After 5 years of back-to-back filming idol dramas such as The Hospital and Hot Shot, Jerry Yan Cheng Xu has returned to his musical roots and released a new album, “多出来的自由” (Added Freedom).

Perhaps to compensate fans for the long absence, the Taiwanese singer-slash-heartthrob has packaged his second album with 2 different cover designs.

According to CCTV.com, a website that carries entertainment news, the decision for double covers came along because Yan’s management company, JVR Music, and recording company, Sony, couldn’t compromise on an album sleeve that could best project the disparate images of Yan they had in mind. While Sony had wanted audiences to have a peek into the private life of the actor, away from the cameras, JVR Music, on the other hand, had wanted an image that would reflect and build on Yan’s current superstar status.

Sony forked out NT$100,000 (S$5,000) on outfits, which, among other things, had to be flown in from Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. It also sought the services of renowned photographer Xiao Fen to capture the best pictures that could reflect both themes – “秘密自游” (translated as Secret Freedom) and “Star之光” (translated as Bright Star). Fans should also feel blessed to know that the ex-model had to put in twice the amount of effort for photo shoots, as the ones for the covers alone had to be done over 2 full days.

At a recent meet-the-fans session held in Taipei’s Breeze Center, Yan, who shot to fame as the leader of Taiwanese boy band, F4, now renamed as JVKV, revealed his relief at being able to be himself, after 5 years of projecting himself as other people while he was acting.

The 32-year-old’s latest audio deliverable contains 10 tracks, not nearly enough to satisfy his devoted fans who have longed for him to stride back into the studio after half a decade since his debut album. Still, for the rest of us, Yan’s limited singing abilities, married with a selection of simple songs that seem to fit only into idol dramas targeted at teenagers, make 10 tracks  satisfactory enough.

With 3 songs revolving around the subject of unrequited or lost love, out of 5 songs that are emotional downers, “多出来的自由” proves to not offer a wide variety of song choices.

The supposed hit single of the album, also the opening song for Korean drama East of Eden, “在KTV说爱你” (translated as Saying I Love You in KTV), starts off sounding very gloomy. That coupled with a voice that seems to emanate from a dying person, makes it easy for the listener to be distracted from the somewhat meaningful lyrics, which talk about man who is trying hard to find courage through a song to express his feelings for an ex-lover.

Now, if Track 6 “多出来的自由” is playing and the songs on the CD are not on shuffle mode, there’s a high chance you might stop the play list. “多出来的自由”, the title track of the album, is written by award-winning lyricist Vincent Fang Wen Shan, but unfortunately, Yan doesn’t do justice to it with his weak vocals and slurring. Fang’s working partner Jay Chou would probably be able to deliver the line “那一些多出来的自由 其实全是寂寞” (translated as “This added freedom is actually all loneliness”) and make it sound more significant than it already is, even with his murmuring.

On the brighter side, the other 5 songs that are more upbeat help Yan sound a little livelier.

A track to note is “去闯” (translated as Give It A Shot), only because it suggests Yan should never attempt rock songs and rap ever again. With such a title, lyrics like “I gotta be myself, even when I fail, I gotta be myself, never lose my soul”, and an electronic treatment to the music, it’s tough to think that this song seems to cause weariness and might bring about zombie swaying. Also, it’s ironic that when Yan says “I gotta be myself”, he sounds as though he is already lost in the noisy music.

Though the tune and rhythm of duet “Lost Love”, which is an adaptation of Korean singer Noblesse’s “상심증후군” (translated as Broken Heart Syndrome), is enjoyable during the singing by Taiwan’s Super Idol contestant, Bo Yu Ting, the echo effects used on Yan’s rap parts don’t contribute to making the song sound better. And yes, this track is proof Yan cannot rap.

Though “记忆拼图” (translated as Memory Puzzle) of Jerry For You, which is Yan’s debut album, had the floppy-haired celebrity rapping for the first time, that rapping didn’t last throughout the entire track and the song had a catchier tune as compared to “去闯” and “Lost Love“. In other words, there was at least something nice after the awful amateur rapping then.

On a happier note, “黑咖啡日记” (translated as Black Coffee Diary) and “等你回来” (translated as Waiting For Your Return) give off a jovial vibe with their upbeat tempos and light-hearted tunes.

However, although “黑咖啡日记” is about enjoyment and being carefree, Yan’s weak and emotionless singing seem to act like a wet blanket to the good mood. Additionally, the notes appear to be a little high for him, as with in the first track, “Thank You”.

On the other hand, while “等你回来” sounds as though its tune would be more appropriate for the early 90s and perhaps sung by Taiwanese boyband The Little Tigers, Yan does come across happy in here. This last track is a sweet song with slightly sad lyrics such as “这样的改变还真的不习惯 少了你身边多了些孤单” (translated as “Really not used to a change like this, your absence has brought me more loneliness”), so it’s a bit ironic that Yan sounds as though he’s smiling and singing at the same time. The less cynical might get the impression that he has a simple and innocent mind and love him more for it.

Despite the help of well-known song writers like Gary Chaw and Vincent Fang Wen Shan, Yan could only manage a single, monotonous style of singing, through all the album tracks.

All in all, “多出来的自由” is a collection of unmemorable love songs that could most likely only fit into idol dramas. Yan should probably stick to cheerful songs with faster tempos such as “我会很爱你” (translated as I Will Love You Very Much), the theme song for a recent Sony Walkman commercial, and “地心引力” (translated as Gravity), if he really wants to continue cutting albums. Still, he should be strongly advised against the idea as his dreary style of speaking and singing, and slurring of words, haven’t shown signs of improvement, and are annoying.

“多出来的自由” loses out to Jerry For You, and the songs should be caught over the radio.

Title: 多出来的自由
Artiste: Jerry Yan Cheng Xu
Language: Mandarin and English
Release Date: 19 June 2009
Rating: 2/5 stars

Tracklist

1   Thank You
2   我会很爱你
3   在KTV说爱你
4   一半
5   去闯
6   多出来的自由
7   黑咖啡日记
8   Lost Love
9   愚人节
10 等你回来