New Year's Post: Our Favourite Tracks of 2007
-Rules-
1) Please Download/Listen one song at a time, and please don't post the links elsewhere.
2) Please comment when you download. (:
3) Songs are for sampling only. If you like something, please support the artists.
See: YesAsia, CDJapan, HMV Jp, Amazon.
Uploaded on Box.net
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It's that time of year again! The crew at _feel_my_soul picks their top 5 songs that was released during the year 2007. :D Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kayne's (taintedfallacy) picks for the year:
Artist: Emilie Autumn
Song: Castle Down
Album: Enchant
Language: English
Released: February 26, 2003 (Original Release), 2007 (Re-release)
I know this album wasn't released in the 2007 but it was re-released in this year =P so I guess it still counts lol because I absolutely adore this song. Aside from singing Emilie Autumn is also a songwriter, poet and violinist. Her songs range from classical to industrial to synth pop. Aside from her amazing outfits her voice or should I say her singing style is rather different. Nonetheless, this song is lovely and rather sad. I also love the piano piece to this song.
[Download]
Artist: Jamie Campbell Bower
Composer: Stephen Sondheim
Song: Johanna
Album: Sweeney Todd Soundtrack
Language: English
Released: December 21, 2007 (Movie release)
Yes, this song is from the musical movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I must say I am pretty impressed with this movie and it was said that this musical is one of the hardest to learn. This is my favorite song from the soundtrack. It's more a slow ballad and romantic song(?). It was immediately stuck in my head when I heard it while watching the movie lol for the whole night. Honestly, I really like Jamie's voice. It's smooth and gentle which in my opinion match the song perfectly. There is nothing I don't like about the song except for the fact that it's too short.
[Download]
Artist: ヴィドール (Vidoll)
Song: 初雪 (Hatsuyuki)
Album: Bastard
Language: Japanese
Released: November 21, 2007
To be honest, I didn't like this album that much comparing to their old ones. Having said that there is something about this song I find it pretty good. It's one of those songs that I want to repeat after the first time I heard it. There is one thing that Vidoll is very good at and that is making soft ballad songs like these. I always enjoy their ballad songs and Jui's velvety voice just go so well with it. Last but not least, the chorus is seriously pretty catchy.
[Download]
Artist: アヤビエ (Ayabie)
Song: 戦場カメラマンと最期 (Senjou cameraman to saigo)
Album: エキュメニカル (Ecumenical)
Language: Japanese
Released: March 7, 2007
I seriously can't tell you how many times I've repeated this song...I just love this song a lot and I don’t know why lol. I like the instrumentation and the melody of this song. As I said in one of my post earlier, Aoi isn't the best singer out there but I think his voice has improved overtime and that his voice really suits this song.
[Download]
Artist: ネガ (Nega)
Song: lover
Album: dole
Language: Japanese
Released: March 14, 2007
Currently one of my favourite bands at the moment. The band is formed by Ray who was the ex-bassist in Aliene Mariage. They have quite a range for their songs as well. This is one of their more melodious and softer songs. Even though comparing to their other songs this one is more simple, it has a quite catchy chorus. The vocalist has a rather raspy voice which at first turned me away a little. Nonetheless, their songs can be really good and Ray is a pretty good bassist.
[Download]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Megumi's (lilac_neko) picks for the year:
Artist : 石川智晶 (Ishikawa Chiaki)
Song Title : Uninstall
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Boku wa Mada Nanimo Shiranai. / Uninstall (Single)
Released : June 13, 2007 (Single Release)
I'm fully aware that I uploaded this a few updates ago XD. In any case, this song should be here anyways. For those who still don't know: Ishikawa Chiaki is the singer in See-Saw. I absolutely love the melody in this song; it's highly catchy. Also, I've always liked Ishikawa's unique singing style; she always makes her music sound so mystical.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 宇多田ヒカル (Utada Hikaru)
Song Title : Beautiful World
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry
Released : August 29, 2007
It's been awhile since I've been obssessed over and singular Utada song (the last one being "WINGS"). This is almost like "This is Love", but with more of a mystical element to the song, and probably less upbeat than the latter. However, the chorus is absolutely catchy and the atmosphere of the song is haunting, yet beautiful while keeping an upbeat sound.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : YUI
Song Title : CHE.R.RY
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Can't Buy My Love / CHE.R.RY (Single)
Released : March 7, 2007
Both Tsuki and I loved YUI's second album to bits. This is just another one of my three initial picks from YUI (one of them being Rolling Star, which is posted by Tsuki on this post XD), and one of the more laid-back songs out of the three that I chose. There's something in the melody that I really love, and the whispering vocals for the verses is a nice change for YUI. It's simple, but charming.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : KOKIA
Song Title : Follow the Nightingale
Language : Japanese / Reversed Japanese
Album/Single : Follow the Nightingale
Released : November 21, 2007
I've only listened to this song twice since it's been released, and the song is ridiculously EPIC. This is the opening theme for "Tales of Innocence", and I think it's amazing. It sounds like something from a show about an ancient tale. There's a contrasting fast and slow movement: the slow having a legato Japanese melody, while the fast parts have reversed Japanese being sung repetitively. KOKIA goes into some operatic tones in this.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 絢香×コブクロ (ayaka x kobukuro)
Song Title : WINDING ROAD
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : WINDING ROAD
Released : February 28, 2007
This is probably the first song of the year I obssessed over XD. I love how the three singers in this work together in this song. There's some really tight harmonies throughout this song, and all of them have really strong, resonant vocals. The song itself is a midtempo song and mostly run by some excellent vocals throughout. :D
[Download/Listen]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsuki's (hiccups25) picks for the year:
Artist : 安室奈美恵 (Amuro Namie)
Title : Hide & Seek
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : PLAY
Released: June 27, 2007
Gotta hand it to Namie to put out ridiculously addicting songs. Even if I didn't find most of her songs on this album all that interesting, at first, that quickly changed with every listen. The best of her album, this song is the catchiest and most addicting of the bunch.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : FictionJunction YUUKA
Title : ピアノ (PIANO)
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : circus
Released: July 4, 2007
Trying to select a song from this duo is like trying to decide between ice cream or cake. -_-; Their second album was absolutely amazing, but mostly stunning. This song definitely represents that fact. If you like piano + vocals (and a cello), you should definitely pick this up (but I think you should anyway, regardless).
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 坂本真綾 (Sakamoto Maaya)
Title : ミツバチと科学者 (Mitsubachi to Kagakusha)
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : さいごの果実 (single) (Saigo no Kajitsu)
Released: November 21, 2007
How can I get through a year without any Maaya? Truthfully, I can't. XD I had a long debate if I wanted to include this or "30minutes night flight", but I decided with this in the end, mostly due to its refreshing sound (although I highly encourage you to look up "30minutes night flight" if you haven't already). I'll admit, the guitar parts were what got to me in the end.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 玉置成実 (Tamaki Nami)
Title : Brightdown
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Brightdown (single)
Released: August 29, 2007
It hasn't been too long since I first posted this song (although I only had it up for a few days). I think this was my most anticipated release for the year (all thanks to the TV size being released nearly half a year prior to the actual single release). I'm horribly biased when it comes to Tamaki Nami, but this song is very deserving of it's place this year. Besides, it's still on my repeat list, so I couldn't help it. XD
[Download/Listen]
Artist : YUI
Title : Rolling star
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : CAN'T BUY MY LOVE, Rolling star (single)
Released : January 17, 2007
Over a year ago, I heard the full version of this song when the PV was released, and then I had it on repeat for quite some time. I went on to post the PV on FMS because I couldn't wait until the single was actually released. Point being, this song is awesome, and it revived my interest in YUI following her first album.
[Download/Listen]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Windy's (rashkae) picks for the year:
Artist:Ben's Brother
Title:Time
Album:Beta Male Fairytales
Language: English
Released: November 6, 2007
Ben's Brother is a group from England. They kind of sound like a cross between Owen Pallet and James Blunt. XD The lead singer has an interesting rough falsetto and the melody is quite touching. Good stuff.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: Jonathan Coulton (Portal)
Title: Still Alive
Album: Portal OST
Language: English
Length: 2:56
Size: 5.38 MB
Released: October 10, 2007
Portal is a puzzle game in the Half-Life timeline/storyline. There's not too much blood or anything, just puzzles, and it is REALLY awesome. This is the ending song, and my favorite song from 2007. It doesn't make any sense without context, however, so go here to read the storyline of Portal, or just go and play the game. XD Anyway, this song is GLaDOS singing a report on how the experiment (you) went. The song is clever, hilarious, and mildly creepy, all at once. A WONDERFUL song.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: 12012 (Romeo x Juliet)
Title: Cyclone
Album: Romeo x Juliet ED Single - Cyclone (12012)
Language: Japanese
Released: June 13, 2007 (Single Release)
I love Romeo x Juliet; it was one of my favorite animes this year. I'm just a big sucker for romance. This is the ending theme, and it's very up-tempo and full of J-rock. The lead singer talks really fast for the verses, and it sounds cool. XD
[Download/Listen]
Artist: RHYTHEM
Title: Kasumizakura
Album: Sakura Uta Single
Language: Japanese
Released: February 29, 2007
This is the B-side on this single, and I liked it more than "Sakura Uta." It's a soft, slow, straightforward song with a piano accompaniment and pretty singing/harmonization.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: Charlotte Gainsbourg
Title: The Songs That We Sing
Album: 5:55
Language: English
Released: April 24, 2007 (US Release date)
I wanted to put up "1 2 3 4" from Feist's CD The Reminder, but I already put that up a few rotations ago. So instead, you get this song! I played it all through midterms week and it kept me sane. XD It has a very winter-y feeling to it, with bells and restless violins. Her voice is very soft and the lyrics are striking and ironic.
[Download/Listen]
1) Please Download/Listen one song at a time, and please don't post the links elsewhere.
2) Please comment when you download. (:
3) Songs are for sampling only. If you like something, please support the artists.
See: YesAsia, CDJapan, HMV Jp, Amazon.
Uploaded on Box.net
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It's that time of year again! The crew at _feel_my_soul picks their top 5 songs that was released during the year 2007. :D Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kayne's (taintedfallacy) picks for the year:
Artist: Emilie Autumn
Song: Castle Down
Album: Enchant
Language: English
Released: February 26, 2003 (Original Release), 2007 (Re-release)
I know this album wasn't released in the 2007 but it was re-released in this year =P so I guess it still counts lol because I absolutely adore this song. Aside from singing Emilie Autumn is also a songwriter, poet and violinist. Her songs range from classical to industrial to synth pop. Aside from her amazing outfits her voice or should I say her singing style is rather different. Nonetheless, this song is lovely and rather sad. I also love the piano piece to this song.
[Download]
Artist: Jamie Campbell Bower
Composer: Stephen Sondheim
Song: Johanna
Album: Sweeney Todd Soundtrack
Language: English
Released: December 21, 2007 (Movie release)
Yes, this song is from the musical movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I must say I am pretty impressed with this movie and it was said that this musical is one of the hardest to learn. This is my favorite song from the soundtrack. It's more a slow ballad and romantic song(?). It was immediately stuck in my head when I heard it while watching the movie lol for the whole night. Honestly, I really like Jamie's voice. It's smooth and gentle which in my opinion match the song perfectly. There is nothing I don't like about the song except for the fact that it's too short.
[Download]
Artist: ヴィドール (Vidoll)
Song: 初雪 (Hatsuyuki)
Album: Bastard
Language: Japanese
Released: November 21, 2007
To be honest, I didn't like this album that much comparing to their old ones. Having said that there is something about this song I find it pretty good. It's one of those songs that I want to repeat after the first time I heard it. There is one thing that Vidoll is very good at and that is making soft ballad songs like these. I always enjoy their ballad songs and Jui's velvety voice just go so well with it. Last but not least, the chorus is seriously pretty catchy.
[Download]
Artist: アヤビエ (Ayabie)
Song: 戦場カメラマンと最期 (Senjou cameraman to saigo)
Album: エキュメニカル (Ecumenical)
Language: Japanese
Released: March 7, 2007
I seriously can't tell you how many times I've repeated this song...I just love this song a lot and I don’t know why lol. I like the instrumentation and the melody of this song. As I said in one of my post earlier, Aoi isn't the best singer out there but I think his voice has improved overtime and that his voice really suits this song.
[Download]
Artist: ネガ (Nega)
Song: lover
Album: dole
Language: Japanese
Released: March 14, 2007
Currently one of my favourite bands at the moment. The band is formed by Ray who was the ex-bassist in Aliene Mariage. They have quite a range for their songs as well. This is one of their more melodious and softer songs. Even though comparing to their other songs this one is more simple, it has a quite catchy chorus. The vocalist has a rather raspy voice which at first turned me away a little. Nonetheless, their songs can be really good and Ray is a pretty good bassist.
[Download]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Megumi's (lilac_neko) picks for the year:
Artist : 石川智晶 (Ishikawa Chiaki)
Song Title : Uninstall
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Boku wa Mada Nanimo Shiranai. / Uninstall (Single)
Released : June 13, 2007 (Single Release)
I'm fully aware that I uploaded this a few updates ago XD. In any case, this song should be here anyways. For those who still don't know: Ishikawa Chiaki is the singer in See-Saw. I absolutely love the melody in this song; it's highly catchy. Also, I've always liked Ishikawa's unique singing style; she always makes her music sound so mystical.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 宇多田ヒカル (Utada Hikaru)
Song Title : Beautiful World
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry
Released : August 29, 2007
It's been awhile since I've been obssessed over and singular Utada song (the last one being "WINGS"). This is almost like "This is Love", but with more of a mystical element to the song, and probably less upbeat than the latter. However, the chorus is absolutely catchy and the atmosphere of the song is haunting, yet beautiful while keeping an upbeat sound.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : YUI
Song Title : CHE.R.RY
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Can't Buy My Love / CHE.R.RY (Single)
Released : March 7, 2007
Both Tsuki and I loved YUI's second album to bits. This is just another one of my three initial picks from YUI (one of them being Rolling Star, which is posted by Tsuki on this post XD), and one of the more laid-back songs out of the three that I chose. There's something in the melody that I really love, and the whispering vocals for the verses is a nice change for YUI. It's simple, but charming.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : KOKIA
Song Title : Follow the Nightingale
Language : Japanese / Reversed Japanese
Album/Single : Follow the Nightingale
Released : November 21, 2007
I've only listened to this song twice since it's been released, and the song is ridiculously EPIC. This is the opening theme for "Tales of Innocence", and I think it's amazing. It sounds like something from a show about an ancient tale. There's a contrasting fast and slow movement: the slow having a legato Japanese melody, while the fast parts have reversed Japanese being sung repetitively. KOKIA goes into some operatic tones in this.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 絢香×コブクロ (ayaka x kobukuro)
Song Title : WINDING ROAD
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : WINDING ROAD
Released : February 28, 2007
This is probably the first song of the year I obssessed over XD. I love how the three singers in this work together in this song. There's some really tight harmonies throughout this song, and all of them have really strong, resonant vocals. The song itself is a midtempo song and mostly run by some excellent vocals throughout. :D
[Download/Listen]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tsuki's (hiccups25) picks for the year:
Artist : 安室奈美恵 (Amuro Namie)
Title : Hide & Seek
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : PLAY
Released: June 27, 2007
Gotta hand it to Namie to put out ridiculously addicting songs. Even if I didn't find most of her songs on this album all that interesting, at first, that quickly changed with every listen. The best of her album, this song is the catchiest and most addicting of the bunch.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : FictionJunction YUUKA
Title : ピアノ (PIANO)
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : circus
Released: July 4, 2007
Trying to select a song from this duo is like trying to decide between ice cream or cake. -_-; Their second album was absolutely amazing, but mostly stunning. This song definitely represents that fact. If you like piano + vocals (and a cello), you should definitely pick this up (but I think you should anyway, regardless).
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 坂本真綾 (Sakamoto Maaya)
Title : ミツバチと科学者 (Mitsubachi to Kagakusha)
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : さいごの果実 (single) (Saigo no Kajitsu)
Released: November 21, 2007
How can I get through a year without any Maaya? Truthfully, I can't. XD I had a long debate if I wanted to include this or "30minutes night flight", but I decided with this in the end, mostly due to its refreshing sound (although I highly encourage you to look up "30minutes night flight" if you haven't already). I'll admit, the guitar parts were what got to me in the end.
[Download/Listen]
Artist : 玉置成実 (Tamaki Nami)
Title : Brightdown
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : Brightdown (single)
Released: August 29, 2007
It hasn't been too long since I first posted this song (although I only had it up for a few days). I think this was my most anticipated release for the year (all thanks to the TV size being released nearly half a year prior to the actual single release). I'm horribly biased when it comes to Tamaki Nami, but this song is very deserving of it's place this year. Besides, it's still on my repeat list, so I couldn't help it. XD
[Download/Listen]
Artist : YUI
Title : Rolling star
Language : Japanese
Album/Single : CAN'T BUY MY LOVE, Rolling star (single)
Released : January 17, 2007
Over a year ago, I heard the full version of this song when the PV was released, and then I had it on repeat for quite some time. I went on to post the PV on FMS because I couldn't wait until the single was actually released. Point being, this song is awesome, and it revived my interest in YUI following her first album.
[Download/Listen]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Windy's (rashkae) picks for the year:
Artist:Ben's Brother
Title:Time
Album:Beta Male Fairytales
Language: English
Released: November 6, 2007
Ben's Brother is a group from England. They kind of sound like a cross between Owen Pallet and James Blunt. XD The lead singer has an interesting rough falsetto and the melody is quite touching. Good stuff.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: Jonathan Coulton (Portal)
Title: Still Alive
Album: Portal OST
Language: English
Length: 2:56
Size: 5.38 MB
Released: October 10, 2007
Portal is a puzzle game in the Half-Life timeline/storyline. There's not too much blood or anything, just puzzles, and it is REALLY awesome. This is the ending song, and my favorite song from 2007. It doesn't make any sense without context, however, so go here to read the storyline of Portal, or just go and play the game. XD Anyway, this song is GLaDOS singing a report on how the experiment (you) went. The song is clever, hilarious, and mildly creepy, all at once. A WONDERFUL song.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: 12012 (Romeo x Juliet)
Title: Cyclone
Album: Romeo x Juliet ED Single - Cyclone (12012)
Language: Japanese
Released: June 13, 2007 (Single Release)
I love Romeo x Juliet; it was one of my favorite animes this year. I'm just a big sucker for romance. This is the ending theme, and it's very up-tempo and full of J-rock. The lead singer talks really fast for the verses, and it sounds cool. XD
[Download/Listen]
Artist: RHYTHEM
Title: Kasumizakura
Album: Sakura Uta Single
Language: Japanese
Released: February 29, 2007
This is the B-side on this single, and I liked it more than "Sakura Uta." It's a soft, slow, straightforward song with a piano accompaniment and pretty singing/harmonization.
[Download/Listen]
Artist: Charlotte Gainsbourg
Title: The Songs That We Sing
Album: 5:55
Language: English
Released: April 24, 2007 (US Release date)
I wanted to put up "1 2 3 4" from Feist's CD The Reminder, but I already put that up a few rotations ago. So instead, you get this song! I played it all through midterms week and it kept me sane. XD It has a very winter-y feeling to it, with bells and restless violins. Her voice is very soft and the lyrics are striking and ironic.
[Download/Listen]