Beyond Music Box
Singer: Beyond
Record Label: Warner Music
Publication date: 1993
Executive Producers: Kunihiko Ryo (梁邦彦), Beyond
01. I am angry
02. Mom and Dad
03. Peace and Love
04. Fate is your home
05. All Love
06. Vast Ocean and Sky
07. Madman's Manor
08. Delusion
09. Love completely.
10. Lover
11. An Unforgettable Joy
12. (This last part is a fragment and doesn't translate directly.)
Released in August 1991, "Deliberate Hesitation" became Beyond's last Cantonese album from Cinepoly Records. In September of the same year, Beyond held five "Life Contact Concerts" at the Hong Kong Coliseum. Soon after, they switched to Warner Music and signed a management contract with Amuse Japan, thus beginning Beyond's Warner era.
In February 1992, Beyond boarded a plane to Japan, and six months later, they released their new album, *Continue the Revolution*. Recorded entirely in Japan, this album was drastically different from their previous work; Beyond's music was more refined. Kitaro's addition gave Beyond's music a grander scale, and the performance of a dozens-piece orchestra transformed the arrangement of *Continue the Revolution*. Beyond's critique of the social status quo, reflections on Chinese history, and pursuit of youthful ideals were all explored in this album. *Continue the Revolution* was like a bombshell, shaking the music scenes in both China and Japan.
In 1993, to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Beyond's formation, Wong Ka Kui composed "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," reflecting on Beyond's journey over the past decade. From a past of endless waiting and saying goodbye to ideals, to now having carved out a niche for themselves, Beyond realized their musical dreams in ten years. Ka Kui poured all his thoughts and aspirations for the future into "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies." Producer Leung Bong Yan created a magnificent symphonic arrangement for the song, with the opening piano, the gradually rising orchestral accompaniment in the middle, and the electric guitar solo at the end, fully showcasing Wong Ka Kui's favorite art rock style.
In May 1993, Beyond released their new album "Rock and Rage." Unlike "Continue the Revolution," which used a grand perspective to address social issues and Chinese history, "Rock and Rage" started from Beyond's ten-year musical journey, providing a summary of that decade. The album is substantial, with almost every song considered a masterpiece. It maintained their consistent and abundant originality, sensitivity to Zhou Guoshi's ideas, and cynical critique, while also beginning to return to their original rock style.
Compared to previous albums, "Rock and Roll" features a richer and more diverse musical style. Whether it's the hard rock tracks "I Am Angry" and "All Is Love," the jazzy "Mom and Dad," the blues ballad "Delusion," or the reggae-inspired "Nothing to Do," each song is a remarkable achievement.
The opening track, "I Am Angry," is an unadulterated heavy metal rock performance, with Ka-Kui's powerful vocals delivering an explosive and exhilarating experience. "Dad and Mom" opens with a jarring saxophone solo, creating a scene of parents arguing, metaphorically depicting the confusion, anguish, and anxious anticipation felt by Hong Kong people before the handover. "Peace and Love," filled with warm vocals, expresses the band's yearning for love and peace. Under the backdrop of introductory guitar and piano melodies, Ka-Kui's repeated "Never Change" deeply resonates with the listener.
"Destiny Is Your Home," with its guitar strumming, departs from the album's rock style, using folk elements to tell a story of struggling against fate. "All Is Love" sings loudly of the love in one's heart, while "Lover" depicts a relationship that is both melancholic and carefree.
"Madman's Manor" is a highlight of the album, its typical art rock style taking us back to Beyond's early musical style. "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" inspires generations of young people to love life and pursue their dreams with its magnificent momentum, open-minded sentiments, and inspirational lyrics.
"Rock and Roll" is Beyond's highest-quality album, a milestone for the band, and also Wong Ka Kui's swan song.