5 posts tagged “music”
Ahh.. w-inds.! My first ever full-blown Jpop boy group. I think I started getting into them when their first album came out. That was a preeetty long time ago. I tried and failed at collecting their stuff unlike many of my online buddies. There were too many singles, albums, dvds and merchandise just to collect. I was dead broke almost every month just trying to catch up with their new stuff. However with that being said, w-inds. will always be in the back of my head.
Long story short, I was on wFL forums and met a girl in Hong Kong who announced that there were concert goods being sold. Being a mini hardcore fan, I had to go and scoop up the goods! Then somehow, I got to know this girl and we were supposed to go meet up to sweep the goods together. I was so hardcore that I skipped summer school for it. Sadly, we couldn't find each other on the day of the sale but ended up buying stuff. Later that day, we met up AFTER the sale just to gush about our goodies. I think we both almost spent up to $150 USD each that day. Crazy fangirls that have now become great friends. The End. What a great story! =)
Now, I don't exactly like w-inds. anymore since their voices have changed a lot but I do try to catch up with some of their new stuff sometimes. I think I stopped at one of their last bestest singles "Long Road". After that it was downhill for me. w-inds. have now put out 21 singles, 1 remix single, 1 collab single, 6 albums, 1 Best album and 1 remix-collab album. That is pretty impressive for 3 teenage-turned-adult men. Today, I'll only be talking about their newest remix single known as "Single Mega-Mix".
First of all, I don't even know why they wanted to do this. It's squeezing out more and more money out of the fans. You think I was bad spending so much on concert goods? You should think about the other fangirls who pre-order limited things every month. At first I thought this was a remix album and thought w-inds. had gone mad. But then I found out it was a SINGLE which sort of makes it easier to swallow. It's a 32 minute single that includes snippets of all the chorus parts OF their entire collection of singles as well as an added bonus song. I don't think it's a great idea to spend your money on this but if you are a newbie then it's a great way to catch up. But if you aren't a newbie, you will find that you have stepped into a very long commercial of preview songs. It's almost like those previews on itunes where you only get the good parts of the song. So think that multiply 26 + 1 full song and sadly 5 of those songs are like radio edits(practically the same as the original remix). Now, don't even get me started with the remixing. All the upbeat songs are the same and the slower songs have just stepped up a notch in tempo. So it doesn't really make it thaaat remixed. Usually remixes are cool but this is just a high tempo medley. Bottom line is that I would only buy it if you were really collecting and desperately in need of more w-inds. goods or if you're just a newbie.
Oh yes, if you're looking for a BETTER remix album, I would go for the Buddies album they had with 2 other groups under their label: FLAME and Lead. Full length remix songs that actually sound different from the original.
Official Site: w-inds.tv
Info Site: wiki | Pretty accurate but they are missing the collab single.
Feel to w-inds. | First fansite of google.
wFL forums | best place to discuss the group.
Where to Buy:CDJapan(Mega-Mix) | Limited Edition still available!
YesAsia(Mega-Mix) | Limited Edition only.
CDJapan(Buddies) | Cheaper and faster!
YesAsia(Buddies) | Requires 7 days to ship.
Long story short, I was on wFL forums and met a girl in Hong Kong who announced that there were concert goods being sold. Being a mini hardcore fan, I had to go and scoop up the goods! Then somehow, I got to know this girl and we were supposed to go meet up to sweep the goods together. I was so hardcore that I skipped summer school for it. Sadly, we couldn't find each other on the day of the sale but ended up buying stuff. Later that day, we met up AFTER the sale just to gush about our goodies. I think we both almost spent up to $150 USD each that day. Crazy fangirls that have now become great friends. The End. What a great story! =)
Now, I don't exactly like w-inds. anymore since their voices have changed a lot but I do try to catch up with some of their new stuff sometimes. I think I stopped at one of their last bestest singles "Long Road". After that it was downhill for me. w-inds. have now put out 21 singles, 1 remix single, 1 collab single, 6 albums, 1 Best album and 1 remix-collab album. That is pretty impressive for 3 teenage-turned-adult men. Today, I'll only be talking about their newest remix single known as "Single Mega-Mix".
First of all, I don't even know why they wanted to do this. It's squeezing out more and more money out of the fans. You think I was bad spending so much on concert goods? You should think about the other fangirls who pre-order limited things every month. At first I thought this was a remix album and thought w-inds. had gone mad. But then I found out it was a SINGLE which sort of makes it easier to swallow. It's a 32 minute single that includes snippets of all the chorus parts OF their entire collection of singles as well as an added bonus song. I don't think it's a great idea to spend your money on this but if you are a newbie then it's a great way to catch up. But if you aren't a newbie, you will find that you have stepped into a very long commercial of preview songs. It's almost like those previews on itunes where you only get the good parts of the song. So think that multiply 26 + 1 full song and sadly 5 of those songs are like radio edits(practically the same as the original remix). Now, don't even get me started with the remixing. All the upbeat songs are the same and the slower songs have just stepped up a notch in tempo. So it doesn't really make it thaaat remixed. Usually remixes are cool but this is just a high tempo medley. Bottom line is that I would only buy it if you were really collecting and desperately in need of more w-inds. goods or if you're just a newbie.
Oh yes, if you're looking for a BETTER remix album, I would go for the Buddies album they had with 2 other groups under their label: FLAME and Lead. Full length remix songs that actually sound different from the original.
Official Site: w-inds.tv
Info Site: wiki | Pretty accurate but they are missing the collab single.
Feel to w-inds. | First fansite of google.
wFL forums | best place to discuss the group.
Where to Buy:CDJapan(Mega-Mix) | Limited Edition still available!
YesAsia(Mega-Mix) | Limited Edition only.
CDJapan(Buddies) | Cheaper and faster!
YesAsia(Buddies) | Requires 7 days to ship.
Back to Jpop again... maybe. The other day I was browsing the vox posts for perfume reviews with the keyword being "perfume" and discovered a new jpop group that I've never heard of. Perfume(アーティスト) is a techno-pop girl group that consists of three members. They have 3 indies singles, 3 major singles and 1 best album. I will be reviewing the best album today which is basically all of the indies and major singles combined.
I have also heard that they are great live. I'm not quite sure about it though because it's pretty hard to do these techno songs live. You can check them out on youtube. I love the Computer City mtv a lot.
Outstanding songs:
(3) Computer City - Great mtv with an awesome dance!
Worth Checking Out:
(2) Linear Motor Girl - A bit on the poppy side but bearable. May sound like you entered a game world.
(4) Electro World - Would make a great clubbing song if it was mixed around a bit more.
New Overplayed Song:
(1) Perfect Star Perfect Style - The song that got me started!
Better Average Songs:
(5) Inryoku - It sounds like a music game song from pop'n music.
(11) Perfume - Because I like the trance-feel.
Middle Average Songs:
(8) Sweet Donuts - More pop than techno.
(9) Foundation - More girly pop stuff.
(10) Computer Driving - After 2 poppy songs, they try to bring back the techno.
(11) wonder2 - A more slower softer song. Lots of lala-ing in it. Feels like you're slowly flying above the clouds.
Slight Bit Annoying:
(6) Monochrome Effect - Has the techno beats but their singing sounds too childish.
(7) Vitamin Drop - Same thing as (6).
Ok, so I did like the major singles over all the indies singles. The indies were too happy and poppy. So warm that it made me a bit sick but don't get me wrong! The indies are just as good as the major ones.. just not my style. Perfume(アーティスト) have fun and catchy songs so I would try them out now!
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Amuse.jp
Additional Link: Perfume City | Great fansite!
Where to Buy: CDJapan | Has most of their releases.
YesAsia
I have also heard that they are great live. I'm not quite sure about it though because it's pretty hard to do these techno songs live. You can check them out on youtube. I love the Computer City mtv a lot.
Outstanding songs:
(3) Computer City - Great mtv with an awesome dance!
Worth Checking Out:
(2) Linear Motor Girl - A bit on the poppy side but bearable. May sound like you entered a game world.
(4) Electro World - Would make a great clubbing song if it was mixed around a bit more.
New Overplayed Song:
(1) Perfect Star Perfect Style - The song that got me started!
Better Average Songs:
(5) Inryoku - It sounds like a music game song from pop'n music.
(11) Perfume - Because I like the trance-feel.
Middle Average Songs:
(8) Sweet Donuts - More pop than techno.
(9) Foundation - More girly pop stuff.
(10) Computer Driving - After 2 poppy songs, they try to bring back the techno.
(11) wonder2 - A more slower softer song. Lots of lala-ing in it. Feels like you're slowly flying above the clouds.
Slight Bit Annoying:
(6) Monochrome Effect - Has the techno beats but their singing sounds too childish.
(7) Vitamin Drop - Same thing as (6).
Ok, so I did like the major singles over all the indies singles. The indies were too happy and poppy. So warm that it made me a bit sick but don't get me wrong! The indies are just as good as the major ones.. just not my style. Perfume(アーティスト) have fun and catchy songs so I would try them out now!
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Amuse.jp
Additional Link: Perfume City | Great fansite!
Where to Buy: CDJapan | Has most of their releases.
YesAsia
I have a guilty pleasure for some fun pop sometimes. Fall Out Boy is one of them. Ok, people will argue that they aren't pop. They are alternative or whatever. I bought their first album last year when I found the Panic! At the Disco cd near theirs. Liked their "Dance Dance"(yes, very overplayed) song and decided why not try the album. Bought and loved it. It's quite loud and noisy and sometimes way too hyper for me but I continue to listen to it. When the second album came out, I didn't hear one song and just decided to buy it anyway. Overall wasn't a bad purchase. Now it plays in the car every time I'm going on a long trip to the mall.
I'm going to try a new way in reviewing a cd. Don't like going through each song since I probably will only say one thing about each: good. Instead I'll list out songs that I think is worth listening to get into this song
Outstanding songs:
(2) The Take Over, The Break's Over - very addictive.
(5) Hum Hallelujah - didn't like the bridge choir hallelujah part.
(11) Bang The Doldrums - catchy beat.
Worth Checking Out:
(6) Golden - slower song with a nice piano.
(4) I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You) - Best way to hear FOB as a boyband! People say it's more mature than their other songs.
New Overplayed Song:
(3)This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arm's Race - great mtv.
Better Average Songs:
(12) Fame < Infamy - typical enjoyable loud FOB song.
(13) You're Crashing, But You're No Wave - I like how it has a sudden fast part.
Middle Average Songs:
(1) Thriller - Very familiar. Could've been better.
(9)The (After) Life Of The Party - ???
(10) The Carpal Tunnel Of Love - it's ok. Whiney and FOB.
(14) I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers - Last track on album. Not liking the vocals but I like the guitar parts.
Slight Bit Annoying:
(7) Thanks for the Memories - heard and done before.
(8) Don't You Know Who I Think I Am? - typical FOB song.
The album is ok. It's easy to like this album even with some done songs. Probably a evolving album from the last.
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Fall Out Boy Rock
Where to Buy: Amazon | New and Old albums sold.
Island Records | From the FOB site.
I'm going to try a new way in reviewing a cd. Don't like going through each song since I probably will only say one thing about each: good. Instead I'll list out songs that I think is worth listening to get into this song
Outstanding songs:
(2) The Take Over, The Break's Over - very addictive.
(5) Hum Hallelujah - didn't like the bridge choir hallelujah part.
(11) Bang The Doldrums - catchy beat.
Worth Checking Out:
(6) Golden - slower song with a nice piano.
(4) I'm Like A Lawyer With The Way I'm Always Trying To Get You Off (Me & You) - Best way to hear FOB as a boyband! People say it's more mature than their other songs.
New Overplayed Song:
(3)This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arm's Race - great mtv.
Better Average Songs:
(12) Fame < Infamy - typical enjoyable loud FOB song.
(13) You're Crashing, But You're No Wave - I like how it has a sudden fast part.
Middle Average Songs:
(1) Thriller - Very familiar. Could've been better.
(9)The (After) Life Of The Party - ???
(10) The Carpal Tunnel Of Love - it's ok. Whiney and FOB.
(14) I've Got All This Ringing In My Ears And None On My Fingers - Last track on album. Not liking the vocals but I like the guitar parts.
Slight Bit Annoying:
(7) Thanks for the Memories - heard and done before.
(8) Don't You Know Who I Think I Am? - typical FOB song.
The album is ok. It's easy to like this album even with some done songs. Probably a evolving album from the last.
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Fall Out Boy Rock
Where to Buy: Amazon | New and Old albums sold.
Island Records | From the FOB site.
I used to love loads of artists at the same time but now I only stick to a few. A few being only one group(Keane) and one male artist. Since everyone knows who Keane are and how they sound like I find no use to review them. Not saying they are not worthy of being reviewed but I know an artist that is pretty underrated. This artist would be ZChen(張智成). I found ZChen randomly while hopping around those mp3 rotation blogs on the net. Although I forgot where I got the ZChen mp3, I greatly recommend going on those blogs to discover new artists. When you hear the name ZChen, you would immediately think of a new artist trying to break into the market but in fact, he has already broken into it already. He has this really famous song that is widely known in Chinese pop culture. You don't know who it's by but you can sing along to the song. This famous song is called "May I Love U" and sadly it isn't featured on his current album. Today I'll be reviewing 張智成's latest album 愛情樹(Love Tree/Tree of Love).
張智成 - [愛情樹]:
1. 愛情樹
張智成 - [愛情樹]:
1. 愛情樹
♥ The album starts off with a sample taste of how most of his slow songs are like.
This song was used in the Taiwan drama "Tokyo Juliet".
This song was used in the Taiwan drama "Tokyo Juliet".
2. 快樂*
♥ I LOVE THIS SONG! ZChen uses a very old famous song and remakes it into his own with a new intro and ending. What's cool about this song is that the beginning and ending are sung in mandarin while the chorus is in cantonese which is from the famous Cantonese song. It actually made me wonder if he was from HK but he's actually from Malaysia.
3. 痊癒
♥ It's not an extremely catching song but it's not a bad one either.
Another song from the Taiwan drama "Tokyo Juliet".
Another song from the Taiwan drama "Tokyo Juliet".
4. 讓時間開口
♥ I always can't help but chuckle a bit when I hear the chorus to this upbeat song. The first time I heard the chorus I thought the lyrics was something about "dunking into salty water". The lyrics don't actually mean that but I just always think it sounds like that.
Nevertheless, it's a good song that you can sing along to.
Nevertheless, it's a good song that you can sing along to.
5. Just Once(feat. 陳秋霞)
♥ I actually have no idea who 陳秋霞 is. She has quite a small part in this song... almost like a backup vocal. No wonder not a lot of sites list her on his album. The "collab" is reminds me of a David Tao upbeat temp song.
6. 擔心
♥ The beginning starts out similar to one of his songs from his older works. It then slowly gradually starts to develop into a really nice orchestra type of song.
7. 貼身情人
♥ I'm not a huge huge fan of this song yet you'll hear me humming to it on the bus. It's listenable but not exactly anything new.
A little bit of a boring slowish song mourning about love.
A little bit of a boring slowish song mourning about love.
8. Because I love you*
♥ FINALLY! A song that I can sing correctly! This song is all in English. I heard it was a cover of someone else's song. You can hear more of ZChen's newer works and what kind of style he's going for.
9. 樂天派
♥ The album then continues on with his mid-tempo song. He has that RnB thing working here but with an added piano. Overall this song is quite enjoyable. When you're down.. listening to this might make you feel better.
10. 預言*
11. 放我的真心在你的手心*
♥ I always listen to this song in the morning. It wakes me up because of the happy beat to it. Plus it includes some chinese intruments like the chinese violin and "drums". Sorry, I don't know what they are called.
11. 放我的真心在你的手心*
♥ It's really hard not to like this song. It's so lovely and almost peaceful. It has that "ahhh" church feeling in parts of the song. I feel that this song could've been sung by those really famous chinese artists. Like ones in the 80s or something.
*=recommended
I did place a few stars next to a couple of the songs I recommend but honestly, the whole album is pretty awesome. Although I didn't like some of the slow songs, I still listen to them because they compliment the album really well. I realy suggest that you give the whole album a try. It may take a couple of listens for those slow songs if your thing isn't slow moany songs. If you still aren't convinced then just listen to the ones with stars next to them. Those are the more upbeat and mid-tempo ones.
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Chinese Only | I can't find his official site so here's the Yahoo! one.
Where to buy: YesAsia | More albums listed if you're insterested.
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Chinese Only | I can't find his official site so here's the Yahoo! one.
Where to buy: YesAsia | More albums listed if you're insterested.
*=recommended
I've never been much of a western music fan. My fandom with Japanese pop(jpop) started when I was entering highschool. Fell in love with a couple of the famous jpop queens/princesses. Got into boybands and actually met a couple of fellow local fans in Hong Kong to shop for goodies at the time. And to this day, I still like my jpop over apop(english) and cpop(chinese). I bring you ayaka(絢香) and her first album First Message. Although I have already written five reviews in this blog, I'm not quite good with music reviews. But I will try anyway!
Before the actual review, let's talk about how I actually discovered ayaka(絢香). I only really discovered her this summer while watching the drama "suppli". She's not in the actual drama but her song "real voice" is used as the theme and ending song. Downloaded the song, hummed it a few times, checked out her site and here we are: reviewing an album! And can you believe she's only eighteen years old? She has such a strong voice!
Before the actual review, let's talk about how I actually discovered ayaka(絢香). I only really discovered her this summer while watching the drama "suppli". She's not in the actual drama but her song "real voice" is used as the theme and ending song. Downloaded the song, hummed it a few times, checked out her site and here we are: reviewing an album! And can you believe she's only eighteen years old? She has such a strong voice!
ayaka(絢香) First Message:
Overall I like this album a lot depite finding a couple songs blah. Those songs will probably need a couple more listens to make me like them more. At this rate of jpop artists mass producing multiple singles every few weeks makes this album the cherry on top of the sundae. It's really hard to find an artist that isn't all about looks and cuteness. ayaka actually has THE voice! I'd buy the album if I weren't unemployed. It's on my wishlist right now but it's going to take a few more years until I can buy it since I have so much on my list already. Buy it if you like it! Support the artist!
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Japanese only | She doesn't list her album here.
Where to buy: CDJapan | Only Japanese version available.
YesAsia | Taiwan version(cheaper) available too!
*=recommended
| 1. | Start to 0(Love) ♥ This song is a great way to start off an album! Upbeat and really showcases her powerful voice. |
| 2. | Real voice* ♥ The theme and ending song for the "suppli" drama. Also upbeat and super addicting! A must listen! |
| 3. | Sha la la ♥ Another upbeat song with awesome vocals. Not my favourite sinceI'm not into the "ahh" parts. |
| 4. | ブルーデイズ(Blue Days) ♥ This song was also used in the "suppli drama". A nice contrast to the upbeat "real voice". Good guitar rifffs too. Love it! |
| 5. | I believe* ♥ The debut song that brought out ayaka. A really powerful and soulful ballad. Definitely worth a lot of listens. |
| 6. | Stay with me ♥ Upbeat but boring for me. Her voice is great but the song is blah. |
| 7. | melody* ♥ Her 2nd and limited edition single. I loved it when I first heard it but it gets repetitive. However, it is just as good as "I believe" and"real voice". |
| 8. | 君のパワーと大人のフリ(Kimi no Power to Otona no Furi)* ♥ I LOVE THIS SONG! It's a great mid-album song. Makes you hungry for the other half of the album! |
| 9. | 永遠の物語(Eien no Monogatari) ♥ She really sounds like KOKIA in this one. The blending of high vocals and guitar. In fact, I can imagine KOKIA singing this one! |
| 10. | 時を戻して(Toki wo Modaoshite) ♥ Jazzy upbeat tune. I like it! |
| 11. | 1.2.3.4 ♥ I like this song. It's not a hit though.. nothing that really jumps out. |
| 12. | Story* ♥ Sounds like she's in a band. The type of song really works with her. Shows how adaptable her voice is. |
| 13. | ライラライ(Rai rarai) ♥ I never liked songs that have "lai lai" choruses. Really don't like the "lai lai"s in it. |
| 14. | 三日月(Mikazuki)* ♥ Her latest single that did very well on the charts. I think she wrote this song. I can't seem to remember. Listen to it if you like her other ballads. And if you don't like the ballads, this one might get you hooked. |
| 15. | message ♥ Just a minute of ayaka singing on the street. Really impressive! |
Overall I like this album a lot depite finding a couple songs blah. Those songs will probably need a couple more listens to make me like them more. At this rate of jpop artists mass producing multiple singles every few weeks makes this album the cherry on top of the sundae. It's really hard to find an artist that isn't all about looks and cuteness. ayaka actually has THE voice! I'd buy the album if I weren't unemployed. It's on my wishlist right now but it's going to take a few more years until I can buy it since I have so much on my list already. Buy it if you like it! Support the artist!
Note: Again, these are only my opinions. You may not like the ones I like. It's ok!
Official Site: Japanese only | She doesn't list her album here.
Where to buy: CDJapan | Only Japanese version available.
YesAsia | Taiwan version(cheaper) available too!
*=recommended
