Monday, September 29, 2008
L'Arc~en~Ciel - DRINK IT DOWN
DRINK IT DOWN is L'Arc~en~Ciel's 34th single . This was released on April 2nd this year & it's the theme song of the video game Devil May Cry 4 .
The song is their 1st single release of the year , 2nd's their 35th single NEXUS 4 / SHINE .
I remembered when I 1st heard this song , I was really creeped out big time because of the melody which was quite eerie for my liking but after I realised it's used for Devil May Cry 4 , now I understand why DRINK IT DOWN sounds like that to fit the theme of the video game & I must add this's 1 song that's growing on me pretty well .
Just a note , don't watch the music video of DRINK IT DOWN at night for obvious reasons .
DRINK IT DOWN
Sunday, September 28, 2008
NEWS - Gan Gan Ganbatte (Go Go Go For It ! ) , Push On ! & GAME of LOVE (Happy Birthday B-sides)
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
Gan Gan Ganbatte (Go Go Go For It !) , Push On ! & GAME of LOVE are the 3 B-sides found on NEWS's upcoming 10th single Happy Birthday which's scheduled to be released this coming Wed in Japan .
On 1st listen , I find Gan Gan Ganbatte quite bland & it's a typical NEWS song in that it's nothing fantastic to shout about . Hopefully when I give this song a few more listens , I will be able to remember it on how it sounds like . But I must admit it's 1 peppy & upbeat no. .
Push On ! is only available in the regular edition of the single . I love the melody of Push On ! & it's quite a slow jam midtempo no. , it kinda reminded me of some of NEWS's other songs which has a music box like melody like Zutto (Much) which's track 6 on their debut album touch .
GAME of LOVE is only available in the limited edition of Happy Birthday . I remembered when I 1st heard the preview of GAME of LOVE , I was quite surprised because it sounded nothing like what they have done before . The guys's vocals sounded distorted in this no. which has a techno sound/edge to it but for some reason , this combination actually works in their favor pretty welll .
Gan Gan Ganbatte
Push On !
GAME of LOVE
Saturday, September 27, 2008
L'Arc~en~Ciel - NEXUS 4 / SHINE
Tracklist :
1) NEXUS 4
2) SHINE
3) NEXUS 4 (Hydeless Version)
4) SHINE (Hydeless Version)
NEXUS 4 / SHINE is L'Arc~en~Ciel's 35th single . This was released last month on the 27th & it's the band's 2nd single release of the year after DRINK IT DOWN .
NEXUS 4 was used in a commercial for Subaru Legacy and SHINE was used as the opening song for NHK anime series Guardian of the Spirit .
1 of the most respected jrock bands has finally caught my attention after MTV China been playing NEXUS 4 on heavy rotation . L'Arc~en~Ciel is the french word for Rainbow & this quartet has been around since 1991 & to be together for 17 years & counting , it's no mean feat .
Both songs are quite the same in that both are rock songs . So far I'm more in tune with NEXUS 4 as I'm more familiar with it since MTV China & MTV Asia has been playing it on heavy rotation unlike SHINE . I only saw & heard SHINE earlier on that was being played on MTV China & I must say it's a great song that's backed up with an equally fantastic video in which the special effects of it are just gorgeous to boot .
My younger sister commended that the video of SHINE is like ARASHI's One Love except it's even better which I tend to agree .
Looks like I'm off to listen to some of their more recent material including their latest 11th album KISS .
Friday, September 26, 2008
BREAKERZ - Sekai wa Odoru (The World Dancing)
1st CD Only Cover :
1st CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Sekai wa Odoru (The World Dancing)
2) Shakunetsu (Burning)
Sekai wa Odoru (The World Dancing) is the 1st double A-side single of BREAKERZ's 2nd single Sekai wa Odoru (The World Dancing) / Shakunetsu (Burning) which was released on Wed in Japan .
The song is used as September's ending theme of Music Fighter .
I have already heard the charged up rock no. Shakunetsu a few days ago & earlier this morning I finally managed to hear & watch the video of Sekai wa Odoru since both songs received their own PVs & I really love the music arrangement of Sekai wa Odoru .
Unlike Shakunetsu , Sekai wa Odoru is a more mellow guitar driven rock no. which's backed up with a great violin string esemble & frontman DAIGO's vocals really compliment with the melody of Sekai wa Odoru extremely well .
Just like their debut single SUMMER PARTY / LAST EMOTION , Sekai wa Odoru / Shakunetsu is yet another solid double A-side single coming from this talented JRock trio & I really cannot wait for their 3rd single Angelic Smile / WINTER PARTY to drop on Nov 5th in Japan !
*Sekai wa Odoru / Shakunetsu's debut peak position in the 1st week - no.6 with 1st week sales of 19,559 copiesSekai wa Odoru
Sunday, September 21, 2008
ARASHI - Beautiful days Single Details
Source
Beautiful days will be the upcoming 24th single released by ARASHI . This's scheduled to be released on Nov 5th in Japan & it will be used as the theme song for the dodrama Ryusei no Kizuna starring fellow ARASHI member Nino & NEWS's Ryo .
Man there's no stopping the guys if you ask me & 2008 has been an incredible year for them & Beautiful days is the 4th single that the guys have put out this year & I have never seen a Johnny & Associates act putting out 4 singles within a year with the maximum no. I have seen's 3 singles .
This comes in about 1 month & a week + since the release of truth / Kaze no Mukou e which's currently Japan's top selling single of the year .
NEWS - EASY COME , EASY GO , Baby ! Be My Baby ! & Liar (SUMMER TIME's B-sides)
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
EASY COME , EASY GO , Baby ! Be My Baby ! & Liar are the 3 B-sides found on NEWS's 9th single SUMMER TIME .
EASY COME , EASY GO is actually the very 1st B-side single that I heard from the guys & as the title suggest , it's an easy listening piece of no. . It's nothing impressive to shout about frankly but still this's 1 song that I don't mind to listen to over & over again .
Baby ! Be My Baby ! is found only in the regular edition of the single . The opening sounds like track 9 on NEWS's debut album touch which was Shissou ! (Dash !) Friday Night . Aside from this , I must admit that Baby ! Be My Baby ! is a really catchy song on 1st listen .
Liar is found only in the limited edition of the single & this's another angsty driven no. . It has quite a few shades of rock going on in the melody but other than that , they carried off the song pretty well for that matter .
NEWS - Utsukushisugite (Too beautiful) Beautiful Eyes , Lady Spider & Bambina (Taiyou no Namida's B-sides)
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
Utsukushisugite (Too beautiful) Beautiful Eyes , Lady Spider & Bambina are 3 B-sides found on NEWS's 8th single Taiyou no Namida .
I love Utsukushisugite (Too beautiful) Beautiful Eyes on 1st listen as it's such a sweet nice ballad & the way that the guys's vocals harmonise together , it works extremely well in their favor which's great .
Lady Spider is found only in the regular edition of the single . This's an edgy & quite angsty driven no. . Despite the weird title , this's another catchy B-side single that I like coming from NEWS .
The final B-side Bambina is found only in the limited edition of the single . This's quite a techno driven no. . I usually don't like techno/trance music to begin with but Bambina is an exception . The melody's so addictive on 1st listen it hurts .
I'm overall quite impressed with all the B-sides found on Taiyou no Namida . I think it will be awesome if they were to put out a triple A side single instead of releasing just 1 A-side alone , maybe that will happen in time to come ?
CD Review :: OLIVIA - Trinka Trinka EP
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Trinka trinka
2) Rain
3) Because
4) Collecting sparkles
5) Miss you
6) Your smile
Trinka Trinka is OLIVIA's 6th mini album . This was released just this Wed in Japan .
Unlike her previous mini album The Cloudy Dreamer , no singles were released prior to the announcement of Trinka Trinka .
The album kick things off with the song Trinka trinka . I was surprised when I 1st heard this song because it showcase a very different music side to OLIVIA . It has a futuristic beat & somehow it has a very dreamy feel to it .
Although her vocals tend to sound somewhat distorted in here , somehow it tends to work in her favor for that matter .
Track 2's titled Rain & I guess you can call this the unofficial single of Trinka Trinka since this's the only song that received its own video . I still think this's 1 great track & apparently there was a line that I thought she went 'the rain is back , oh shit' but after I checked the lyrics , it's actually 'the rain is vanishing' .
The next track's the longest song on the EP . Titled Because , this's quite a depressing song for that matter & it's 1 of the 2 ballads found on Trinka Trinka . I still don't really take much of a liking to Because but hopefully in due time I will grow to like it .
Collecting sparkles is up next & just like Trinka trinka , it has a very futuristic sound to it & it's quite heavily emphasised on the synth factor . I like both songs as it's very different to OLIVIA's previous works .
Track 5's titled Miss you & I can't help but feel that Miss you bear similarities to Bleeding Heart which she contributed to the FLOWER FESTIVAL compilation album .
Still , I enjoy Miss you as it showcases some great vocals coming from OLIVIA .
I think it's a good way to close off the EP with Your smile . The original title was Real Love but it has since been renamed . Your smile has bite & it reminded me of her previous angsty songs like Wish . Then again I always like her upbeat no.s to begin with .
Trinka Trinka overall is quite a good comeback from OLIVIA . I can definitely tell she has shown maturity in this mini album be it in her lyrics or her music . The material's less darker & depressing unlike in The Cloudy Dreamer .
I do hope that in the near future , she can come up with a full length album & not to mention put out an official single too as it has been almost 2 years + since she last released Wish / Starless Night .
Saturday, September 20, 2008
KAT-TUN - B-sides Mega Post ReviewThis post will consist of B-sides reviews of the guys of KAT-TUN . I will review B-sides that they have done from their debut single Real Face all the way to their 5th single Keep the faith since I have already reviewed the B-sides for LIPS & DON'T U EVER STOP .
GLORIA & Will Be All Right [Regular Edition Track] (Real Face's B-sides)
GLORIA sounds like a distinct cousin of Real Face if you ask me because just like the A-side , GLORIA is a highly charged up rock no. which I took to instant liking on 1st listen .
Found in the regular edition pressing of Real Face is Will Be All Right . This's another great B-side & I actually like this a bit more than GLORIA . I'm not sure why but Will Be All Right is an extremely peppy song which gives out positive vibes & not to mention the closing of Will Be All Right with the tinkling of the piano gives a nice touch in ending the song with a good note .
I'll be with you (CD Only Track) (SIGNAL's B-side)
Only found in the CD only edition of the single , I'll be with you is a great contrast to the otherwise poppy no. SIGNAL . I'll be with you is a really nice & soothing mid tempo ballad which allows the guys to showcase their harmonies & vocals in their finest form possible .
Way of Love & Le ciel ~Kimi no Shiawase Inoru Kotoba~ (The Sky ~Words that Pray for Your Happiness)[X'mas Remix 5 Version] [CD Only Limited Edition Track] (Bokura no Machi de's B-sides)
Way of Love is 1 hell of a great B-side . This reminded me of Nannen Tattemo (Even after many years) which's track 11 on their 3rd album KAT-TUN III -QUEEN OF PIRATES- . Way of Love is a really nice upbeat song that I really enjoyed .
Le ciel ~Kimi no Shiawase Inoru Kotoba~ (The Sky ~Words that Pray for Your Happiness) [X'mas Remix 5 Version] is only available in the CD only limited edition of the single & as the title suggest , this's a christmas rearrangement of Le ciel ~Kimi no Shiawase Inoru Kotoba~ .
I find this remix really unusual because it mixed rap & christmas beats but somehow this strange combination works in the guys's favor .
Your side (Yorokobi no Uta's B-side)
Unlike the highly charged up Yorokobi no Uta , Your side's a more simplified song with a bit of Egyptian influence thrown in for good measure .
I must admit that it took me quite a while to remember how Your side sounded like but this's 1 B-side that's growing on me in time to come .
Crazy Love & Lovin' U [CD Only Limited Edition Track] (Keep the faith's B-sides)
I took an instant liking to Crazy Love when I 1st heard it simply because it's such a touching nice sweet ballad just like the other ballads that they have put out in their debut & 3rd albums . The way that the guys harmonise their vocals in this no. is really good .
Lovin' U is only available in the CD only limited edition of the single . This's a slow midtempo no. which's quite guitar driven . The melody's a more simplistic one & it's not as complicated as some of the guys's other material
BREAKERZ - Shakunetsu (Burning)
2nd CD Only Cover :
2nd CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) Shakunetsu (Burning)
2) Sekai wa Odoru (The World Dancing)
Shakunetsu (Burning) is the 2nd A-side song found in JRock trio BREAKERZ's 2nd single Sekai wa Odoru / Shakunetsu in which their latest double a-side single will be released next Wed in Japan .
Shakunetsu was used to promote Japanese release of Wanted since there're footages being shown with regards to the Shakunetsu video .
Just like their debut single SUMMER PARTY / LAST EMOTION , Shakunetsu is a straight up highly charged up rock no. coming from BREAKERZ . This's 1 nice energetic song that I took to instant liking when I 1st heard it earlier on .
I haven't heard how Sekai wa Odoru (The world dance) sounds like & not to mention I haven't seen the video for this song too . I hope I will be able to view/hear it real soon .Shakunetsu
Anna Tsuchiya - NUDY SHOW ! Album Details
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Tracklist :
1) overture
2) Cockroach
3) Crazy World Feat AI
4) Virgin Cat
5) GINGER Feat MONKEY MAJIK
6) u
7) Dirty Game
8) Style
9) masquerade
10) BUBBLE TRIP
11) Serenade
12) Shape of your love
13) cocoon ～NUDY SHOW ! version～
14) LUCY
15) RIDE ON !
16) BLOOD ON BLOOD
17) Kuroi Namida (Black Tears) ～deep sadness version～
DVD :
1) Kuroi Namida (Black Tears)
2) LUCY
3) BUBBLE TRIP
4) cocoon
5) Crazy World Feat AI
6) Virgin Cat
7) GINGER
8) Special contents 1 (OFF SHOT)
[SING OR DIE II]season 07-08
9) Special contents 2 (CM CLIP)
EDWIN
DAIICHIKOSHO （MUSIC : sweet sweet song）
Baby-G
NUDY SHOW ! is Anna Tsuchiya's upcoming 3rd new album [I count ANNA TSUCHIYA inspi' NANA (BLACK STONES) as her 2nd album] . This is going to be released next month on the 29th in Japan .
The tracklist have just been announced alongside with the DVD contents via Anna's official site . Out of 17 tracks , 6 singles (from her 4th single Kuroi Namida to her recent single Virgin Cat) & 1 of the 2 B-sides from her 7th single cocoon ala u are included in NUDY SHOW ! which means to say that there will be a generous mix of 9 new songs (overture not included) that are included in the lineup for NUDY SHOW ! .
1st of all , covers wise , they're really colourful I must add unlike the covers for her debut album strip me ? . When I 1st heard of the album title NUDY SHOW ! , I was expecting something worst but thankfully they're pretty good in a weird manner .
Next , the tracklist . Singles wise , the 1st thing that came to my attention was the ～deep sadness version～ of Kuroi Namida which surprised me because this's 1 of my fave rearrangements of Anna's songs & this can be found in the Kuroi Namida single as track 4 & I'm so happy that she has included this version as it never fails to blow me away whenever I listen to it .
& I see a ～NUDY SHOW ! version～ of her 7th single cocoon which probably going to sound interesting judging from the rearrangement title alone .
In a way I thought it will be better if she were to exclude Kuroi Namida & LUCY since these songs are already included in ANNA TSUCHIYA inspi' NANA (BLACK STONES) but I suppose since she has included the ～deep sadness version～ of Kuroi Namida in the mix , I can let Anna off the hook & I adore LUCY a lot as well .
However , I'm really bummed that she has excluded sweet sweet song (the 2nd A-side single from her 6th single BUBBLE TRIP / sweet sweet song) & also the B-side of Virgin Cat ala Imitation night as this's 1 of the best B-sides that Anna has put out since the start of her solo career .
Non singles wise , some of the song titles are just weird & I thought Virgin Cat & cocoon are up there but the 1st thing that caught my attention was the 1st song which's Cockroach LOL .
Honestly in a way , I can't wait to hear how masquerade , BLOOD ON BLOOD & Shape of your love sounds like . Shape of your love sounds like it's going to be a ballad judging from the song title itself .
Frankly I'm surprised that the no. of non singles that Anna has included in NUDY SHOW ! is quite good especially since the non singles outnumber the singles . If you exclude u , you have 9 new songs in which I suspect 1 or some or none might be an interlude/intro or so but I could be wrong about it .
Let's hope that the non singles will be on par if not be more superior than the singles since I love all the singles that she has put out since her debut & I'm actually looking forward to hear the new material in NUDY SHOW ! . I do hope that NUDY SHOW ! is not going to be another straight up full rock album like her 1st 2 albums & her Taste My Beat EP .
DVD wise , looks like the video of Virgin Cat's included & that's practically the answer as to why Virgin Cat was released only in a CD only format like her 1st 2 singles . Her subsequent singles that she put out after that were released in CD only and CD + DVD formatting & like what I said before , I'm quite sad that she didn't include the video of sweet sweet song . At most she should have included it in !
With that said , I so can't wait for NUDY SHOW ! to be released in due time . Anna's 1 of my fave artistes & I like the fact that she's an individual in her own right .
Friday, September 19, 2008
BAReeeeeeeeeeN - Ashiato (Footprint)
Ashiato (Footprint) is BAReeeeeeeeeeN's debut single . This will be released next month on the 1st in Japan .
I know what a name of this band but just to shed a little bit of light on this group . BAReeeeeeeeeeN is actually a collaboration between GReeeeeN and the band BACK-ON .
The two groups have a total of 9 members , but joining them as the producer and 10th member (and the 10th 'e') is JIN , the older brother of GReeeeeN leader HIDE . At least now I understand why there's 10 e's in BAReeeeeeeeeeN & also why there're 4 e's in GReeeeN too .
Anyway , like what I'm saying , Ashiato's BAReeeeeeeeeeN's debut single & this's a really nice song that I enjoyed . The music/melody has shades of GReeeeN & HIDE's voice's very distinct & I like that his vocals compliment the rapping vocals of the guys of BACK-ON (who I assumed it's a 5 piece since GReeeeeN's a quartet) extremely well .
& speaking of GReeeeN , I'm hoping they will come up with a new single real soon !
V6 - Swing !
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Type A Cover :
Limited Edition Type B Cover :
Swing ! is the other/2nd A-side of V6's 34th single LIGHT IN YOUR HEART / Swing ! . This double A side was released 2 days ago in Japan .
CDJapan describes Swing ! as a dancey no. but personally I think it's more of an upbeat R&B no. with shades of jazz being thrown in for good measures .
I must admit initally I find the melody real annoying & the fact that the guys were rapping & singing at the same time , it took me a while to get used to it but I must say that Swing ! is growing on me right now alongside with LIGHT IN YOUR HEART which's a great A-side song .
Now's to wait for the video of Swing ! to be uploaded on the net .
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Koda Kumi - Always (TABOO's B-side)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Always is the B-side found on Koda Kumi's upcoming/41st single TABOO . Despite the fact that the single will not be released til 8th next month , the full length version of Always has already leaked alongside with TABOO .
I really enjoy the B-side Always when I 1st heard it . It's like a take 2 version of Himitsu (Secret) which is track 3 on Koda's 6th album Kingdom , be it the melody or the tone/sound of it .
This's such a great mirror contrast to the A-side the feisty & seriously catchy no. TABOO & I must say that I think musically , Koda has stepped up her game in terms of music & quality production wise . I was quite disappointed with the release of her previous single MOON which has 4 tracks & ironically the 2 tracks (Once Again & Lady Go !) that didn't received their own videos sounds better than the other 2 (Moon Crying & That Ain't Cool) that received their own videos & don't get me started on the overhype for nothing 'duet' that she did with Fergie ala That Ain't Cool .
TABOO is a more fitting comeback for Koda & I really can't wait for the video to be out real soon !
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Anna Tsuchiya - Imitation night & Virgin Cat (LAVA Remix) [Virgin Cat's B-sides]
Imitation night & Virgin Cat (LAVA Remix) are the 2 B-sides found on Anna Tsuchiya's 9th single Virgin Cat which was released on Wed in Japan .
Wow , for once Anna has released a B-side that's not in full Eng & Imitation night is a sharp contrast to the otherwise pop/jazzy A-side ala Virgin Cat . Imitation night sees Anna returning back to her rock roots & it presents a more harder edge sound & this's 1 of her best B-sides that she put out in recent times .
I love that the melody & emotions that Anna put into Imitation night grabs me on 1st listen which's great ! It's a pity that this great song would not make the cut in her upcoming 3rd album NUDY SHOW !
The oddly titled LAVA Remix of Virgin Cat is the only remix found on the single & this surprises me because unlike the original , the remix of Virgin Cat is a more laid back & robust tune & I can see myself listening to this chilled out remix on a lazy afternoon & the saxaphone adds a nice touch to the remix .
Friday, September 12, 2008
abingdon boys school - INNOCENT SORROW
Tracklist :
1) INNOCENT SORROW
2) Fre@k SHoW
INNOCENT SORROW is abingdon boys school's debut single . This was released 2 years ago on 6th Dec in Japan . INNOCENT SORROW was used as the first opening song to the anime series , D.Gray-man .
I have to confess that when I 1st heard INNOCENT SORROW , I didn't like it as I was more in tune with their 2nd single HOWLING more than their debut single but as time grows by , I have began to adore INNOCENT SORROW even more than before . I think something changed my perception on the song after I watched the video to it & I love the melody & synths that was used in INNOCENT SORROW .
The B-side is called Fre@k SHoW & it's featured on Death Note : The Last Name Tribute , a compilation of songs from various artists dedicated to the second Death Note movie & this's sung completely in full Eng just like what happened in their subsequent B-sides found in their future 3 singles that they have put out after INNOCENT SORROW .
Frontman Takanori wrote the lyrics to Fre@k SHoW & I like the guitar riffs going on in the song & his Eng dictation's commendable .
I'm still hoping for new material coming from abs as I'm a big fan of them & not to mention they haven't put out anything new since last Dec's BLADE CHORD . I'm still hoping for a new single that they will put out in the near future .
V6 - LIGHT IN YOUR HEART
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Type A Cover :
Limited Edition Type B Cover :
LIGHT IN YOUR HEART is 1 1/2 of V6's 34th single LIGHT IN YOUR HEART / Swing ! which's going to be released next Wed in Japan . The 1st A side LIGHT IN YOUR HEART is used as the theme song to the upcoming film Daikessen ! Cho Ultra 8 Kyodai .
This's 1 very nice & uplifting no. coming from the Senpai's of Johnny & Associates . I like the way the guys's vocals harmonise real well & in synth with the melody although I wish the video will be more fun/entertaining to watch like Chou .
I haven't heard how the other A-side Swing ! sounds like but CDJapan mentioned that it's a dancey no. so hopefully it will sound good just like LIGHT IN YOUR HEART !
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Koda Kumi - TABOO
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
TABOO is Koda Kumi's 41st single . It's going to be released next month on the 8th in Japan .
After the somewhat sub par material that Koda dished out in her previous single MOON , she's pretty much back in fine form with this dancey upbeat R&B no. ! The melody's extremely infectious on 1st listen & it has a very catchy hook to boot as well & it reminded me of her previous great dancey R&B no.s like Get Up & Move !! & the full version of Black Cherry .
& I like the fact that it grabs my attention instantly after I downloaded a good quality radio rip of the song earlier on & this's more of a fitting comeback from Koda if you ask me !
I only wish that she say less of the word TABOO in the song but I suppose it's quite fitting since that's the title of the A-side .
Hopefully the video will be something good as I heard it's rumoured to be a BUT part 2 , scandalous stuff !
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
NEWS - Happy Birthday
Regular Edition Cover :
Limited Edition Cover :
Happy Birthday is NEWS's 10th single . This's going to be released next month on the 1st in Japan .
CDJapan describes the single as "a hip new birthday song penned by SEAMO . Brace yourself for a catchy sound and soft melody as NEWS wishes a happy birthday to the people they love ."
So far a radio rip of the song has been surfaced on the net & I managed to hear/download it . My 1st impression when I heard Happy Birthday was that it sounded really different from their previous singles that they have put out .
& I must admit , it took me a while to warm up to like Happy Birthday as evident as what happened in their previous single SUMMER TIME where I didn't like it initally but it took me a couple more spins & then subsequently I begin to like SUMMER TIME .
The melody of Happy Birthday's quite cheery for the matter & I do admit it gets really catchy as each listen goes by .
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
alan - Kagome (Woven Bamboo Pattern) [Kaze no Tegami's B-side]
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
Kagome (Woven Bamboo Pattern) is the B-side of alan's 5th single Kaze no Tegami which the single's going to be released tomorrow in Japan .
I must say that so far all the B-sides songs that alan has put out since her debut Japanese single Ashita e no Sanka are really fantastic & the same thing goes for Kagome as well .
I love how fresh the song sounds & just like Kaze no Tegami , it also has the rock edge going on in the melody but the good thing's that I'm able to distinguish the A-ide & B-side real easily .
Kaze no Tegami has a more heavier emphasised on the synth factor but Kagome's melody's a more simplistic one .
Another great single coming from alan . I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve in due time !
Monday, September 08, 2008
ai otsuka - H20 & Ame no Tsubu (Raindrops) , Waltz ~LOVE MUSiC~ (Kurage , Nagareboshi's B-sides)
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
5th Anniversary Covers ::
CD Only Cover :
CD + DVD Cover :
H20 & Ame no Tsubu (Raindrops) , Waltz ~LOVE MUSiC~ are the 2 B-sides songs found on ai otsuka's 18th single Kurage , Nagareboshi (Jellyfish , Shooting Star) .
With a weird title like H20 , I was expecting worst things when I 1st heard it but I'm quite surprised at how it sounded like . It's typical pop/rock stuff coming from otsuka & honestly I'm not really that big on her B-sides as they're nothing mind blowing to begin with but this's not bad at all .
I prefer the other B-side a lot more than H20 . Called Ame no Tsubu (Raindrops) , Waltz ~LOVE MUSiC~ , this's a really charming & sweet ballad & I really like the sound of the title way before I heard it .
It's slightly more upbeat than Kurage , Nagareboshi but still this's 1 solid B-side & for me to say that of otsuka , it's quite something & I like the strings at the end of the song , it adds a nice touch to this already great B-side .
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Yuna Ito - BREEEEEZIN !!! & Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix- (miss you's B-sides)
BREEEEEZIN !!! & Urban Mermaid -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix- are 2 B-sides found on Yuna Ito's 11th single miss you .
This time round , I'm quite impressed with the quality of the B-sides found on miss you . 1st up in line's BREEEEEZIN !!! & I was immediately drawn to the melody & beats of the song .
I know I usually say that I don't like it when Yuna does upbeat/uptempo no.s but BREEEEEZIN !!! is a really good & peppy B-side song & it has a good contrast to the otherwise sad tinged miss you .
The -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix- of Urban Mermaid is not bad at all . Unlike the original which has a more organic pop sound to it , the -Bittersweet Movement Blood-I Riddimix- presents a somewhat more calming & simplistic tone to it .
I do admit I like the strings that's going on in this particular remix . Looks like Yuna has really stepped up a notch or 2 musically wise which's great .
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
ARASHI - Re(mark)able
Re(mark)able is a song that's only found in a special CD which comes together with ARASHI's latest photobook called ARASHI IS ALIVE ! .
The photobook was released officially today via CDJapan & I heard that Sakurai's the one who wrote all the rapping parts for Re(mark)able .
Frankly , when I 1st heard Re(mark)able , it reminded me of COOL & SOUL part 2 since everyone rapped in COOL & SOUL & so's in Re(mark)able . Maybe because I have a slight dislike towards COOL & SOUL since I don't think rapping's everyone's strength in the band except for Sakurai , that's why I'm not really feeling that much love for Re(mark)able despite numerous listens .
But I do admit it's a grower & the melody for Re(mark)able is really rocking & nice . Not to mention have to give props to Sakurai for writing the rap lyrics for everyone on Re(mark)able too .
Listen to it & you be the judge .
Re(mark)able
