Shuffle And Repeat

OH MY GOD.

July 10, 2009 at 9:04 pm | In ALL My Blabbing, Announcements | 1 Comment

Seriously. guys, I AM SORRY FOR THE INACTIVITY. OH MY GOD. 2 weeks not logging in? wow. xD School has been eating me alive, and there has been lots and lots of things happening. xD

I might post tomorrow, but that’s just a maybe. xD anyway, i am so sorry again. I can’t post now because I am sleepy. my eyes are bleeding already. >>.

Oh, and just to note, I’ll be away for 3 days on June 27-29 because I’ll have my class retreat. There’s no computer there, so expect for 0 updates.

so. mmkay. gnyt y’all!

Fire

June 25, 2009 at 11:14 am | In 2NE1 | 6 Comments

Digital Single Review
2NE1 – Fire

Fire is 2NE1’s debut solo single. It was released on March 27, 2009, and has sold a total of 200,000 downloads online.

tracklist:
1. Fire

Despite the fact that this review is really really late, I have to tell you, Fire still is one of my favorite songs as of this moment.

After hearing Lollipop, I actually didn’t know what 2NE1 would bring out next. I sorta knew that they would have a much cooler style compared to the ones they had with Big Bang, but that was all. I then heard the previews lurking around their official site, and I was quite surprised, because not only were the girls cool, They were HOT. And I don’t just mean that because of the song’s title. xD.

It was also obvious that the group has gotten a lot better as time flew. Well, except for CL because I don’t think there’s anything she can improve. She’s like, PERFECT the way she is. Same with Minzy. She’s quite the bomb, especially when you think of her age. >.> Then there’s Bom, who is already great, but still has some flaws. Especially during lives. And lastly, Dara, who needs to improve a lot. I’m not surprised to know that she has the least number of parts at some songs because well, she’s not that much of a mind-blower yet.

Speaking of Dara’s parts, I seriously am in love with them. She may have the least number, but she always has the catchiest. When she sings the “you got the fire” verse, and the “chalang chalang..” part near the end, I’ll have to say that she never fails to make me want to join her sing too.

But anyways, it’s not always the girls that makes things great. Well maybe they are, but there’s the composition.

The compo, mostly made-up of synths and futuristic elements, is twisted with some reggae-like beat to create a unique combination. The arrangement flows perfectly with the group’s voice, especially when all of the girls’ vocals blend in.

Favorite Track:
Fire

shuffle rating!
A+

Beautiful

June 24, 2009 at 4:00 pm | In Mai Kuraki | 23 Comments

Single Review
Mai Kuraki – Beautiful

Beautiful is Mai Kuraki’s 32nd single. It was released on June 10, 2009, and reached #2 on the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 33,344 copies, and has currently charted for 2 weeks.

tracklist:
1. Beautiful
2. Wana
3. Beautiful -Instrumental-

After the great PUZZLE/REVIVE, I seriously thought that Mai would do something similar with her next single. Turns out I was wrong. No worries though, because Beautiful is indeed a BEAUTIFUL song.

When it was first heard by the public through it’s PV, I have to admit that I hated it. It’s not about the vocals or whatever, it’s the style that was bothering me. There were times that made me feel so bored. So bored that I was about to knock my head off the keyboard. Okay, I’m kidding. But seriously, I did not like it.

But then the single was released, and I finally got the chance to listen to it again. By the time I heard Mai sing the chorus lines, I was like captured by her voice. The melody was really relaxing, as it could easily rock you to sleep. And I mean that in the nicest way.

The instrumentals, mostly made of pianos and strings, create a peaceful aura in the song that easily makes the song so fresh-sounding. There’s also Mai’s beautiful vocals to add on, and there’s the background vocals (obviously from her too) to make it sound even better.

Same as Beautiful, I did not like wana during the first listen. I thought it was so mediocre, and it was quite messy for my tastes. But after a few more listens, I have to say, I learned to like it even more, and I found out that it was more than what I thought it was at first. It even became one of my favorites from Mai.

The arrangement, which focuses on the piano and some synthesizers, create a unique sound that really goes well with Mai’s vocals. There’s also the turntables that give the song an additional twist to it that’s sure to surprise the listener once they try it.

Favorite Track:
Beautiful and wana

shuffle rating!
A+

Just another filler post.

June 24, 2009 at 10:50 am | In ALL My Blabbing, Announcements | 2 Comments

Yep. Exactly what the title says.

So, regarding my sickness last Sunday, it’s gone now. But the funny thing is, I went to school on Monday, and I was absent on Tuesday because I had a fever that’s around 39 degrees. But no worries, I am fine now. Thanks to those who told me to get better soon. They made my day. ^^ But if you guys are wondering why I’m posting now, it’s because I don’t have classes today because there’s a storm.

So anyways, I might post my review for Mai Kuraki’s Beautiful later. So please look forward to that.

Sorry for the inactivity.

June 21, 2009 at 1:57 pm | In Announcements | 7 Comments

Yes guys. I’m really sorry for being so inactive. School has been eating me alive ever since the first day, and just yeaterday, I caught a cold. I still feel weak, that’s why I’m resting now, because if I skip school tomorrow, I might miss a lot of activities. AND I MEAN A LOT.

I might post up a review later, but I dunno. Anyways, sorry for the inactivities.

It’s OUT! It’s EFFING OUT!

June 15, 2009 at 2:28 pm | In ALL My Blabbing, Announcements | 7 Comments

Sorry for the inactivity guys! I had something to take care of for school these past few days so, I wasn’t able to update. I would also like to announce that my first day of school is tomorrow, so after tomorrow, excpect for less updates than before. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to check this blog every night. ^^

But anyways, I found the cover and tracklist for Kana Nishino’s album, LOVE one. It’ll be out on June 24, in 2 editions: CD, and CD+DVD.

CD:
01. *Prologue* ~Kirari~
02. Tokutemo feat. WISE
03. doll
04. Girlfriend
05. Kimi no Koe wo feat. VERBAL (m-flo)
06. Style.
07. Life goes on…
08. I
09. candy
10. MAKE UP
11. glowly days
12. celtic
13. Kimi ni Aitaku Naru Kara
14. *Epilogue* ~LOVE one.~

DVD:
01. I (PV)
02. glowly days (PV)
03. Style. (PV)
04. MAKE UP (PV)
05. Tokutemo feat. WISE (PV)
06. Kimi ni Aitaku Naru Kara (PV)

The covers are meh. But I kinda like the tracklist. Will this one be good? We’ll have to see and find out.

Kuki (STEM)~Daimyou Asobi hen~

June 10, 2009 at 10:06 pm | In Shiina Ringo | 4 Comments

Single Review
Shiina Ringo – Kuki (STEM)~Daimyou Asobi hen~

Kuki (STEM)~Daimyou Asobi hen~ is Shiina Ringo’s 8th single. It was released on January 22, 2003, and reached #1 on the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 187,371 copies, making it the 45th best-selling single of 2003. Kuki (STEM)~Daimyou Asobi hen~ is the only single released for Kalk, Samen, Kuri no Hana.

tracklist:
1. Meisai ~Sengo Saidai-kyuu no Boufuu-u Kennai Kashou~
2. Kuki (STEM) ~Daimyo Asobi hen~
3. Ishiki ~Sengo Saidai-kyuu no Boufuu-u Kennai Kashou~

I know I already said that I’d start with Ariamaru Tomi and Shouso Strip, but I’m sorry.. I just can’t help it. I listened to Kalk Samen Kuri no Hana a while ago, and it kicked my ass. xD now moving on…

While I was already diggin’ Honnou, I wasn’t really a fan of Shiina yet. The moment I became a hardcore Ringo fan was when I first heard Meisai. Despite the ridiculously long title “Meisai~Sengo Saidai-kyuu no Boufuu-u Kennai Kashou~“, I gotta tell you, this is one heck of a song!

It has that usual impressive Shiina touch to it that makes it easily definable as her work. There’s that hot jazzy vibe to it that goes really well with her squeaky voice, and there’s that spooky atmosphere that most of her songs have.

It starts off with a continous rain sound, which goes quite good when the double bass starts playing, and Shiina starts singing the few lines. A gong-like sound then starts playing, leading the song to a fuller sound with the guitars and violins. Shiina will then start singing the verses in a style-y way, which will lead us to the hyper chorus right after.

I really think hyper is the most appropriate word to describe the chorus, because, well it is kinda insane, but excellent at the same time. Despite the wildness of the chorus, I have to say that it helps it sound more catchy to my ears. The way Shiina delivers the lines with the jazzy instruments around her was the best one I could ever imagine. There’s the uniqueness in it, and the backups really made it possible.

I couldn’t help but think of Mickey Mouse when I first heard Kuki (STEM)~Daimyo Asobi hen~. The orchestratic arrangement reminded me of those silent disney films, and I believe I’m not the only one thinking of that.

But anyways, I really think STEM was a really good song. The orchestra really kept the epicness of the song coming for a long time, which was a good thing because it avoids the listener from getting tired of it. It was also nice to hear some english from Shiina because I don’t usually hear her sing in that language. I thought Shiina’s english in it was quite good, but I couldn’t say impressive because there were times that I couldn’t clearly hear what she was saying. Minus that, the song could have been just perfect!

When it comes to composition, Ishiki~Sengo Saidai-kyuu no Boufuu-u Kennai Kashou~ is different. Unlike the 2 previous tracks, this song uses less instruments for jazz and more guitars and drums.

Even though I don’t like this track as much as the other 2, I have to say that it was nice to hear because it was nice to hear a change from the previous genre that was offered. Although, I wish that the song didn’t just end so sudden, because it sounded so unlikely. It was a really nice track, neverthless.

Overall, despite the fact that this was the only single released for the Kalk Samen album, I think it was enough because of the great quality each track presented. All of them had the quality of an A-side, which was really handy because all tracks are in the album. I was also impressed with Shiina Ringo in this single, not only because of the uniqueness this single contained, but also because of the creativity she showned to us with this single. I bet nobody else can beat the mind-blowing idea of STEM. Nuff said.

Favorite Track:
Meisai~Sengo Saidai-kyuu no Boufuu-u Kennai Kashou~

shuffle rating!
A+

POP STAR

June 9, 2009 at 1:44 pm | In Ken Hirai | 1 Comment

Single Review
Ken Hirai – POP STAR

POP STAR is Ken Hirai’s 23rd single. It was released on October 26, 2005, and reached #1 on the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 244,000+ copies, and charted for 14 weeks.

tracklist:
1. POP STAR
2. Tameiki Kippu
3. POP STAR ~less vocal~

I never thought I would be a fan of Ken Hirai. I think he can sing and stuff, but to be honest, I never liked him before. I found his voice to be nasally, and the music he does wasn’t my kind of music. But in the end, I guess he deserved another chance, which I gave to him when I first listened to POP STAR.

I seriously laughed my throat out when I first heard POP STAR. I thought it was a ridiculous song, especially when it comes to the lyrics. The line “I wanna be a POP STAR” was quite uncomfortable to hear at first, because, well, a guy is singing it, and of all guys, it’s Ken singing!

I considered this song a joke, especially when I heard the lyrics, but once I got to see the translations at the web, the song wasn’t as unbelievable as I thought it was. When Ken was singing the “POP STAR” phrase, he was actually referring to a lover. Evidently in the line “As you fall in love, Anybody can be anyone’s pop star”.

After I finally knew what the words meant, I couldn’t help but think that this was such a wonderful song, because it really is! The lyrics were sweet, and the upbeat arrangement helps enhance the message of the song. Especially the happy pianos and violins.

I was then amazed by how relaxing Tameiki Kippu turned out to be. The guitars and strings blend in perfectly with Ken’s vocals, and the composition was perfectly mastered to blend in with the overall product.

While I was bored with the first 2 and a half minutes, I should say that I didn’t really mind it at the end because of how the ending was delivered. The way it progressed was quite good, and the ending finishes things off with a beautiful note.

Favorite Track:
POP STAR

shuffle rating!
A

Hop, Step, Jump!

June 8, 2009 at 10:21 pm | In JYONGRI | Leave a Comment

Single Review
JYONGRI – Hop, Step, Jump!

Hop, Step, Jump! is JYONGRI’s second single. It was released on February 21, 2007, and reached #32 on the oricon weekly charts. It sold a total of 5,895 copies, and charted for 2 weeks.

tracklist:
1. Hop, Step, Jump!
2. Romeo & Juliet
3. Hop, Step, Jump! (Instrumental)
4. Romeo & Juliet (Instrumental)

Quite a long time ago, while I was so busy being in love with JYONGRI and her song Possession, I also took time to try some of her stuff up. I tried a lot of them, and I really liked the majority of what I heard. One of the songs that I tried was Hop, Step, Jump!, which wasn’t quite a fan favorite, charting outside the top 30, and selling only about 5,000 copies.

I seriously don’t know why Hop, Step, Jump is recieving so much hate from many people. I quite find it a favorite of mines because of the uniqueness it has, compared to her debut single.

Hop, Step, Jump! is really different from all of the cutesy pop songs out there, especially the ones from let’s say, Leah Dizon. This song is like L.O.V.E.U, except it’s a lot slower, it has a heavier beat, and this one has better vocals in it. Okay, well maybe not that alike, but you can see some similarities.

What I like the most about this song is that it brings us quite a crossover between Pop and the regular R&B in the music scene right now. It’s not that much of R&B because it sounds like something that belongs to a poppier side, but if you listen to it carefully, you can sense some. One that helps it sound more R&B-ish is the heavy beat running around the arrangement.The song may also sounds jazzy at times because of the trumpets, but it is kept minor.

So overall, I can’t really say that this song beats the awesomeness of Possession, because it really can’t, but I really think this is one of JYONGRI’s better songs if you compare them to some of her lackluster ballads.

I thought the B-side was gonna suck, because, well, it is a B-side. But come to think of it, not all B-sides are bad, and the perfect example of that is Romeo & Juliet.

Just like many other people said, Romeo & Juliet has corny lyrics, which is a fact that I do agree on. Although, despite the lyrics, I have to say that I like it. Like Hop, Step, Jump!, this track also takes the poppier path. They share the same style, except there are more elements that makes it sound more R&B.

The harmonization between JYONGRI’s own vocals, and the background vocals, which are probably from her too, is perfect. The way the background voices say the line “just like that” everytime the Romeo and Juliet line passes was quite a catchy part. ^^

In the end, when we’re talking about the A-side only, I gotta say that JYONGRI has a few better A-sides compared to it, but if we are talking about the whole package, I have to say that this could possibly the best ones JYONGRI has released. It was nice that there weren’t much remixes in it, because that would’ve made my head spin. This was an amazing single, neverthless.

Favorite Track:
Hop, Step, Jump!, and Romeo & Juliet

shuffle rating!
A+

new artists. again. :)

June 8, 2009 at 9:22 pm | In Announcements | 4 Comments

Although I will only feature 2 artists right now, they are 2 artists that I’ve been listening to a lot recently.

First off is..

Aragaki Yui.

I’ll be starting off with Sora, and will proceed right away with the hug era. ^^ I’m kinda in love with heavenly days. Such a good track.

If you guys have been visiting a²fiction lately, you guys probably have read about me and alvy’s conversation about Shiina Ringo. Yep, I’ll be featuring her now!

Shiina Ringo.