Ping Pung is a four member cantonese rock band. Their music is alot heavier than you would expect from the Chinese Music scene, but does contain elements of rap and hip-hop. There’s also one very prominent, very typical ballad on here. Love and Hate is Ping Pung’s first, and currently only, album released on 08.20.2004. The vocalist, Kary Ng would later go on to release some solo work in the same sort of style. Please note that the first three “songs” on this album are actually the music videos for Ngo Wa Si, Shatasi and Ai Shi Zui Da Quan Lii thus I’ll start with track 4.

The “first” song on the album is Chao Bao. It starts with obnoxious shouting over the heavy rock instrumentation. The song has alot of attitude and a great energetic feeling. I personally find it a little annoying though.

The powerful Shatasi (Kill Her) follows, one of my favourite songs and the first song I heard from them. Soft guitars start the song, slowly it builds up and Kary Ng comes in showcasing her gorgeous vocals. Her voice has alot of power, and that sort of numb emotion to it. The song overall has a heavy, dark atmosphere: and the use of dynamics and electronic effects are fantastic. This is an angry rock track filled with power and emotion. I’d highly reccomend this track alone to sample just what they can do. For me it’s the only song on here worth bothering with.

After the loud and heavy Shatasi comes a more laid-back ballad, Ai Shi Zui Da Quan Lii. The album still has a slight rock feel and heavy emotion to it though. Kary Ng again uses her voice beautifully to give this song an amazing feel, and the soft rock instrumentation really compliments her. Surprisingly, there’s some violins in there too. I would expect something heavier from them. Overall, This song really is not unique, it has the same rythmn and feel of a million other chinese ballads- but it’s extremly beautiful and the slight rock feel (and gorgeous guitar solo) sets it apart a little. It’s worth a listen or two.

The next track, Ngo Wa Si literally starts with a taking off sound before odd electronica comes in and then heavy, loud rock instrumentation. This is the sound I like from them.  Like Shatasi it is loud and angry, with some great electronic effects. It’s very full on, focusing more on in your face power than using different dynamics to create the mood. Kary’s voice is great as always, although sometimes I feel she’s shouting  a little too much instead of singing  and that can feel a little grating.  I admire her energy though. Furthermore, A male sings at some point, and he blends into the song nicely without sounding aweful.  Overall not a bad song with alot of energy and also pretty catchy- but could be better.

More strange openings for track 8 Bat Chung Ming. The song evens out to have very nice rock instrumentation. It’s very fast, and upbeat with an uplifting feel to it. Again the electronic effects are really great.  I like the pre-chorus, the words have an interesting flow to them and Kary Ng’s voice takes on a nice tone. Sometimes the chorus can get a bit repetetive and too in-your-face. The bridge was really unnecesary. Despite the little flaws though, this song has a great feeling to it and is actually pretty good.

Track 9 doesn’t have a title beyond “……” and indeed it’s nothing more than the sound as they recording/talking in the studio for 40 seconds. LOL, it’s quite amusing in a way.

There’s some unplugged versions next. First is Yi Sap Sai Gei Siu Ni (Unplugged). Soft accoustic guitar compliments Kary Ng as she sings softly this ballad. The song has a beautiful relaxed romantic feeling.  I love the instrmentation, the accoustic guitar (it’s solo is stunning) and the electronic beat (and effects that come in every now and then). Not much happens in the song, but Ping Pung deliver a flawless and calming performance.  LOL at the random cheering at the end.

Lastly the album finishes with a piano version of Ai Shi Zui Da Quan Lii. The original song wasn’t anything special, and this piano version is just as bland. Typical strings start before the piano comes in. It doesn’t feel much different from the original, and it’s still quite beautiful even if nothing special.

Overall: 8/10 (Good)
Favourite tracks: Shatasi

Ping Pung are one of those rare but talented rock bands amidst the manufactured pop/ballads of the chinese music industry. This album is not the best, but overall it’s pretty good. Kay Ng’s voice is fantastic and adds alot of emotion to each song, and the instrumentation is unique with great use of electronic effects. This is worth a listen however for me personally,  I only constantly listen to Shatasi. The rest of this album just doesn’t interest me… it doesn’t seem to go beyond anything other than “good, admirable talent”.