
Tiana Xiao - desTiny
desTiny is Tiana Xiao’s debut album. It was released on May 21, 2008 under Imperial Records. The 2 singles that were released for this album is : [o1. Sweet obsession o2. KIZUNA]
tracklist:
1. Aquarium
2. Destiny
3. Kizuna
4. 3.2.1…
5. Painting
6. Echo
7. Paradox
8. Temptation
9. Sweet Obsession
10. Happy Tears
11. Undo Hurt
12. Milestone ~to believe~
NOTE: Since I find it hard to find scans for this album, I used screencaps instead. If anyone knows where to get the scans, Please tell me… Thank you!
Opening the album is Aquarium, A sweet, mid-tempo song. It opens immediately with Tiana singing the catchy “Hear Me…” lines then starts singing the verses. My favorite thing
about this song is the “Feel Me, Hear Me, Hold Me…” lines that Tiana is singing at Background part of the song because it adds more beauty and catchiness to the song that gets the listener’s attention once they hear it. There’s just one thing I don’t like about it… The way she sings the part after the bridge. It was kind of annoying because It’s obvious that she cannot hit the high notes properly still, She forces to sing it. So… It kind of ruins the song. Overall, A good song… if the high parts weren’t included :]
[ 4 out of 5 ]
Things speed up a little with the next track, Destiny. I was expecting a lot from it since it was the title track of the album and you know what, I really liked it. Again, It had problems with the higher-pitched parts but seriously, I didn’t mind it. The song had a fantastic melody thanks to the American-RnB influenced instruments that they used and of course, thanks to the catchy tune and lyrics. I think that the way they enhanced Tiana’s voice in some parts was a brilliant idea because it added a more sort-of-techno feel… Which I liked, Of Course. I just hated the way she says the corny lines “Was it an accident, Or destiny?“. It was kind of a turn down.
[ 4.5 out of 5 ]
Aaahh… This is more like it.
We now have the best Tiana Xiao song, Kizuna, as the third track of the album. I don’t know why people seem to hate this song so much. I think that the blending of the beats, the guitars, her voice and all the other instruments was terrific. I absolutely loved the catchiness and the energy this song had… I just think that 4
minutes wasn’t enough for the goodness of the song. (Am I crazy or what?)
[ 6 out of 5 ] ~ Sorry, I just seem to like it so much
3.2.1… appears as the fourth track of the album. I think the combination of the instruments in this song was good but, I felt a bit bored while listening to it. I thought Tiana was just reciting a poem instead of singing a song. Which means that The song lacks a lot of energy and effort because it really sounded dull. Really nothing special about it.
[ 3.5 out of 5 ]
The next track is the B-Side of Kizuna entitled Painting. I liked the calm feel this song had because it fits the song perfectly. The guitars and beats were really good and the lines “It’s the Painting of My Love” she sings added more beauty to the song.
[ 5 out of 5 ]
Echo, The most enhanced track in the album, comes next. It starts with Tiana saying “Once upon a time” then a groovy dance beat comes in. I watched a TV program that shows the recording session of this song (I think it was 流派-R) and I was like “WOW!”. Know why? Because I saw her singing this song without any difficulty. I was really amazed. I was also surprised by the “Bell” sound you can hear in the “Echo, echo, echo” part because it goes perfectly with the enhanced vocals and strong beats. Overall, This song was well-done and awesome!
~ And we live happily ever after…
[ 5 out of 5 ]
Next up is the ugly song “PARADOX”. After listening to the 6 awesome previous tracks from this album, I was thinking of having a great Track 7. What did I get? An ugly, trying to be cute pop song. I was really annoyed by
the corny lyrics it had… Oh come on… “It’s a Paradox”?… Can’t the writers come up with a greater line? Look, I don’t hate the writers of this song, I just think that they could come up with a greater idea… That’s it. To be honest, It had a great tune but, Those lyrics pretty much ruined the song. Sorry Tiana.
[ 1 out of 5 ]
After PARADOX, The 2 tracks from Tiana’s Sweet Obsession single comes next.
Temptation, The full-of-synth song is also one of the best tracks from the album. It was really catchy and the energy Tiana’s vocals had fits the theme of the song.
[ 5 out of 5 ]
As for Sweet Obsession, It starts growing in me. I’m really starting to like this song. I think that because everytime I hit Shuffle on my Mp3 player, this song is always the target. Haha!
[ 4.5 out of 5 ]
Track 10 is Happy Tears. I was bored with this song’s verses at first because it only had a guitar as it’s instrument but, when the chorus starts and everything comes in, I started singing along. I was really sad when I listened to this song because the song had lyrics like “Doushite I still Miss You…” that makes me feel Tiana’s sad emotion. (Corny, Right?) Well, If that’s the case, Then I think Tiana has done a good job expressing her feelings. :] I’m just wondering why They named this song “Happy Tears” when it had those sad lyrics. o_0
[ 4 out of 5 ]
I was really blown away by Undo Hurt. It had an awesome arrangement and I must say, Tiana’s vocals were awesome! The guitar solo part at the near end was my favorite part because it blended with the “Undo” chant and the heavy beats. Anyway, Does anyone notice that the song is in full English? Yes, The song is in full
English. Tiana’s English is good, I must say (Because she lived in America. stupid me!!) because when you listen to the song, It’s not obvious that She’s Chinese. Overall, I think Everything about this song is great, I just don’t know why there are lines like “Get Lost!”, “Did you think I was stupid?” and “Can I have my stuff back?”. :]] haha!
Extremely WEIRD!
[ 5 out of 5 ]
The final track, Milestone ~ To Believe ~, has a good 80s feel in it. I just don’t know why out of all the 12 songs from this album, This was chosen to close the album. Anyway, I think this song is good. I hated it at first but, after listening to it many times, I started liking it. The song has a catchy melody and inspiring lyrics. I also think the guitars in this song were great!
[ 4.5 out of 5 ]
Overall:
[ 4.5 out of 5 ]
For a debut album by a girl who doesn’t speak english fluently, desTiny was great! It just had some bad tracks but, I guess that’s okay. Well, anyway, I enjoyed this album… It a must-listen! Especially for those who like Urban-pop/rnb J-music. ^^
my favorite track:
KIZUNA
the best new song from the album:
ECHO
