Heroes of the World

Leehom Wang's new album, entitled "Heroes of the World" just came out last week. Ok, so I waited anxiously for it and while there are a few gems on the album, the rest really takes some getting used to (as much as I love Leehom). This album follows his "Shangri-la" record in his self-dubbed, "chinked-out" style blend of Western R&B and Chinese influences. Using traditional Chinese instruments, he tries to push the boundaries of current Chinese pop music with varying degrees of success. I feel like this newest album is much more experimental. He borrows from Chinese opera this time, which is significantly more challenging.

This album was inspired by the film, "Farewell My Concubine" which is about Chinese opera singers and their lives spanning the Cultural Revolution. It was a very interesting, gender-bending type of film which deserves its own separate review. Anyway, a line in the movie about how the would-be opera singers must not just sing opera but must aspire to act out the old fables -- that they must take on the persona of "Heroes of the World," in order to be convincing in their parts -- gave way to the title of the album.

So what does Chinese opera and rap sound like co-mingled? I gotta say, it's a bit peculiar to hear the high-pitched falsettos in the background and the symbals going as someone's rapping. But, I have to hand it to Leehom for trying new things and taking the unique, under-appreciated qualities of Chinese music - much of which is thought to be passe, and making it current again through a new lens.

The best song on the album is the single, "Hua Tian Cuo" which is the name of an opera. I think it is Leehom's most successful project; blending Chinese opera and R&B where he coincidentally rocks out on his erhu. (So hot! ;)) (See video below). It's not as overt as the other songs -- which makes it flow better. What I like about it is that certain verses of the song sound totally R&B but the intonations flow like a typical opera verse. You wouldn't notice it unless you listened for it.

Interestingly enough, Leehom also collaborates with rap star, Jin on this album. I'm not sure where Jin disappeared to or whether he's still in the Ruff Ryder family or what but he sounds pretty good on this song. He's also rapping in Cantonese. I think it's nice that these artists are all collaborating; they really need to band together to push Asian-influenced music, whatever language it happens to be in. But all in all, I admire Leehom for his unsurpassed talent in producing, writing, singing, and also pushing the envelope to give Chinese pop music it's own sonic identity.