixie-face minx does not. Rather, it's more like "I'm Cyborg, hear me bore!"

Once again, Angela goes about delivering cute ditties in her trademark cartoony voice. With its consistent style of rendition and selection of songs, it's no surprise that this album, well, hardly surprises.

While most tunes sound rather similar (read: forgettable), one can still seek solace in the waifish ingénue's performance of bright, cheery tracks like Can One Express (His/Her) Love Bravely and Who-Loves-Who. Amnesia, a ballad, is worth checking out, too.

But from the perspective of a musical race, Angela appears to be lacking behind her more established peers, like Jolin Tsai and Elva Hsiao. Donning Olympics-inspired coloured rings on her blouse certainly isn't going to qualify her for a place in the sun! This Taiwanese sweetheart will need better guidance and direction if she wishes to surpass her competitors and go the distance.

If it's any consolation, you can still entertain yourself with Angela's quirky calendar shots, which come free with the disc. "Python skin", "layered cake", "tattered curtain", "aluminium foil" and "mermaid wannabe" are some of the words I would use to describe her wardrobe - which you may want to suss out if you are in need of some amusement.

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Gareth Gates, a hot-selling, young artist who came in second place in Pop Idol 2000 (UK's version of American Idol), looks all set to make the mark with Pictures Of The Other Side.

This outing, his third full-length album, features many self- and co-written pop-rock and retro-sounding numbers, as well as a couple of ballads - a genre he excels in. Some of the catchy tracks like Lost in You, Pictures of the Other Side and New Kid in Town are noteworthy and command a second listen.

Gareth's emotive renditions of Changes and Talking Minds do not quite hit the spot at first, but they sort of grow on you after repeated spins. Electric, an "off-centre" melody (compared with the others in this CD) with an upbeat tempo, induces one to take to the dance floor. Meanwhile, offerings like 19 Minutes, Can't Believe It's Over and Angel On My Shoulder provide pleasurable listening because of their soothing vibes.

If you are a fan of this chap, you're sure to like this latest release. And if you're just a casual listener, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this cool compilation too.

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Calling all girls, and well, boys too... Here's something to be really crazy about!

I'm talking about the fabulous Jonas Brothers, a band who launched their debut album It's About Time in 2006, and released their second outing a few months ago.

For the uninitiated, this awesome American pop-rock band hails from New Jersey, and its three members, Nicholas, Joseph and Kevin, aged 15, 18 and 20 respectively, are brothers. The band started off as a solo project of Nicholas Jonas, who had performed in several Broadway musicals like Beauty and the Beast and The Sound of Music. His brothers were subsequently discovered, and the trio then went on to take the world by storm.

But first, here's more of their credentials: Their first music video, Mandy, was shown on MTV's Total Request Live and came up as the fourth most popular track. Another song, Time For Me to Fly, was released on their Aquamarine soundtrack, and their Kids of the Future was also included in the Meet the Robinsons OST. Disney Channel viewers will probably know that they also sang the theme song for the second season of American Dragon.

The brothers are currently on tour in America with Miley Cyrus (also known as Hannah Montana from a series of the same name). Incidentally, they are also on one of the Hannah Montana episodes. Watch out for Me and Mr Jonas and Mr Jonas and Mr Jonas; I bet it'll be sweet! On another note, these chaps are filming a new series called J.O.N.A.S, as well as a new Disney movie entitled Camp Rock. Do remember to watch out for them!

Ever since I discovered these guys, I've become quite obsessed with them. But I have good reasons for being so: These boys have very good voices, are well known for their trademark harmony vocals and can write really good music. That's a rare find in this day and age, if you ask me.

Moreover, all their lyrics are based on personal experiences and thus very meaningful, as many people can relate to them. For example, their first album saw them singing two covers - What I Go to School For and Year 3000 - and making these two numbers even more popular than when they were originally performed by UK band Busted!

In fact, some parents are even crazier over this band than their sons or daughters, as their music is clean, and so are the band members! The boys don't neglect their chores and love their parents a lot. They also have really striking personalities which shine through whenever they are being interviewed: Nicholas is shy and cute, Joseph is funny and hilarious, and Kevin is really sweet and kind. Just from watching or listening to their interviews, or even reading them, could send one into a laughing fit.

So what are you waiting for? Run to your nearest music store and get their albums - if you still haven't done so!

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Take a look at the cover of The Click Five's new album and you'll spot an unfamiliar face. That's right. Boston's famous five have gotten themselves a new member! 21-year-old Kyle Patrick recently replaced Eric Dill, who quit the band to pursue an acting career earlier this year. Now, the band, with their fresh-faced lead singer in tow, is back (sans the matching suits they used to sport) with an awesome offering, Modern Minds and Pastimes.

The drastic differences in Kyle and Eric's vocal tones will inevitably urge you to make comparisons between the two lead singers. But stop yourself from doing so, as you'd soon realise that there's no basis for making a comparison at all! The Click Five's sophomore effort is completely different from their 2006 debut, Greetings From Imrie House. Kyle's lower, raspier voice also suits the vibe of this album perfectly. In fact, his joining the band, and the rockier, more edgy quality that this outing emanates give emphasis to the growth and maturity of the band.

Their extremely infectious first single, Jenny, has received much airplay on local airwaves, and is undoubtedly one of my favourites too. Do check out Headlight Disco; this cute title is indeed indicative of the music one expects to hear: fun, retro-infused disco beats and light-hearted lyrics that are sure to get you up and dancing!

The band slows it down a notch on Empty, an earnest, tear-jerking ballad about the pains of falling out of love. Other songs worth spinning are When I'm Gone, Flipside, and I'm Getting Over You. However, All I Need Is You is, in my opinion, definitely the best track on the album, as its simple, yet honest and meaningful lyrics never fail to warm my heart and put a smile on my face.

All in all, the album is very much a treasure trove of ear candy. As if The Click Five's previous album isn't already outstanding enough, this album is sure to replicate, if not increase the success they have reaped so far. Oh, just go out and get the CD already!

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Seasonal changes can work wonders in rejuvenating one’s soul and mind.

Like a frosty forest awakening to the call of spring, bustling with life in the heat of summer, swaying to the vibes of autumn breezes and then bracing itself again for the snowy winter months ahead, the transitions Mother Nature goes through during different periods of the year never fail to pique our senses and inspire us.

Subscribing to the same notion is a bunch of Singaporean music aficionados who yearn for changes in their own environment. These individuals address their setbacks by going on a quest, as portrayed in the Mandarin musical “If There’re Seasons”, directed by Kuo Jian Hong and Alvin Chiam.

Waxing lyrical about their predicaments are protagonists George Chan (A-Le), Sebastian Tan (A-Qiang), Joanna Dong (Rose) and Magdalene See (Xiao Jing). Together with other performers, they sing and dance to local composer and writer Liang Wern Fook’s many nostalgic, beguiling and poignant numbers like Friends Forever, Sitting in Rows, On the Eve of History Exam, The Sparrow with a Bamboo Twig, as well as other all-time favourites.

Like in spring, audiences can expect to get warmed up – by the fresh song arrangements (including jazz grooves and interesting remixes) and a praiseworthy set design. Whether it’s a lonely graveyard scene or a lively New York street, the vibrant stage art does not disappoint.

Summer time marks the highlight of the show as A-Le goes on a sojourn to forget his deceased girlfriend; he falls in love with a sassy character in the process of doing so. While the talented George outshines co-stars with his perfect enunciation, vocal prowess and commendable acting chops, Joanna also impresses with her stage presence and powerful pipes. Pity there wasn’t any follow-through when she was crooning “You Are So Cool”.

As fall beckons, certain sequences (with a homosexual-themed subplot) turned out sluggish and contrived. Some of the convoluted musical arrangements (As the Night Falls Gently and Let’s Watch the Sunrise Together) produced rather heavy, awkward-sounding undertones. But it was Magdalene’s and Tay Tien Loon’s respective shaky renditions of Loving You and When We Rarely Meet that left me feeling cold, as on a chilly winter’s night!

Overall, the self-discovery-cum-feel-good homecoming act should strike a chord with most Singaporeans, especially those who grew up listening to Liang’s nuanced compositions. If I were to peg a season to this offering, it would have to be spring. For there’s no better way to verbalise the blossoming of these made-in-Singapore hopes and dreams than through this sprightly season that holds so much allure.

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It’s a façade, I tell you. It’s all a big, fat, sugar-coated façade.

Beneath that cool, rock-chic mien that Cherry Boom presents lies a secret conspiracy that screams “sweet-young-things-made-to-look-like-punk-wannabes”.

Judging by the cover of Guai Guai or Be Good, the four-girl band (made up of Zha Zha, Gua, Da Tian and Xiao Qian), who incidentally are also musicians in their own right (they play the drums and guitar), looks all set to drown you in a sea of electro pulses. But spin the disc and you’ll find yourself drowning instead in a pool of faddish juvenile pop-rock beats. (Never judge a CD by its cover.)

Expect to be treated to a visual and audio extravaganza of modish Strange Emily-esque designs and semi-funk songs (read pop tunes adorned with attitude and spunk). While Do You Love Me?, (I’ve) Had Enough and Pricked.Again, with their edgier grooves, are the only numbers that appeal to me, the rest of the album consists of fairly conventional pseudo-angst-meets-cutesy vibe ditties.

If you want to be seen as appreciating pop-ish grunge music delivered by sassy-sweet characters, this will suit you fine. Alternatively, just opt for some dark chocolate. It may work better to curb your bittersweet cravings.

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Love Music. Fun Music. Let the Music Play. This is the slogan for S.H.E's new album. This new release is also the pop group's tenth album, and the title conveys the message that the girls are having fun experimenting with various genres of music including rap, tongue twisters and more.

Selena, Hebe and Ella took quite a bit of time to record The Chinese Language as it is laced heavily with tongue twisters. But I must say their efforts are worth it because the song sounds very nice, with twisted words added to beautify it.

I would also highly recommend Mayday. You may be wondering why they are crooning about Mayday, the band from Taiwan, but they are not. This song is actually about being in a relationship during the hot summer season. Its music video (MV) is simple yet sweet, with Ashin from Mayday playing Selina's love interest.

For the first time, the trio also participated in the production process by co-creating Say You Love Me, and Wife (which is a touching story of the three of them). While Hebe penned the lyrics for the former, Ella composed the tune for the latter (with Selina writing the lyrics).

Other than these four songs, this CD has many other wonderful tunes, including one specially produced by David Tao.

Are you ready? Let the music play!

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