Music Galore!
Hi, everyone. I know this journal has already been buried under the rust and fungi since I last updated like…decades ago. I think I just can’t be bothered with updating on a regular basis, I like to update when and where as I like it. Nevertheless, to compensate for my long absence, let me overwhelm you with “The Attack of The Mp3s”!!!
BUCK-TICK - Kagerou
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 10/10
Comment: I usually don’t listen to BUCK-TICK’s songs at all, and when I do listen to them, I don’t really pay much attention to their songs. However, I liked Kagerou immediately just seconds into the song, it has this melancholic and haunting tune and the singer’s emotional vocal matches it so well.
:: Download ::
Plastic Tree - Makka na ito
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 20/10
Comment: Really, I think I’ve found the male answer to Rurutia. I think I have only heard one Plastic Tree song previously, and it failed to leave any lasting impression on me. BUT, I have to say that this song is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The vocalist’s voice is filled with so much longing and sadness, and the awesome background music just adds to the atmosphere. MUST DOWNLOAD.
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Irodori - Sai Sakura
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 10/10
Comment: The guitar at the opening and middle part of this song is very striking and unique, the tune reminds me of traditional Japanese music, only with the traditional instruments replaced by the guitar instead. The vocalist’s strong voice really portrayed the song well, and the melody matches with the “Sakura” song title. RECOMMENDED.
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Akatsuki - Mushi-Uta
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: This is the theme song of some anime I think, the female vocal is quite nice here. Overall, a standard good song with a pleasant melody.
:: Download :: (Mirror 1)
:: Download :: (Mirror 2)
Kosaka Riyu - Danzai no Hana ~Guilty Sky~
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: People, please go and watch “Claymore”, it’s an awesome show! Oops, sorry, off the track. Anyway, this is the very matching ending theme of the great(dark and bloody) anime “Claymore”. The female singer’s vocal is full of emotions and passion in this song, the beginning is quite low pitched and dark but switches swiftly to that of a higher tone in the chorus. The background instruments help to build up a dark, depressing and haunting atmosphere, which really suits the theme of the anime.
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Zwei - 1+1=2
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 9/10
Comment: This is a new single from Zwei, I wish they come out with more singles since their last one was quite long ago. Anyway, Zwei means two in German, it’s a J-Rock group which consists of two(very cool) females Ayumu and Megu. (Hell yeah to female rock!) Ayumu’s voice has this really strong masculine streak in it, and can be mistaken for that of a male sometimes. (I think it’s even more masculine than a lot of the male J-Rockers out there) This song is quite powerful although it is not really their best one.
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Ketsumeishi - Mata Kimi ni Aeru
Genre: J-Pop/Rap
Rating: 10/10
Comment: I first heard of this song through a CM of Shiseido Anessa(Japanese sunscreen brand) which is fronted by my favourite model Ebihara Yuri. I personally have never heard of Ketsumeishi’s songs before, but this song is really infectious, especially the chorus part. It has this very summer and sunny kind of feel to it, and I can just imagine the people running and playing on the beach. RECOMMENDED.
:: Download :: (Mirror 1)
:: Download :: (Mirror 2)
Rurutia - Arabesque (Ballade Ver)
Genre: Ballade
Rating: 10/10
Comment: Rurutia is one of those one of a kind singers who has a really distinct and unique voice. Her voice is kind of wispy, echoing, whispering and ethereal, and gives you a really heavenly kind of experience. Compared to the original version, I like this version better as Rurutia’s beautiful voice is able to shine through clearly amongst the peaceful background music.
:: Download ::
Tetsu69 - Tightrope
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 10/10
Comment: Tetsu69 used to be the alter ego of Tetsu of L’arc En Ciel when the group disbanded temporarily for the members to pursue their own music career. I have never listened to him before actually, but a friend of mine got me into it when she sang it for like…four times in the karaoke. The guitar and bass riffs at the beginning of the song is quite distinct, and the tune is kind of sad.
:: Download ::
LM.C - BOYS & GIRLS
Genre: J-Rock
Rating: 20/10
Comment: This song has really got me into LM.C recently, LM.C is a recent J-Rock band consisting of two guys. It is the theme song for some anime if I’m not mistaken, it has an extremely infectious melody and you’ll find it hard not to sing along to it. I really like Maya’s vocals, it sounds somewhat a bit different from the normal J-Rockers. MUST DOWNLOAD.
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KOTOKO - Hayate no Gotoku!
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: It’s the theme song for the anime “Hayate no Gotoku!”, KOTOKO’s songs are usually quite pleasant to me so this one is no exception.
:: Download ::
Mizuki Nana - Secret Ambition
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 20/20
Comment: Mizuki Nana! I really like her as she is a really good seiyuu who has voiced for a lot of female anime characters. (Though I still don’t like the fact that she is the seiyuu of the hated fugly Hyuuga Hinata=_=) Anyway, this is an awesome song with Nana’s usual strong and powerful vocals, one of my top choices of karaoke songs. MUST DOWNLOAD.
:: Download ::
Mizuki Nana - Eternal Blaze
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 20/20
Comment: It’s Nana again, I can’t help but put up another of her signature song. This is my favourite song from her, and it is the theme song of the anime “Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha As”. I bet you will like the song seconds into the opening. MUST DOWNLOAD.
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Ito Yuna - Mahaloha ft. Micro
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: This is a collaboration between Yuna and Micro of Def Tech, overall a good-feeling song with a summer touch to it.
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Nakagawa Shoko - Sorairo Days
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: Nakagawa Shoko is so cute! Hehe, back onto the tracks, Shoko has a sweet and clear voice which goes well with this upbeat song. I think it’s also the theme song of some anime.
:: Download ::
Shikao Suga - Phonoscope
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 9.5/10
Comment: Shikao Suga is a very talented composer and singer-songwriter, who has written songs for artists like KAT-TUN. This is the theme song for Japanese cosmetics brand Kanebo T’estimo’s summer collection, it has a very light-hearted and refreshing melody.
:: Download ::
ERIKA - FREE
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 9.5/10
Comment: ERIKA is the alter ego of the Japanese female actress, Sawajiri Erika of the “1 Litre of Tears” fame. FREE is her debut single into the music industry, it has a nice melody with a bit of rock-ish feel.
:: Download ::
Antic Cafe - Smile Ichiban Ii Onna
Genre: Oshare Kei
Rating: 20/10
Comment: Antic Cafe has got to be my favourite Oshare Kei band, their music is so addicting and fun! For those of you who have no idea what Oshare Kei is, it is basically a much lighter and brighter version of Visual kei, which tends to be heavier and darker. This song is EXTREMELY addicting, especially the chorus part where Miku sings “Kirameke Venus, Utsukushiku. Kirameke Venus, Konjiki ni.” MUST DOWNLOAD.
:: Download ::
Antic Cafe - Maple Gunman
Genre: Oshare kei
Rating: 10/10
Comment: I can’t help but put up another An Cafe song, this is an extremely fun and interesting song with addictive background guitar.
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Nightmare - BOYS BE SUSPICIOUS
Genre: Visual Kei
Rating: 20/10
Comment: Naitomea, they really rock! If you still remember, they sang the opening and ending themes of “Deathnote” the anime. I really like Yomi’s voice as it is not as harsh and noisy as some of the other J-Rockers, plus the background guitar and bass here are awesome. RECOMMENDED.
:: Download ::
Nightmare - Raison D’etre
Genre: Visual Kei
Rating: 20/10
Comment: This is the opening theme for “Claymore”, really great song with a depressing feel to it. (Though it’s hard to pronounce the title…) MUST DOWNLOAD.
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12012 - Cyclone
Genre: Visual Kei
Rating: 20/10
Comment: 12012 is a relatively not so well-known VK band, but their songs are quite nice including this song which is the ending theme for the anime “Romeo and Juliet”. It has very cool vocals and background music, I hope they come out with more good singles soon. RECOMMEDED.
:: Download ::
Hanako Oku - Garnet
Genre: Ballade
Rating: 15/10
Comment: This is the theme song for the really good 2007 movie “The Girl Who Leapt through Time”, it has a very touching melody along with clear and serene female vocals. RECOMMENDED.
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Yamada Yu - Fly So High
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 8/10
Comment: This is the theme song for the anime “Blue Dragon”, actually I’m a bit disappointed with this single since the last single was quite good. It is not to say that this song is not good, it is really quite nice, but I still like her previous song “EYES ON ME” better.
:: Download ::
Leah Dizon - Koi Shiyou
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: I love Leah, she’s so beautiful! Anyway, this song is the featured song on her second single of the same name. For those of you who don’t know who she is, she’s a French/Chinese/Filipino mix and used to be a model in America before she went to pursue a career in Japan. This is a very upbeat and girly type of song which I’m sure most girls would like.
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Hinouchi Emi - O’kay
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 20/10
Comment: This song is a really unique and great song, the acoustic guitar inside is really pleasant and Emi’s voice matches well with the melody too. MUST DOWNLOAD.
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Bonnie Pink - Water Me
Genre: Ballade
Rating: 20/10
Comment: I LOVE BONNIE!!! Sorry, got carried away…haha. This is a Bonnie Pink song. What more can I say, isn’t that a sufficient reason for you to download it? ^_^
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SUEMITSU & THE SUEMITH - Sagittarius
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: This song has great piano playing in it, and was used as “Nodame Cantebile” the anime’s theme song.
:: Download ::
MELL - Proof
Genre: J-Pop
Rating: 10/10
Comment: I think I’m starting to take a liking to MELL, though she’s still relatively new, she has a good voice. “Proof” is the kind of song that most people will like after listening to it.
:: Download ::
Ok, that’s all for now. PLEASE REMEMBER TO COMMENT!! Since I have spent a lot of time and energy doing this music rotation. Tell me which songs you have taken so that I can keep track. Enjoy the songs! ^__^