Time to Fall

There is a reason for the silence. And that is I've been working on revamping my wordpress site. All reviews used to be crossposted there but from now on I will no longer be updating time to fall! o.o

Reviews can be found at my website: Paradise Lost

Ramblings/first impressions/pv comments can be found at my livejournal:  http://bloods-rose.livejournal.com/

Sorry but please change your links and visit there from now on. (You may notice the new and rather pretty  review format with images too ^^)

(I have no idea what I am really saying, but basically just on a hiatus until whenever. Please stick with me? Please?)

This place has become inactive. Infact I should have put up a hiatus note a little while ago.  I think right now I am having an identity crisis when it comes to my reviews and this site and the other one I run- Paradise lost. This blog, Time to Fall I'm talking about from here on, is not just a year old... it is years old. And somehow I am pleased with it's current form. I am not sure if it is interesting for readers, but when I can be asked to write the reviews I enjoy it and enjoy the finished product. It has taken my a bit of experimenting and time to grow into the current way of reviewing, but I am satisfied with where I have ended up. I don't know everything about the music I review, but I can describe what I hear and how it makes me feel and I enjoy that. Who cares if anyone reads through it all?  Being able to talk about the music I like, freely talk about it, it wonderful. Sometimes I struggle with what to say, but still... I'm happy where I am.

However I feel like my archives should be at the same level as the more recent posts, and they aren't and that bugs me more than it should. The fact that it is all so disorganized, it's all presented in different ways, and some of the writing from back then is so immature.... it bugs me.

I want to move this site. I love vox in many ways but I want to move over to wordpress- over to my main domain so I can have more freedom with the layout and stuff. I also want to rewrite and reformat. Need to sort out tags and categories. Maybe remove all single reviews (or atleast some, or those where all the songs end up on a album)... I want to do something with the old stuff.  But it's finding the time and motivation to do this. This blog is years old and well...it's bloated. Full of stuff I think "should I keep?" and long album reviews to sort through (laughing at in the process XD).  It needs cleaning, it needs to move and I need to move on from the old stuff. I want to be more organized, I want the reviews to look nicer (I know people like music previews, and atleast one picture...which I want to include)

I have started on this massive project but I have no idea if or when I will finish. Maybe in the end I will end up deleting all the old stuff and really starting anew.

Either way I will begin to clean this place out. First to go are the random posts, which will be backed up and deleted/backed up and moved over to my  livejournal.

There will be change...slowly but surely. And I hope to maybe add a few reviews during this, but I can't promise anything. I guess I am going through that stage where you just become really tired of owning a website and just want to take a step back from it for a while ^_^ It happens to everyone right?

(comments off for no particular reason other than I don't think there is much to say to this ramble : )  )

[edit] More personal (and rambly) version of this here ^_^ [/edit]

Takashi Nagayama, or "Nagayan", is a Japanese actor & singer. He is probably best known for his roles as Eiji Kikumaru in the Prince of Tennis musicals and Tōshirō Hitsugaya in "Rock Musical Bleach".  He made his television debut in 1998 with the drama Change, and his debut single [Kokoro Ga.../ My Heart...] was released in 2005 (exact date unknown- not even available to purchase)

The single opens with the endearing ♪「心が…」♫(My Heart...)  a slow, calm soft rock number with jazz and subtle gospel influences. Nagayan's vocals shocked me the first time I heard them, they sound very young and have a unique tone to them but they aren't bad at all. He sings with a lot of emotion and his vocals are pretty powerful- not too nasal either. This song sounds like a bittersweet love song of sorts, but mainly due to the vocals it sounds sweeter than bitter. I also appreciate that just as the song is becoming repetitive, it subtly begins to change for the "kokoro ga, sayonara" part and afterwards. I really like that part of the song- the last half. But I guess I really like the entire song. It's quite simple, borders on being a bit too repetitive, but it's calming  to listen to and has a sweet feeling to it. I do wonder though at "kokoro ga, sayonara" - my heart, goodbye?

Following that is 「おくるうた」(A Song for You) - which more upbeat, quicker and livelier,  than 「心が…」 but is still the same kind of soft rock. Nagayan's vocals are still childish, but it makes this sound youthful and fun. I don't like the backing vocals/layering of his vocals in the chorus much, but it's not obnoxious/difficult to listen to. This song is also a bit repetitive, more noticeably than 「心が…」, because despite the liveliness of the song I feel bored.  Finally there is an instrumental solo, and then how the song changes for the bridge.  Nagayan's scream/woah thing is bizarre though...really I have no idea what he is trying to do there because it fails at anything other than an animal like noise. So yeah, a pretty average song which would be nice to listen to in the background- apart from weird backing vocals, and an even weirder attempt at a exhilarated shout.

The third track is ♪「雨音」♫(The Sound of the Rain) which is pretty funky with some lovely bass. Like both of the previous tracks, the instrumentation is pretty simple but effective- just allowing Nagayan to take over and drive the song forward. His vocals actually manage to sound mature and smooth here. Throughout, I really like the rhythm of this song, it's cool and laidback but not slow, or dragging. And the chorus- Nagayan's vocals are just great and I love the electronic distortion. This song is really cool. It's simple, and repetitive but I love the electronic effects, and the "cool" feeling. The gospel influences come out again, quite strongly here, with what sounds like an organ during the end.

Lastly is a different version of the title track, 「心が…」(Toscana version). It's noticeably shorter than the original, and there is definitely something different about the instrumentation... yes, it's more string based? I think this version brings out the ballad of this song. It's nice, but the strings are obviously fake and well... was there any point to this really?

Overall rating: 4/5 (Good)
Favourite tracks: 心が…, 雨音

I really liked this. It's simple, but effective. Each song is different from the last, but they are definitely soft, bordering on pop, rock with some jazz and gospel influences. It’s quite a unique style, something I don’t hear a lot of personally. Nagayan's vocals are childish sounding however there is something captivating about them, and it does make his music very unique; give it a unique feeling. There really isn't much else to say about this... it's good, it's nice, it's relaxing and lovely to listen to- unfortunately it just doesn't go beyond that to be 5/5 or awesomeness (above 5).

Beautiful smile is K's second, and what would be the last released in Korea, album released on 2006.01.20- two years after his first self titled debut.

The album starts with a short but beautiful Intro which consists mainly of a gorgeous piano part and K wordlessly singing over the top. It's amazing how emotional and haunting just a short introduction can be. I love music like this, so this intro to me is just the perfect way to start this album (starting on a good note)

The intro kind of flows into the next track 웃어요(Laughing) which starts with piano before introducing the sweeping, over the top strings, before quietening down for the first soft verses  then becoming louder and introducing the bass and a nice acoustic guitar part as the song builds up for the epic chorus. The track continues to build up and down throughout the song and really it's a pretty standard ballad, but I'll give it to K that he does sound amazing and the track is very pretty. The way the song changes all the time as well as K's vocals also saves it from becoming too boring.

Time for a change with 눈물은 차가울 때 아나봐(Tears As Cold As Ice) which at first reminds of those ballads done in like the nineties?  It's a lot like the previous track with the standard changes of dynamics, the build up and build down to create the ballad atmosphere and throw emotion in your face. There is something a bit different about this song though... it has an interesting sound/feeling to it. I like K's vocals, especially in the chorus, and there is also a really nice section towards the end. This sounds like something that should play in the angsty scenes in the dramas where the main character is forced to let go of his love. There's nothing that sad about this song, it feels rather hopeful in a way. So overall It's an over the top, but beautiful song. I'm just glad it doesn't sound too much like 웃어요.

Beautiful piano introduces the third track 너는 내 운명(You Are My Destiny). The song stays quiet and reserved, almost but not quite carrying that same haunting atmosphere that the intro did. As the song builds up it loses any traces of that, although it does sound very tender and at times, romantic.  The strings are prevalent, but they aren't so overdone like in 웃어요 and actually sound rather nice, blended with the piano and all. As always K's vocals make the song, filled with tender emotion and really moving the song forward with a subtle power. This song unlike the others never really makes the OTT build up to a super loud part, although by the end it has slowly become louder it is still quite quiet and holding back- staying gentle and tender. I like that about this song. It's different and it's very pretty and not too overdone/throwing emotion in your face.

The cheesy strings mean 이별도 사랑처럼(Byebye Like Love) starts on a bad note for me, although I love the piano that follows as well as K's vocals (caus' I always love K's vocals). It's another standard ballad in a way, but like 눈물은 차가울 때 아나봐 there is something about it that sounds kind of different and interesting. The ballad has a very strong beat, and once it gets going the instrumentation is quite nice (and less cheesy dominating strings). Compared to the track before it it's a very strong, louder ballad even with the different dynamics of the actual song.  I guess I've grown to like this song (although again like 눈물은 차가울 때 아나봐 it sounds like it should belong to some drama OST) And wow, K really doesn't hold back in this song: his voice is pretty powerful here especially with at one point some adlibbing he does.

The next track 기다릴께요(Wait) has a bit of an RnB feeling going on which is like a breathe of fresh air on this album. It's still a very mellow, laid-back song that isn't quite RnB but it's not quite a ballad either. There is a very strong, prominent beat which kind of drowns out K's vocals for the a while before he finally puts a bit more power into his voice and well, I love how he then uses his higher register at some point too. K's vocals really shine here. The saxophone introduced again is unique and pretty gorgeous.   This is a lovely, relaxing but not boring song and I'm glad that K has introduced something a little different here.

그대 날 보면(If You Look at Me) also has a very strong beat and some synth that lend it that RnB feeling like기다릴께요.  I think you can hear K's gospel influence here too with the backing vocals (that aren't annoying nor cheesy) and some of the effects. It's a very lively, up tempo track with quite a romantic, almost sexy, feel that immediately grabs my attention back to this album (I was growing so bored, I nearly gave up on this review). This is what I like K to do ^^

Yes, not back to the ballad yet!! Everything is also a pretty up-tempo song with a strong beat and interesting synth effects. It's so romantic and beautiful- yet there is a darker edge, something bittersweet about it which is interesting. The instrumentation is pretty simple, allowing K to dominate with his strong vocals.. K just sounds gorgeous like always- and again he shows how powerful his voice is with some lovely adlibbing.  This song is interesting and different.  I love how this album has changed. These past few tracks have been really good. 

Ok no need to get too excited about the new sound. It is back to ballads with track 9- 사랑하긴 했을까(Do We Love). I'm feeling more enthusiastic about this album though, which maybe will affect this review from now on. I quite like this song. It's a standard ballad but it's pretty with good vocals. OK, maybe I would have preferred K to continue as he was instead of going back to the songs like at the beginning of the album...but it's not bad. It’s very pretty- both the instrumentation and K's vocals.

Unfortunately the rest of the tracks, 고개 숙여 걸어야 하는 이유(The Reason I Have to Walk), 빈병을 걷어 차버렸죠 (Filled The Empty Bottles) and 사랑을 해요(Loving)  are also these standard ballads that I'm sorry, for fear of repeating myself too much I'm just not going to go into detail about. They are pretty much different versions of the same old thing.

Overall rating: 7/10 (let down alot by weaker tracks)
Favourite tracks: 너는 내 운명, 기다릴께요, 그대 날 보면, Everything

As a person not a fan of ballads, it takes something amazing to really impress me. I remember being bored with K's last album (first album, technically) and this time around…well it is still killing me reviewing these albums (I don't know why I impulsively decided it was a good idea to review K's Korean discography).  I do prefer this album in a way (not that I can remember the other one) because although these ballads are still something you'd put on in the background when you want to relax, most of them remain reasonably unique from each other even if not to the genre. It's nice. However it doesn't go beyond that unfortunately. And then it's worth mentioning that although I grew a bit bored the sudden change that happened after wait really changed my view about this album. Those are the sort of tracks worth listening to!  It’s a shame that there weren’t more tracks like this on the album. Lastly, I think K gave up too easily leaving it at just two albums in Korea. He should have tried a third album, bringing out that RnB sound found in some of the later tracks of the album. I guess that is what he chose to do in Japan instead…I think (maybe I'll give his J discography a listen because of that)

Notice something on my veltpunch reivew? Well, I uploaded Feel on imeem and linked to it in the review! Which means I am now giving music previews in my reviews. You can spot it quite easily, I think. Just look for this:

♪Song title♫

and then you can right click where you will be redirected to either a personal upload on imeem by me, or by someone else. Either way... as I go through and edit some of the older reviews maybe I'll try putting some music previews in them too, and all my reviews from now on will have it (or atleast the album reviews will).

Enjoy ^_^

VELTPUNCH are an underground, but apparently popular, Japanese alternative rock band that formed in 1997. I discovered them through the opening for Nabari no Ou, CRAWL and after much searching thankfully found the rest of their discography. They are an amazing band with a similar style to LAST ALLIANCE (Who I also adore). Their style is heavy but melodic like LA, and packed with power and emotion. Something quirky I notice about them also is that all of their covers feature the same style of crude cartoons XD Well anyway, this is their first album (I think) released 2000.07.20.

The album opens with Hand with a gun, a track with a lengthy but interesting introduction that gives the song a bit of a punk feeling. The song has a pretty light and playful feel despite the dark undertones. It's not fast paced, or hurried and slowly builds up at its own pace. It soon loses that punk feeling after a while, but remains light whilst gaining a rather melancholic mood (especially in the chorus'). The vocals are pretty bad but in the way that so many Japanese bands manage to make work. Although there is a lot of repetition the track changes for a really pretty bridge (I love how the instrumentation dominates apart from the soft, almost haunting vocals), a more powerful in your face chorus and finally right at the end the loud, frenzied, instrumental break. This is a cool opening, starting lightly before ending loudly and in your face: I'm guessing most likely some of the other stuff that follows will be in this same kind of style.

Next is Six, which has a pretty pop-rock opening and feeling throughout. That rebellious feeling of teen music you know? Much like the song before it is a rebellious and playful track, although this one doesn't have the same melancholic feel. However it does build up to gain a slightly heavier, angrier feeling. Actually, I really like the dynamics of the song, how the vocals are almost spoken quietly at points and although it is a pretty repetitive song, I'm glad for the instrumental break which makes a good change as well as right at the end the vocalist uses a beautiful falsetto.  This track doesn't stand out as anything special, even less so than hand with a gun but it's good so far.

One thing I'm noticing also is how well the album flows. I didn't even notice when after six the third track began. Each track flows that smoothly to the next. Well, Fine is a bit different from what came before it. The short track begins with some really cool bass before the rest of the instrumentation comes in, and it is a lot heavier than the previous tracks but also has a bizarre jazzy feeling. It's quite upbeat. But loud. The instrumentation dominates the song, smothering the vocals. I think this track is giving the instrumentalists a chance to shine, and technically although I'm no expert I think it is really great. The song goes through some very interesting changes throughout the song. It's a fantastic track in a way, although I sort of think of it as a short instrumental interlude (despite the brief vocal section).

So moving swiftly onwards for ヒヨリングマンディ(Hiyoring Monday). This is a pretty grungy track, opening sluggishly with heavy bass and guitar. Again the vocals are smothered by the dominant, heavy instrumentation. But this creates an interesting mood to the song. And it soon changes; losing the heavy feeling and gaining clearer vocals for the moody chorus where again the vocalist uses his higher register beautifully.   It's an extremely moody track, but really pretty in it's own way. There is something almost haunting about it once is loses its earlier grungy feeling (whilst remaining pretty heavy in a different way). I love the constant changes and shifts in the instrumentation, and I think the vocalists sound good here.  The repeating spoken bit at the end is slightly creepy though XD

Track 5 has a bizarre title- picopicoman.  The opening is awesome though, as is the really high guitar part that comes in- the song feels so urgent but yet so dark and threatening. Really it reminds me of something but I can't place it. I love it though.  There is something very dark about this song, and it feels very urgent.     

Track 6, All the same is a sad and far more toned down track. It opens with a very mellow guitar part, and some really gorgeous female vocals that blend into the background creating a haunting atmosphere.  It's not a heavy song; it feels calm, quiet and reserved. The focus is like Fine on the instrumentation.  I was expecting it to change dramatically though, and it does.  About half way through it suddenly becomes louder, more choppy and frenzied and the female vocals also become more prominent. It changes again, staying loud but taking on that gentle feeling again. I love songs like this- ones that start so quietly and gently then suddenly change. Powerful stuff.

Starting with just drums, Rice 100g then builds up to be another funky number like picopicoman and the later fill in the blanks. Muffled vocals, slick instrumentation heavy distortion deluxe. And of course, awesome title here to make it even cooler. Without even realising (in fact I began reviewing as if they were one song) the almost purely instrumental tracks slides into Repeat(loud version) You can treat them like one song, with Repeat as the chorus. Just when you Rice100g is another  one of these groovy numbers it slides into Repeat which suddenly amplifies the muffled vocals and instrumentation for the chorus, dying down again and taking on a more urgent feeling and then becoming louder once more. Like the title suggests, there is a lot of repetition. But there is one more surprising change towards the end, for the final chorus which is pretty desperate and less muffled whilst still pretty distorted. How...completely interesting. Veltpunch knows how to create some very interesting, surprising music.

The next track 地下(Chika)  has a pretty quirky opening quickly becoming a fast paced rock number with the same kind of mood as the beginning tracks of this album.  I love the feeling of this song, and the vocalists’ voice is much stronger here: sounding pretty good (in context). The track flows by quickly without dragging or growing boring; filled with power and emotions. 

There is one weird opening for Steel Need. I think we have gone back to the style of the earlier tracks, because this one has a mighty long intro just like Hand with a gun. It's very mellow and laidback, with only the faintest traces of vocals. After a pretty grating few seconds opening, it tones down to becoming quiet bitter and regretful like some of the later tracks. It's really gorgeous…like all the same but with a totally different mood to it. But yes midway it becomes loud and angry, gaining back that choppy feeling of the opening. There is then a bit of distortion before it tones back down. And repeat. But as I mentioned earlier, I love it when Veltpunch do songs like this. And they do these songs so well.

The next track Fill in Blanks has a pretty groovy introduction, with some cool bass going on.  The muffled vocals combined with the instrumentation gives this an almost sexy bordering on sleazy feeling...which is odd and something I wouldn’t expect from this group. Really the distortion and heavy bassline...it is all there. But it's got a dominant 'cool' feeling. The track is quite short too, short and sweet I would say.

Then the last track, ♪Feel♫ which is such a beautiful song. Starting with gentle guitar, soft muffled vocals come in- contributing to the overall sad feeling of this track. There's something almost haunting about it. Slowly the song builds up, introducing stronger guitar chords over the other part whilst the vocals still remain soft, holding back.  It builds up...builds up... growing louder, stronger instrumentation before everything stops holding back for the bitter chorus packed with regret, pain, sadness- it's overwhelming. It's loud and it's powerful. Notice how this song is dominated by the female vocals too, and I'm a sucker for females doing rock. But the song slips back to become quiet again, and throughout the song it moves through different dynamics like this. The band works together so well here- each member getting their moment to shine yet coming together to create something amazing. This song is over 8 minutes long, but it's a glorious, epic 8 minutes packed with powerful emotions that cheesy as it may sound- really makes you feel. What a way to end this album.

Overall rating: 10/10 (Amazing)
Favourite Tracks: ヒヨリングマンディ, all the same, 地下, Steel Need, Feel

Veltpunch ♥♥♥♥ Feel was the best way to end this album, because that is one of the strongest and most gorgeous songs on the album however the entire album is brilliant in itself. Veltpunch's music is some pretty powerful stuff. And all the songs here are so different and unique. There are some which are fast paced and in your face throughout, some which are cool and slick numbers, whereas my favourite style is where they slowly build up the song blending loud and quiet sections effortlessly. Either way the albums flows beautifully, ties together by definite music styles whilst each songs remains unique and different from the last. Just listen ok? If you like rock, you like bands like LAST ALLIANCE then you need to listen to Veltpunch. Their music ranges from good to incredible. You wouldn't think this is their first album, because it sounds so perfect.

Well, This is News new video. In one word: awesome. They are full out DISCO dancing. And singing about blood types (which I know is like a star sign in south east asia but it's still strange) And by the end they look pretty riduculous in the white suits and stupid glasses(although throughout the video they look pretty cheap anyway) No matter the overall stupidity of it all though.... It's so silly you cannot help but love it. I giggled quite a few times whilst watching this, not because it was really bad (ala RESCUE) but because I was totally enjoying it. Not to mention one of the more unique things I've seen in a while- so it was pretty refreshing and fun to see something new and different. Whoever thought of this concept is genius.
This does however, now mean I have yet another Johnny's group to go hunt down the discography of (not that it's hard. For every not-so-popular download there's like 5 boyband/girl group downloads XD).  Don't hate me for it, but I never listened to News before....  I can tell I should have. They seem fun ^_^  They sound like they can sing slightly better than Kat-Tun too XD

This is Son Dam Bi's debut single released on 2007-06-21. The single has a really bad title doesn't it? I really liked the cover though- Son Dam Bi is beautiful and the toned down colors suit the bittersweet title track. The PV... well I can't remember it so it's most likely pretty forgettable although apparently it showcases her dancing skills (getting my info of Kome here :P). Anyway, there are four tracks on this single, including the title track, almost enough to make it a mini album you would think. ^^

So to begin with the title track: Cry Eye is basically a rip-off of another song...mainly it reminds me of the old Justin Timberlake "Cry me a River". But I liked that song, so I quite like this (despite the very lame/doesn't make much sense title). Opening lightly the heavy bass line soon comes in along with the backing choral vocals (hence, why it reminds me of the mentioned song as well as other bits here and there) and all the other synth. There is no natural instrumentation here; instead the song relies heavily on synth to create a heavy, bittersweet atmosphere. Clearly, it's not quite the upbeat dance song, more a slower dance number. Son Dam bi sounds beautiful throughout and she's very expressive when she sings. There isn’t too much obvious modification to her voice, apart from here and there, which I like as she sings really well.  But this is still a very standard song. I like it but it's really nothing special in my opinion.

Next is Girl Like That featuring some people I've never heard of "ED & Songhwayeong". At least the title makes more sense. The track is more RnB even with the heavy synth remaining. This track, as the title should have told me, has a dominant sexy feeling. Son Dam Bi really puts on the seductive voice here, although her voice still sounds nice. This song much like the one before it is pretty standard, and also really dull and repetitive. I hate the instrumentation, it annoys me.

Then it's finally a good song with 혼자- a ballad. This track would later be remade in English for her album Type B. I really love the song, and the original is much the same (although in Korean, which I kind of prefer…). The instrumentation is laid back RnB at first before building up to introduce the dance feel that all Son Dam Bi's music has- still retaining a very soft, laid back feeling. It has that bittersweet feeling of Cry Eye without the heaviness of that song. There is also a really nice piano part that you can hear if you listen carefully enough. Basically the instrumentation is beautiful, and like always Son Dam Bi's vocals are gorgeous and expressive too. Backing vocals are also used in the good way for the chorus, although maybe a little annoying at the bridge. But whatever, I love this song. It's a very gentle, laid-back ballad.

The last track before the instrumental of Cry Eye is START (Feat. David Kim). Whoever this David Kim is, I don't like his rapping in the beginning. And the instrumentation goes back to standard, boringness. There is something about this song I dislike. Maybe I'm just bored of this single already; the good song has been and now I want this thing to end.

Overall rating: 3/5 (Average.)
Favourite Tracks: 혼자

I can't say I really liked Son Dam Bi's debut single. Her voice is lovely but the music feels uninspired. The one song I really liked was 혼자, and I quite liked Cry Eye although I cannot shake off how unoriginal it is. The other tracks kind of fade off into the background, I don't even remember how they sounded and I don't care. There are four tracks here, but really only two... or possible even one...worth listening to. However to end the review on a lighter note, Son Dam Bi is beautiful and her voice is lovely too. I do think that if I viewed this track without having listened to what came after it, I would say she has a lot of potential here. 

Finally, after two singles with only one track and some filler Gackt released a single with both an A-side and B-side. And for this single, released on 2009.01.28, Gackt would introduce a completely new sound for both.

GHOST is the Techno-rock track that nobody could see coming, but something that leaves you craving for Gackt to continue to experiment with music like this. The song starts quietly with muffled synth before introducing the thumping bass line, more synth, and finally the gritty, digitally modified rock instrumentation.  When Gackt's vocals come in they are also often modified adding to the heavy techno atmosphere but without losing their power and emotion. The backing vocals are also subtle and don't distract or annoy. The song sounds dark and still retains a rock feeling to it, but in a way it's also part catchy dance number. The repetition throughout also helps to get the song 100% stuck in one's head, although there is enough variation throughout to keep it interesting. It's a heavy song, powerful as you would expect from Gackt but very different and totally interesting.  I love how the song ends too, it begins sounding like a machine starting up and then ends sounding like it's broken down/malfunctioned. This song is definitely well thought out, too. The music video is also pretty cool, ugly old man included. I mean Gackt looks hot and he dances.

So after GHOST will the single get better or worse? Well, it's Gackt so the latter is not an option. However compared to GHOST, the B-side of this single is completely different although somehow it still fits here- utilising again the very heavy synth affects, just not in such an obvious techno/dancey way. Blue Lagoon ~深海~ is another refreshing track from Gackt, being a murky synth filled rock number. It makes me think of movies with underwater action scenes. There is something dramatic, and desperate about the song even as the rhythms sound as if they are being dragged out against their will (not in the bad way) and the in a way, the song is muffled and holding back. The song blends extremely heavy rock instrumentation, with lighter synth effects which make the song sound so ‘watery’. Gackt’s vocals have an interesting sound and rhythm to them, keeping to the same note and sounding as if he's singing slower than he wants to, however despite this like always his vocals are powerful and expressive. His vibrato is gorgeous here, too. Gackt really showcases some very controlled vocals here (showing just why he has one of the best voices in the industry). Really everything about this song just adds to that murky, deep sea feeling and the overall feel to the song. An underwater action scene, the most dramatic and final battle complete with flashbacks to the angsty past of the protagonist as he remembers the girl he loves…or something like that.  Either way, there is something extremely powerful about this song, something very emotional. I love it.

Overall rating: 90835984/5 (Awesomeness)
Favourite Tracks: GHOST, Blue Lagoon ~深海~

As soon as I heard GHOST I was excited for this single and it didn't disappoint. The cover is awful but the tracks themselves- thankfully two of them and no lives or redone tracks to act as fillers- are incredible. Gackt has tried something new in both tracks, which makes the single very refreshing and different. I am also glad that Gackt has not tried something different and failed like so many artists (Ok, not that many but still) tend to do. Really both of these tracks are powerful and unique. Well worth listening to.

So, I have been reviewing for a while now and well I've decided to go through and edit/reformat alot of the reviews both here on Vox and on the crossposted wordpress versions. As they are edited I'll list them here. I  think it will be good to list all the reviews, seeing so the tags are quite messy and unorganized (not to mention I will also know what I have edited). This will be linked on the sidebar so if there is anything in particular you are looking for this will be easy to get to at any time. Scroll through or hit CTRL+F to find the specific.

"VX" stands for vox, "WP" stands for wordpress and will direct you to each particular version of the review. Titles which are in italics are upcoming reviews. Enjoy!

Japanese
A-
alice nine. - RAINBOWS  VX | WP
alice nine. - Mirrorball
alice nine. vandalize
Arashi- Truth/Kaze no Mukou e VX | WP
Arashi- Beautiful days
Arashi- Believe/ Kumorinochi, kasei
Ayaka- First Message VX | WP
Ayaka- Sing to the Sky VX | WP

B-
Big Bang- Number 1

C-
C.G Mix- Pray (under the darkness=awesome)
Changin' my Life- Changin' my life VX | WP
Changin' my life- Caravan

D-
Daichi Miura- Inside your Head VX | WP
DI3SIRAE- Overindulge
Dj Makai- TOKYO LOVELIGHT VX | WP
Dj Makai- Stars VX | WP

F-
F.T Island- Soyogi VX | WP

G-
Gackt- Returner ~Yami no Shuen~  VX | WP
Gackt- JESUS  VX | WP
Gackt- GHOST VX | WP
Gackt- Journey through the decade

H-
Hamasaki Ayumi-  LOVEppears VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- Duty VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- I am... VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- RAINBOW VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- (miss)understood VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- Memorial Address VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- Secret VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi-  GUILTY VX | WP
Hamasaki Ayumi- Mirrocle World VX | WP

J-
Jero- Umiyuki VX | WP
Jinkaku Radio- Akui VX | WP

K-
Kato Kazuki- Rough Diamond VX | WP
Kato Kazuki- Face
Kato Kazuki- In love
KAT-TUN- Best of KAT-TUN
KAT-TUN-  the album with one drop and rescue on (name temp forgotten XD)
Kaya- Glitter VX | WP
Kiyoharu- Vinny Beach VX | WP

L-
Last Alliance- Tears library VP | WP
Last Alliance- UNDERGROUND BLUE VX | WP
Last Alliance- Me and your borderline VX | WP
Last Alliance- The sum VX | WP

M-
Mantenrou Opera- Gilia VX | WP
MIRANOSAND- Find out/ Your Hand (SWITCH) VX | WP
Misono- Sei/Say VX | WP

N-
Nagayama Takashi- Kokoro Ga...
Nagayama Takashi- JAM
Nagayama Takashi-  Love

O-
Onitsuka Chihiro- Insomnia VX | WP
Onitsuka Chihiro- This Armor VX | WP
Onitsuka Chihiro- Sugarhigh VX | WP
Onitsuka Chihiro- LAS VEGAS VX | WP
ON/OFF- Futatsu no Kodou to Akai Tsumi (Vampire Knight) VX | WP
ON/OFF- Rinne/Rondo (Vampire Knight)  VX | WP
ON/OFF- Hana Kagari  VX | WP
ON/OFF- *first album*

P-
Pigstar- Kimi=Hana (Junjou Romantica) VX | WP
Pigstar- Shoudou (Junjou Romantica) VX | WP
Presence of Soul- Blinds

R-
Rurutia- R VX | WP

S-
SADS- Masquerade VX | WP
Saito Takumi- Kokoro no Gururi  VX | WP
Se7en- FIRST SE7EN VX | WP
Sid- Monochrome no Kiss
Suzuki Ami- DOLCE VX | WP
Suzuki Ami- ONE VX | WP

T-
Tiana Xiao- KIZUNA VX | WP
Tiana Xiao- desTiny VX | WP
Tohoshinki- T VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Two Hearts VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Runaway VX | WP
Tohoshinki- If VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Keyword VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Beautiful You/ Sennen Koi Uta VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Why did I fall in love with you? VX | WP
Tohoshinki- Bolero/ Kiss the Baby Sky
Tohoshinki- Secret Code

U-
Utada Hikaru- HEART STATION VX | WP

V-
Veltpunch- When we Drive VX | WP
Veltpunch- question no. 13
Veltpunch- a huge mistake
Veltpunch- WHITE ALBUM
Veltpunch- CRAWL (Nabari no Ou) VX | WP
Veltpunch- Paint your life Gray

W,X, Y,Z-
Yui- It's Happy Line
Yui- Feel my Soul
Yui- Tommorow's way
Yui- life
Yui- Tokyo
Yui- FROM ME TO YOU
Yui- Goodbye days
Yuta Furukawa- PASTEL GRAFFiTi
Yuta Furukawa- Sunday

OTHER-
12012- MERRY GO WORLD VX | WP
12012- Taiyou  VX | WP
12012- Aitai Kara
12012- AS
12012- Hallelujah
12012- Mar Maroon
244 ENDLI- I and AI

Korean
A-
B-
Big Bang- vol2 Remember

C-
D-
E-
F-
G-
Gummy- comfort VX | WP

H-
I-
J-
K-
K- K VX | WP
K- Beautiful Smile

L-
M-
N-
O-
P-
Q-
R-
S-
SMASH- Emergency VX | WP
Son Dam Bi- Cry Eye VX | WP
Son Dam Bi- Bad Boy
Son Dam Bi- Crazy
Son Dam Bi- vol1 TYPE B
Son ho Young- returns VX | WP

T-
Taegoon- First Mini Album VX | WP
TVXQ- TriAngle VX | WP
TVXQ- Rising Sun VX | WP
TVXQ- O
TVXQ- Mirotic

U-
V-
W,X, Y,Z-
OTHER-

Thai
A-
August Band- Thanx
August Band- Radiodrome

B-
Big Ass- Love

C-
Clash- SoundShake
Clash- Emotion
Clash- Very Clash
Clash- Clashing
Clash- Rock of Ages

D-
E-
F-
G-
Golf+Mike- GET R3ADY

H-
Hormones OST

I-
Ice Sarunyu- Ice
Ice Sarunyu- Party on Ice
Ice Saranyu- With U

J-
K-
L-
Love of Siam OST VX | WP

M-
N-
O-
P-
Q-
R-
S-
T-
U-
V-
W,X, Y,Z-
OTHER-

Chinese
A-
B-
C-
Cherry Boom- Dear my prince (first album)

D-
E-
Evan Yo- Search Evan yo VX | WP

F-
G-
H-
I-
J-
K-
Kaira Gong- first album VX | WP

L-
M-
N-
O-
P-
Ping Pung- Love & Hate VX | WP

Q-
R-
S-
Show Luo- Trendy Man

T-
U-
V-
Vanness Wu- In between 2008 new songs and greatest hits collection VX | WP

W,X, Y,Z-
OTHER-

Feel free to make any requests on this post- for artists you'd like to see, or artists/genres you want to see more of. And lastly, here is a quick survey  with some questions I have for my readers (lets hope I have some!) I don't think it will take too long so please  if you are bored/have some time fill it out :D Just want to know if my readers (again, if I have any) are happy with how things are here. I won't completly change, but I'm interested to see why people come here and what they may want more of/want less of.
Take the Time to Fall survey!!!! (you know you want to :P)
Again you can leave any feedback from the survey here.(or if you have any other feedback leave that too... it's a free for all this post XD)

PS. I might create a poll soon with a list of every artist I have reviews with the question "you like?" and you can basically choose as many as you like. Ranking the artists... could have interesting results. ^^