On 6th Feb 2010, Mr.’s latest album Like Black was released and it attracts lots of their fans to purchase.
This album is very similar to the previous one If I Am… which is released in last September. In the album Like Black, there are 8 songs which are the remix version with only 2 new songs. Some may think this album is not really worthy to pay for; however, in the cultural industry production system, it is the cheapest way to earn the biggest money by reproducing the original or existing product. “The lowest cost, the largest reciprocate” is the most ideal approach for the capitalists. When their music becomes popular, the marketing strategy has changed to how to maintain the selling of the CD albums. Therefore they choose to release this album in 5 months after the previous album was released. But due to the time limit to produce new songs, the better way to sell the album is remix or modify the existing ones. As a result the remixed version in the album Like Black occupied the most of the songs.
Since the capital to produce new songs has been reserved, so that there can be lots of promotions and advertisements from different media such as radio, magazines to help the company to sell the album. Besides, this album is a cooperation with famous artist Eric Kot (葛民輝) to promote together. Therefore the name of the CD album “Like Black” is also as same as this local brand name established by Eric Kot. And this crossover shows that the album is an inter-textual cultural product. Since there is a strong financial and cultural background of this album, so the album was hot in naturally.
Rock music, which is what this music group would like to promote, is an underground music originally, but nowadays it goes to the mainstream popular music. Through purchasing Mr.’s album, the fans can establish their identity as rock devotees. It is because identity could be established by what things you buy, and in the process of purchasing, it reveals that you are enthusiastic and appreciate in rock and roll. And this phenomenon is revived since the fading away among Hong Kong youngsters of the famous local band Beyond.
The reason that Mr. is attractive among Hong Kong youngsters is because the local music industry is lack of the element of rock music. Therefore when music of Mr. being accepted in the mainstream, there is a whirlwind of rock fans emerged again after the fade away of Beyond. And Beyond’s fading out causes the disappearance of band sound and rock music in Hong Kong music industry. And that is why even though there are some news criticize them are plagiarizing other songs, there are still lots of hardcore fans supporting their music. Their motivation is caused by the thirst of band sound.
by George Chung 10350090
Your review has situated the album in the larger music industry, as well as in connection with another artist (Eric Kot) and in comparison with another famous local band (Beyound). All these have provided you with rich content and sound argument. Very good try! You may wish to go deeper into the “modern rock style” represented by the band. What are the major differences from the traditional band (both local and western)?
ReplyDeleteOne little question, do you like Mr. yourself (or just write this piece for the purpose of getting the assignment done)? I agree that the team works well in its “rock style”, but what attract me most are their “slow songs” (such as “最重要” and ”等不了”)! Maybe I am not that “thirsty for rock”, haha. How about you?
Re Avin:
ReplyDeleteYes, I really craze in Mr. song when I first listen to their songs.....after Beyond's fade out (sad). BTW, I love Mr.'s songs neither the rock style nor the slow ones.
And I've bought their two latest albums "If I Am..." and "Like Black". So that's why I choose this album for this review. Actually there are many local bands like Rubberband, Dear Jane.....etc. that I also appreciate recently. But I still think Beyond is the best one.
Of course.....I really looking forward to see 6號 comes.....hahaha