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Bing Ji Ling

June Degrees in December

(To The Curb Productions; US: 4 Mar 2008; UK: Available as import)

This five song EP sounds like a cross between Jack Johnson and Donovan Frankenreiter with its airy, summery, island flavorings. Bing Ji Ling has the pipes to deliver most of this radio-friendly and terribly sugary (sappy?) material such as “Kathalina” which seems perfect for a late evening patio party or part of a mix tape to take to the beach. The musician can pull off some funk and some grooves as well, which is always an added bonus. The title track is more of the same Jason Mraz-ish fodder, with the song leaning more towards a lights-dimming, romantic escapade complete with its cheesy organ accents. Probably the highlight of this roughly 20-minute collection is “Be Here With You” which straddles the line between folk and pop perfectly, even down to Bing Ji Ling’s pretty pipes that carries the song along. If you’re a fan of Maroon 5, or if your parents enjoy The Bees Gees, a song like “This Song Is For You” is definitely for you—or your parents.

Rating:

Originally from Cape Breton, MacNeil is currently writing for the Toronto Sun as well as other publications, including All Music Guide, Billboard.com, NME.com, Country Standard Time, Skope Magazine, Chart Magazine, Glide, Ft. Myers Magazine and Celtic Heritage. A graduate of the University of King's College, MacNeil currently resides in Toronto. He has interviewed hundreds of acts ranging from Metallica and AC/DC to Daniel Lanois and Smokey Robinson. MacNeil (modestly referred to as King J to friends), a diehard Philadelphia Flyers fan, has seen the Rolling Stones in a club setting, thereby knowing he will rest in peace at some point down the road. Oh, and he writes for PopMatters.com.


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