So Uncool

So Uncool is the debut album of Keke Palmer. It was released on September 18, 2007, and reached #86 on the Top R&B albums chart, and sold 8,000 copies in total.

Album Review
Keke Palmer – So Uncool

tracklist:
1. Keep It Movin
2. The Game Song
3. Music Box
4. First Crush
5. Friend Me Up
6. How Will I Know
7. Footwurkin’
8. Rainbow
9. Bottoms Up
10. Skin Deep
11. Wake Up Call
12. Hood Anthem

Yes people. From now on, I am going to review English albums. so hooray!

But Before anything else, I have to say that this album has got to be one of my all-time favorite English albums.

I’d have to admit that when I first heard Keke Palmer sing (about 2 years back), I wasn’t quite impressed. I did like her song, ‘It’s My Turn Now’, but that was it. I wasn’t a big fan of hers,which is why I was quite hesitant to listen to this album.

But you know what, I’m glad I did listen to this release because it is really a solid debut album.

We open things up with the bright, and uptempo ‘Keep It Movin‘, which is Palmer’s debut single. With all the synths and beats present in the song, the song becomes a unique one, especially when combined with the guitars and twinkling sounds. I wished the song would be a bit faster though, because it would seem really bland this way.

Next up is ‘the Game Song‘ which is one of my favorites in the release. The smooth voice of Keke really fits the progressive arrangement, especially when the song reaches the 2nd verse. The song, which is really known for it’s catchiness grabs your attention with the lyrics,  and the thumpy beat. The ‘I hate madden’ line that gets repeated a lot is very catchy too.

We then slow things down with the next 2 songs.

The first one is ‘Music Box‘, a song with a melody that I’m sure I’ve heard before. I’m just not sure where. But anyways, this is another catchy song, and the slow tempo blends in well with the vocals and the backing voices. The other song, ‘First Crush‘ is really nice too. The continuous beat carries the song properly, and everything seems so well-produced and mixed.

Now the only song I hate in this album is ‘Friend Me Up‘. Why do i hate it?

1. I hate the introduction. ‘I go by the name of darkchild’ — not good.
2. The beat seems so old.
3. Everything just doesn’t go well together.

there.

But the next songs, I have to say, are the best in the album.

‘How will I know‘, is just a sweet song. It reminds me of those 90s pop songs that talks about love and stuff. The tempo and beat goes great together, SRSLY. The fast way Keke sings the chorus makes it so unique, and I just love it.

‘Footwurkin‘, on the other hand, in my opinion, is the best song on the album. The fast snaps and beat makes you dance, and the lines are just so catchy. The rhymes in the chorus are really amusing! The song will make you work your feet, I have to say. xD.

tracks 8 to 11 have the same producer, namely Toby Gad. I won’t focus that much on them since I’m kinda lazy. xD.

track 8, Rainbow, features a different arrangement especially because Palmer’s voice is under a filter. The song is good, nonetheless.

track 9, Bottoms Up, is another favorite of mine. It’s such a cool song, especially bceause of the energy it has. Oh, and look at that, Keke raps in here too!

tracks 10 and 11 follow the same mid-tempo path. The first one, Skin Deep, features a slower arrangement, which is similar to the last few tracks. Opening with a heavenly sound that continues throughout the song fits in with the mix. I also like the way Keke sings the line ‘But looks are only Skin Deep’. While track 11, Wake Up Call, is really similar to Music Box. This song however, features a heavier and fuller arrangement. It features guitars and bass that blends in well with everything.

the last song, Hood Anthem, features breathy parts that makes me like the song more. It’s not really a favorite of mines, but I like the melody in it. The claps make the song sound more ‘crowd-friendly’ too. Which is a good thing, I think.

So overall, I thought ‘So Uncool’ was an amazing, and solid debut effort from Keke Palmer. To think that she was so young when this was released, I believe she’ll go far with her talent. LISTEN TO THIS PEOPLE, K?

Favorite Tracks:
Footwurkin’, the Game Song, How will I know, Music Box, and Bottoms Up.

Shuffle rating!
A+

Girl’s Night

Single Review
Crystal Kay – Girl’s Night

Girl’s Night is Crystal Kay’s 6th single. It was released on May 9, 2001, and reached #100 on the oricon charts.

tracklist:
1. Girl’s Night
2. Girl’s Night -Layer 7 Remix-
3. Make Me Whole

To think that Girl’s Night marks the very first time Crystal Kay does R&B, I must say she made me like her more.

I really think shey made a really nice change with Girl’s Night. Leaving the independent sound she had with her CLL era was a very smart move, in my opinion. The new and fresh R&B sound this song carries was really nice, and I think it was something that made Kuri sound more mature.

Although, I DO HATE the very first part with all the talking. I really don’t get the point of having that part because the song could’ve just started right away. But, I guess it won’t really bother me because the arrangement and everything was just great, especially the playful beats.

The background vocals were quite good too because they blended well with Kuri’s main vocals, and they fit in perfectly with the arrangement.

Definitely one of the best early CK songs.

Good Original Version, BAD REMIX. SRSLY. The Layer 7 Remix of Girl’s Night was just plain wierd. The Arrangement was so dull, and I hate the fact that they sped Kuri’s vocals up.

I really think the problem with Crystal Kay during her early days of career was that she has terrific A-sides but typical B-sides, and Make Me Whole proves that.

The piano was nice, but boring, while Kuri makes a good vocal performance. But, overall, the song was just boring. I really do not like it.

Favorite Track:
Girl’s Night

Shuffle rating!
B

stay with me

Single Review
Koda Kumi – stay with me

stay with me is Koda Kumi’s 42ndh single. It was released on December 24, 2008, and reached #1 on the charts. It sold a total of 65,657 copies.

tracklist:
1. stay with me
2. Winter Bell
3. stay with me (Orgel Version)
4. stay with me (Instrumental)
5. Winter Bell (Instrumental)

ANOTHER BALLAD?! PFF.

Okay, it may seem like I’m hating stay with me so much, but actually, I don’t. Well, I don’t hate it right now, but I HATED it A LOT before. I was actually quite happy about how the ERA for TRICK was going, but I was suddenly turned off when I first heard stay with me.

I thought it was the worst single she’s put up recently, but actually, it’s an alright song. It has a really nice winter theme in it that fits the love message in the song. The string arrangement and sparkly instruments they used for this track was really good too.

So Overall, It may not be the best Kuu ballad, but it’s definitely a better ballad than her recent ones.

I must say that I quite like the backing track of Winter Bell. Only the backing track though, because I hate Kuu’s vocals here. She sounds sick here or something, and it sometimes sounds like she’s forcing her voice to sing the notes.

The orgel version of stay with me was simply an orgel playing the tune of the song. It was a nice listen though.

Favorite Track:
stay with me

Shuffle rating!
A-

seriously?

Just a few seconds ago, I was in JPopstop, and saw this..

KiraKira will be released as a re-cut single? WHY?! IWANTBRANDNEWSONGSBENI! Fingers crossed for a rearranged version.

KPop Chart, WEEK 4, September 2009.

I actually have been listening to a lot of KPop recently, which is why I decided to take a look at the KPop charts on soompi. Oh, and which will be a regular feature of Shuffle and Repeat now!

See what my thoughts on the songs are, and what rank should they be for me under the cut. ^^.

Ren’ai Shashin

Single Review
Ai Otsuka – Ren’ai Shashin

Ren’ai Shashin is Ai Otsuka’s 13th single. It was released on October 25, 2006 and reached #2 on the weekly Charts. It has sold a total of 147,975 copies, and charted for 20 weeks. It is the 75th best-selling single of 2006. The A-side was the theme for the movie Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru.

tracklist:
1. Ren’ai Shashin
2. Hanikami Jane
3. Haneari Tamago (Live Version)
4. Ren’ai Shashin (Instrumental)
5. Hanikami Jane (Instrumental)

Good Lord, I LOVE Ren’ai Shashin. It possibly is my favorite Ai-chin song after daisuki da yo., but either way, it’s such an amaaazing song.

The melody is really nice, and it goes very well with Ai’s vocals. The overall atmosphere was so calm, that makes the song perfectly relaxing. There’s something about the track that’s really really catchy too.

The piano and the really light beats made the song possibly epic, and the lyrics were just romantic. Again, I say this is definitely one of Ai-chin best songs!

The kiss we exchanged when it was raining,
Ties the both of us together
This feeling will not last my entire life, I can’t explain it well, but
After meeting with you, every day of my life  Has shone brightly
However, I still love you..

While the A-side was really a calm, romantic treat, the B-side, Hanikami Jane shows the normal, upbeat side of Ai-chin.

The happy-go-lucky arrangement of the song was quite similar to all of her other uptempoed songs, but was executed really well. Normally, I would sometimes hate Ai’s up-beat songs, but this song made a change.

The next track on the single was the live version of Haneari Tamago, a song from her LOVE COOK album.

I actually thought the live version was really good. It was really similar to the original version, which I think was a good thing. The piano accompanying her was pretty cool too.

Favorite Track:
Ren’ai Shashin

shuffle rating!
A+

just a few updates.

Hey guys.

so, just a few updates because you guys might think i’m dead. well, i’m not, and i don’t want to be. xD.

first up, NO, THE COMPUTER IS NOT YET FIXED. I’ll still use this laptop, so I can update. although, I am a little busy these days so, I dunno.

second, I got good grades for the first quarter!! rejoice!! I had an average of 87.43%, with my final tests’ average of 90.26%.Hard work paid off. whew.

third, since I got good grades, my mom bought me a cd. It’s SUPER JUNIOR’S SORRY SORRY album. It was released here in the Philippines on the 4th, and has reached number one last week, after sales of just 3 days.

fourth, I’m currently writing reviews of MiChi’s YOU, Dara’’s Kiss, and Thelma aoyama’s Emotions album.

fifth, I am planning to release my second mashup. although, I am choosing between the Kuu mashup or the Perfume one. If you guys would like to suggest, just comment. ^^.

sixth, I am proud to tell you, that I am currently finalizing the lists I will do for the 2nd-year anniversary, the categories, and the possible nominees for the year-end awards. I’m not yet done because I am still waiting for other releases to come. But the final list of categories and nominees will be relesed on Saturday, December 5, 2009.

OH, and I would like to thank alvy, for including me on his blog’s 2nd year anniv. special. I was really happy to know that someone actually like to read and enjoys my blog so much. Thanks a lot alvy, you’re the best. Just wait, because I have something for you too on my blog’s celebration. ^^.

so, that probably is it. Hoping to update soon.

JOSH.

OH GOD. This Can’t Happen.

I have experienced something that I really hate experiencing.

Apparently, The Desktop computer in here has been broken since Wednesday.. And the only thing I can use is this awfully slow laptop. We’ll be buying a new videocard for the broken computer next week, so until then, I can’t update this blog because I can’t stand the slowness of the laptop. So, yeah.

I really hate the timing because it’s the month where I’m looking forward to listening to many albums. Like Mai Kuraki’s and CK’s BEST OF, or BENI’s BITTER&SWEET album. But anyways, this can’t be avoided. so, see you guys soon! ^^.

Koi Kogarete

Single Review
BENI – Koi Kogarete

Koi Kogarete is Beni arashiro’s 11th single, and 3rd as BENI. It was released on June 10, 2009, and reached #70 on the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 1,266 copies.

tracklist:
1. Koi Kogarete
2. CRUISE the WORLD
3. FOREVER 21
4. Koi Kogarete (Instrumental)

I nearly died when I first found out that BENI’s next single was another mid-tempo track. Knowing what BENI sounded like on one, like Kiss Kiss Kiss got me even more excited with Koi Kogarete.

Koi Kogarete was first described by SONY as a summer-themed ballad with a mid-tempo arrangement. Well, that’s pretty much what the song really is, to be honest. But if I were to give my own description of this song, I’d call it “The best BENI track in the world”. YES.

I’d write again and again about how I love this song, if I just wasn’t too lazy today. But oh God, Oh God. Koi Kogarete was another awesome A-side by BENI. I just couldn’t help it. Koi Kogarete just blows everything she has done out of the water.

This song just gets me everytime I listen to it, which probably happens because of it’s amazingly sweet melody. The guitars which blend in well with the beats and BENI’s vocals show a really promising result. Especially when the song reaches the first chorus.

Compared to Signal, BENI’s previous B-side, CRUISE the WORLD, and FOREVER 21 are better. I did not really like Signal, which is why my expectations were a bit high with the B-sides in this single. But happily, those expectation were met.

CRUISE the WORLD, in no doubt, is something really different from what BENI has recently released. The electropop arrangement is something I believe she hasn’t tried out yet, but surprisingly, she pulled it off really great. Her voice really fits the synths and the fast tempo, which was a really nice change because almost all of her songs have the same elements in it.

FOREVER 21 was another B-side better than Signal, but no, not better that CRUISE the WORLD. Although I don’t like it as much as the previous tracks, I must say that I really like BENI’s voice here. They may not be as impressive as her other vocal performances, her voice is really highlighted by the light arrangement.

Favorite Track:
Koi Kogarete, and CRUISE the WORLD.

shuffle rating!
A