10 posts tagged “reccomended”

Sitting down to review this album I find myself lost for words. But I will try my best to convey my thoughts on this album, even though this album really is just so hard to talk about. I just want to put the title then in the main body put "it's awesome" and leave it at that!! I am...  is the first time that Ayu would compose her own music, under the name CREA as well as write all the lyrics. It was her 4th Studio ablum released on 01.01.2002.

The album opens with the title track, I am... . the song is slow relying on the interesting overlaying of many sounds and electronic effects. I love how the song changes, builds up and down and incorporates so many different sounds. A steady beat goes throughout the song, and for the chorus the song suddenly becomes a loud rock affair with Ayumi belting out the powerful lyrics "listen closely I'll keep screaming until you understand". The song has a raw and bitter feeling: it is packed with alot of emotion and power. It's brilliant.

Even though the album has only just begun, a short interlude opening run fits in neatly between I am... and the next track connected.  It's short and sweet- building perfectly to Connected. Connected is a short but powerful club number. It's by Ferry Corsten so you know it's gotta be good.  It's a dark futuristic sounding trance number, with a heavy beat and stunning encorporation of Ayu's vocals.  I love the short sentences, which somehow manage to convery so much in so few words. As I said, it's Ferry Corsten- who really knows how to make excellent trance songs.

The album takes a turn for the worse with UNITE!- a rock number with the familiar Ayu touch (piano, electronic sounds etc etc). Technically, the song is awesome and packed with emotion and power. The instrumentation is just awesome. For me, I find it dull. I don't even know why, but there's nothing about this song that truly grabs my attention.

Moving onto evolution, a classic Ayu song. It starts with that familiar tune, an ethereal piano with Ayu's voice floating ontop. Immediatly the song grabs your attention. Then it builds up to be a faster, darker rock song. It' got such a sense of urgency to it. The song sometimes has a pop feel to it, sometimes it's more a  rock song. Throughout it all are some pretty unique sounds and an underlying edge to it. In short: it's pretty awesome.

The album goes back to the "meh" tracks with Naturally. Like UNITE! I think it's more due to personal taste. The song has a bit of a rock feel to it, and I really like all the effects in the song. The instrumentation is really good. It's a very strong, catchy track. I find it pretty boring though.  

Then it's the powerful rock song NEVER EVER. Childish twinkling sounds and synth start the song, before Ayu's vocals come in giving a very bittersweet feeling to the song- it's very sad in a way. Then the chorus kicks in and it's full blown rock, gone are Ayu's reserved vocals and she's belting it out "If you had one wish- what would you wish for?". Still that rather sorrowful feeling and  that constant childish sound in the background- a beautiful contrast. The song has very sweet feeling to it in a way contrasting to the otherwise bitter atmosphere. However overall the song is incredibly powerful with amazing lyrics, isntrumentation and just so much emotion. One of Ayu's best.

still alone was one of my first Ayu songs, and though it's very beautiful I don't like how drawn out the chorus is.  The instrumentation is very pretty, got that same childish sound going on that NEVER EVER had. The song has a very sad sort of feeling to it, and I really like parts of it. But the chorus just makes it feel boring and dragged out.

Daybreak follows, and it's rather uplifting starting with that kind synth before breaking out into the upbeat sunny instrumentation. Still got that darker, rockier edge to it. Ayu gives a wonderful vocal performance throughout too. But the highlight of this song for me is the chorus. I just love the feeling of the chorus, and how both instrumentation and Ayu's vocals blend so perfectly. The song has such a great feeling to it. I love how it varies, how the texture changes and all the diffferent dynamics.  I just find it so beautiful- it's very upbeat compared to the slow, forlorn still alone too.

A short interlude ties Daybreak and M together. Taskinlude doesn't present anything new Ayu-interludes wise with slight dance beat to it, a bit an ethereal feeling. You get the point by now.

Another Ayu great- M is next. Personally I have very mixed feelings on the song. Yep, it's a signature Ayu song and one of her most well hand. On one hand it's really pretty. On the other it's pretty OTT, standard OTT ballad sorta thing like Voyage is. The song has the whole piano string thing going on, the quiet verse slowly building up to louder stronger chorus. It's pretty awesome but not a song that I really like.

The solo version of a song is born follows and it's very very very long but somehow there's something pretty hypnotizing about it, it's slow but soothing with wonderful relaxing instrumentation and sweet, sincere vocals from Ayu. It's a very pretty song. 

Then it's the first of the Inuyasha tracks and one of my favourite Ayu songs- the beautiful Dearest. This song is so familiar now  I don't even know how to describe it. I'd say the instrumentation is very beautiful and Ayu gives such a lovely sincere vocal performance. I love her "ahs": especially at the end. The lyrics totally stand out too- and make the song into a romantic and hopeful love song. It's incredible. The song has such a great feeling to it. It's just so pretty!!   

no more words follows. I remember watching the Inuyasha movie and I wasn't really wanting to cry much at the ending, then this song came and it just created such an atmosphere that I couldn't help but shed a couple of tears. This is simply one of the most beautiful songs. I adore the orchestral instrumentation, tinged with a traditional Japanese feeling to it. Ayu gives a gorgeous vocal performance, and I love the rythmns of the words- creates very interesting sound. The lyrics I will always remember- "If this world were split into winners and losers, I'd rather be a loser." It's a deep and complex song really. Either way it's absolutly stunning. Definitly sounds like a movie ending though, it's long with that dramatic feeling and a blend of sorrow and hope leaning more towards hope and moving forwards etc etc.

Then the album ends terribly with a horrible rendetion of Endless Sorrow and the even worse Flower Garden. Pity.   

The album incorporates many different sounds, genres and is laced through with some pretty experimental stuff. Hamasaki Ayumi really presented something very unique, something extremly interesting with this album. Sometimes I find it's not the best album to listen to for listening sake, but I find technically it's amazing. One of Ayu's most unique and interesting works to date. Some personal favourites found on this album too : ) I must also say wow- it's amazing she can write lyrics and music this incredibly powerful. Reminds me of why I love her so much- because she is so incredibly talented to play such a big part in her music!!

Rather threatening title neh? XD Miura Daichi, and this song, is someone I discovered through Himitsu. The song Inside Your Head is pretty catchy and I grew to like it rather alot. Now I find the full single! Released on 2008.07.23 this is his 6th single. This was produced by the guy who produces Namie Amuro's stuff.

Tracklist:
1: Inside Your Head
2: Magic
3: Inside Your Head -DJ KENT REMIX-

Inside Your Head is an addictive dance track with a bit of an RnB beat. The song is fast with lots of synth, and good vocals from Miura Daichi. It's got a nice beat and it's pretty sexy (the bridge is very sexy... ). Either way it's a great track that is really catchy. The use of synth and electronic sounds gives the song a good feel.  Miura Daichi's vocals are stunning. It's got good instrumentation, a nice beat and alot of variation to keep it interesting. A really good track. Did I mention addictive? :P

Magic is a much more prominent RnB number. The whistling opening is a little strange, but once the beat comes in it proves to be quite a smooth RnB number with nice expressive vocals from Miura Daichi and hints of pop. I like the ballad feel given to it by Daichi's vocals, and the accoustic guitar is quite pretty. There's something a little annoying about it, it's certainly not the standard of Inside Your Head however it's still got quite a nice feel and is decent to listen to. Rather relaxing and laid-back and I really like Miura's vocals. Take away the whistling though!!

Wait? Is this....a good remix? Woa!! The remix of Inside Your Head gives it a heavier RnB feel to it, the  dance feel it very subdued instead the remix focuses alot more of Miura's gorgeous vocals. There's an annoying background instrument that gives the beat, but otherwise it's a decent remix and is rather toned down compared to the original.  I think I still prefer the original though.

Overall? Inside Your Head is the strongest track on the single, it's quite sexy and is wonderfully addictive. Magic has a few weird bits, but is decent to listen too. Magic is let down by the wierd bits though. The remix of Inside Your Head is not as aweful as I'd imagine, but that too has some wierd bits. Stil, it's a good song and a decent remix. It brings out another side of the song, and is alot more focused on Miura's vocals which is never a bad thing. I'm rather impressed by this single. Miura has rather nice vocals, and I like the RnB feel to his music, as well as the synth. This is a good single and I would reccomend it!!

This is my second review as a 16 year old :P  Sorry, can't resist. I've also got Japanese language support on my computer now so I might start including the Kana for song titles  : ) So here is Onitsuka Chihiro's third album, Sugar High. This album is still very good, however it is let down by some worse tracks that not even Onitsuka's voice can save. And there's some beautiful ones, but they tend to be quite "meh" as in you expect it and it reached the expectations but nothing more. Not like her first album where practicaly every track was "wow". It's a pity. Though it's still beautiful and relaxing to listen to. I will also say that I love the cover to the album. She looks absolutly gorgeous and the white hair contrasting to the black clothes is striking- as is the placement of the words. (unfortunatly vox won't upload it ;_;) Anyway, this album was released on 2002.12.11 and coming at #2 on the oricon. There were numerous tie-in's too.

The album opens with NOT YOUR GOD. The song has very simple instrumentation, a constant piano ostinato almost, that only breaks into the full instrumentation after the first verse and continues to build up and build down. The lyrics are striking. I remember reading something, somewhere where Chihiro mentions how the song is about people expecting to much of someone (her?) and she wrote the song with that in mind. "Not your God" is like "I'm not perfect- so don't expect so much of me". This is all from memory though ^_^ It's a nice song to start the album off.  I really do like the meaning- it's quite rebelious but at the same time, it's realistic in the sense that people can expect too much right? 

Next is Koe (声; voice) a beautiful piano based song with heartfelt, beautiful, vocals and amazing lyrics. It sounds sad but at the same time hopeful. I love how Onitsuka uses her voice- especially when she reaches the higher notes and the adlibbing. The instrumentation is amazing too. It's a slow and relaxing song- totally beautiful. 

Third is Rebel Luck, another beautiful song continuing in the same vein as 声. I'm not a fan of the piano part of this one, it's got a very gospel sound and it's a little too accented- a little harsh to the ears. Onitsuka sounds stunning and the song is quite powerful. Not bad. 

After Rebel Luck is the jazzy Tiger in my Love, a very upbeat and feel good song. The song has a heavy beat and repetetive piano ostinato, that begins to vary more and more as the song progresses. There's also a little bit of guitar in there. Onitsuka's voice is deep and breathy- sounding gorgeous. It's a very fast and exciting song. The way Onitsuka draws out that one "Tiger in my love" is f-cking impressive.

Castle・imitation (album version) makes track 5 and it's not one I like much. The instrumentation is a little annoying at points, of course Onitsuka sounds beautiful though. It's pretty beautiful song, I love the repetetion of "Ikite (live)". Parts of the instrumentation I really don't like much though :P It's a very catchy song too, one listen and it's stuck unfortunatly!

Then it's my favourite track on the album, and one of my most favourite Onitsuka songs for it's beauty, and also personal reasons. It's Hyouryuu no Hane (漂流の羽根; Drifting Feather). The song is so stunning. Even more so than infection. It's  made up of voice, piano and cello. Onitsuka's voice is beautiful and powerful, filled with emotion. The piano and cello solo is also very powerful- it's an amazing composition. The way the piano and the cello come together... the tone is beautiful. The cello has a very rich sound, and the piano is very pretty. The tone they create is wonderful- they work together so well. The lyrics are amazing too (eg "What will we wish for this time?"), though my love for them is admittedly for personal reasons, they are still pretty emotive. The song is undeniably one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It moves me alot. I love the way it ends to. It slowly builds up, then builds down and quietly it just ends. Amazing. Check out her live performance of this, though I can't remember exactly I think it was at Budokan : ) Theirs two piano's instead of the cello but it's still amazing!

The album continues on with Suna no Tate (砂の盾; Sand Shield). The song continues with the atmosphere of 漂流の羽根 though it doesn't quite live up to it's pre-deccesor (nothing can). It's still quite a pretty song, the deep bass adds a heavy and powerful atmosphere. Onitsuka sounds beautiful. The song is dark and beautiful. It's got an air of sadness, or hopelessness.  

Track 8 is King of Solitude, a very annoying song. I don't like the piano part to this one so I tend not to bother listening.

Lastly, it's BORDERLINE- cutting the album short at only nine tracks. Like alot of Onitsuka's songs the piano is prominent. This is a very dark sounding song. The "Feel across the borderline" is extremly beautiful, almost ethereal. It's a wonderful song, driven forward by Onitsuka's beautiful and emotional voice.  I love how the song builds up though- the violin part introduced halfway is really good. The ending with the Ad-libbing/random words, the backing vocals, and the entire instruments is very powerful- almost agitated feeling to it. It's seems like a nice message of hope to end the album off.  I can't help but feel it has a darker meaning though.  

This is a good album from Onitsuka. However there are ccertain tracks that are pretty meh and let the album down. The amazing one is 漂流の羽根- and I'll say that it's is a must listen. Other great tracks are Tiger in my love, BORDERLINE, 砂の盾 and NOT YOUR GOD. I liked how Onitsuka experimented using fully english lyrics for the song, much like Our song on her last album. This is still a strong album but it's not a personal favourite. Some tracks just don't sit well with me : ) Some tracks blow me away like alot of Onitsuka's music does. I am still in love with her lyrics and her voice is so stunning and amazingly powerful. Her stuff is always relaxing to listen too. 

Well I really don't have much else to do, unless I revise (and who on earth wants to do that? Only got exams tommorow..haha). So, first things first- Happy june! June is a bad month for me but once June is over I'm out of school, finished exams and will turn 16. Woot. And yes, you should care about that.

Anyway- Tiana Xiao is kinda cool. She's Chinese but can speak like three or more languages fluently- chinese, Japanese and English- and she graduated high school at age 14 and has an IQ of like 170. She even writes her blog in three languages.  Add to the mix she's beautiful and she can really sing and make some awesome music- you gotta hate her. Just kidding...I can't say I think highly of all her music- though I really like her voice and the style of her music: as well as this single. This is her second single, release on April 23, 2008. This is not her most recent work, she recently released her debut album Destiny but  this is a favourite single of mine so I want to review it.

Tracklist:
1: KIZUNA (Bonds ie bonds between people)
2: Painting

KIZUNA I hated at first. I thought it was boring. I don't think the PV helped either. However, after hearing everyone say how good she was I listened to it the whole way through and I must say, I really like it. KIZUNA opens with a heavy repetetive beat and a few other instruments, including good use of synth, which combine for a simple but effective melody. Tiana has a good voice, and puts in alot of emotion to this. There is also a bit of vocal distortion and good use of vocal effects and backing vocals. It's a repetetive song, but really catchy and Tiana has a gorgeous voice. The highlight of the song is the ending, with the repetetion of "kizuna" and the electric guitar- giving it a gritty edge as well as an RnB rock feel- if that is actually possible (?!).  It's a really good track this which although comes across as simple, has enough variation throughout to keep interest- not to mention it is VERY catchy.

Painting is beautiful RnB ballad where Tiana really shows off her vocals a bit more. She puts alot of emotion in again, and I think the highlight and the catchiest part of the song is the chours where she sings in fluent and well pronounced english "It's a pianting of my heart".  Once again, good use of vocal effects and the repetetion on her voice but with a slightly electric feel is effective. 

Overall this is an awesome single, with two very high quality songs which are catchy, have excellent vocals and also show Tiana's fluency in english. Her vocals do sound a little immature, but  she has a good range and puts in enough emotion to pull it off. Both songs do sound similiar in  way, but the mood and the  feel they give off its alot different. I also don't particulary like how high she sings in the chorus' without changing the pitch- but it's grown on me and I like both tracks overall too much to care about it.

Overall: 4/5 (reccomended)

Wakeshima Kanon (分島花音) is a Japanese cellist/singer  produced by Malic Mizer/Moi dix Mois guitarist Mana. Still doll is her debut single released on 2008.05.28, and used as the ending to Vampire Night anime.

Ok, first off I HATE vampire night. It annoys me. Secondly, when I first heard everyone rant about this single I rolled my eyes and didn't really get why everyone went crazy for it (probably because I refuse to like vampire night) and thus stubbornly ingored it. However, I'm got curious to see if it was really as good as everyone was saying. Thus,  I will eat me words- just a little. This single isn't the most amazing thing ever- but it's good and certainly unique. Strangly, it's quite infectious and I now have it stuck in my head.

Tracklist:
01: still doll
02: Kuroi Torikago
03: still doll (Orgel Version)

Still doll is a very dark and gothic sounding song, mixing cello and some twinkling instrument (the orgel thing?). It's very atmospheric, similiar to symphonic rock without the guitar. Kanon Wakashima has a OK voice, which matches the song well. At some points she sounds quite cute, which is a strange contrast to the instrumentation. Her voice is not the strongest though, and this shows when she reaches for higher notes. She puts quite a bit of emotion into it though which is admirable, the way she almost whispers in the verses certainly adds to the overall feel of the song. The pauses after the lines is interesting to note too. The Cello solo is LOVE and the use of Cello throughout makes the song (I think).  It's an OK song, certainly presenting something unique and interesting and I REALLY love the cello.  Furthermore, The lyrics are quite pretty, and very cryptic: " Again for me/ My heart tears apart/ And flows out/ Memories/ Pierce into/ The mended crevice" The creepy, dark atmosphere appeals to me- and it could grow on me.

Be warned: it's hideously catchy no...infectious is a better word.

Kuroi Torikago has a similiar sound to Still doll, but is faster in pace and feels much more anxious contrasting to still doll's meloncholy. Kanon sings much lower, and I admire the emotion she presents in her voice. Once again, the lack of strength shows in her vocie when she reaches for low notes or tries to sustain a note- her voice breaks slightly.  I do like the use of synth at the one point, and again nice cello.

The orgel version is just the twinkling sound  playing the main theme.  It's creepy  but quite nice.

Overall, and OK single. I really liked the instrumentation, even if I don't partiuclary like Kanon's voice- her voice needs more training as it's a little weak and I think the tone of her voice annoys me slighlty. I also think for her next single it would be nice instead of using fast cello like she does at the begining of both songs,  she could make use of the deep and smoother side of a cello, with a slower ballad. That would be tearworthy.   This is only the first time I've listened to this single, and I think this could grow on me some more- already I have still doll's chorus stuck in my head. Thus I would reccomend checking it out.

A small diverison at the end: She's lolita. So cute! I love lolita, even though I wouldn't have the courage to wear it myself, nor do I think I could do it justice. I do wonder about her hair- is that extensions? surely her real hair can't be that long? It looks so soft you know, how can she take such good care  of it that it looks that perfect when that long?! I do think she's quite pretty though. I really love her outfit.  Second- cello!!  I love her cello, it's that rich red color similiar to my violin- though my violin is more brown. So pretty~~ Such a rich color, and when you hold it to the light it gleams. This is shown off by the cover art- look at the gleam of the cello! Beautiful. Really nice cover art actually, like how she's staring out at you. Also glad to see her promoting her cello as well. Cello is amazing instrment. My friend plays the cello- she's REALLY good and the sound is just so rich. Love it :D she can play Pirates of the Carribean and another really slow and sad one (from a film with a name I can't spell!!). That's the amazing thing about cello, or I suppose any isntrument, it can sound both really sad or really happy. I hope that Kanon Wakeshima makes the most of her instrument- she is grade 8 right? She should know how. Certianly, in this single the cello was used quite effectively.

I'll look out for more of this girl. She's slowly growing on me, though I stubbornly refuse to obsess over her like everyone else. haha.

lyrics source: Atashi

DEATHGAZE is a visual kei band, which is pretty obscure and something I certianly had never heard of. The name too seemed rather cheesy, however with a single name like that I was sold. I don't know when this single was released or anything, but I know it actually turned out to be pretty good. DEATHGAZE have a heavy sound with lots of bass and gritty guitar work.

Tracklist:
1: I'm Broken Baby
2: Shisakura
3: SINNERS

I'm broken baby and Shisakura are good examples of this sort of style. I'm Broken baby starts off quietly before introducing a heavy guitar and bass part: it's  pretty screamo and not particularu rythmnic and I'd prefer if the vocalist actually sung  so somehow, despite the good title the actual song deosn't live up to expectation. Shisakura is also another heavy screamo type song, however the vocalist sings and reveals himself to have quite a beauitful and deep voice. Once again, nothing special but alot better in standard than I'm Broken Baby.

The single seems to get better with every track! The highlight of this single has to be SINNER, a ballad which although has a typical arrangement is beautifully sung with enough emotion to pull it off. The vocalist has a wonderful and deep voice, and his tone is quite unique. The use of dynamics with quiet verses and louder chorus is effective. And besides, the intrsumentation despite nothing special is kinda beautiful with a good guitar part. The guitar solo is love.  The song is quite repetetive but just so beautiful. And despite the repetition is also has enough variation to remain interesting.  Somehow, it is filled with emotion and is interesting from beginning to end. I would love to understand the lyrics.

Overall I'd reccomend this band for those fond of heavier visual kei. For those not SINNER is a wonderful ballad to put on repeat for a few days. My personal view on this single is that the first two songs weren't to my taste, and that SINNER is the only track I really enjoyed. However, I think this band is quite talented and will thus rate this single quite high.

This is their 15th single released on 2008.04.16.

Merry go world has quite a poppy feel, but still retains a dark edge ala 12012 style. Wataru sounds much different, not quite so emotional and you know...pained. This song actually feels a little hopeful, though I doubt it is. I really love the guitar part, and the rythmn is quite cool. Overall, perhaps not something I would listen to reguarly but still pretty damn good.  I think it's a little mediocre in some ways though, a little repetitive and Wataru lacks the usual emotion that would make this song shine. It does have a very cool guitar part :)

Lovers is like 12012's old, emotion packed gritty works mixed in with their slow, soothing ballads and new mature sound. Its fucking awesome. Reminscent of "orion" and perhaps even deep forest. Definitly a taste of their older style, whilst as I said... much more polished. Yes, Wataru still sounds so beautiful in a pained, emotional way. The song starts off really quiet but fast paced, before a emotional, beautiful chorus. This is the sort of song you sit, put on loud and listen to again and again without getting bored. It's so beautiful, with a fantastic arrangement, a gorgeous rythmn and guitar solo and of course: Wataru's over-the-top emotional singing that sets 12012 apart. I can't stop going on about this song- it's up in my favourite 12012 songs!! I can't wait for the lyrics, I'm sure they are as angsty but beautiful as hell :P

Miraizu , available on the regular addition, is a very calm ballad, where Wataru's vocals take on a much different tone, one that works very well. The guitar part is really really nice throughout this song, and the  song holds a very quiet power.

I BELIEVE..., available on Type B,  has a very dark tone to it, and the synth in it adds a almost orchestral/soundtrack feeling to the opening! The whole song, contrary to the title, sounds very sinister. Wataru's voice, yet again, takes on a much different tone, almost speaking in the verses. The chorus is very powerful, and once again the guitar part is awesome. I'm not sure about the synth though that really does give an orchestral feeling, one I've not heard from a 12012 song before.

This single is reminscent of heart, with a gritty but slighlty mediocre A-side (Then again, can't remember how heart sounded like....) followed by a beautiful, almost relaxing and highly emotional B-side that's far more like a rock ballad.  12012 has  matured and comapred to their old stuff, their sound has changed, but I don't think this is a bad thing. 

Overall, for the two other songs, based on first impressions I prefer Miraizu however I think I BELIEVE... could certainly grow on me. Both songs are very powerful, and reminscent of their old work mingled together brilliantly with their new sound. I think this is a fantastic single from 12012, one that both old and new fans could appreciate. 12012 have finally found a good balance between their old sound, and their newer expreiments.

Highly reccommended- 5/5 

I've always wondered, if I were to tell my friends "I listen to Japanese music" and they wanted to hear something- what on earth would I reccomend? Well...

1: Ayumi Hamasaki (memorial address, song for xx... not sure.)
2: Luna Sea  (I for you, Gravity, Sweetest coma again)
3: Kiyoharu and SADS  (Rinne, Slow, Life beyond desperation, Awake)
4: Plastic Tree  (Spica!!!! Alone again wonderful world too. I've not listened to alot of them- though I plan to!)

4: 12012 (Caus' they are my favourite and most listened to J-rock after SADS and Kiyoharu. Shower, Deep forest in particular)
5: Gackt  (Caus' he's sexy. Redemption, mind forest and Yami no Shuen. Ahh...and last song!)
6: Chihiro Onitsuka  (She has a beautiful voice and her songs are very moving. Infection, Drifting feathers)

(this list could change at anytime apart from those in bold who I adore and think are extremly talented. I like 4 to 6 but not sure about what my friends would- and seeing so that's the focus of this post...)

What about you? Is there anything that you'd never ever tell anybody you listened to it? :P Is there something you'd force onto your friends?

---

I've been listening to LUNA SEA lately. I'm curently working through their best of albums- it's amazing! To be honest I've never like X-Japan, the singers  voice annoys me, however for LUNA SEA their music is just so beautiful. Everything sounds so unbeliavbly right, and it's even relaxing in a way. A fantastic listen and the singer has a beautiful voice. I think the guitarist (Sugizo?) is also very talented. I've not skipped a song yet, and that's something for me. Only Ayu, Kiyoharu, SADS and Chihiro Onitsuka get that sort of treatment from me : ) Naturally, there's one or two but not quarter of the album like I usually do!

I can totally see the hype around LUNA SEA. They are total awesomness.

Other than that- have you heart Plastic Trees alone again? It's amazing! Though at first the constant, repetitive in-your-face guitar part annoyed me It grew on me: Ryotaro (is that right?) has a beautiful tone to his voice. I love the chorusy bit : ) At first I admired Plastic Tree for their visuals, but I'm steadily begining to love their music as well. I'm definitly gonna save up for some of their ablums. Also, have you seen the merchandise for their upcoming concert tour too? I so want the t-shirt and wrist-strap- the panda is adorable!!  (Sasabuchi has the pictures of them)

Olivia has new song! Title "bleeding heart" (inspired by bleeding love?) it's a really nice laid-back pop rock special Olivia ethereal-ness type of song. I didn't like it that much at first but I love it now. So glad she's back and still sounding fantastic. I think Nana was the best thing for her, she's really matured :D

Lastly, Just like to say that I don't really like Ayu's new single. I don't know but everything annoys me about it. The covers are photoshopped in all the wrong ways, and Ayu looks weird expresion wise. The PV no matter the meaing is wierd and over the top, And her performance of it was equally over the top. She couldn't walk in the shoes. The song itself is really good, though the string part is unnecesary and it really doens't stand out as anything amazing. Life is also OK but mediocre, and the two new versions though wonderfull sung were never songs I liked from Ayu. I would have prefered "Powder snow" or "song for xx" or even "poker face".  Depend on you's instrumentation sounds ripped off from somewhere. also, there is a riduculous amount of versions"! all in all, money-grabbing good but nothing special single. Dissapointing after the awesomeness that was GUILTY.

That's about it.   Bai bai : )

T is Tohoshinki's third album released on January 22nd. It  comes in a riduculous money-grabbing three versions, all of which have different track listings. Even more clever, there are songs exclusive to the CD only and there is a Bonus CD to another version. Lastly there is a 2CD and 2DVD  addition, which I assume is limited edition. To make the review of "T" easier on me I'll begin first with a review of the bonus disk. It's a shame this bonus CD is probably only limited edition, as it is quite nice. The bonus CD is mainly centered on Ballads, both upbeat and slow.

1: Song for you
2: Day moon ~Harudal~
3: Beautiful Life
4: You're my miracle
5: Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara

The bonus disk opens with the upbeat ballad- "song for you". On the version that I downloaded, this was the first song that played and it really helped me fall in love with the CD. Song for you features beautiful, heartfelt vocals and brilliant arrangement. It's a nice, easy listen- the way pop should be. The next track is the RnB influenced ballad: Day moon ~Harudal~. This track has a strange opening with thunder that soon goes to the main arrangement. This ballad is a little slower, with RnB influence. Once again, gorgeous and emotional vocals. This track is similiar in style to Song for you, but is still nice to listen to: and is quite relaxing. The strings are a nice addition.  There is even more RnB influence with Beautiful life, which actually...isn't really a ballad. Nvm. I think arrangement of this song is really good. The chorus is a little annoying with the strange sounding instrument in the background- and I don't like it as much as the first too tracks however the vocals are still really good- especially during the bridge. The one guys voice (the one who sings first)  really suits the song. This is a nice, laid back RnB track. 4th up is "You're my miracle"- another heartfelt ballad. I like the dynamics, the way it starts quiet then goes loud. The chorus is one of the best on the CD, with lots of emotion. Once again, excellent use of strings and brilliant vocals. The last track "Kiss Shita Mama, Sayonara" is very very sad- and it wants to be.  The opening is quite beautiful though, with the simple piano chords and the strings that are eventually added. It is a classic sad ballad with piano and strings. However, even though the vocals are gorgeous (They  do mess up sometimes though) and feature just the right amount of pain I think the song goes on a little too much. If the lament was shorter, it may be better. However, there is no denying that the chorus is even better than You're my miracle. The ending of this song is just too cheesy...though quite nice. Brilliant use of silence and emotion throughout this over the top ballad.

Overall, this CD is a nice listen. The vocals, arrangement and whatnot are really good- there are some quality ballads and pop oriented tunes here. I reccomend you listen : ) overall rating:  4.7/5 (this is a plausible rating!)

I didn't know you got boys love in Korea. Seems you do. Introducing- the summit!

Han Sae Lee is every girl’s dream—tall, dark, and handsome with a whole lot of attitude. He knows he’s the catch, but right now, he’s interested in catching a brazen, blond brat and teaching him a lesson or two...WAIT! How can one skinny (but very cute!) boy with sticky fingers (stole Han Sae’s wallet when they first met) give him the run-around so easily? There’s something about Moto that makes Han Sae see red—and not necessarily with anger.

Somehow, Moto has entered Han Sae’s life and shows no signs of leaving. What are Moto’s motives for befriending the “prince”? How far can this friendship go? These questions plague Han Sae as Moto becomes more important to him than he wants to admit.

Filled with sexy boys, with angsty pasts and emotional problems: it's amazing! The relationships are cool too. I want Moto and Sae Ju to be together, thoug I also want to know Moto's past.

Hehe- on to volume two!