Top Ten Artists February 29, 2012

Ummm…I must specifically point out that this is only western artists and yes it’s just my opinion!

10. The Killers

I have nothing much to say about them except I think they’re decent. I used to like them a few years back before I got into other music. Lyrics are decent, nice catchy tunes and basic guitar riffs is cool with me.

9. Nine Inch Nails

Weird and artistic, I like it! A fusion of rock and electronic elements with awesome vocals by Trent Reznor. It’s always cool to hear a band that is actually just one person doing everything.

8. A Rocket to the Moon

Only very recently became one of my favourite bands at the current moment because….I’m not sure why. I usually don’t go for bands like them but their lyrics are more meaningful than most and they make me want to get up and dance! Shall be exploring more of their works.

7. Oasis

One of those bands that I’ve always seemed to love. The whole Britpop scene captivates me on how it gained popularity so fast but then died down so quick. It surprises me to see still youngsters in Britain listening to them, they are just such a significant icon in British music history. Anyways love Liam’s vocals, Noel’s lyrics and melodies that just fuses to be so perfect and English!

6. The Academy is…

Oh my god when I found out about these guys I was hysteric. Finally an american pop rock band that didn’t have the distinctive American accent and I can enjoy his voice. I was so sad to hear they disbanded >.< I want them back to make more good music for me.

5. The Pretty Reckless

Two words, Taylor Momsen. She is like my idol! Damn sexy, fucktastic vocals and really quite talented front…woman? She owns that stage. Songs are really relate-able for me and love the softness but always heaviness of the guitars.

4. Marilyn Manson

Not particular always the music I like of his although usually it’s great. But his lyrics are fantastic, and I hate how people just judge his music as being ’emo’ even though a lot of his songs aren’t quite like that. Although he likes to concentrate mostly on violence, sex and drugs but I love to rock out to that shit!

3. Backstreet Boys

I’ll give you a moment to laugh……… Okie dokie then. I love them so much! Yes they are a corporate-whore boy band but I don’t care, I love 90’s boy bands. They actually had talent and could make me instantly fall in love with one of their songs. Seriously fuck you if you’re a hater!

2. The Beatles

No, I’m not one of those fucktards who just put The Beatles on the list because they’re the greatest, but I do so because I legit love their music. From their early mop-top, catchy albums to their experimental, psychedelic albums. Personally I think their is no one who could possibly not know a Beatles’ song or to not like any of theirs. They’re just so damn awesome.

1. Evanescence

I have and love all of their albums. They are just so fantastic in my eyes and Amy Lee is just a goddess of Rock. There is no other band in this world (I mean the western part of civilisation) that can relate to me so much and pull me in so deeply into their music as much as Evanescence. I’ve loved them since I was 6 so of course they are my favourite.

Top 10 Jpop Artists February 19, 2012

So I did the Top 10 Jrock so I decided to do a Jpop one also. Once again it’s my own personal opinion. Hope someone in this world can gain something from this ^^

 10. Kana Nishino

It was either out of her or Kanon Wakeshima and since people barely know Kanon I did Kana. Her voice isn’t perfect but it’s innocent and sweet. Don’t really like the fact that all her songs are R’n’B however the lyrics are amazing and I know she’s popular amongst young teenage girls. I would like to see more from her though and she keeps that voice of hers. Please don’t do another song with a rapper in it >.<

 9. Ayaka

Ayaka is one of the first Jpop artists I ever heard. Her songs ‘Why’ and ‘I believe’ instantly addictive to me because I love ballads and she pulls them off very well. Beautiful voice, magical lyrics and background music that you’ll end up crying to.

 8. Vocaloid

It’s just impossible not to have at least one Vocaloid song on your itunes. Whether that be from Hatsune Miku, Luka Megurine, Kaito, Meiko, and Rin Kagamine (sorry if there’s others). They do every type of music, and yes I know they aren’t real but they are fantastic! Of course my favourites are Miku and Luka. Everyone can love them because they have heaps of English songs too, and if you can’t find a song you like of theirs then I know you are lying.

 7. SKE48

I love the 48 family, except DiVa and SDN48. Always makes me happy to listen to them and see them perform. They’re lyrics are relate able and aren’t typically about love but a variety of teenage girl things. ‘Okie Dokie’ is just fucktastic and don’t get me started on the lesbian packed Kataomoi Finally PV! SKE48, a bunch of kawaii, pervy, adolescent girls with awesome songs ^.^

6. Do As Infinity 

They are simply on the list for their melodic tunes and some lyrics that helped me a lot in the past. Sometimes I may consider them to be also Jrock but the vocalist’s voice makes it much sweeter to listen to cause the fact she is a woman. Live versions are just as good as the studio and they are true musicians however in recent years their songs don’t seem as much as appealing so I will always recommend to listen to their earlier stuff.

5. Passpo

These girls just fucking rock way more than heaps of Jrock/VK bands. I know they don’t play the instruments but I don’t care, they are awesome. 9 cool and cute girls singing about pretty much anything. I would give up listening to half of my favourite Jrock artists for these girls because truthfully they are just too damn hardcore. May Passpo run the world with their air hostess outfits!

4. Kyarypamyupamyu

Yes I know she is fairly new and only has bought out 2 singles but she has made such an impression on me already. Epically catchy songs that can be stuck in your head for days and a memorable PV for PONPONPON. She’s just so awesome and I would love to be like her. Can’t think of a better example for what I love about Japan.

3. Ayumi Hamasaki

It’s Ayumi, what more can I say? She’s like the Queen of Jpop. I love how she changes up her style and she’s a chameleon. Kind of like the Madonna of Japan. In one album she may have ballads, dance tracks, R’n’B, teen-pop and then something uniquely Ayumi. Not to mention she has an unforgettable voice and is purely elegant to look at. Impossible not to love something about her.

2. Utada Hikaru

Hikki, my all time favourite solo singer. She’s just so amazing. All of her songs are just awesome in their own way and seeing her do covers of English songs raised my love for her a whole lot higher. She’s the first Jpop singer I ever heard, and I just instantly loved her. Her ballads are some of the most emotionally powerful songs I’ve heard. I could not imagine what life would of been like without her. Aishiteru Hikki ^^

An of course my no.1 is…..

AKB48

There’s no doubt in my mind they are not only my favourite Jpop artists, but probably my favourite artist of all time. I am obsessed with these girls, ever since hearing Heavy Rotation I just fell in love. They make me so happy and I completely adore them. Lyrics about the most random stuff which is just so awesome. Nyaaaa I could obsess about them for hours but I’ll leave it at that. Marry me Mayuyu?

Top 10 Jrock/Visual Kei bands February 18, 2012

Since I’m bored I made this list for people who are new to the Japanese Rock scene, or people who are just looking for something new! Hope it will be helpful ^.^ This is my opinion by the way, all of the artists on the list I definitely recommend people to check them out.

10. Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas

My friend introduced me to these guys and at first I was not interested cause a lot of their songs have screamo in it. However I learned to appreciate them for how they’re different than any other band I’ve heard. Combining Rock, Screamo, Dance and they’re unique autotune together sounds better than most people think. I mean is there really that many bands you can scream and headbang to while dancing?

9.  RADWIMPS

Until recent years they were a more underground, indie band but with hits like ‘Manifesto’ and ‘DADA’ they have gained popularity much to my liking!  To me they are like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers of Japan. You either get a heavy song with an awesome riff like ‘DADA’ or a melodic song like ‘Order Made’. I love how some songs are funky and include rap. Definitely a band you could relax to or go all out.

8. STRAIGHTENER

Similar to RADWIMPS however more heavy riffs. I used to be the biggest fan of them because of the vocalist’s (Atsushi Horie) voice which sounded very non-caring and his well pronounced English lyrics. Don’t know whether I should chill listening to their music or air-guitaring like a maniac. They are the Japanese indi-rock gods to me and deserve more intention! I should probably start listening to them more again

7. LM.C

First Visual Kei band on my list and rightly so. I’ve always had a liking to Oshare Kei more than any other VK. The happy and energetic vibes just puts me in the mood to party and rock my socks off. Lyrics are amazing especially in ’88’ which really inspires me. Their fashion is awesome in ‘Punky Heart’ (I really want what Maya is wearing in it >.<). Maya’s vocals are fantastic and Aiji is an amazing performer. They are both super hot too! xD

6. SCANDAL

I put them further up in the list since I haven’t yet found a song I really dislike of theirs, however I only really love a few songs. I love the fact they are girls and they rock harder than most bands I’ve heard. Always had a thing for kawaii Japanese girls too and they sure are cute ^.^Also their lyrics are easy to learn and they are damn catchy, I’m always finding myself humming one of their songs. I know some people consider them more Jpop, but they play heavy guitar riffs and fucking rock like bosses! Hahaha girl power FTW!!

5. abingdon boys school

Killer vocals by Takanori, upbeat yet powerful guitars, and just epic songs! What more do you want? I have never seen one of their PVs though, do they have any? Doesn’t matter cause the music is awesome! Their songs are powerful and the song ‘Desert Rose’ is some of the best English lyrics I’ve heard from any nationality. Very hard to forget songs, and I kind of feel sad when my playlist of their songs end….. so I play them again! I need more songs of theirs!

4. Bull Zeichen 88

Most underrated VK band ever. I really do hope in the future they get more recognition. Such an amazing band who isn’t afraid to combine different things to make one great song. ‘prologue’ is probably a song I will never get sick of and one of those bands where Screamo makes it a whole lot more powerful. Don’t know what else to say about them except they should really make an album!

3. SuG

First Visual Kei band I listened to, and yes they are also Oshare Kei. Not much else makes me happy as much as their songs. It’s always time to party when one of their songs plays. Takeru is absolutely adorable too!! Reason why I wanted to play the electric guitar was so I could do the heavy riff in LOVE SCREAM PARTY. Album TOKYO MUZiCAL HOTEL is perfect except for the fact the weird intervals between songs that sound like I’m in a circus but that’s just apart of their crazy fun style which they refer to as ‘Heavy Positive Rock’. I think that sums them up well.

2. ELLEGARDEN

Even though I’m pretty sure they are popular young adolescents of Japan, I have not found anyone who also likes them outside Japan. Which is surprising because most of their songs are in English. Perhaps the interest in Japanese music for some people is the fact it is a different language, I don’t know. But they are the best Jrock band in my opinion, the quintessential of totally honest music. The lyrics are relate-able for everyone  and with always a memorable melody to make it great to sing it along to. Sometimes Takeshi’s (vocals) engrish isn’t all too fantastic but after a few listens you will just become addicted. *sigh* I can not explain how incredible they are for me and they have helped me through some tough times. Hope they come back from hiatus soon >.<

*drum roll*

And No.1 is…..

EAT YOU ALIVE

A band that is all around just a fucktastic band. Amazing vocals, incredible lyrics, heavy guitars but can be relaxing and breath-taking. My god I love them so much, and most people don’t have a clue who they are. My secret gem I guess ^.^ ‘The World is Mine’ is a masterpiece of an album! Dark in the Night and The Reason are some of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Songs are just a mix of Jrock, Nu Metal, Screamo, Dance and everything is just so well put together. Can not emphasise how much I love the band and I wish them great success for the future.

So that’s it and honourable mentions go to Spyair and UVERworld. I love all these bands and hope you can love them too :3

AKB48 GIVE ME FIVE! MP3 February 16, 2012

AKB48 Give Me Five Tracklist

Team A:

GIVE ME FIVE!

Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6)

NEW SHIP (Special Girls A)

GIVE ME FIVE! off vocal vers.

Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6) off vocal vers.

NEW SHIP (Special Girls A) off vocal vers.

Team B:

GIVE ME FIVE!

Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6)

Histujikai no tabi (Special Girls B)

GIVE ME FIVE! off vocal vers.

Sweet & Bitter (Selection 6) off vocal vers.

Histujikai no tabi (Special Girls B) off vocal vers.

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