After a 2-year hiatus since his last album, Keep Fighting 延長比賽, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Tank returns with his newest CD aptly titled 第三回合（The Third Round).

This 10-track album is the third release by the 27-year-old musician. Known for his composition skills, the talented artiste wrote the melodies for all the tracks just as he has done for his previous album. Tank also penned lyrics for 2 songs and assumed a greater role in the production of the album.

The album features signature love-themed songs and fast numbers that Tank, also hailed as the little music master of the Taiwan music industry, is well-known for. While easy on the ears, the tracks seem to evoke memories of previous albums and drama theme songs. For example, “绷带俱乐部(Bandage Club)” bears a striking resemblance to “斗牛要不要 (Bull Fighting)”, the theme song for a Taiwanese drama serial of the same name. Both have a fast-paced, upbeat tempo that complements the rap component of the song and the harmony is almost identical. However, this new song is set around a different theme, reflecting on the difficulties in life and telling listeners to put down their clenched fists, and just experience the pain. Like “斗牛要不要 (Bull Fighting)”, “绷带俱乐部(Bandage Club)” is noteworthy, with infectious heavy beats, pleasant rapping and meaningful lyrics about not giving up.

The track “如果我变成回忆(If I Become a Memory)” steals the limelight not only because Tank wrote both the melody and lyrics, but because of the emotions involved in the song. This ballad is in the form of a letter, in which a guy conveys his regrets of not being able to grow old with his loved one if he were to leave her because of things beyond his control. Fans may see this as a reference to Tank’s real life. He suffers from a congenital heart condition, like his sister who passed away in late 2006.

Tank sings this emotive piece with heart-wrenching lines that may send tears streaming from your eyes. The chorus,“如果我变成回忆， 退出了这场生命， 留下你错愕哭泣，我冰冷身体拥抱不了你，想到我让深爱的你人海孤独旅行，我会恨自己如此狠心” translates to “If I become a memory and quit this life, leaving you in shock and tears, when my ice-cold body can no longer embrace you. Just thinking that I will let you, the one I love deeply, to travel alone in the crowds, I will hate myself for being so cruel.” The lyrics effectively create a feeling of melancholy and helplessness against fate.

Of course, Tank is also defined by the drama theme songs that he composes and sings, such as “专属天使(Your Special Angel)” and “千年泪(Thousand-year Tear)”. In this album is 全世界都停电(Blackout in the Whole World) a ballad from the show “爱就宅一起(ToGetHer)”. The simple tune definitely draws attention and sometimes keeping it plain and honest is the winning formula.

The Third Round shows that Tank does have a flair for composing. However, the musical style of this album is rather similar to that of the previous 2 albums. There’s nothing interesting and different to look forward to, but on the other hand, Tank’s doing what he does best. A small disappointment though, was that this album didn’t have any oriental-inspired songs like “独唱情歌(Singing a Love Song Alone)” from the first album.

However, Tank’s singing is enough to compensate for that minor letdown. There’s a sense of sincerity and simplicity that comes through the singing and that’s enough to make you sit down and listen.

Track Listing
1. 绷带俱乐部 (Bandage Club)
2. 生还者 (Survivor)
3. 全世界都停电 (Blackout in the Whole World)
4. 阿门 (Amen)
5. 真心话太冒险 (Sincere words are Too Risky)
6. 如果我变成回忆 (If I Become a Memory)
7. 会长大的幸福 (Happiness That Will Grow)
8. 阳光美眉 (Sunshine Beauty)
9. 再做一个梦 (Make My Dream Come True)
10. 是谁 (Who Is It)