rotation 15 - Spring & Summer
Everyone, I’m so sorry. Over two months late? I give you my sincerest apologies. But hey, it’s here. So are you ready to kick back once more? ^^
Here we go!
*Mediafire mirror DL links have been uploaded!*
ne, don't forget!:
+ Please Leave a Comment When You Download ^_^+
+ Support the artists by buying their music! (cdjapan or yesasia) +
+ Delete songs after 24 hours ... (this is just a formality ^^;) +
{{ SPRING + SUMMER }}
It begins with the sun and love, then it moves to a theme of water and rain, and finally there are cherry blossoms… Spring’s a myriad of things, so I wanted to bring as diverse a selection as possible, with plenty of new artists. As the weeks went on and spring faded away, I had to restructure this theme. Now it’s at some halfway point between Spring and Summer, and nothing makes sense. Hahaha okay it’s actually my excuse to pimp out the music I like~!
There are no ratings this time. All I have to offer you are my words, but please try all of the music, and listen to it without the bias of numbers.
Enjoy this little spring+summer mix, from me to you <3
**Most Recommended of the Rotation:**
Eh, everything xD;;
------------------------------------------------------------------
~closing comments~
*headdesk*
Sorry it took forever to update. I’m terrible at managing my time (worse than Dan Kim!), and there were technical problems. As expected I broke the damn word count on the LJ entry again (lol whaaat), so I had to pare things down. That also means the Yoko Kanno spotlight will be moved to next time, but that’s done so no worries.
So how did you all like this rotation? There were new artists some of you may not have heard before. I wonder-- will you like them? I urge you to give everything a try and please feel free to tell me your thoughts! I have time for once, so I’m up for replying and discussing. Only if you want to, of course :)
Also, hey. You know, although it’s always fun putting together the rotations, I really enjoyed this one. Because I was sharing my favorites with you, I felt more encouraged to show you my best. I know it’s long-winded and at times ridiculous, but it’s the one way I can convey my gratitude to you. Thank you everyone for sticking with T3 for so long. Did you know this place is about a year old now? That’s -amazing-. And I have all of you to thank for it.
Now with the new crew and everyone’s support, our future looks pretty amazing.
Welcome all 300+ of you! Let’s spend this year together, as musically obsessed as possible!
Love,
pearl
(As usual, within a couple of weeks, there will be an update where the crew is going to tell you what’s coming up for the next rotation :D New developments, etc. are in store! So stay tuned!)
Here we go!
*Mediafire mirror DL links have been uploaded!*
ne, don't forget!:
+ Please Leave a Comment When You Download ^_^+
+ Support the artists by buying their music! (cdjapan or yesasia) +
+ Delete songs after 24 hours ... (this is just a formality ^^;) +
{{ SPRING + SUMMER }}
It begins with the sun and love, then it moves to a theme of water and rain, and finally there are cherry blossoms… Spring’s a myriad of things, so I wanted to bring as diverse a selection as possible, with plenty of new artists. As the weeks went on and spring faded away, I had to restructure this theme. Now it’s at some halfway point between Spring and Summer, and nothing makes sense. Hahaha okay it’s actually my excuse to pimp out the music I like~!
There are no ratings this time. All I have to offer you are my words, but please try all of the music, and listen to it without the bias of numbers.
Enjoy this little spring+summer mix, from me to you <3
- Kozo wit' Nao'ymt - Next Morn'
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5.6 mb || 4:06
Genre: J-r&b/hip-hop
For the first song of this rotation, I chose something to ease us all into the new summer season… Ohh yes! It’s another great Nao’ymt r&b piece! :D
This is one of my personal favorites in the “Summer wit’ Nao’ymt” collaboration series. Kozo is a fresh young emcee (only 21?!) rapping for us here, while our man Nao sings a vaporous backing harmony.
From start to finish this is a chill downtempo track. Customary to Nao’s musical style, the production is bass light and traditional Asian instruments are woven in fluidly. Nao does this so well -- a lot of other producers who use “Asian sounds” only make the music sound pseudo-exotic and cheap, but Nao’ymt’s productions are classy.
A simple head-nodding bass track outlined by clapping samples; it’s what keeps the song grounded while the higher melody, comprised of Nao’s smooth chorus and the Asian instruments, rises and falls like a mist.
Meanwhile Kozo lays out his flow~ Haha, I do love his voice, the way he raps is laidback and he moves easily between Japanese and English. And he has a lot of character too -- I couldn’t help but think that he really is this young guy looking forward to seducing his girl tonight and for all nights and mornings after. The lyrics are playful, sexy, and even a little funny XD
I really like this track. Smooth n’ sexy, and musically balanced. It’s a song just right for a warm nighttime drive :)
Highly recommended! Really, this is from my personal playlist ;D
- Dong Bang Shin Ki - Choosey Lover (Shibuya Sun mix)
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5 mb || 4:20
Genre: J-pop/r&b
So most of you probably know the Korean pop/r&b group, Dong Bang Shin Ki. Also known as DBSK, DBSG, TVXQ, THSK, etc. They are five young men: Yunho, Jaejoong, Junsu, Yoochun, and Changmin, all who’ve received a lot of due attention in both Korea and Japan, best known for their good looks, dancing, and hands-down talented voices (have you heard them sing acapella!?). Yes I’m a fan!!
This is a remix of DBSK’s hit Japanese single, Choosey Lover. I don’t know if it’s official or not, but it is damn good!
The original Choosey Lover is funky and a little swanky, a great song that’s almost Michael Jackson-esque. The Shibuya Sun mix, however, is on the opposite end of the spectrum.
While the original was something of a night song, this mix is relaxed and airy. The backing track cuts out the jazzy instrumentation; instead there is a combination of light synthesized effects, piano, and weightless bass beats, giving the song a breezy and open vibe. The boys harmonize beautifully, and because of the minimal production it feels like they’re allowed greater breadth to soar.
A fun song perfect for the sun and gentle summer days.
Highly recommended!
DBSK has Pearl’s stamp of approval! :D
- m-flo loves BoA - The Love Bug
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5.6 mb || 4:03
Genre: J-pop/hip-hop? XD!
Live Performance (!): m-flo & BoA at Budokan 2005
More Korean love! :D
All right, let me say that I’m a huge fan of BoA! But I only really like her Korean music. Her Japanese music bores me :(
But this song-- m-flo’s collab with BoA blew me away. It’s SO MUCH FUN!
The music has an amazingly upbeat (and love-struck!) feel to it-- complete with m-flo style acoustic guitar tracks laid over a quick and soft drumbeat. I love how Taku can throw in all these funky little scratches and breakdowns, how he can overlap all the vocals so they blanket each other in feather-light choruses. And then he’ll clear it all up, so BoA can sing as the guitar sweeps along that bright melody with her.
VERBAL and BoA make a great team here; they really play so well off each other’s energies. VERBAL has a fast, and for once, unobtrusive flow that fits in just right with a dose of cheeky attitude. Meanwhile BoA sings like she is having the damnedest time of her life-- relaxed, playful, and at times so ready to let her voice carry her places, just because she wants to. The way this song goes, it’s like a gust of fresh air, and I can tell that both m-flo and BoA had so much fun recording it. And because of this, it’s hard to stop listening to them.
Haha now you all know what I think of it, so you have to try it!! Highly recommended!!
(LOL and did I mention that BoA says “Fa sho” somewhere in there? That made me so giggly-happy when I heard it xD Love that girl to death ♥)
- BOat - KILL/KILL
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2.1 mb || 2:19
Genre: J-pop/alt.rock/other!
BOat (ボート), I’ve been waiting too long to post their music!
An indie rock band, BOat formed back in 1997 when four students from Keio University decided to make f-ing awesome music. They found their main vocalist in a girl called AIN who also happened to play guitar, and together the five of them rocked out with swingin’, free, pop-rock music. Although they disbanded in 2001, BOat’s music is still highly regarded in the J-Indies world, and members AIN and AxSxE later formed the instrumental jazz-post-rock band Natsumen (very different, but still really cool).
Now KILL/KILL is the first BOat song I heard and I fell in love with them instantly. Setting things off with a sparkling flourish, BOat easily moves into a funky and dare-I-say soulful melody. The guitars and bass bend and roll along, feeling so chill. AIN sings in a childish way that’s so straightforward it’s almost taunting XD Her crisp style is a great offset to the mellow atmosphere of the rest of the band.
But don’t take BOat for granted. Within that sunshiney funk-pop music, the most tongue-in-cheek mood abounds. Sure the sun’s shining, summer is all over the place, but the kids are ready to bust out some honest badassery. Interspersed between AIN’s singing are riotous cries of “KILL KILL!!” (you’d better be listening to the lyrics too!) And the guitar solos are wild and buzzy, with a touch of youthful rebellion. I love the guitar-blazing anarchy that descends at 1:40-- It is oh-so-heavy-kickass. Hardcore anyone!?
KILL/KILL is simply infectious. It’s like running around with your friends with the sun at your backs, slightly smashed, laughing deliriously and rocking out the whole time.
Highly recommended :D
- chickenrace - Sunshine Underground
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4.3 mb || 3:08
Genre: J-pop/Jackson5-inspired pop-rock
chickenrace is a three-man indie rock band. I love their sound, which falls somewhere between swingin’ early Jackson 5-inspired rock, and boyish pop punk. Their charm is irresistible :D and the singers have such smooth and cheerful voices, which perfectly suit the youthful optimism of their music.
What I’ve got to love most of all about Sunshine Underground is how delightfully buoyant the guitars are xD They just roll right along with the melody and make everything feel so laidback and friendly. Overall this is a fun little song that makes its way in relaxed warmth, and kicks up the energy to satisfying results. This song makes me think of summer days and carefree teenage love without all the emotive hassle XD
Please give them a try!
Highly recommended!!
- hare-brained unity - Shiroi Machi
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4.5 mb || 3:59
Genre: J-alt.rock
Shiroi Machi PV
hare-brained unity (or “heabure” for short) thrills me to alternative rock music again. In their sound are similarities to bands like Art-School and Asian Kung-Fu Generation. But they are far less self-deprecating than Art-School, and much less teenage-punk than Ajikan. This band has more in common with Starboard, but still they’re different. Heabure’s music feels fresh, honest, and more than anything it rocks with straightforward youth.
Shiroi Machi is from heabure’s first indie album. When the song begins, it’s just the two guitars playing a distant, spacey refrain. Before long Shiroi Machi builds into an open fusion of all elements, guitars, bass, and drums. Tetsushi supplies a quick hi-hat dusted beat that keeps the song moving, and Daisuke’s and Yoshitaka’s spiraling guitars create dimension. Meanwhile Taiju’s bass is at the core of the music. With a sound that’s bright and stout, Taiju leads much of the song with his bass.
But only when Yoshitaka starts singing does the song feel truly unified. He shines in his natural understanding of melody. Strong and unrushed, listening to Yoshitaka I know that he’s singing without pretense. He doesn’t have to pour out all of his emotions into the words; he simply means what he sings. And that’s enough to keep me listening for more.
This song is what I love about Heabure. Shiroi Machi is sent into space by freely ringing guitars, but the drums, bass, and Yoshitaka certainly aren’t content to stay on the ground either. Together, this song soars :)
I strongly believe that Heabure will be the next big band of 2007-2008. They’re already there, in fact, playing all sorts of events in the popular clubs in Tokyo. So if the hip kids in Japan are rocking out to Heabure-- now it’s your turn!!
- trademark - comet
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5.5 mb || 4:00
Genre: J-alt.rock/indie
I wish I could make music like this.
Trademark is Negishi on guitar, Oochiri on drums, and Gamae as the band’s front woman: she is the singer, writer/composer, and bassist. Trademark’s music is full of emotional and textured imagery. Without question, they’re one of my favorite bands to date.
Comet matches its name perfectly--
Negishi’s guitar marks the music’s ascension in a thick buzzing distortion, which sets the stage for a near-relentless buildup. Like an answer rising in graceful strength, emerges Gamae. Her pure alto voice fills the music in a way that surpasses any need for a second six-string. And as if to offset the fullness of Gamae’s singing, the drumming joins in too. The drumming is just f-ing great. Beautiful math-rock drumming where, every time the stick meets the drum skin, the sound is so damn -crisp-.
The song is brilliantly clamorous, like a core of burning energies. It soars in the discordance of a fierce guitar and percussion, shaping an unconventional melody. But while the beginning may seem almost harsh, Gamae guides the song into genuine beauty. When she sings the music is defined. Her full, even voice tempers the blaze of music and turns it into something rare and more whole. From her, the song enters periods of quiet where there is only echoing music. Like being lost in a vapor trail, drifting through space and time; it’s a feeling that persists to the very end, when the band comes together in a union so radiant that the music could drift on forever.
I love Trademark. Probably because they walk much the same path as the late band, Fra-Foa. I would also compare Gamae to Fra-Foa’s Mikami Chisako. Although they’re very different, both women have a quality to their voices, which I can only define as “brave”. It’s something about how they channel their emotions that is so sincere.
Give this song a try ♥
(Random: Did you know? Trademark is also friends with BEAT CRUSADERS and they did an indie rock tour together once! :D)
- Base Ball Bear - Dramatic
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9.5 mb || 4:11
Genre: J-pop/alt. rock
Dramatic PV
Finally something you’re more familiar with, right? :D
By now you must know Base Ball Bear! A previously indie band of three young guys and one girl, all friends from university, who have risen to fame with their talented lineup and great alternative rock music.
This is the band’s latest single, the theme song for Ookiku Furikabutte, and one of my favorite BBB singles yet. Dramatic isn’t Base Ball Bear’s best song, or its most complex. But damn, does it kick ass as one hell of a fun song!! :D
Starting off with one of Shouhei’s signature high-pitched guitar intros, Dramatic proceeds into a flurry of bouncing riffs. The energy is unmistakable. In every pace, the band is just more fired up, their eagerness practically bursting at their hands and throats. Everything merges into a sound that’s at once sweet and metallically scratchy, even a bit messy. But the four work together with such ease that the song is always clean and dynamic.
You can really feel that the kids are enjoying themselves :) During the quieter moments when Yusuke sings of hazy long-gone summer days, he sounds so relaxed, but just under the surface you can hear he wants to let it all go. God, does he sing with charisma! Even Shiori’s simple thudding bassline rocks out with a kind of punchy-ness. This song IS summer. The words themselves are straightforward, but Base Ball Bear takes an old idea of summer love and makes it fresh and captivating once more.
Dramatic has me head-shaking and air-guitaring like a madwoman! It’s -that- undeniably catchy :D
This is my uncontested favorite song of the summer!
- VELTPUNCH - Taikai no Kurage
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7.3 mb || 5:20
Genre: J-alt. rock
Jellyfish of an Open Sea.
VELTPUNCH is another favorite indie rock band of mine. They were formed from members Hidenori and Aiko’s mutual love of the Smashing Pumpkins (♥ me toooo). Taisuke joined on drums and more recently Seiji was added as second guitarist, and after three albums they’ve continued to rock out in the hotspots of Tokyo!
I love VELTPUNCH’s uniquely layered sound, and male & female vocals (Hidenori and Aiko). The band travels anywhere from screaming atonality to catchy melodic pop, and all of the members are so talented-- it shows in the best way when you can hear them all weaving around each other.
Taikai no Kurage begins with a rough and almost unpleasant guitar progression. But in an easy counter motion, Aiko carries in a smooth zigzagging melody on her bass. What follows is a truly unique construction of sounds. As Hidenori sings, the lead guitar adopts the melody, which is overdubbed many times to ring brightly, everywhere. The cadence of the drums is like a path being punched down for the music to follow. And the grating edge from the intro cycles in the background, giving the sound more fullness. Everything about the song comes together in a vigorous joy that calls back to 90’s power pop-rock.
This music breathes in dual layers. For every fierce edge, there is an equal if not more lovely guitar breakdown. For every scream, Aiko’s sweet and gentle voice is there in response. In the midst of music bordering on chaos is a sound that is beautifully exultant. Each time Aiko and Hidenori sing the words, “so happy,” I really feel that they are.
Don’t be afraid, just go for it :)
(~their White Album will be released August 1st!!! I’M SO EXCITED! XD I NEED TO ORDER IT!!!)
- ROCKY CHACK - Could You See?
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6.4 mb || 4:40
Genre: J-pop/alt. rock
Now for a change in mood, more on the sunshiney pop end of the spectrum~
ROCKY CHACK. I don’t know much about them, other than their names: Taro (left), and noe (right), and that they formed when the two met in vocational school in the late 90’s (recently they did the ending song for the anime Zegapain).
Lack of info aside, they are a great duo! :D ROCKY CHACK’s music has a sunshiney sound that is so likable. Much of their early music also resembles the twee-pop style of advantage Lucy (they formed at around the same time). But different than the former, they have a stronger freer rock vibe.
Could You See? is a wonderfully fun song. It starts off mellow, with only a spare tune and slow drumming at first, while Taro and noe sing in hushed voices. However before long, the electric guitar kicks in high energy, and Taro and noe sing beautifully together, in glowing unison. The song grows into a blissful place that feels like an embrace of sunlight. It’s carefree, it’s happy and swinging, and it doesn’t stop rocking, complete even with a lovely guitar solo near the middle of the song. And the words, although they don’t always make sense, are some of the sweetest and memorable.
Could you see?
Sky way!
You and a Night Flight!
Hello, my darling,
Tomorrow will be a fine day.
- moumoon - Tsumetai Ame
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6.8 mb || 4:54
Genre: J-pop/light acoustic/jazz-influence
Cold Rain.
moumoon: I hope you remember them from rotation 12.5. At that time they were still indie, but they have been signed onto Avex! They will release their major debut album next month! Keep a lookout :D
Another two-piece band, moumoon makes music that’s so smooth. Singer Yuka has one of the prettiest, easygoing voices out there. As I’ve mentioned before, she reminds me of a fusion of Love Psychedelico’s Kumi, meets YUI, meets Rie Fu ^^ She seamlessly integrates fluent English into her lyrics, and it is so fluid alongside the softly jazzy piano and acoustic guitar.
Tsumetai Ame is a gentle song that begs to be played on cool hazy evenings. I listen to it and am calmed. The song is a little bittersweet; take the interval at 3:34, which bears a pain inside of its swaying jazz vibe. Yet despite this, the song feels reassuring. There is tenderness to it that seems to say, ‘everything will be okay in the end.’
Give it a listen and relax <3
- K. - tepid rain
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8.4 mb || 6:04
Genre: J-pop/r&b/lounge/downtempo
(And maybe you also remember K. from rotation 12? :D)
K., NOT to be confused with the Korean artist, is a lounge singer. She’s well known in the underground for working with m-flo, and you can hear Taku’s hand at the production here. VERBAL even raps lightly throughout the song.
The atmosphere of Tepid Rain is lovely. K. has an effortless kind of voice, which is so relaxing to listen to. She sounds as if she is floating above the music, gently, yielding as summer rain. The song is filled with quietly reverberating music. It’s soothing, like an ebbing tide, but also a little sad. Music like this would be played on a long drive alone, or maybe it’s the feeling of sitting with your back resting against a tree, and being alone with your thoughts.
Should’ve known from the start
that you didn’t have the heart
for me…
Should’ve known from the start
that you didn’t have the heart
for me…
- Marika wit' Nao'ymt - Lil' Goldfish
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8 mb || 5:54
Genre: J-r&b
Another artist featured in last year’s “Summer wit’ Nao’ymt” series, Marika (pictured) worked together with Nao’ymt to make Lil’ Goldfish, one of my favorite r&b songs.
It’s interesting, because Marika is not a regular working singer. She is a young woman who actually works as an office lady xD But after hearing the music playing on Nao’ymt’s website she was stirred to a dormant part of herself. Growing up she always had a love for music, taking the form of piano and violin. But there was something else. Surprised at her own boldness, she emailed Nao and sent him a sample of her singing. What came to be was a meeting of the two, Nao’s creation of the music to Lil’ Goldfish for Marika to sing, and later, the “Summer wit’ Nao’ymt” project.
Lil’ Goldfish is one of Nao’ymt’s most understated and beautiful productions.
Woken from cool depths, the music is awash with distant echoes, as if taken from the chambers of an ocean cavern. Bell-like and so delicate, so crystalline, in every motion the music is just like water. Marika sings freely and her voice is beautiful because of her clarity, which is achingly real. When she sings it’s like a ray of moonlight passing through water. It is so easy to feel that she and the music are inseparable from each other.
A small goldfish swimming in a river, or an ocean of love. It’s a simple idea but I find it to be really beautiful. To be so surrounded by one pure feeling -- it’s humbling. Perhaps even undeserving. But at the same time the fish thrives in that water and could not go without it. And each day the color of the fish becomes more and more brilliant. This song is an embodiment of that feeling. Of being indescribably grateful, of the willingness to return a love which always and always exists to give to you.
- Natsukawa Rimi - Toki no Kawa
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7.7 mb || 5:38
Genre: J-pop/ballad/new-age/other
River of Time.
Natsukawa Rimi is an Okinawan singer who is well known throughout Japan for her pure, youthful voice. If you’ve been around T3 for a while, you must know that she is one of my favorite singers :)
This song is from Natsukawa Rimi’s latest album, Umuikaji, released this year. The entire album is very different. She sings songs with a younger, more modern feel. But even with the style change, Rimi’s music continues to be refreshing and lovely.
Toki no Kawa, or River of Time, is a song unlike any previous Rimi song. As Rimi mentioned in an interview, even the singing was different from what she was used to. Unlike Okinawan minyo, which uses trembling falsettos, Rimi sings here in sweeping colors of voice. As always, her voice soars naturally, but she extends it further in windborne ease. The music follows Rimi, rippling harps and pianos layered into clear hollowed harmonies, all seeming to swirl from Rimi’s breath like an ancient story being told.
It’s beautiful.
Rimi is experiencing a lot of success recently. She has always been popular, but her new album was very well received. She’s on her nationwide tour right now, which will extend into 2008 :) I love her. There is no song of hers I’ve ever disliked. Because always, at the center of the music, is her heart.
- Nomak - It Keeps Shining
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3.8 mb || 4:14
Genre: instrumental/alternative hip-hop/downtempo/other
You’re all familiar with Nujabes, right?-- a main producer on the Samurai Champloo soundtracks, and extremely well-known in the Japanese hip-hop underground. He works in a mostly instrumental, cool jazz influenced, alternative hip-hop form.
Nomak is like him. And dare I say, even better.
I know virtually nothing about Nomak, but I do know that he (or ‘she’?) is a Japanese DJ who produces beautiful, vivid tracks (you may also remember the Asian Blow song, Pressure ’06-- the backing track was composed by Nomak!).
Without the aid of vocals, Nomak’s songs are complete by themselves. ‘It Keeps Shining’ is not your conventional hip-hop track. There are beats, in the form of a cool-paced drum sequence, but it is only one dimension of something much greater. The music brings together richly colored threads of sound-- sounds of the rushing movement of water, and choruses of harps and flutes-- to create a piece lush in imagery. You can really hear the water coursing over river stones and bubbling along the sides of banks. And it’s as if the flute is mirroring the flow, the joyful unhindered water which has flowed since always. It is magical, wordless poetry.
Whatever your tastes are, try this. It is so lovely. This is a fusion of the East and hip-hop.
- The Brilliant Green - Rain Days Never Stays (Album Mix)
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8.9 mb || 3:53
Genre: J-pop
Lyrics: English + Romaji
The Brilliant Green.
When I first heard Rainy Days Never Stays I fell in love immediately, because of how open it sounds. Beginning with only a simple loop of an acoustic guitar, it steadily grows into an uplifting declaration of one’s dreams. It’s alive with a unity of guitars, both acoustic and electric, and sent into flight with Tomoko’s honest emotion.
My wounds are healed by the
dull sunshine and dull waves
In my deep breaths, it soon turns to rain
and then melts into the sea
My regrets change shape and become fears; But even on bad days
don't forget to be strong; don't get caught by loneliness
"Raining all day” I was scared
to let go of my old dreams
"Raining all day” There are some cloudy nights, but
... I notice that
Rainy days never stays
It takes me back, because I first heard the song on the mp3 rotation, Emotionally Driven, which has remained my strongest influence for T3. And now also, I thought The Brilliant Green were gone forever, but they are returning once again <3
- the pillows - Hybrid Rainbow (15th Anniversary Special Live)
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5.7 mb || 4:10
Genre: J-alt.rock
Lyrics: English + Romaji
For a moment the applause sounds almost like rain.
This is the 15th Anniversary Special Live performance of the pillows’ famous song, Hybrid Rainbow.
This performance is beautiful. Instead of starting with the two guitars playing together, as they should, Sawao begins playing a little early. And it feels just right. He plays that sweet opening progression, memorable like the best sky-blue summer, as he asks the audience,
“…can you feel?
Can you FEEL!”
The emotions in this song are raw, shaking. It’s what I love about the pillows and music.
Can you feel?
Can you feel that hybrid rainbow?
Even we who were not chosen yesterday
Are waiting for tomorrow
Nearly shriveled up, our airship
Skims across the ground
Its color is beyond description
The birds will peck it remorselessly
Can you feel?
Can you feel that hybrid rainbow?
Surely
We can still go farther
Farther than this
- Ketsumeishi - Sakura
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7.2 mb || 5:16
Genre: J-pop/light hip-hop influence
Sakura PV
Ketsumeishi. Four guys making music that reminds me of relaxed breezy days.
Ketsumeishi’s Sakura is exactly a representation of the season of cherry blossoms. It falls into a lovely melody right from the start, lilting softly like a cool spring wind. The music is nourished on gentle surges of string and piano accompaniment, which together gain in fluency, which is returned in Ryoji’s tranquil singing. Even when the boys begin to rap they convey such a sense of peace.
This song, it’s about remembering what the spring wind was like. Of one’s beloved, and how her long hair danced in the wind. It’s a song of sitting under the cherry tree and watching the fireworks together. And finding a petal in your hand and remembering her voice again, beneath the cherry blossoms.
- Morning Musume Sakura Gumi - Sakura Mankai
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9 mb || 6:35
Genre: J-pop
Sakura Mankai PV
Cherry blossoms in full bloom.
For the moment, I ask you to forget any preconceptions you may have about Morning Musume. We will appreciate this song for how good it is, because I swear I love it :3
In 2003, due to their size, J-pop girl group Morning Musume was split up into two units in order to tour Japan more effectively. The groups were Otome Gumi (for the North) and Sakura Gumi (for the South). This is Sakura Gumi’s second and last single from 2004.
Sakura Mankai.
I was surprised when I first heard it. Musically, Morning Musume’s faults are many. But the quality of this song is extremely impressive, and just so pretty. The Sakura Mankai PV is also similarly well done (please watch it, the cinematography is lovely). Actually integrating real Asian instruments--yes, I hear a koto and biwa in there!-- Sakura Mankai builds into a rich fabric of traditional Japanese influenced music. The music is serene, and even meditative, but still not without vibrant flourishes, which are in turn expanded upon by the girls themselves. While Aichan leads the song, the rest of the girls are just as important, each adding her own shade of sweet voice. They sing in beautiful cohesion, such that from beginning to end, the song is so enjoyable.
It’s rare that I get to say these things about Morning Musume, and I mean them. Sometimes things surprise you, you know?
…And of course my dear Eri gets a decent number of lines so that makes me happy enough XD;;
(My favorite Hello! Project song!)
- Katamari tai Jr. - Cherry Blossom Color Season
mirror DL
8.5 mb || 6:15
Genre: J-pop/acoustic-pop/children’s chorus
Lyrics: English Translation
And finally… I’ve been waiting forever to upload this song for you. It’s just amazing. From the Katamari Damacy soundtrack, I fell in love the moment I heard it.
It’s a chorus of children singing along to a folksy acoustic guitar. But it’s probably one of the sweetest things I’ve heard in my life. The kids have honest, beautiful voices. The lead singer especially, the boy, his singing is disarming. It’s somehow practical, and straightforward in that little kid way, but also full of sweet imaginings. Within this gently rolling music, country roads and green hills seem to appear, hazy and pleasant in a kind of dreamy innocence.
If the Katamari comes, shall we go out
To the back alleys and walk with it, swaying, swinging, strolling?
Hey! Look outside the window!
In the sky, where a plane is leaving clouds behind it
Remember we could feel the coming of the pleasant autumn air in the bright orange moon?
We were exploring the city as the afternoon descended
I remember being shy, blushing to the touch of your hand
Those were the days when small things made us feel content
That was a merry, peach-colored season
Now you and I think
Because we've grown, if even just a little
We want that time when we feel joy from small things
That wild and lively season colored like sakura
♥
SPRING {{ WATER }} {{ CHERRY BLOSSOMS }}
**Most Recommended of the Rotation:**
Eh, everything xD;;
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~closing comments~
*headdesk*
Sorry it took forever to update. I’m terrible at managing my time (worse than Dan Kim!), and there were technical problems. As expected I broke the damn word count on the LJ entry again (lol whaaat), so I had to pare things down. That also means the Yoko Kanno spotlight will be moved to next time, but that’s done so no worries.
So how did you all like this rotation? There were new artists some of you may not have heard before. I wonder-- will you like them? I urge you to give everything a try and please feel free to tell me your thoughts! I have time for once, so I’m up for replying and discussing. Only if you want to, of course :)
Also, hey. You know, although it’s always fun putting together the rotations, I really enjoyed this one. Because I was sharing my favorites with you, I felt more encouraged to show you my best. I know it’s long-winded and at times ridiculous, but it’s the one way I can convey my gratitude to you. Thank you everyone for sticking with T3 for so long. Did you know this place is about a year old now? That’s -amazing-. And I have all of you to thank for it.
Now with the new crew and everyone’s support, our future looks pretty amazing.
Welcome all 300+ of you! Let’s spend this year together, as musically obsessed as possible!
Love,
pearl
(As usual, within a couple of weeks, there will be an update where the crew is going to tell you what’s coming up for the next rotation :D New developments, etc. are in store! So stay tuned!)