After a whole month since the series ended, the first part of the Original Soundtrack was finally released. Being a Yuki Kajiura creation, it's obviously beautiful. But what's most important is that listening to the songs reminded me of how awesome this anime was. And as a tribute for all the Puella who fought against their own fate, I shall post many incredible images (while I listen once again to the songs *-*). Enjoy~ ^^
All wallpapers taken from the Image Pack found on Puella Magi Wiki~ Remember to view them in full size!
SEIGETSUYA - 10K VISITORS! THANK YOU SO MUCH~ LOVE Y'ALL <333
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"Take Notice" now reaches the realm of movie soundtracks! To debut this new kind of reviewable material, I chose my favorite Korean horror movie's Original Soundtrack (OST). "Janghwa, Hongryeon" (also known as "A Tale of Two Sisters"), recently poorly and loosely adapted to American theaters as "The Uninvited", is a fantastic psychological movie featuring the best in acting, photography and music.
Containing both relaxing and disturbing melodies in the package, this soundtrack matched perfectly with the movie's atmosphere. The main theme, featured in many tracks through small variations, is a masterpiece of instrumental music. The strings ensemble fills the song in a bright yet very emotional way.
"Epilogue" (track 15) - the main theme fully performed
Spectacular arrangements and recordings also help this album shine. Creepy wind instruments or just mysterious ambient noises complete the dark feeling brought by the movie's story.
"Even Near You" (track 04)
If you haven't seen "A Tale of Two Sisters" yet, I deeply recommend you to rent/buy it as soon as possible. It's a horror classic, but with much more than the basic movies out there. It's beautiful in every single way, even in its moments of madness.
"Crying Moon 2" (track 06) - one of the many variations of the main theme
What happened to Blogger these last days? When I tried to enter my account on Monday and Tuesday it said "Not Found"! Just great =__= Now I'm all messed up with my posting days lol... That's no reason to stop working though! In order to catch up with this week's releases, I won't be able to make any long-ass posts like I'd like to. Ja, hajimemashou~ ^^
After the debut of the ninth generation in "Maji Desu Ka Ska!", Morning Musume is back with another single, "Only You". Surprisingly, I got the vibes of old MoMusu in this song. How glad I was when I first heard it! It's catchy, beautiful and full of Riho, hinting at who's going to be built as the new face of the group after Ai-chan's graduation.
In South Korea, many were highly expecting the comeback of veteran idol Jang Woo Hyuk, former member of boy group H.O.T, one of the first extremely successful K-Pop boybands created by Lee Soo Man a long time ago. And I've got to say: This guy didn't forget how to be awesome! Featuring a very impressive choreography, "Time is [L]over" is a also a great dance track to listen to. Check it out and keep an eye on the many veterans coming back this year!
Kim Bo Kyung recently covered 2NE1's "It Hurts" in a university performance. With a faster tempo and the singer's beautiful voice, I actually prefer this version to the original o.o
It's so nice when I'm able to find full photoshoots of clothing brands featuring my idols! This time I got actress Park Min Young's summer spread for "Compagna" to show you. Enjoy~ ^^
You may know her from the ending themes of the Fatal Frame series. You may even not know her! The always underrated singer Tsukiko Amano, who abandoned her old rocker self and came back recently as a more free-style artist, released in 2006 her most brilliant album to date: Catalog. But why is it so brilliant?
First of all, Tsukiko always knew how to make epic songs. You know what I mean if you've played any of the games that use her songs. Not only that: Catalog is actually a best-album. That means exactly what anyone would like to hear, which is that all her masterpieces can be found in a single release. From a revisited disco version of one of her first hits, "Love Dealer", to the Fatal Frame eternally praised themes, this album is excellent from the second it starts to the minute it ends.
"Love Dealer ~2006~" - the Promotional Video!
Amano's powerful vocals fill the album in a great fashion. Creepy and emotional in "Koe", raw and serious in "Ningyou"... You have multiples options to choose from when listening. Whatever you decide, I guarantee that it's going to be an awesome experience in the Tsukiko music world!
"Koe" - Promotional Video (credits to the uploader!)
"Ningyou" - Promotional Video
The climax of her career in my honest opinion, Catalog will surely be always an album to listen from time to time while we hope for her comeback as the incredible rocker she was. Don't get me wrong, I like her new child songs. But I don't LOVE them as I love these oldies. Anyway, I think it's important to respect her decision as an artist, so I'll continue supporting her, although it doesn't mean I don't want new "Chou"s or "Black Guitar + Berry Garden"s...
"Chou" - PV
With a total of 14 tracks, this best-album will surely bring whoever listens to it to this world of beautiful, epic rock created by Tsukiko Amano! Remember: if you liked it, please help the artist by purchasing her music~
Emotion is all over Korea with the arrival of BEAST's first full-length album "Fiction and Fact". The lead track "Fiction" features a very sad story, which can be better understood after watching the music video!
On the other hand, Japan is filled with electronic beat and auto-tuned cuteness. The Perfume trio just released "Laser Beam / Kasuka na Kaori", a double A-sided single. While the full video for "Laser Beam" had to be cancelled after the earthquakes, we are able to watch a short version of it! The other music video was completed and will be soon revealed. Until then, let's also have the short version of it~
Do you know what's even more awesome than watching the live presentations of your favorite idols? Learning how to do their moves and dancing along! Thanks to the wonderful Internet, there are no barriers between the choreography and you since it's possible to find great practice videos of the groups, most of the times even mirrored. Check it out and prepare yourself to dance to some of them in this post~
Bonus Round! Some moves performed by their own choreographers~
With the release of ALI PROJECT's new Lantis best-album "Queendom" quickly approaching, both covers and many promotional images have been revealed. It's usual for this group to be visually awesome, but this time Arika is just divine. They traveled to Austria in order to shoot a medieval-like PV and used the concept to its fullest! *-* (Remember to full-size so as to see the original quality)
Starting again from where I left this week, today's post is about a breathtaking J-Rock album. While the singer may be best known for her seiyuu works, this surprising side of her voicing appeared after her work in Chaos;Head, both in the game and the anime. Creepy, amazing and really raw, this project continued to make success even after the ending of the show, which led Yui Sakakibara to keep on making new songs under the same style, even though she's not using the name of the fictional group due to... well, not being only about Chaos;Head anymore.
Released in 2009, "PHANTASM End Prophecy" is mainly a collection of all the previous singles, featuring just some minor rearrangements. But that's why it is so incredible. If one of the singles alone were enough to make you feel in musical heaven, a full album of these songs was simply THE Album to look out for.
Everything starts with "Mikkyou no Kubikazari", now in the "Black Mass Version". A Kokusyoku Sumire-like intro lets you breath for a moment before the hardcore stuff comes in. When Yui starts singing, those who are used to cute characters she may have given her voice to will certainly be in shock. Yes, it's pure awesomeness indeed. Plus cookies for the Yousei Teikoku kind of interlude and emotional singing.
"Mikkyou no Kubikazari -Black Mass Ver.-" (track 01)
"Shokuzai no Erotica" comes next. After an intro resembling post-apocalyptic movies, the song slowly builds up power. A softer song if compared to the first one, but still a dark tune. Fitting for ending themes, maybe it was really used as one? I never played the Chaos games, so I wouldn't know .___.
Going to number 3, we encounter "Zaika ni Keiyaku no Chi wo". I remember playing this song on StepMania, lol. I reckon it continues the slower flow of the last song. This time, though, it grabbed more my attention with a powerful chorus. It is incredibly catchy, so be careful! xD
"Zaika ni Keiyaku no Chi wo" (track 03)
Prepare yourself for one of the best songs of the album. "Yami ni Hikari wo Sasumono" gathers everything, from the slow tempo, hardcore riffs, emotional vocals, to the gothness from the past songs and makes them rock into one majestic song. Also, add a mad (and unfortunately short) guitar solo to the list.
"Yami ni Hikari wo Sasumono" (track 04)
Following the path of darkness, the singer presents us a slightly different song this time. Deep, cruel and raw, "Haritsuke no Misa -To the distance Ver.-" reminds me of some Visual Kei bands. Definitely a great song, with highlights on Yui's vocals.
"Haruka Naru Idiyona -Heavy Generation Ver.-" is our next stop. Despite the insane solo near the end of the song, it seems a pretty relaxing moment if you take a look back at what already happened. I'll take it as a break time... @-@
Now, at least in my honest opinion, begins the best song of the album. "Allelujah no Fukuin -Extra Solo Ver.-" might be a tad boring in the verses for some people. On the other hand, that's where it shines for me. The ability of creation tension and building up the emotion in this song is just fantastic. The chorus has the most brilliant melody and you can just feel the singer releasing all her feelings on it. After the solo, where Yui sings the chorus first softly and then returns to it in full scale is just...wow.
"Allelujah no Fukuin -Extra Solo Ver.-" (track 07)
Approaching the end Prophecy of the album, "Gradual" is pretty much a review of the first songs. Not that it's a bad thing, but just not overly impressive... Still, much better than some A-sides out there! :P
Closing (NOOOO DDD: ) this supreme collection, "Nageki no Arabesque" uses once more a different formula. It sounds more like a song for fighting games trailers/openings. Don't ask me why I think that, because I actually can't explain it. It's an epic song on its own and certainly an important part of the album.
With a total of 9 tracks, this production is a must to any appreciator of good J-Rock. It has everything needed to impress the listener and to bind you to your computer while it grabs your soul and transforms your being into a goth-goth servant of doom. LOL *-*
Not many releases to choose from this time... At least the ones available are really great! Makes me think about the awesome releases coming soon: May and June are going to be a musically crowded and happy time~ ^^
°C-ute (which is a pain to write down) released their new song "Momoiro Sparkling"! While I prefer the last concept, which was more to the sexy side, this one doesn't disappoint either. Now if they just made a better choreography! How about calling the Koreans to help you? @-@ Sorry, but it's the truth...
"Momoiro Sparkling" - returning to the group's kawaii roots
I have to say, I was surprised by Jay's new song. This is one of the few kinds of music that I usually don't like even if I try to listen many times to it. But for some reason, maybe the cool choreography or the nice music video, my ears accepted "Abandoned" with just some minor problems like that rap part which is done by someone who is not Jay... Well, enjoy it! xD
"Abandoned" Music Video - HD from the official channel *-*
Warning: You may find difficult to live after watching this commercial feature. I am not responsible for any stalking or social problems after the video... LOL! This is over-the-top cuteness~
Inspired by f(x)'s Krystal abs-showcase on the recent "Pinocchio" MV and live performances, I had the idea to please all my readers with an abs special on this corner! This time, everyone's wishes shall be granted, with both girls' and boys' photos. Drool much and enjoy it! *-*
This is the first time I'll be recommending a single instead of an album. Before you say it's unfair because a single is too small for a weekly post, there's a special reason for my decision. I haven't made a post about KOKIA yet, but she's one of the most talented and beautifully unusual singers I've ever heard. And this single, in my opinion, has the best song of her entire (and long) musical career.
Released in the first day of 2006, "Ai no Melody / Chouwa Oto (With Reflection)", as the title suggests, is a double side-A single. Featuring both the opening and ending themes of "Origin: Spirits of the Past", the CD is full of KOKIA's unique style. From codified lyrics to unexpected harmonization, the tunes bind you to their mystic feel.
Starting off with "Ai no Melody", it's a melody where the singer remains in a safe zone through most of the song. By the middle of it, nothing really special shows up despite being a beautiful listening. That's when KOKIA begins to mix multiple layers of her voice in order to create an exotic (and certainly impressive) mood, which would be in its full power only in the next song. In a way, "Ai no Melody" doesn't stand out from her typical songs. But it's still worth trying out as a preparation for the coming brilliancy.
"Ai no Melody" Promotional Video
Following the opening, we now enter the ending theme's area. "Chouwa no Oto (With Reflection)" is actually a rearrangement and re-recording of "Chouwa no Oto", a 2002 song. I don't even know how to precisely explain this song to you, because there's so much happening at the same time. Actually, it begins with a calm piano introduction. Then, KOKIA enters very emotionally, already establishing the song's mood.
We go through a roller-coaster of information, from Japanese lyrics, going through codified numbers (which actually make sense, just check it on Google xD), to what I would call "the full version" of what the singer did in "Ai no Melody": layers and layers of her own vocals dominating the scene, creating a diversified harmony and magical, almost ethereal feel to the music. Nothing in this world is similar to this. KOKIA set the bar really high for anyone who tries to go exotic after "Chouwa Oto (With Reflection)".
"Chouwa Oto (With Reflection)"
Bonus live and epic version of the song, proving that she isn't kidding about being awesome:
many thanks to the uploader ^^
Well, I know that this isn't the kind of music that everyone would like. Still, I hope that you liked it! KOKIA is definitely an inspiration not only for me, but also for many others. Remember: if you liked this single, please support the artist by purchasing their music! Her discography is huge and incredible, so don't miss the chance to know more about KOKIA~ ^^
The time when I'll be able to listen to "Push Push" without throwing something against the nearest person due to madness caused by the excessive music pollution is still ages away, but that doesn't mean I can't like Sistar's first subgroup, right? Sistar19 presents a more mature image, which I reckon that could actually be done by the original group if they tried, and it caught my attention! The unit being composed of the two prettiest members also helps... xD
from the official channel ^^
I realized that I wasn't posting as much as I should about J-Rock... Sorry J-Rockers! I really like this genre, therefore I shall talk about it more often from now on ^^ Anyway, Nightmare released the promotional video for their new song "Vermillion". Oh, the good times when I knew them through the "Claymore" anime. That was such an awesome song ("Raison D'être")...
Got ya! LOL Actually, as usual, avex removed the full version from YT :(
PS: Oh, the new top image is so cool, isn't it? *0* /self-praising lol
Explain to me: how do Koreans choose their cellphones when so many have awesome CFs? I wouldn't be able to decide mine... IU's smartphone or DBSK and SNSD's? I want them all~ *-*
