I will not say I am reviewing this album as I am not a critic but a fan. Just writing down my feelings & thoughts about this album to share with other fans. First I don't think The Great Leap 2005 is David's best album nor do I think David set out to produce his best album, he merely did what his heart asked him to do. Also I really don't think he has a best album,  each one is different and offers different things to different people.
For his fourth album which he described as the first in the next trilogy, David chose simplicity as the theme rather than innovation. He kept the instumentaton simple and limited to four and the layering kept subtle but yet masterful. You hardly notice until maybe the fifth or sixth time you heard it, that mournful volin or the soft sweet flute or ripping guitar riff coming in at just the right time. Its so different from other albums where the instrumentation demand to be heard as part of the song.

Track 1 - Ghost Overture
Wonderful, indeed better than many soundtracks of ghost movies. It manages to be hair-raising but so stridently lovely at the same time. Another great partnership with Goh Kheng Long after Blue Moon/Somewhere over the rainbow.
Track 2 - Ghost
Simply smashing track with its relevant meaning of 'people are even more frightening than ghosts.' Unfortunately it got a bit swarmed by the fact that it was banned in mainland China & a mildly 'controversial' mv.
Track 3 - Catherine
First time David included a song written by another composer, Dean from Harbin, China. Actually if I have a least favorite song, this would be it. Maybe cos David has admitted that he couldn't sing the song right as it was written for Dean's gf. He changed it to his mom whose name is also Catherine but its still sounded like a love song. The supposedly love-hate relationship of mother and son is missing, instead David sounded a bit apologetic and unrepentant. Maybe that reflected his real relationship with his mom which is still and probably remain a mystery.
Track 4 - Love Can
Very melodious, infectious, with simple and refreshing lyrics by Wah Wah and sure to be a favorite during Valentine Day.
Track 5 - The Art of War
A masterpiece. If this was written by another composer with 12 Girls Band in mind, it would have been so over the top and multilayered that it will just become a novelty 2005 hit. But here it is so restrained with the familiar sound of the 12 Girls Band enhancing but not overpowering. The lyrics written by Francis Lee and revised many times by David the perfect accompaniment. Masterful arrangement by Goh Kheng Long and an ending that is just so right.
Track 6 - Who do you love?
I kept reading that this song is nothing extraordinary, that it is formulaic and nothing different. But this is a love ballad and by its very definition it has to be formulaic. What do you expect from a love ballad? Raw emotions that threaten to tear your heart apart and you get it from David's delivery and range. A beautiful love ballad with a stunning mv that will threaten to set the standard for other love ballad mvs which having run out of ideas usually involved either the death of the hero or the heroine.
Track 7 - Susan Said
What can I say about this song that hasn't already been said? It bears the David Tao trademark of East/West fusion. Nobody can do it better.
Track 8 - Fated
Simple, straight forward melody, easy going lyrics, very refreshing. Strangely I feel that this song is more suitable to be dedicated to his mom especially the line that goes, "What did I say? What did I do? Perhaps you will never understand." Probably its sometimes I always wanted to say to my own mom. David did the percussions for this track but you hardly hear it, just in the background.
Track 9 - Sula & Lampa
Another David Tao trademark song, using the most unexpected subject set to an infectious tune with great beats and catchy hook. You want to sing along and then laugh out loud when you read the lyrics. Probably will become a KTV must amongst fans.
Track 10 - 2Night
Very laidback, very 70s with its distinctive piano sound by Goh Kheng Long. Although I have to say that I am not quite satisfied with David's vocals for this track, its a bit too soft and sweet. Really like to hear someone with rawer vocals like Eason Chan sing this song.
Track 11 - Song for Anita
Breathtakingly simple tune, lyrics and David's sad, almost toneless vocals. The evocative mix of haunting chinese flute and distinctive coral sitar really brings to mind the strong but feminine Anita Mui.
Track 12 - What's Love
The perfect breakup 'I don't give a damn' song. Catchy, fun but with a sting, and a refreshing change from all those weepy love gone wrong songs. Sometimes its great to take a dig at the subject of love. I can really relate to this song.
Track 12 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
The second time in this album David sang a song not written by himself. This time by famous American hymn composer, William Batchelder Bradbury. A nice ending to an album that needs a little more belief before it is accessible.

-- Edited by zhaodi at 15:58, 2005-02-07

Haha.. U've basically said wat i had in mind, Zhaodi. Tis album isn't really blowing me off either. Anyhow, tis is a high quality product as usual, no doubt of tht.

Ghost - very meaningful lyrics. The beginning of d song reminds me of MJ's Thriller. Love the heavy rock essenced chorus part too.
Catherine - moderate, i think. Dean is a member of DTFC, who also composed d website's official song, sung by Jien, another member who vocal's quite similar to DT. Somehow, i still x sense the son-mom relationship in it. Dunno why.
The Art Of War - he did mention tht it's bout someone questioning his grandfather on the global crisis today. Great song arrangement, esp wif the 12 Girls Band.
Who Do You Love? - a darn amazing song tht evokes emotions. It really reflects the dilemma tht most of us experienced in making choices. Really love the piano part n d climax after it. Though i understand tht mv completes the rendition of tis song, but i x get it why is everyone so interested in the kissing part..
Susan Said - absolutely adore tis! The opera part is cute. N i think tht 'samuel' guy compared him to Jay cos the rapping part is a lil like Jay at first.. But, he's definitely NOT mumbling! Listen carefully, u pea-brained Samuel! Oops.. Haha..
Sula & Lampa - a great sense of humour tis guy has. And yes, it's a good ktv song and the music beat is contagious. Haha.. But i feel it's pointing more towards the paparazzi or in chinese, gou zai dui, rather than the two mafia gang wannabes like he claimed.
2night - a soft yet romantic song, and something of neo-soul. Lyrics penned down by Katrina. Could it be the same one in his Black Tangerine album?
Song For Anita - a tribute to a great legend. Touched by tis really amazing song, though i'm not a fan of hers. The lyrics is juz d right ingredient in describing her journey n struggles. But i hav a lil trouble in figuring out the melody at first.
Sweet Hour Of Prayer - Tension did Amazing Grace in their 2nd album, but in A capella. Love tht. On the other hand, DT kept it simple yet nice n pleasant. Though i'm not a Christian, i've heard some hymns from my friends who sang.