The Black Parade is Dead! is the second live album by My Chemical Romance. Released last June, it has already eclipsed their first live album, Life On The Murder Scene.

This DVD chronicles two performances, one of which is held at a huge arena in Mexico City, and the other at a much smaller venue – a pub in New Jersey.

The concert in Mexico City is the band’s last official engagement using their theatrical moniker, The Black Parade. This highly-charged performance is undisputable proof that the band has far exceeded what they are able to achieve in the studio.

The amazing showmanship, intensity of the musicians and incredible energy of the crowd are the perfect recipe for an unforgettable concert experience, even if we are viewing it on screen. The seamless flow of the performance, with sporadic breaks in between, is laudable; they make it look so effortless blazing through the set.

The chemistry between the band members, Gerard Way’s theatrical antics, and the fervent emotions injected into songs like Sleep, Teenagers and Famous Last Word, all add to the performance. Way’s vocals seem strained at times (perhaps due to exhaustion), but thankfully the enthusiastic and fervid fans are able to “take over” during such glitches.

The only thing I find missing in this concert is their lack of interaction with the audience. The only time I can recall the band addressing the crowd properly is when they make the announcement that The Black Parade would be officially “killed off” after that concert.

On the other hand, the band interacted intermittently with the 200-odd crowd during the more stripped down, intimate pub show in New Jersey. This focus of this performance is more about the originality of their work, rather than the theatrical aspects.

The pub performance features a good mix of their previous work, including chart-toppers like I’m Not Okay and Helena. The band’s future direction and the departure from their melodramatic theme of death are evident in this untitled track, which leaves fans begging for more.

Overall, this fantastic live album has surpassed my expectations. This is MCR at its best!

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The Korean craze is still going strong! The soundtrack album of boyband Boys Over Flowers! or Hana Yori Dango has recently been released in sync with the showing of the 2009 Korean drama adaptation of the popular Japanese manga in Singapore.

The album is currently topping sales of Asian pop record category. It comprises a total of 13 Korean songs and instrumental pieces that will spark sweet memories for fans of the drama series. Also included in the album are songs from mega boybands that are red-hot in Korea, such as T-Max, SHINee and SS501.

Songs like Paradise (by T-max), Stand by Me! (by SHINee) and Lucky (by Ashily) are about sweet, innocent love, and their catchy melodies will stick in your mind. You’ll surely find yourself humming the tunes after listening to them a few times, especially if you understand Korean.

Those who like instrumental pieces will find tracks like I Know, Dance with Me and Blue Flower hauntingly beautiful. The saxophone pieces are just as classy as Kenny G’s, and they are great for soothing your mind after a long hard day, or to setting the mood for a romantic evening with your date.

My favourite track is Because I’m Stupid by SS501 as the melody and lyrics are beautiful. The song starts with a music box playing, and the chorus, ending with “Baby I love you! I’m waiting for you!” seems to have become etched in my mind.

This album is a must-have not only for fans of Boys Over Flowers but also for all music lovers as well. Listening to them sing might even spark your interest to find out why their drama serial is such a big hit in Asia!

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Wilber Pan’s seventh album 007 is like its trailer – filled with action and surprises. The singer stays true to his personal style of R ‘n’ B and hip-hop renditions, and the rap and soothing love songs in this album allow his fans to get to know him even better.

‘Zhen Me Zha’, my favourite song in the album, is a self-introduction piece. Its simple rhythm and down-to-earth lyrics, devoid of any special audio affects, simply conveys his life story, attitude towards life and gratitude towards his fans. There is much sincerity in this song, which also includes confessions of his sins in his younger days, and heartfelt recordings of his friends and family members.

The American-born Wilber collaborated with American rapper Akon (who shot to fame with his rendition of ‘Mr. Lonely’) for the song ‘Be With You’. Both of these songs score on their catchy medley. Hybrid songs containing both Chinese and English lyrics like these are always refreshing, but I wish there’s a greater Chinese influence in the music, as the transitions from one language to the other are rather awkward.

Another feature that makes Wilber’s music so enjoyable is the use of the music box in the background and repetitive choruses, as in ‘Shuang Ren Wu’. The album also has a few fast-paced tracks, such as ‘Zi Wo Yi Zhi’ and ‘Xian Liang Fa Xing’, which I look forward to seeing Wilber perform live. These will definitely get the crowd dancing!

Slow ballads such as ‘Wu Chong Li’ and ‘Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye’ nicely balance out this album of mainly hip-hop and rap tunes, and allow him to show off his vocals and convey his emotions. Techno-pop, a currently a trend in Chinese music is also featured in this album, in ‘Everytime’s Goodtime’. This piece shows the fun-loving side of this trendy singer, and is very pleasurable to listen to.

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It is hard to miss Kelly Clarkson’s fourth studio album, All I Ever Wanted, on the shelf. That’s because its cover is splattered all over with garish neon colours.

These bright and loud colours suggest a departure from her previous dark and melancholic album, My December, and the return to her pop roots, which propelled her to success after her American Idol win. It is a bit of a downer for me that she has reverted to that winning formula of making radio-friendly pop hits as I really enjoyed her previous album. Despite it being a commercial disappointment, that album is a testimony of her emotive qualities and songwriting ability.

Despite this bugbear, All I Ever Wanted does justice in showcasing her vocal capabilities and edgy pop style, which are comparable to reigning female pop stars like Pink, Katy Perry and Leona Lewis.

The first track of the album, which is coincidentally also the first single, My Life Would Suck Without You, attracts me with its cheesy yet simplistic lyrics (some parts of it are very disco-like) and guitar riffs. It also has some semblance to Since U Been Gone (from her second album Breakaway), in terms of its tune and music arrangement.

This album contains a wide variety of pop tunes, and the first song is a prelude to what lies ahead. The power ballads, with songs like Already Gone, Save You and Cry, capture my heart as she belts out each soulful melody with such heart-wrenching emotions. I can almost tear my heart out just listening to them!

One song that really stands out for me is Long Shot, one of the two songs co-written by Katy Perry. It starts off with an angsty verse, perfectly complemented by the rhythmic riffs of the guitar and drums, and is filled with the typical loud choruses that show off Kelly’s wonderful vocal range. Other noteworthy tracks in this album include Don’t Let Me Stop You and The Day We Fell Apart.

The only reservation I have about this album is the song which goes by a name that is a mouthful – Whyyawannabringmedown, which ironically, brings the album down. It is a weird blend of rap, rock, rage and punk that leaves an unpleasant aftertaste (think Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend). It only saving grace is perhaps the solo guitar rendition.

No doubt, All I Ever Wanted is a generic pop album, but it is Kelly’s voice and the raw emotion she injects into every song that sets her apart from other mainstream pop artists. As an ardent fan of hers, I am still awfully proud of her, no matter how her critics slam her work. As what Kelly says, my life would suck without her!

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Panic at the Disco, a band From Las Vegas, Nevada, comprises Brendon Urie (lead vocalist), Ryan Ross (guitarist), Jon Walker (keyboardist) and Spencer Smith (drummer).

The band has scored tremendous success with the release of their second album, Pretty. Odd., which includes songs like Nine in the Afternoon, That Green Gentleman (Things Have Changed) and Mad as Rabbits. The feel-good lyrics and playful tunes of these tracks accentuate the new vibes of this band, whose music is heavily influenced by the 1960s pop icon, The Beatles.

Pretty.Odd. is a departure from their previous album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out, which features angsty lyrics and alternate rock music. However, the drastic differences in musical style between these two albums have left some fans disappointed and upset.

I feel otherwise though. In fact, Pretty. Odd. is one of the best albums I’ve ever come across. Ditties such as We’re So Starving and Pas De Cheval reflect the band’s upbeat side, while tunes like Northern Downpour and When the Day Met the Night reveal their sensitive facet. The lead vocalist’s versatile voice renders every one of the tracks flawlessly, be it a cheery anthem or a moving ballad.

If you dislike the music of the 60s, listen to Panic at the Disco and you might just change your mind!

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Fish Leong Jing Ru was born in Kuala Pilah, a town in Negri Sembilan, Malaysia. She started her singing career in Taiwan in 1997, and now has a collection of 10 albums to her name.

Her latest album, Fall in Love & Songs, comprises two discs with a total of 17 songs, all of which are great. From listening to these songs, one can tell the amount of hard work she has put into building her career and experience she has gained through the years.

Though her songs are all based on the theme of love, every single one of them is emotionally conveyed in different ways. For example, Mei You Ru Guo, the opening theme song for the Taiwanese drama My Queen, describes the uncertainty of love. This fun and catchy song has attracted the attention of many listeners and earned their praises.

Fish has also enjoyed many collaborations with prominent Chinese songwriters, such as the current Campus Superstar judge and award-winning lyricist Xiao Han, and singers like compatriot Gary Chow and Pin Guan (PK and Way Back Into Love respectively).

Hai Shi Hao Peng You, a duet with Leo Ku (winner of the 2008 MTV Asia favourite Hongkong artiste award) carries the message of the importance in treasuring friendships.

After listening to Shu Yu, one can affirm that Fish’s amazingly clear and crisp vocals convey her feelings perfectly through her songs, which are always so soothing and enjoyable to listen to. Another song in the album to take note of is Feng Di Zi. This song has a subtle tribal vibe, and can be considered a breakthrough for her.

Fish has gained much recognition and many fans over the years, so I hope to see her perform in other fields of the entertainment industry, such as acting in shows.

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Super Junior-M is the first and only Chinese subgroup of Super Junior, the world’s largest band.

The band, which is based in South Korea, consists of five original Super Junior members – Hankyung, Shiwon, Donghae (one of the main dancers), Kyuhyun and Ryeowook (two of the three main vocals), and two new members from the music industry – Henry (a great violist) and Zhoumi. Quite an interesting combination, isn’t it?

Super Junior’s only Chinese member, Hankyung, acts as the leader of this subgroup. His appointment as torchbearer in the recent Beijing Olympics has helped tremendously in the promotion of their album.

The M in Super Junior-M stands for Mandarin (the language they deliver their songs in), music (a great element of their career) and Me (the title of their album).

By expressing Korean pop music in Mandarin, Super Junior has brought their success to greater heights, and they’ve even surpassed Mariah Carey on Thailand’s music chart. Well, this is not surprising considering that Super Junior recently emerged as Korea’s “Favourite Artiste” in the recent MTV Asia Awards held in Genting, Malaysia. Their album has also made it to the top 20 of the Korean and Japanese HMV charts.

Despite their not-so-fluent Mandarin, listeners can still feel the powerful rhythm in their songs, and appreciate the hard work they’ve put into learning Mandarin within such a short period of time. Their awesome choreography and dance skills also melt hearts.

Their songs consists of translated Super Junior songs like U, Happiness, Miracle, Don’t Don and A Man in Love, as well as songs of their own like Me, In your Arms and The One. Most of the songs are fast and rhythmic, which makes them perfect for dancing; but some are slow yet interesting, and are excellent for soothing one’s mind after a hard day at work or school. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean!

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Super Junior-M is the first and only Chinese subgroup of Super Junior, the world’s largest band.

The band, which is based in South Korea, consists of five original Super Junior members – Hankyung, Shiwon, Donghae (one of the main dancers), Kyuhyun and Ryeowook (two of the three main vocals), and two new members from the music industry – Henry (a great violist) and Zhoumi. Quite an interesting combination, isn’t it?

Super Junior’s only Chinese member, Hankyung, acts as the leader of this subgroup. His appointment as torchbearer in the recent Beijing Olympics has helped tremendously in the promotion of their album.

The M in Super Junior-M stands for Mandarin (the language they deliver their songs in), music (a great element of their career) and Me (the title of their album).

By expressing Korean pop music in Mandarin, Super Junior has brought their success to greater heights, and they’ve even surpassed Mariah Carey on Thailand’s music chart. Well, this is not surprising considering that Super Junior recently emerged as Korea’s “Favourite Artiste” in the recent MTV Asia Awards held in Genting, Malaysia. Their album has also made it to the top 20 of the Korean and Japanese HMV charts.

Despite their not-so-fluent Mandarin, listeners can still feel the powerful rhythm in their songs, and appreciate the hard work they’ve put into learning Mandarin within such a short period of time. Their awesome choreography and dance skills also melt hearts.

Their songs consists of translated Super Junior songs like U, Happiness, Miracle, Don’t Don and A Man in Love, as well as songs of their own like Me, In your Arms and The One. Most of the songs are fast and rhythmic, which makes them perfect for dancing; but some are slow yet interesting, and are excellent for soothing one’s mind after a hard day at work or school. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean!

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The Glass Passenger is the second album by piano-rock band Jack's Mannequin. It looks set to become just as much a cult favourite as their first album, Everything In Transit, which featured Dark Blue, a song that enjoyed heavy radio airplay in Singapore during its release.

The band is in fact a side project of Andrew McMahon, the lead singer of Something Corporate. His songs, filled with earnestness and emotion, shies away from the pretentious, angsty numbers so prevalent in today’s music scene. This could be attributed to the fact that MchMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia several years ago. He has fully recovered from this illness, which he rarely discusses. Since then, legions of devoted fans have dedicated huge support for McMahon’s Dear Jack Foundation, which has raised over a hundred thousand dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Sadly though, The Glass Passenger is an underrated album. A free local daily awarded two-and-a-half stars out of five to it. The reviewer also dismisses it as “moody” and even wonders if McMahon is deliberately being obtuse!

However, I beg to differ. I feel that The Glass Passenger is an album that’s filled with optimistic vibes, and it’s driven by sheer raw emotion that could perhaps be interpreted as sullen moodiness. In the track Swim, McMahon sings optimistically: I swim for brighter days/ Despite the absence of sun / Choking on salt water / I’m not giving in”.

The Glass Passenger is a collection of beautifully written songs that allow the listener to find his or her own meaning within the words. A particularly well-written and lovingly composed song is Hammers and Strings (A Lullabye). McMahon is able to weave his magic with only a piano and his voice; he delivers with stirring emotion a song about the remnants of a lost love and disillusionment: To the sleepless / This is my reply / I will write you a lullabye.

The songs in this album are perfect to sing along to, or provide you with fodder for personal reflection. Anyone who’s new to Jack’s Mannequin’s music will fall in love with their heart-wrenching music once they start listening to The Glass Passenger.

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It’s been a whirlwind of a year for the Jonas Brothers. Judging from the hoards of papparazi pursuing them to the millions of screaming fans, the brothers have taken the world by storm with their new album “A Little Bit Longer”.

The album includes power ballads like “Sorry” and “A Little Bit Longer”, as well as danceable songs like “Burning Up” and “BB Good” that’ll keep the party going.

Since the release of their 2007 self-titled platinum CD, Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas have used their time wisely. As proven by their new Hollywood Records CD, The Jonas Brothers have grown exponentially as songwriters, musicians and recording artistes. "The lyrical content has gotten more in-depth", Nick Jonas says about their new album. "It's about who we are as people and our personal lives, things we've gone through in the past 12 months".

They have indeed been through a lot during the past year. Besides break-ups to make-ups, they have also been on Miley Cyrus' “Best Of Both Worlds” tour and their own “Burning Up” tour. They made headlines and created hysteria with their sold-out concerts from coast to coast. Their show at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles was the fastest sold-out show in the venue's history. They also had three sold-out shows at New York's Madison Square Garden.

The brothers recently starred in the Disney Channel original movie "Camp Rock", which garnered an average of 8.9 million viewers, and was the network's most-watched non-sequel movie ever. This original movie is watchable for adults and teens alike.

Their "Burnin' Up" video, which followed the debut of ”Camp Rock” on Disney Channel, garnered over 12.5 million television viewers and over a million views on YouTube. The video instantly shot up to become #1 on iTunes. The Jonas Brothers are currently making their own Disney Channel series entitled "J.O.N.A.S."

All in all, the brothers have proven themselves worthy of their fans and fame. I personally find their music original, and unlike any of the cookie-cutter pop-star stuff from nearly every boy-band these days. These guys really know how to rock it, so what are you waiting for? Pick up their latest album today!

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JJ Lin Jun Jie‘s sixth album “Sixology” contains this message for his fans: Style is not just reflected in the clothes you wear, but it is also in what you have created and accomplished in your life, and how you play the game. As one of the song titles in this album indicates: The choice is yours.

In his fifth killer album “West Side”, JJ takes on the role of a murderer, whereas in “Sixology”, he challenges himself by simply being himself! You may think that this is easier than role playing, but I’m sure all of us have asked ourselves this question at some point in our lives: “Who am I?”.

Though he was being criticised for his lack of fashion sense in the shot for the album cover, this criticism helps in a way to emphasise the message the album is trying to accentuate through the song “Lord Vader” that that one should be true to oneself.

I feel so privileged to be able to enjoy the 15 songs in Sixology, in which JJ has collaborated with various outstanding artistes and composers, such as Mayday’s Ah Xin and Twins’ Ah Sa. It’s obvious that he has put a lot of hard work and effort into his music.

Certain songs in the album have been inspired by recent events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics “Light the torch” and the Si Chuan earthquake (“Love, Hope”).

Like his other albums, Sixology shows just how quickly JJ has grown in his music journey, and just how creative he is in experimenting with music. With more rap and fast songs like “High Fashion”, “The Choice Is Yours” and “Centre Stage”, it’s evident that JJ’s playful side has taken over that “shy boy” portrayed during his 2003 debut.

Sixology is proof that JJ’s fame is spreading fast, as some of the songs are used in dramas (“Dimples” and “I Still Miss Her”), an online game (“Tale of the Red Cliff”) and advertisements (“Longing for You” and “Always Online”).

Like his many other fans, I am impressed by JJ’s unique vocals and compositions, and especially with his ability to inspire young aspiring singers and composers. Although “Sixology” has only been recently released, I am already looking forward to the next project that JJ will be taking up!

The introduction to ‘Sixology’ really touched me too, as it seems to be a little prayer and a reminder for us all that at the end of the day, it is just “really good to be me”.

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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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