Mika

Thanks for G's recommendation. Quoting her
'he's a little like the lively side of Rufus...you think?'

That pretty much nails it.

Mika

Lollipop


Grace Kelly

Do As Infinity is BAAAAACK!!!!

I WANNA SCREAM MY LUNGS OUT! DAI IS BACK!!!!!
YES THEY HAVE REFORMED!!
There'll be a free live performance on Sep 30.

DAI fans, check out this forum thread for more details
http://www.daiforum.com/index.php?showtopic=16473

Watching their comeback performance nearly sent me crying for joy. It's just, bloody fun! I've never seen a happier Ban-chan!


DAI Reformed (It's been 4 years guys!!)


NOW! Shall we get up and dance?!

100s (Hyaku shiki)

First one on the right is leading songwriter/guitarist Kazuyoshi Nakamura (staring up profoundly).

Official website: http://www.100s.jp
Last FM profile: http://www.last.fm/music/100s

100s(pronounced 'Hyaku shiki' in Japanese) is a 6 piece rock band led by frontman Kazuyoshi Nakamura (kanji:中村一義) who started as a popular solo artist and later started the band. '100s' is in fact the title of Nakamura's solo album. He was once acclaimed a songwriting prodigy that comes along once every 10 years. Although I haven't listened much to his solo pieces, what he wrote for 100s is infused with vibrant energy, abstract imagery and set apart from others by a distinctive vocal boasting beautiful falsetto and unique pronounciations somewhere between Japanese and English. It's very intriguing and expressive. I tried to 'appreciate' the lyrics of Honeycom.ware (from their '05 album OZ) which, even to native Japanese, is rather gibberish. It's one of their best songs that has the pop-ish,shoegazing post-rock timbre, and is both romantic and philosophical. It's interesting to note Nakamura's influenced by impressionist Van Gogh, and Brit-pop group Primal Scream, both of which can possibly feed his inspirations and help to define the playful elements in his songwritings.

They've released two studio albums so far,OZ in 2005, and ALL!!!!!! in 2007. (By the way, if you care to notice there're 6 exclamation marks!!!!!!Just remember they have 6 members in all). There're 21 tracks on OZ, a rather weighty album to hold.

Here comes a string of youtube videos. I wanna recommend them all!!!!!! even if it irritates you. Scroll down down to download the albums.

Manmaru
- Hilarious! The members hang out to enjoy pizza and poker games. The loser is forced to wear a bumble bee outfit and flaunt it on the street.


Honeycom.ware
- dazzling neon lights and speedy travels, a modern city life


Mata ashita (see you tomorrow) live
- They invited a fan on stage to sing, wonderful! It's a sentimental piece definitely.


Naa, mirai (Ah, future)
- bombastic, high energy rock


Moshi kono mama (If it remains as it is)
- a soft ballad I find extremely touching. Maybe I'm just being maudlin lately.


K-ing
- You can lose yourself in melodies like this.


キャノンボール (Cannonball)
- Nakamura's solo work, from album '100s'.


Album Discography and Downloads
2005. OZ: Download here


1. OZ I
2. A
3. B.O.K (looking at the lyrics, it possibly stands for 'Bands are gonna be O.K.)
4. BASUTOREIN
5. Koko ga harete nara (If this is the end)
6. Nano motoni
7. OZ II
8. (For) Anthem
9. Sonata
10. Yasashi raion (gentle lion)
11~12. Leek Rag's Leek ~ Santa's Helper
13. Honeycom.ware
14. Tobira no mukou ni (beyond the door)
15. OZ III
16. Hikari wa hikari (light is light)
17. Ikiru mono (things that are alive)
18. K-ing
19. Mata ashita (see you tomorrow)
20. Bahahai
21. Haru to Fuyu (spring and winter)

2007.ALL!!!!!!: Download here


1. Sousa Sekai wa (Right, that's the world)
2. Kibou (Hope)
3. Manmaru
4. Naa, mirai (Ah, future)
5. Q&A
6. Shingarongu
7. Ano Kouya ni hanataba o (the bouquet in the wasteland)
8. Tsuta eru yo
9. Soshuu Yakyoku (Suzhou Nocturne)
10. Momotose
11. Moshi kono mama (if this remains as it is)

Elbow - The Seldom Seen Kid

Elbow is an indie rock/dream pop band from Manchester,UK. They're one of the most under-rated out there (so can be said of a million other bands) but their time will surely come! (not so much for the other million bands,sorry)! They released a new album in March this year titled 'The Seldom Seen Kid'(Download here, link expires May 3). The title is a tribute to their friend Bryan who just passed away, and also a line from their hit single 'Grounds for Divorce' (quote: Monday is for drinking to the seldom seen kid)

Links:
Official site | Wikipedia | Myspace

Elbow is my new find and I'm yet to (1) Dig out why they call themselves 'elbow', namely a rather fragile body joint (2) Listen to their previous albums to see the progression of musical style (3) Attend their concert on May 6th, held in a church in downtown Vancouver =D Envy me not!

As Jady asked me why they'd hold a concert in CHURCH (are they a religious band?), I browsed through online resources and came to the conclusion they simply love venturous places and even plan to try out a forest (They need solar energy to power up their electronic set XD)



I've listened to the seldom seen kid back to back a couple of times and dare I say I love every single track on the album! It's 100% gem! 'Grounds for Divorce' (released in single) is coarse, dark and ground-shaking, something that would fit frontman Guy Garvey's 'grizzly' image. It's a very catchy tune with old-flavoured, minimalistic guitars. However this's the only heavy rock song you'd find on the album and wiki says 'it's the most rock composition ever attempted by Elbow'. Successful as it is, grounds for divorce isn't exactly representative. The lyrics are excellently written with personal reference to the neighborhood Garvey grew up in. Matter of fact, one of the greatest attractions about Elbow is Guy Garvey's beautifully crafted lyrics, which can be read through as a complete poem with the finest rhymes and metaphors. Here's a discussion link to the lyrics of Grounds for Divorce, an interesting read.

Grounds for Divorce


Tune to 'One day like this' and 'Weather to fly' on sunny days and you'll experience how the melodious orchestra loosen up your bones and toss you high up the clouds.'The bones of you'and 'Some Riot'are much darker and introspective. 'The fix' is a nice attempt at folk composition (reminds me of Broadway musicals) and features guest performance from Richard Hawley. They have proved how talented and versatile they're when it comes to song writing. One of the best I've came across among indie rock bands.

One Day Like This


The Bones of You (Live at Glasgow)


The Bones of You
So I'm here. Charging around with a juggernaut brow. Overdraft speeches and deadlines to make. Cramming commitments like cats in a sack. Telephone burn and a purposeful gait. When out of a doorway the tentacles stretch of a song that I know and the world moves in slow-mo. Straight to my head like the first cigarette of the day. And it's you. And it's May. And we're sleeping through the day. And I'm five years ago and three thousand miles away. Do I have time? A man of my caliber?

Stood in the street like a sleepwalking teenager? No. And I dealt with this years ago. I took a hammer to every memento but image on image like beads on a rosary pull through my head as the music takes hold. And the sickener hits. I can work 'til I break but I love the bones of you. That I will never escape. And it's you. And it's May. And we're sleeping through the day. And I'm five years ago and three thousand miles away. And I can't move my arm for fear that you will wake. And I'm five years ago and three thousand miles away.

4 new Love Psychedelico live clips

Just found these...=)


Your Song (Budokan '07! One of the commentors to the tubie says the DVD will be released in June, fingers crossed..)


Freedom


Right Now


Everybody needs somebody. In my opinion this song is one of the best to be played live, arrangement or vocal part-wise...almost better than the studio version!

And another old clip of "Everybody needs somebody" from Budokan first time round..good old times =p

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss - Raising Sand

When Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant and bluegrass goddess Alison Krauss decided to come together and make a duet album, what ensues is pure MAGIC. I only got wind of the news a couple of days ago and immediately jumped at it, but had I known the news long enough to sit back and muse through the months about what kind of a music-child this might turn out to be, I'd scratch my head, bad. Admittedly I knew nothing about the works of post-Led Zep Plant, who famously and admirably dabbled in a wide range of genres, so collaboration with artists outside of classic rock wouldn't be a first, still, to juxtapose the jangly, howling Led Zep passion alongside Krauss's lightly hopping banjo notes and angelic, crystalline honey of a voice is a strange, if not downright bizarre picture.

Yet. The titans did not clash. They complemented each other so perfectly you wonder why they hadn't thought of doing this earlier, more often, and (if possible) for life. I'll quote Alanna Nash's in-depth review here--

No matter that Plant seems so subdued as to be on downers, for that's one of the keys to this most improbable meeting of musical galaxies--almost all of it seems slowed down, out of time, otherworldly, and at times downright David Lynch-ian, the product of an altered consciousness. Yet probably the main reason it all works so well is the choice of producer T Bone Burnette, the third star of the album, who culled mostly lesser-known material from some of the great writers of blues, country, folk, gospel, and R&B, including Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt, Milt Campbell, the Everly Brothers, Sam Phillips, and A.D. and Rosa Lee Watson. At times, Burnette's spare and deliberate soundscape--incisively crafted by guitarists Marc Ribot and Norman Blake, bassist Dennis Crouch, drummer Jay Bellerose, and multi-instrumentalist Mike Seeger, among others--is nearly as dreamy and subterranean as Daniel Lanois's work with Emmylou Harris (Wrecking Ball). Occasionally, Burnette opts for a fairly straightforward production while still reworking the original song (Plant's own "Please Read the Letter," Mel Tillis's "Stick with Me, Baby"). But much of the new flesh on these old bones is oddly unsettling, if not nightmarish. On the opening track of "Rich Woman," the soft-as-clouds vocals strike an optimistic mood, while the instrumental backing--loose snare, ominous bass line, and insinuating electric guitar lines--create a spooky, sinister undertow. Plant and Krauss trade out the solo and harmony vocals, and while they both venture into new waters here (Krauss as a mainstream blues mama, Plant as a gospel singer and honkytonker), she steals the show in Sam Phillips' new "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us," where a dramatic violin and tremulous banjo strike a foreboding gypsy tone. When Krauss begins this strange, seductive song in a voice so ethereal that angels will take note, you may stop breathing. That, among other reasons, makes Raising Sand an album to die for.

And an interview clip (with segments of songs) with Plant, Krauss and producer Burnette that's well worth checking out.


'nuff said. Grab the album here, and enjoy. B-)

----------------
Now playing: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss - Rich Woman

Sleepy.ab

Jady's been diligently updating this blog and looking at the string of posts,let me just say I'm both moved and guilty. So here's my return-to-the-team post on a Japanese shoegazing band called sleepy.ab.

(Murmur to self: Did I recommend sleepy.ab before? O_O)

If you search for 'sleepy.ab' on wikipedia (Eng), the first hit that comes up is 'advanced sleep phase syndrome'. I'll mark it joke of the day. The name stands for 'sleepy.abstract' which aptly captures their soporific and ambient electrical sounds inspired by dream pop and alternative rock. They're the modern shoegazers (follow the link and read more), a rather short-lived movement active from the late 1980s to early 90s. Shoegazers use various pedal effects to create sophisticated layers of noise and atmospheric reverberations. Sleepy.ab however is much sweeter than 'noise' and you can hardly associate them with the word 'heavy'. Even in Japan this band is only active in the indie scene and remains obscure to the major consumers. It would be a great joy to share the magic of their music with more fans.

The line-up (retrieved from wikipedia japan):


Official Site (has audio and video clips)

Top left - 成山剛 (Tsuyoshi Nariyama),Vocal, Guitar
Top right - 山内憲介 (Kensuke Yamauchi),Guitar
Bottom left: 田中秀幸 (Hideyuki Tanaka),Base
Bottom right: 津波秀樹 (Hideki Tsuha),drums


Tsuyoshi has been compared to Radiohead's frontman Thom Yorke.The similarity is certain. Personally I think Tsuyoshi's voice is more tarry and resonates with more power and dimension. It's hard to imagine one man equivalent of a surround stereo and you simply soar in their magic forest of sound. Their compositions divide among the saccharine melodious (such as Yume no Hana, merodi), the introspective darker wave (fluid, aufheben), and the weightier and noisier timbre (mass gymnastic display, Must it be?).They produce truly great, psychedelic melodies that infiltrate and saturate your senses. Just don't fall asleep! (warnings by Jady)

They have released 4 albums so far. It's hard to lay hands on their previous albums but you can try your luck with the latest 'Fantasia' which features a beautiful artsy cover (all their albums feature the same oil artist). My overall impression of 'Fantasia' is, compared to their previous, this album leans more towards dream pop and is more restricted stylistically. My favourite pick would be the 3rd album 'Palette'. The first track '四季ウタカタ' (Song of four seasons) gives you a fantastic shock of Tsuyoshi's vocal capability and it's also the track that gets me hooked to the band.

Albums:
face the music (2002.12.11)
traveling fair (2004.5.26)
palette (2006.3.8)
fantasia (2007.3.7)

DOWNLOAD, megaupload(8 tracks selected from the above albums, for sampling purpose only. Please support the artist by purchasing the original albums.)

Here're 2 precious live clips. A million thanks to the uploader, love ye!

(What kind of name is that, Kraps Hall...)

Live at Kraps Hall 2007.06.29, performing 'Yume no Hana'(Dream flower)


Melody (from 3rd album 'Palette')


Merry go round (from 4th album 'Fantasia')


Scene + Pain (from 1st album 'Face the music')


***
Now playing: Mojave 3 - Bringin' Me Home
via FoxyTunes

Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

I should leave this post to zhu to finish, but I thought I'd put up the file link first before it expires (soon). Download BOH's latest album here.

Placeholder intro from All Music Guide:

Seattle, WA's Band of Horses plays dense, aching mid-tempo indie rock reminiscent of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. Formed in 2004 by multi-instrumentalists Ben Bridwell and Matthew Brooke out of the ashes of former incarnation Carissa's Wierd, the group caught the attention of Sub Pop during a show with friends and future lablemates Iron & Wine. The label signed the newly minted outfit in 2005 and re-released their self-titled EP. Their full-length debut, Everything All the Time, arrived in March of 2006. Four months later, while touring in support of Everything All the Time, Brooke left Band of Horses, going on to form a new project entitled Grand Archives. ~ James Christopher Monger

Now c'mon, zhu! xD

Running up that hill

Wiki

Brief intro: The song was originally written by Kate Bush for the album 'Hounds of Love' (Darren Hayes' favourite btw). The complete title reads 'Running up that hill(A deal with God) but due to religious concerns, they dropped the bracket. Placebo covered it and what you see here is a live performance on the Henry Rollins Show. The song is about swapping positions between two different parties (a man and a woman) who have difficulties understanding each other.

There's something about Brian(Placebo's frontman)'s stage demeanor that attracts me periodically. (There are periods I can't stand his voice). Since I didn't hear Kate Bush's original version or any other covers, there's no ground to compare...

Placebo - Running Up That Hill Lyrics

It doesn't hurt me.
You wanna feel how it feels?
You wanna know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
You wanna hear about the deal I'm making?
You be running up that hill
You and me be running up that hill

And if I only could,
Make a deal with God,
And get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building.
If I only could, oh...

You don't want to hurt me,
But see how deep the bullet lies.
Unaware that I'm tearing you asunder.
There is thunder in our hearts, baby.
So much hate for the ones we love?
Tell me, we both matter, don't we?

You, be running up that hill
You and me, be running up that hill
You and me won't be unhappy.

And if I only could,
Make a deal with God,
And get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
Be running up that building,
If I only could, oh...

'C'mon, baby, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let me steal this moment from you now.
C'mon, angel, c'mon, c'mon, darling,
Let's exchange the experience, oh...'

And if I only could,
Make a deal with God,
And get him to swap our places,
Be running up that road,
Be running up that hill,
With no problems. x2

'If I only could, be running up that hill.'

----------------
Now playing: Venus In Furs - Tumbling Down
via FoxyTunes

Dylan Biopic trailers

Just read this from Uncut (I am dying! to subscribe but being bankrupt, either the pound depreciates pretty damn soon now or I must just die) --

The first teaser trailer for Todd Haynes' Bob Dylan "biopic", I'm Not There, has gone online.

The film stars six actors as Dylan Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett (pictured above), Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger and Ben Whishaw.

"I'm Not There" debuts at this year's Venice Film Festival on September 4.

It's a rather old piece of news really, I remember reading (and squeaking) about it in production like ages ago. Long gestation baby eh Todd? But of course this being from Haynes (Velvet Goldmine! among other acclaimed pieces) about the pure brilliance Dylan and starring those names (for Bale alone I'd have elatedly gone for it--he also starred in Goldmine. Rock on Bale! and yeah you've read it right, Cate Blanchett as Dylan too, *grins*) it incites some pretty lofty expectations (and let's hope deservedly so)...Without further blabbering, some clips for your perusal--

Official 1 min trailer


A doubly long unofficial teaser


A Cate Blanchett clip -- boy she's excellent! But still finds her trademark sharp chin+thin lips+those grooves under the cheeks (what do you call it?) combination an amusing distraction...you just can't hide your Blanchett-ness with those features out and about, Cate. Should have done a Kidman trick à la The Hours. ;)


And erm...some other trailer that caught my eye--again quoting Uncut

The first trailer for Martin Scorsese's Rolling Stones concert doc, Shine A Light, is now online. The documentary, shot last October at New York's Beacon Theater, features the Rolling Stones, plus cameos from Jack White, Christine Aquillera and Bill Clinton - as well as Scorsese himself.

Filming captures the band - at the peak of their worldwide spectacular 'A Bigger Bang' tour - at the end of a year which included many band related mishaps, including Keith Richards 'falling out of a tree.' Originally due for release in the UK in September, it is now scheduled to open next Spring.

What a rock cinema feast the coming months would be~~~~~~~~~~*droolz*

Random stuff: what do you listen to when everything seems to leave you cold and uninspired (like now for me)? me: probably Love Psychedelico. Or Philip Glass. And via last.fm I stumbled across this advanced addict——chart’s all but exclusively Philip Glass! Dude.

----------------
Now playing: Philip Glass - Liquid Days, Part One
via FoxyTunes

Jeremy's Rock n' Roll list

Well...at the suggestion of Jady, I've put my list up here in a repost from my myspace page. In retrospect, it feels kind of retarded when I reread it. I guess I have to organize my thoughts somehow though. It's still not an exhaustive list on what makes rock music for me. Searching wikipedia with the names between the asterisks will give much better info...like...duh.
======

It's probably no secret that I love rock music. I tend to like rock music that sticks to the independent spirit of 50's rock and roll and 60's garage, which punk rock does...although I also like certain offshoots like electro-punk, grunge, some progressive metal, etc. I thought maybe I'd list some of what I currently think makes the overall genre great in no particular order. It's by no means complete and mainly what's on the top my head right now. Feel free to disagree..., haha. I'm sure there are some, and I'm not naming names, that would want Garnet Crow and Love Psychedelico on here, but they get a lot of love on this site ;-)

*Chuck Berry* Without this guy, I don't think there'd be rock and roll as we know it...a great guitar player and singer. He's a legend...I don't think I can really say more. His peers like Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens also rank up there.

*Misfits* The original Misfits with Glen Danzig is probably one of my favorite bands of all time. Danzig melded horror/sci-fi themes, punk rock, doo-wop, and a catchy sing along chorus. He also had an awesome singing voice...probably unparalleled in the punk rock world. The only thing that came close to ruining the band (and I guess it did....) was their album Earth A.D., but I've gotten used to that hardcore mess.

*The Clash* Another of my most favorite punk bands, The Clash is probably the most musically diverse. Despite London Calling and Combat Rock being favorites among fans, I think that the UK version of The Clash is probably their best album because it was the "raw" Clash. Singer and guitarist Joe Strummer held a political idealism that I share...I like how they held up against the nihilistic Sex Pistols, whom I don't like very much.

*Joan Jett* Do I need to explain? She's also a legend in her own right and paved the way for the grrl next on my list....

*Kathleen Hanna* Er...controversial punk rock goddess that she is...she did a lot for women in rock music. She was unapologetic in spouting obnoxious riot grrl uber-feminism...but the male dominated punk rock scene probably needed that kick in the ass. While I don't always agree with her Bikini Kill work, her other band, Le Tigre is probably one of the best electro-punk bands ever and another of my favorite bands.

*L7* A band that took the riot grrl ideology and made it more accessible to everyone, sticking to a grunge/metal/punk hybrid sound. They just wanted to rock hard and be taken seriously...being male or female didn't matter much.

*Tool* Before Tool I hated metal. I thought it was all big hair, greed, ultra-long high pitched guitar solos, groupies, and narcissism (I am a fucking rock star!). Seeing the video for "Sober" way back when MTV still showed videos 24/7 changed my mind a bit. This band is awesome and always reinvents it's sound. Although it started out more in thrash metal territory...they've gone more progressive and experimental defying labels. They also do something very punk...they always advocate thinking for one's self and to not always trust the establishment. At least, that's what I got out of some of their songs.

*Bad Religion* Awesome hardcore punk band...melodic and abrasive at the same time.... Their lyrics are quite intelligent and they express their social commentary in a more subtle way than most punk bands.

*Black Flag* Well...early Black Flag...pioneers of the hardcore punk movement...they had do it yourself ethics and anti-establishment feelings in abundance and who wouldn't like a band once blamed for the decay of youth in America?

*Devo* They get points for being original. I don't know why, but their sound is infectious...not quite rock, not quote electronic, and definitely offbeat. You either get their brand of devolution or you don't.

*Karen O and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs* Well...there wouldn't really be the Yeah Yeah Yeahs as we know it without her. Probably the most eccentric female performer to come out in rock music for...um, she may be unique. Her stage performances are awesome and quite spastic. They've got a cool, raw rock sound that was missing from contemporary rock music in general the past few years. Karen O is also one of the few singers to successfully integrate an orgasm as part of a riff in the song "Black Tongue."

*The Ramones* I'll probably be hung for saying this, but the Ramones probably weren't the best punk band ever. They were, however the hardest working and probably most influential. They galvanized the punk scene when it was still in its baby stage, producing bands like the Clash.... They still have some awesome songs though.

*Akiakane* I had been having trouble finding new punk bands that liked...then I heard this Japanese punk rock band and I felt reinvigorated. These gals are awesome! They have high energy and a "who gives a fuck!" political passion. Unlike many of their timid female peers in Japan, they don't seem to care about their image. Vocal for their support of Taiwan and love of their own country...the band has run into unfounded flak by a few misguided individuals who misinterpret the messages they take from Japan's WWII experience. Not that I agree with what they sing about, but I've never been big on always having to agree to like something. Man I want to see them live!

Wow, I think I was bored. Maybe I'll add to this list sometime as there's more to be said.

Ross Copperman - All She Ever Wrote

Ross Copperman is an american singer-songwriter, a newbie who just released his first album 'Welcome to reality' in May this year. The most popular track 'All she ever wrote' is very pop and catchy. Although it doesn't sound much different from other punk (would it offend if I say 'teenage punk'?), I like the piano arrangements. I prefer a more mature voice but this one isn't bad.

Official Site http://www.rosscopperman.com/

LOVE PSYCHEDELICO - new PV - Rain

O me gawd they did it, they just released the first PV to the new album! (Getting instant gastric ulcer on hearing news..) But people, keep your expectation normal, and by 'normal' I mean down...I dunno, me I felt a little disappointed. The tune was an odd piece, the opening even felt discordant somehow, although it got better towards the second half...Repeated listening needed, maybe? I still can't wait for the new album.

On a side note, this PV is probably the most expensive addition (if they didn't take the footages out of some documentary) to the line up of LP's always cheaply produced and ill-or-laughably-directed PVs (with few recent exceptions). BUT--no Kumi or Naoki for the entire thing?! The only animate things a bird and two goats kangaroos!? (some mammals, thank you! Oh wait, did they go to Australia by any chance?) It was as if we had seen too much of them lately or ever and would rather prefer some refreshing shots of nature. Victor records, have mercy on our hearts...

In other hearsay news, it is posted on last.fm forum that there will be a new compilation album due for release soon in the U.S., meant as the introduction to the American audience. Hmmm..

YUI - can't buy my love

A double post from my blog ^^ New release from YUI, a Japanese pop/rock singer who's very popular now. I can't say I like YUI's type of voice (too childlike for a rock star), but she has her strength in song writing. Of course there's gotta be some reason for her sprawling popularity... Her humble personality and catchy tunes are the top 2 reasons why people like her =D



YUI's 2nd album - Can't buy my love, released on April 4th, 2007
wiki

Tracks
1. How Crazy
2. Rolling Star
3. It's All Right
4. I Remember You
5. Ruido
6. CHE.R.RY
7. Thank You My Teens
8. Umbrella
9. Highway Chance
10. Happy Birthday to You You
11. Winding Road
12. Good-bye Days
13. Why?

DVD
1. Feel My Soul
2. Tomorrow's Way
3. Life
4. Tokyo

Some small break through compared to debut. Highway Chance & Umbrella show her different side. Highway Chance has an unconventional structure... Most of the songs on the album are catchy so I would say it maintains the old YUI flavour and would score roughly the same as debut.

Recommendations: Rolling Star, I remember you, CHE.R.RY, Umbrella, Highway Chance

Rolling Star


CHE.R.RY


I remember you

Love Psychedelico releases new song

I hate the stone slackers behind LP’s official site—smegheads do sporadic, infrequent news updates in Japanese and none in Chinese, Korean or English since December 2005. NONE! And oh, looks like Chinese and Korean are one and the same with English language now—the news pages are an identical triplet anyway. Employ new staff please!! Call out and you shall get tons and tons of multi-lingual volunteers fling themselves at ye!! Here is one enraged and unfortunately non-Japanese speaking fan throwing rotten tomatoes, for a start...

Hate/threat mail aside, latest news hot from the oven (it’s posted TODAY and I had a hunch to check just this instant. No, I don’t hover over the site everyday and no, they don’t have RSS.) So quote I:

新曲「Freedom」がNHKのMLB放送イメージソングに決定

6月発売予定のNEW ALBUMに収録される新曲「Freedom」が、NHKのメジャーリーグベースボール（MLB）放送のイメージソングとして使用されることが決定しました。

このイメージソングは、ベースボール発祥の地アメリカ、MLBという最高峰の舞台において活躍が期待される日本の選手たちに、LOVE PSYCHEDELICOが、“フリーダム＝自由”にのせて送る熱
いメッセージです。

Google translation sucks at this, the bot can’t handle a piece with too many punctuations still. So before a kind human soul translates this, I am gonna guess it said one or more of the following:

- LP’s new song Freedom is gonna come out.

- A new album is coming in June, (DAMN it's ABOUT TIME TO!!! Jumping and whooping in joy. Please tell me I didn’t get this one wrong!!) and it contains Freedom (yeah whatever...let me get over the previous sentence first).

- And LP is going to perform Freedom in some big deal baseball event. Japan is a baseball freak nation. XD

Anticipation!!

Death Cab for Cutie - Marching Bands of Manhattan

Thanks to Jady who introduced me to death cab for cutie, an American indie rock band formed in 1997. I want to recommend this song 'Marching Bands of Manhattan',from their 2005 album 'Plans'(the highest charting album for DCFC, nominated for Grammy).

- Links -
Wiki
Official Site

The melody is quite simple and repetitive but it keeps the rhythm going. 'Like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound'best summarises the sorrow and numbing comfort. The 1st and 2nd stanza seems to be spoken by different subject, an open admirer and a doubtful hermit. Their love never quite works out. While debating the damage or bliss love could bring, romance is drowned in rising tides and the opportunity's slowly disappearing. I don't like the music video but heck let's just stick with it.



"Marching Bands Of Manhattan"

If I could open my arms
And span the length of the isle of Manhattan,
I'd bring it to where you are
Making a lake of the East River and Hudson
If I could open my mouth
Wide enough for a marching band to march out
They would make your name sing
And bend through alleys and bounce off all the buildings.

I wish we could open our eyes
To see in all directions at the same time
Oh what a beautiful view
If you were never aware of what was around you
And it is true what you said
That I live like a hermit in my own head
But when the sun shines again
I'll pull the curtains and blinds to let the light in.

Sorrow drips into your heart through a pinhole
Just like a faucet that leaks and there is comfort in the sound
But while you debate half empty or half full
It slowly rises, your love is gonna drown [4x]

Your love is gonna drown [4x]
Your love is gonna...

an update

(blogging out of pure frustration that I am in no shape to attack a congested desk of work right now..) Finally got this blog into the post-beta version, which looks pretty much the same as before except for the hierarchical archive list (which does not load and expand well in firefox, just this single case. I am investigating) and the ability to rank tags—I don’t like it in this case as the numbers are not very helpful excepting indicating this blogging circle is primarily into north American and Japanese music scene—so I put that at the bottom of the sidebar, in case you still want to know the stats.

In other news, two other albums that I noted in the upcoming release list of ’07 have come out-- Air’s Pocket Symphony and Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy—zhu still owes a sweet mini-review on Norah’s latest Not Too Late released in January. Well zhu, you know the saying, and you are not too late if you cough it up about NOW. B-) Back to the new stuff, I'm look ing forward to hearing them, especially Chinese Democracy. With the complete line-up change and this long of hiatus and no studio album I wonder where GNR stand now, and if they have gone entirely obsolete for that matter. That’s a sad nagging thought, but I’ll hold off my doubts for now.

Put on old Grammy compilation music all afternoon, they made up a long playlist and I didn’t bother to change—it was just…mindlessly easy on the ears, and a lot of them remind me of the times when I still bought cassettes (a lot), and recorded radio programs and trading with friends…good old days. And after this revision of pre-Britney pre-hip pop music I have to say they were almost too sweet…melodious sometimes to the point of being formulaic. Is it a thing of the late 90s or has it more to do with whoever voted for those Grammies…just a thought, I have not been following the award for years..

and Last.fm keeps recommending me stuff that either I already own but have yet to scrobble, or stuff that I went to try and really liked, gotta love this brainy music bot…

indie rock playlists

For indie rock enthusiastics, music omnivores and anti-copyright fiends (who download an inordinate amount of stuff for pastime and/or just for the kick of it, ye know who you are ;-) – here’s the latest goodie (that the very slow me found not long ago). Click and you shall find bittorrent links to several large (by 'large' I mean LARGE) indie rock playlists, compiled monthly by some generous soul(s) of interesting, fun tastes. Enjoy!

Spangle Call Lilli Line

Profile
Spangle Call Lilli Line are (from left to right) :
Ken Fujita (guitar), Kiyoaki Sasahara (guitar) & Kana Otsubo (vocal, keyboard)

Links
Official website >> Lilliline.com
Fansite >> SCLL @Keikaku.net
Interview >> Interview by Japan Live (in Eng)
last FM. entry >> here

My selection, download here
3 tracks included: Nano, Veek, piano

Spangle Call Lilli Line (SCLL for short) is another independent Japanese band I discovered while searching for artists similar to Love Psychedelico. In fact, they resemble little to LP although both are tagged 'Rock'. You can read from the above two links. The interview is especially helpful, at least for me, in understanding their style which comes to be what it is, amorphously abstract and experimental. Imagine three art students coming together to make music, assuming (without openly questioning) each other's music taste to be decent and mildly compatible. Without an ounce of knowledge as which direction to go, no concept, no predefined genres, they started experimenting instinctively in a way not too far from playing with clay and happy with the final shape be it a jar or a mug.

I'm not saying they're not serious musicians (although all of them have 2nd jobs other than making music). Most of the songs were composed by the vocalist Kana Otsubo whose voice is similar to 'Lily Chou Chou' (Salyu), wispy and soft. My impression is that Otsubo relies on fragments of images to lead a tune. Even the lyrics are fragmented and make little sense even to native Japanese, according to the interview. As a result their music is most impressionistic and spontaneous, like filtering out your memories as if pulling thought threads and knitting them into a loose drawing. You don't care much about stanza. Flowing stream doesn't have a structure and you just drift along with their melody. The arrangement tends to be minimalistic and repetitive, but melodious.

Discography (a summary)
+Album+
since (2006.10.25) - best collection
FOR INSTALLATION (2005.6.29)
Trace (2005.4.20)
or (2003.6.11)
Nanae (2002.11.10)
Spangle call Lilli line (2001.3.25)

+Single+
Nano (2003.4.12)

+DVD+
68 SCLL

I haven't sampled enough songs to pass further comments. My current favourite is 'Veek', 'Piano' and 'Nano'. Veek is my fav of fav. The entry music reminds me of the ending tune used in 'Paranoia Agent' (White Hill - Maromi's theme), that string pluckering sound mixed with electronica whistle foreshadows a free atmosphere. I was listening to it at midnight, walking alone on an empty street damp from a day's snow. Neon lights repaint everything. White snow, black asphalt, green shrubs, they all give up their colours for the night. And listening to Veek while watching the fading of a day is utterly comforting. I love Kana's voice.

Here're some tubies you can watch (not much to SEE, so just listen)

Nano


U-lite

Love Psychedelico singles review (in Chinese)

Randomly read some pretty interesting review (and background information) of two LP singles, don't agree entirely, but am a keeping a copy here. Translation? Maybe later..

8th single - My Last Fight (Nov '03)

1. My Last Fight
2. Fleeing Star
3. Dreamer

　撰文：小野田雄 (Yu Onoda)
　　LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 究竟是什麼？ 對於 2003 年的 Kumi 和 Naoki 兩人來說，這是一個十分重要的問題。他們在 2002 年舉辦了兩場日本全國巡迴演出，讓大家共同目睹他們正以現場樂團的形式持續成長茁壯著，而他們的樂風也在這時發生了變化。他們似乎是想要將重心轉移至現場演出上，並採取一種更直接的途徑，但這樣的嘗試最後卻無疾而終。最後，完成初夏的三場演出之後，他們與主流音樂巿場正式決裂，為的是要回答這個問題：「LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 究竟是什麼？」
　　因此，讓我們仔細想想，LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 一直以來究竟是何種類型的團體。他們過去發表的音樂屬於搖滾樂團類型，然而他們並不是樂團，而是二重唱。此外，就算他們走的是搖滾樂團路線，有時他們的音樂卻是數位音樂，常在一個以抽象概念為基礎的音軌上進行繁複的迭床架屋工作。為了在自己的音樂中呈現這樣的創意和影像，他們必須讓自己的心智保持在無壓力的狀態，值此同時，他們對自我的認知也開始逐漸模糊。
　　然而，經過一再反覆的試誤過程，Kumi 和 Naoki 終於在『My last fight』一曲中找到了「LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 究竟是什麼」這個問題的答案。 他們成功地讓自己原本的虛擬影像更加真實，並為自己的音樂注入了更多的深度、色彩以及獨特的樂句組合。他們的音樂足以和畢卡索或 Jackson Pollock 的繪畫相提並論。強調旋律的樂曲輕柔地搖晃著聆聽者的感受，而不斷重覆的舞曲節奏則刺激著聆聽者的感官和精神。 這首歌已儼然成為 LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 的全新身份表徵。 據我所知，這張單曲專輯的製作過程為他們帶來了無比的樂趣，而這首歌則是在相當放鬆、毫無壓力的情況下製作完成的。最重要的是，這三首歌將在您的心中縈繞不已，並讓您得以窺見 LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 的靈魂深處。

9th single - Fantastic World (Dec '04)

1.Fantastic World
2.Romance

這張單曲專輯的發行時間距離 LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 發行第二張專輯『LOVE PSYCHEDELIC ORCHESTRA』已有兩年又兩個月之久。 這時他們重新返回原點，並終於推出第三張專輯『LOVE PSYCHEDELICO III』。 我們在 2004 年年初訪問 Kumi 和 Naoki 時，他們顯得十分積極且充滿能量，因此我當時就有預感，他們將在 2004 年有一番特別的作為。
　　
　　他們在 2 月份參與了 [Zoku Naniwa Sullivan Show] 的演出，並於 7 月份與新成立的伴奏樂團參加了在橫濱和大阪舉辦的 [Rock Odyssey] 演出。新成立的伴奏樂團成員包括來自 DR. STRANGE LOVE 的 Susumu Osada 和 Takamune Negishi、來自 CORNELIUS 的鼓手 Yuko Araki，以及鍵盤手崛江博久。 同時，他們也在和另一個伴奏樂團 (與來自 GREAT 3 的高桑圭/白根賢一、來自 SKETCH SHOW 的權藤知彥、以及鍵盤手崛江博久共同組成) 為即將於 10 月份展開的巡迴演出進行綵排。 雖然他們如此積極，新專輯和單曲的錄製情況卻不盡如人意。他們一心想要創作出一種只屬於自己的音樂，卻從未訂下發行日期，因為他們想要在一個能讓他們能對成品感到完全滿意的環境中進行錄製工作。因此，在沒有預訂發行日期的情況下，新單曲的發行也就顯得遙遙無期 － 一切全取決於錄音室內的錄製情況。然而，他們終究還是完成了這首創作，這也是為什麼現在我們手中可以握有這張最新單曲專輯 － 『fantastic world』。 他們大約花了 1 個月的時間寫出主打歌，並趁著演出和綵排的空檔完成錄製工作。 他們似乎是在極為放鬆的情況下完成了這首歌的錄製工作，並將他們對音樂的熱情化為現實。我相信他們是在嘗試結合第二張專輯中的「訊息」以及第三張專輯中富有創意的流行樂句，以找出一種能夠傳達「愛」的方式。苦澀的真實感以及如夢似幻的甜美感受共存於這首單曲中，傳達出一種更寬廣的人類大愛；而『romance』一曲則較偏重個人的愛情。將這兩種元素巧妙地結合在一起，並完成這兩首歌的創作，對他們而言是一大挑戰 － 雖然這是他們第一次在如此緊湊的時程下完成的作品。 主打歌具有 LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 慣有的細膩和華麗感。 開頭的吉他樂句停止之後，Kumi 的歌聲便和原聲吉他一同響起。他們的音樂所喚起的情感帶有豐富的色彩和溫度變化。 另一首曲式簡單的歌則是在描述一段悲傷的愛情故事。每個人對每首歌的印象或有不同，以上只是我個人的觀點。 這是 LOVE PSYCHEDELICO 一張和諧、平衡的作品。我不確定哥倫布是否真的說過「地球是圓的」這句話，但這張單曲專輯倒真的是圓的，而它那一再循環的流行樂風確實能夠放諸四海皆準。