The famous music critic Lyu Ke·Fro published his review of Chu Zhi's new album in Village Sound. Everyone knew Village Sound was one of the most professional music magazines in the U.S., and Lyu Ke was notorious for his sharp tongue.
He had a nickname, "Priscilla's Public Enemy," because Lyu Ke made his name by criticizing the former pop king. Back in the '90s, he almost got beaten to death on the streets by Elvis Presley's fans.
Crazy fans exist in every era. It's not just Gen Z. It just looks like modern fans are crazier because the internet's more developed.
Anyway, if Lyu Ke was only a keyboard warrior, he wouldn't have achieved what he has today.
At first, Presley was furious and even called out Lyu Ke·Fro on a show. But in '97, his ambitious album flopped, leaving him stunned. As a genius whose debut album had taken the U.S. by storm, this was his first major setback. He drowned his sorrows in alcohol, and somehow, they ended up meeting at a gay bar.
Nobody knows what they talked about, but Lyu Ke became the music director for Presley's next album. In '98, Rolling Stones Don't Grow Moss became the most important album of Presley's career.
It proved that Lyu Ke wasn't just a keyboard warrior. As music director, he helped fix some of the flaws he had previously criticized, and the album became a legendary story in Hollywood music. Sadly, something happened later that caused a falling out between them.
Whether it was romance or musical differences, no one knows for sure. The media speculated endlessly, but the truth was, neither admitted to dating, and Lyu Ke repeatedly emphasized he wasn't gay.
He also praised Is It Peace? highly:
[I'm dead. If you can't guarantee my grave won't be bombed, bury me with the Is It Peace? album.
Let me take peace with me.
Earth Song is the "song of the planet," its lyrics show the songwriter's empathy for our home.
The woven synth bass, bluesy backbeat, and gentle gospel piano are tied together by a desperate, wailing chant.
Its pitch lies somewhere between the whale's deep distant call and a neutral wind flooding the forest. The three "Ah.ooh" chants drown everything.
It's the song's hallmark. Light always rises on the horizon.
In Zombie, Chu Zhi's lyrics remain raw and reflective, awakening clarity amidst shrinking pain, embracing sobriety.
The main melody, highlighted with bass and appropriate intensity, pulls back with piano at the right moments. The B-section chant "Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!" packs real power.
Every melodic turn surprises, every rhyme is clever without losing sincerity. No needless shouts, no pointless grandeur.
Goodbye Blue Sky starts with "Look, mom, there's a plane in the sky," a childlike awe intertwined with fighter jet engines, like launching rockets inside an inner universe.
A two-minute forty-seven-second psychological journey moves from calm to war, desolation, and finally the blue sky "goodbye blue sky" striking the high seas like lightning.
Every note in Chu Zhi's melodies flashes like a lighthouse, guiding wayward ships through the dark.
Together is the best anti-war electronic song. Endorphins surge throughout. Lyrically, it's clearly an EDM rallying anthem, but musically, it leans toward modern Swedish pop radio.
When the glittering synths and pulsing beats build to a pupil-dilating climax, it feels like "Just hold my hand, never let me go." The filters drop, creating a rapid auditory ascent before plunging sharply, returning to calm.
It's about stepping back from battle, not grabbing a gun and charging.]
There were also reviews of nine other songs, including Do They Know It's Christmas, Tomorrow Will Be Better, Amani, One Day, imagine, такхочетсяжить, Tell Me Why,21.Guns, and The Only Flower in the World. Too long to quote everything, because that would just be padding.
Lyu Ke·Fro concluded:
[Chu Zhi's albums always have unity issues, and Is It Peace? is no exception. Sometimes his songs reveal religiosity, sometimes irreligion, which may reflect his unstable mind. The deputy editor of Rolling Stone once told me, 'His mental state is unusual. He sleeps only three or four hours a day, with the rest of the time his brain highly active.']
Lyu Ke didn't dare trash the album like he used to. Normally, if he found one flaw, he could shred an artist to pieces. But this review in Village Sound not only wasn't aggressive, it actively found reasons to excuse Chu Zhi.
Chu Zhi's dominance was evident even from that.
Even a cardinal in California, whose critique wasn't as professional, expressed his love for the album in simple terms.
"Is It Peace? is my favorite record since I became a believer. I'd recommend it to all believers, especially We Are The World which is sacred. The song carries the singer's inner thoughts. I suggest using it as an elementary music exercise. The melody flows smoothly and isn't too wide vocally, so anyone can sing it. When we hear this heartfelt call, the world should unite. In some places, people are dying gradually. It's time to reach out. For life, this is the greatest gift."
While speaking, the cardinal even sang a bit, at least KTV-level mic dominance.
A cardinal, officially a high-ranking bishop, wields huge influence. In states like California, with strong autonomy, it really matters.
California's state government submitted the cardinal's proposal, and given Chu Zhi's U.S. popularity, it had a very high chance of passing.
Chu Zhi's fame overseas had hit its peak. Even the U.S. elite were paying attention.
The U.S. doesn't usually allow a Chinese artist to wield such influence. But with elections approaching, President Steel wanted re-election and couldn't afford to anger voters.
"Chu Zhi has huge influence in religion, and his fans too. I can't risk it," Steel said, unwilling to lose votes.
A Chinese artist's existence might hurt U.S. cultural promotion, but national and personal interests collided. Steel didn't hesitate to choose the latter.