TẠI SAO 2 by TRỊNH LAM - A Broken Heart full of Hope - Credit to John

Again I preface this by turning the clock back 3 years. It was in February of 2007 that the world was first introduced to Trịnh Lam. Since that time, Trịnh Lam has become a staple in the realm of Vietnamese music overseas. I remind you of the Talent Shows, because it is always interesting to see one’s beginnings and one’s first step. I am also reminded that you cannot go far in life without having an appreciation from where you started. In the past 3 years, I have had the privilege to get to know Trịnh Lam not only as an artist but also as a friend. And I can tell you without a doubt that he does not take the events and people who have helped him get to where he is today lightly.

That being said I think even if you have never met Trịnh Lam, you can sense his friendliness and his approachability. He has developed into this persona in no small part due to his appearance and his carefully chosen songs. That spirit is again captured in Trịnh Lam’s newest CD release TẠI SAO 2

This CD features 11 songs written and performed by Trịnh Lam. Even though most of the songs are new, you immediately feel connected to them. We have to credit this to Trịnh Lam’s choice of words in his songs and his ability to provide a sense of something in which we can relate. For me, the songs are reflective and impassioned. The 11 songs feel like 11 journal entries written to oneself over the course of a year as one is devastated by heart break.

What makes Trịnh Lam’s music stand out is he never gives up on love. Despite the pain of heartbreak, you can always anticipate a hopeful plea and a sense of forgiveness. His lyrics are so compelling because of its simplicity and truthfulness. (As in “giờ anh nhận ra, dẫu có bao nhiêu bạc tiền, anh cũng không mua cho em được niềm hạnh phúc" from Track #4 – Xin Đừng Giận Anh) .

The CD starts off with the title track TẠI SAO 2 and sets the mood for the entire album. The incorporation of spoken lyrics from the original “TẠI SAO” into this song was inspiring. The spoken lyrics provide a bridge between past and future. Diễm Sương provides a sultry and romantic narration.

Rather than the feel of 11 detached songs, this album moves as a lyrical conversation detailing the despairs of love while relishing a love that could have been. The album enraptures your soul and puts your emotions on a journey full of hopeful desperation. Each song represents a piece of reflection…a memory of a love that once was and an urging for the lover to return. Songs “Thu Buồn, Nhớ Em Mùa Đông, Tình Vẫn Xuân Thì” create the sense of love through the seasons – a beautiful and romantic - yet very sad image.

Most of songs are pop tunes however you will also find an English song (Track #11 - You’re Driving Me Crazy) in this album and also a song with a definite que huong inspired tune (Track #6 - Hạnh Phúc Đợi Em). This song touched me because it captured the emotions of a husband and their children whose mother had left them for a new love. (Em ở đâu, giờ này, em ở đâu? Trong đêm thâu, tiếng con mình kêu mẹ! mẹ ở đâu?) This further shows Trịnh Lam’s immense diversity and creativity as an artist.

We relate to these songs because he presents emotions that are real. We have all felt these emotions before. As with his previous albums, TẠI SAO 2 brings more to the table than just moments of entertainment. It goes beyond that and provides a stirring of your emotions, it forces reflection, and at the end of the day even though most of the songs talk about broken love, it allows you to still look at love in a hopeful way.