sad to say
November 27, 2009 at 11:37 PM | In JASMINE | Leave a Comment
Artist: JASMINE
Release Date: June 24, 2009
Label: Sony Music Japan?
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. sad to say
2. i’m in luv wit u (1989 remix)
3. Koi
4. i’m in luv wit u (laid back remix)
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Since everyone else was reviewing her, I decided to review her too!
With a shift from reviewing J-pop music, I specifically decided to review a singer that specializes in R&B with a touch of English and Wester Hip-hop. Anyways, most of sad to say was pretty much sung in English but had the kind of arrangement that would quickly draw in the audience. In other words, I pretty much got myself hooked! (Even though I’m not so big on R&B.) Despite the very mature language used, it turns out that JASMINE is pretty much an exception when it comes to Japanese music genre-wise.
The i’m in luv wit u (1989 remix) is filled with electrnica beats that can really distort and filter her awesome vocals. So the downside is pretty much the fact that JASMINE isn’t really singing with her true voice. At least the chorus soudns pretty catchy.
For some reason, I think Koi is such a common title for J-pop songs. At least with JASMINE’s vocals, synch really well with the arrangement. With this song, it displays her vocals A LOT more than the first two tracks!
The i’m in luv wit u (laid back remix) is pretty much what the title suggests. The song is a laid back version of the original version. (Wait, was there even an original version?)
Personal Rating: 4/5
KiSS KiSS xxx
November 27, 2009 at 11:01 PM | In MiCHi | Leave a Comment
Artist: MiCHi
Release Date: May 27, 2009
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. KiSS KiSS xxx
2. WoNDeRLaND?
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit
4. ChaNge the WoRLd (remix)
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Believe it or not, KiSS KiSS xxx may have thought to have been one of MiCHi’s most addicitng songs ever but there are still elements that have been carried on from PROMiSE. (Which was like three releases ago.) Plus there’s ChaNge the WoRLd that already soudns similar. I’m just thinking that MiCHi probably needs to try something different with her A-sides. (Preferably something MUCH different from PROMiSE.) At least her vocals are still a big plus.
This time, the B-side doesn’t really surpass the A-side. WoNDeRLaND? soudns pretty underwhelming but the new thing is that she speaks French for some parts of the song but then there’s that harmonica that somehow mixes well with the song. Let’s just say that this song was okay.
Just so you know, Smells Like Teen Spirit was MiCHi’s cover of Nirvana’s version. I guess this was an okay’s version of the cover but it’s sure interesting to hear a woman sing a hit song that was sung by a guy.
And like always, her remixes aren’t really all that great…
Personal Rating: 4/5
ChaNge the WoRLd
November 26, 2009 at 9:49 PM | In MiCHi | Leave a Comment
Artist: MiCHi
Release Date: February 18, 2009
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. ChaNge the WoRLd
2. One of a Kind
3. PROMiSE (Smart Sports ver.)
4. HEy GirL (XB remix)
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What’s with all of the complicated upper and lowercase titles? It makes it so darn hard to type out!
Looks like ChaNge the WoRLd took after PROMiSE. Not to mention that they really do sound like they’re from the same category but there’s more added to ChaNge the WoRLd. (Like more instruments and English verses.) But for some reason, I prefer PROMiSE since there’s a more powerful chorus and the song seems to stand out more.
One of a Kind is actually a pretty aggressive song with all of the lyrics completely in English and there’s like no resemblance with her older songs. (Except for the fact that sdhe still sounds like she’s pissed off at someone.) But I’ve gotta say, it didn’t really bowl me over despite the fact that it sounds like its own kind.
Personal Rating: 4/5
MiCHi MadNesS
November 26, 2009 at 9:33 PM | In MiCHi | Leave a Comment
Artist: MiCHi
Release Date: June 27, 2008
Label: Sony Music Entertainment
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. Fuck You And Your Money
2. We Will Rock You
3. London Bridge
4. Spread Your Wings
5. Wannabe
6. ReaL
7. Madness, Vol. 2
8. Surrender
9. You Gotta Be
10. Spread Your Wings (Remix)
11. Madness, Vol. 2 (D.O.I. Remix)
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This was actually MiCHi’s debut release even though it’s pretty much an album. I’m still deciding whether I should change the way I review the albums, though.
Just to say before hand: We Will Rock You (by Queen), London Bridge (by Fergie), Wannabe (by Spice Girls), and You Gotta Be (by Des’ree) are all covers by various English pop artists. (The only main difference is the fact that MiCHi is singing the songs.)
Fuck You And Your Money (don’t mind the title), and Spread Your Wings were probably one of the most agressive that I’ve heard from MiCHi. (You know what, I just can’t type the title without feeling guilty.) F- you and your money had lyrics that actually sounded quite funny as she was describing her relationship struggle and anger. At least with Spread your Wings, the lyrics go more into the deeper side of emotions with a touch of an aggressive tone in her voice.
Madness, Vol. 2 was a song of it’s own, an interlude. The background instrumentals sounded pretty powerful and awesome making me replay the song over and over! (Even though it’s just an interlude, I thought that it was cool for a song without much vocals.) Personally, I thought that this was a one-of-a-kind interlude.
ReaL, and Surrender are the not-so agressive songs in the album; making ReaL a somewhat moderately upbeat while Surrender was pretty much like an R&B oriented song. ReaL has an interesting feel with the mood of the lyrics but the instrumentals pretty much overpowered her vocals a little bit. I’m not really an R&B listener but I thought that Surrender sounded okay.
Personal Rating: 4/5
PROMiSE
November 26, 2009 at 9:03 PM | In MiCHi | Leave a Comment
Artist: MiCHi
Release Date: October 22, 2008
Label: Sony Music Japan
Personal Rating: 3/5
1. PROMiSE
2. HEy GirL
3. Sk8er Boi
4. Fuck You And Your Money (ED BANGER ALL STARS remix)
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Okay, I was bored so I decided to start featuring some more artists. (Even though I know that I can’t handle them, lol.)
PROMiSE soudns pretty cool with the awesome English vocals and the powerful voice throughout the song. I like how there’s a build up with the instrumentals which makes the vocals sound the more appealing to listen to. There are also some segments of the song that sounds pretty cool with all of the rapping.
What’s with the elephants in HEy GirL? Anyways, the first of the B-sides doesn’t really beat PROMiSE but it’s really interesting to hear how the tone of MiCHi’s vocals sound like she screaming at someone. (Well, it suits the way she looks like on the cover.)
I seriously don’t know where I’ve heard this song before but I’ll say that Sk8er Boi suits with MiCHi’s vocals.
No comment on the Fuck You And Your Money (ED BANGER ALL STARS remix) but I’ll just say that it’s just not worth the listen.
Personal Rating: 3/5
KISS KISS KISS/aishiteru…
November 26, 2009 at 8:37 PM | In Ami Suzuki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ami Suzuki
Release Date: October 28, 2009
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 4/5
1. KISS KISS KISS (Japanese Version)
2. aishiteru…
3. KISS KISS KISS (Extended Japanese Version)
4. KISS KISS KISS (Extended English Version)
5. aishiteru… (extended)
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As far as I know, I’ve really fallen behind with reviews…
Anyways, Ami Suzuki’s Reincarnation single that had been released earlier this year was a totaly put off. But know that I’ve listened to the KISS KISS KISS I was like: ZOMG! Ami is back with her dance, dance awesomeness! Everything sounded on count and the arrangement actually syched in well with the voice! There were not off counts, messy vocals or whathamacallits. I’ve also noticed that Ami’s been improving on her english accents when she sings the english segments. I’m totally positive that the song was written by a different producer!
The KISS KISS KISS (Extended Japanese Version) and
(Extended English Version) really didn’t soudn so different from each other. Except for the lyrics and the language of course.
aishiteru… was a total wow! Just like in KISS KISS KISS, everything was well put together and it was like awesoem by default! Plus, her vocals really led and blended in with the baclground music really well.
After listening to KISS KISS KISS/aishiteru…, I realized that it’s the singer people should be paying attention to, no the song.
Personal Rating: 4/5
Swear
November 26, 2009 at 8:16 PM | In Alan | Leave a Comment
Artist: Alan
Release Date: November 4, 2009
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
1. Swear
2. Beauty
3. Swear (Instrumental)
4. Beauty (Instrumental)
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Nicer cover than the last release! But I thought that the colors were a bit too bold, I guess…
Yes! Finally! Alan finally comes out with a single that’s not a ballad! But here’s the thing, Swear was actually charted pretty low this time. What happened? I have to admit that Sora Uta and Kaze no Tegami weren’t really her greatest upbeat tracks but Swear… not really a shinning idea of trying out something new. As much as I don’t want to, but I’ll be frank: Swear was a pretty cliche track.
At least the single doesn’t go on sounding pretty boring. Beauty stands out a lot more and seems like the ideal track that would be the A-side. Seriously, Alan pretty much shows better omph in her vocals and there’s actually some sort of build up throughout the song.
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
I’m Back!!!!
November 19, 2009 at 10:08 PM | In ~News | 1 CommentThis has been one hell of a months so far!!!!! No reviews for now for a number of reasons. Well, here comes a decently long post!
Now for the update on NaNoWriMo: I have decided to leave it off for next year. The reason for this sudden decision was because there were already so many things on my plate. Ever since I started my novel project, my grades had been slipping and I’ve been neglecting my chores and hobbies like blogging, drawing and ballet. I’ve also have so many events popping up all November so I thought that this year was probably not the best time to write a novel. (Although I had this really really really really awesome idea coming in my head!!!!) Looks like I’ve gotta to wait until next year, right?
I do this every year but even so, it takes so much time! I have a ballet recital during all of Thanksgiving week but there has been so many rehersals coming up and causing me to cram with all of my physical strength. (Like nine hours worth of dancing every week.) There’s one more week left!!!
I’m also participating in the school’s holiday faire. (You know, when you have to make so many products and then sell them at the event. Pretty much like being a vendor except that it’s for your school) I’m seling knitted scarves and jewelry which takes a really long time to make. It takes a day to make one complete braclet and a week to knit a thick and long scarf. I least I’ve been starting this project during the Summertime but there’s still a lot to finish up. The faire is during the second week of December but there will be a ton of things taken off of my to do list after Thanksgiving so expect some updates and reviews by the end of November.
Finally, here’s the number one reason why people don’t go online so often: schoolwork and studying. Since my school’s been having so many minimum days and breaks during the month, our teachers tend to assign an incrediblily ridiculous amount of homework and exams all the time! I’ve been losing track of time and forgetting things here and there. And now there’s finals in about a month so as of this week its study, study, study!
Thank you guys for being so patient for the last few weeks that I haven’t been updating and I really appreciate your support! Please expect a review by the end of the month!
~Eve
Startin’/Born To Be…
November 8, 2009 at 1:54 PM | In Ayumi Hamasaki | Leave a Comment
Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki
Release Date: March 8, 2006
Label: Avex Trax
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
1. Startin’ (original mix)
2. Born To Be… (original mix)
3. teens (acoustic version)
4. Startin’ (original mix Instrumental)
5. Born To Be… (original mix Instrumental)
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The Startin’ (original mix) is pretty upbeat for my taste. The introduction has a little hip in the beats that sounds a little out of place in the song since the vocals has a touch of agressive pop in it. This was probably the first A-side that Ayu’s vocals began to sound more mature but even so, I got pretty boredof this song quickly.
Born To Be… (original mix) begins with a choir singing “Born to be” until Ayu’s vocals enters in not soon after. Now, this is new Ayu material since her songs aren’t normally oriented this way. Plus, her vocals were flawless but the arrangement still didn’t go up a notch.
Finally, the teens (acoustic version) has more stings elements instead of the traditional guitar and piano. The overall melody was great since it’s claming to the ears but now I’m wondering, was there even an original version of this song?
Personal Rating: 3.5/5
Whew…(cont.)
November 5, 2009 at 9:15 PM | In ~News | Leave a CommentI also forgot to mention that the updates will be slowing down be cause of Nanowrimo. (National Novel writing month.) I’m not sure whether to define this “slower pace of things” as a hiatus though. (since I’ll still be around.)
These past few weeks have been hectic! There are so many tests to study for, rehersals to attend and club events to participate in! I know I usually write and post tons of reviews during a month’s time but for now, I’ll write a few a week. I’m thinking it would probably be like this until a week after Thanksgiving. (Since the dance recital is during Thanksgiving week.)
Thank you for visiting the blog once in a while and I will continue crossing off the to-do lists….slowly…
~Eve
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