† 大黒摩季: 太陽の国へ行こうよ すぐに ～空飛ぶ夢に乗って～ †

歌手： 大黒摩季

作詞： 大黒摩季
作曲： 大野愛果

いずれするつもり… と
そして今日がまた終わってゆく
"理想的"が見つかるまでは
現実を愛してる

安らぎが欲しいー!!精神的に
心裸にして なごみある日々を探しに

太陽の国へ行こうよ すぐに
空飛ぶ夢に乗って 宇宙を走る
奇跡の予感があふれる街に
君を見つけに行くよ
未来が好きになりそう

いつしか慣れて行くんだ
常識 成り行き 受け身 調和 思い入れ
ささいな事に 心揺れるのは
疲れてる証拠ね

夢中で 一人走りすぎて
気付いたら 私の車だけ

太陽の国へ行こうよ すぐに
暗闇抜けて 惑星めざし
自由な時代の 心地よい束縛 求め
世界はパレードのように
色を変えて誘う

太陽の国へ行こうよ すぐに
暗闇抜けて 惑星めざし
自由な時代の 心地よい束縛 求め
世界はパレードのように
色を変えて誘う

太陽の国へ行こうよ すぐに
空飛ぶ夢に乗って 宇宙を走る
奇跡の予感があふれる街に
君を見つけに行くよ
未来が好きになりそう

† Sparking: For Those Who Fight The Business World †

Title: Sparking
Performed by: Tom Leonard, Jeff Pescetto

I'm here now
I'm doing the best I can
Where are you now?
Did your dreams come true?
Here we go

Get up, Get up
Sparking!
Get up
Sparking!

What does the word "peace" mean?
There should only be a smiling face?
Answer me, reticent God
But the sun rises again
When will that time return?
Swear you won't give up

Break out
Everything day by day
Freak out
Anything step by step
Leave the sin and let me know leave the sin
Break down
Make my story
Get down
They are called history
My heartbeat gonna be faster
Shout, Shout, Shout, Shout Soul

Destiny or deadly
I don't care which on'es walking this way
They're nothing together
What if I go back to zero?

Get power of infinity
All meen together make one man at the time of an important decision
Please do not lose your vision
You're the one. Show me only your dance in earnest
Even if wrapped in darkness
Light is beyond the horizon

Sparking!
Believe your own energy
Super King!
Get by my hands
Sparking!
Now, open your wing
Super King!
You can do it
Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up, Get up
To the top of the world
Sparking!

† Joyful Selection: Cheap Guitar + Cheap Hard Cover †

What a joy! I've managed to buy this guitar plus a cover combo at the price of RM350 only: semi-acoustic guitar RM190, hard case cover RM160 and it comes to a total of RM350.

Nicely crafted design and colour. Although its not an expensive Ibanez or Fender guitar, I still love it very much.

The good thing about it is that, its my favourite turtle back design. I've been wanting to own such guitar since my childhood and finally I've got one!

Simplicity makes perfection. There's no hankey bankey designs or graphite on the cover and this is what makes it looks original.

† Evolution of Party Music †

It is interesting to see how party music has evolved over time. Different era has different taste of party music. Lets observe the evolution.

1. 1950's, the era of twist and turn.

The music style seems to be light and easy. Light rock and roll brought much influence in the 50's music culture.
Little Richard - Tutti Fruitti [download here]

2. 1960's, the era of rock and roll.

There are not much differences between these 2 era. However, the music culture began to focus more in the group bands such as the popular Beatles.
Lesley Gore - It's My Party [download here]

3. 1970's, the era of disco and dancing.

Disco genre started to bloom in the 70's. In 1977, 'Saturday Night Fever' had the effect of setting off disco mania in the society.
Trammps - Disco Inferno [download here]

4. 1980's, the era of synthesizer.

Rock, hard rock, soft rock or pop, these genre are commonly associated with the use of synthesizer. A memorable and distinguishable era.
Baltimora - Tarzan Boy [download here]

5. 1990's, the era of boy bands.

The term 'boyband' was not defined until the 90's. More often or not, the boy band members do not play any music instrument but only know how to sing.
911 - Party People Friday Night [download here]

6. 2000's, the era of hip hop and R&B.

Hip hop and R&B dominated popular music in the 2000's. These genre were often played in the clubs and pubs. There's no wonder Justin Timberlake left N'Sync and goes into R&B.
Madonna feat. Justin - 4 Mintues [download here]

7. 2010's, the era of techno and robotonic.

Most of the party music in the 2010's are somehow full of techno beats and so much related to 'enjoying life', 'party day and night' kind of theme.
LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem [download here]

† Music Is Part of Me †

I found my drum sticks in the cupboard filled with dust. My Tama, Vic Firth, Zildjian and Vater sticks: I've left you guys for years and I missed you guys. Its time to rock and I've decided to get myself involved in the music team once again.

Get to know my drum sticks.
 

† Disney Music: Rapunzel OST Download †

I've received a few messages and e-mails requesting for the soundtracks of Rapunzel. So here's the songs I've uploaded as requested. Enjoy!

The story begins, Rapunzel doing her chores everyday.
1. Rapunzel OST - When Will My Life Begin [listen/download here]

Having fun with the gangsters with dreams.
2. Rapunzel OST - I've Got A Dream [listen/download here]

Discovering Rapunzel's healing power.
3. Rapunzel OST - Healing Incantation [listen/download here]

Having fun in the city.
4. Rapunzel OST - Kingdom Dance [listen/download here]

Lake view, waiting for the lantern.
5. Rapunzel OST - Waiting For The Lights [listen/download here]

The most romantic scene.
6. Rapunzel OST - I See The Lights [listen/download here]

And of course, rosewell that ends well.
7. Rapunzel OST - Kingdom Celebration [listen/download here]

† Unforgettable Childhood 90's Raggae Eurobeat †

I've lost this song very long time ago when I was thirteen back in 1997. Somehow I've managed to retrieve this song and I think I should share it here. For those who were basketball players and were actively involved in 3 on 3 street basketball tournaments would know this song because it was played quite frequently in those tournaments back then.

The song title is 'I Love You Baby' sang by Pandera. Very interesting, catchy and positive melody that will always put a smile on your face. If you wish to download the full version, I've uploaded it into Aimini and you can get it here: Pandera - I Love You Baby.

† Laura Shigihara: PopCap's Rising Treasure †

It is my natural habit to go for a deep search for those who compose great soundtracks for movies, games or animes. Laura Shigihara is definitely a young gifted music composer. She has been working as a video game music composer since 2005 and her music style ranged from orchestral themes, to uptempo battle themes, and even including songs featuring her own vocal tracks.

If you're familiar with PopCap's famous game 'Plants vs Zombies', you definitely will not miss its soundtrack written by Laura Shigihara. In the game, you'll be exposed to many cute songs and sometimes these songs will be permanently embedded  into your brain. Its really brain washing. You may watch her videos in YouTube.

Just a small little intro about this game, its also known as PvZ. It is a tower defense concept game where users need to build all kinds of plants to defend against the invaders (in this case, the zombies). These plants are so cute and each of them has a different kind of abilities including plants that emit freeze shots, triple shots, or plants with heavy duty attacks.

Here's a screen shot of me playing PvZ and I only manage to survive until the 54th stage before the zombies engulf all my plants. As you can see from the photo, some of my plants have already been destroyed.

Laura's Music

PLANTS VS ZOMBIES: There are many songs in PvZ but I find this vocal version of PvZ with the title 'Zombies On Your Lawn' is the most interesting among all. You may watch the video taken from YouTube or download the .zip file from the main website. You may also watch Laura sings while playing on the piano too. Her voice is seriously as sweet as caramel.

MELOLUNE: Very nice songs can be found in her website. After listening to all the songs here, I somehow feel the presence of Yoko Shimomura and Joe Hisaishi in the element of these music.

Great music, great taste, great influences and great composing. I believe Laura will definitely shines in future as her music will speak for her identity. Its truly PopCap's blessing to have her working for them.

Source:
Laura Shigihara's Blog
Laura Shigihara's YouTube Channel

† TiK ToK by Versecity †

Versecity is a band formed in year 2008 and the band members consist of Micah Walker, Marcus Edwards III, Daniel Rascoe, Jared Kindel and Nelson Baradat from Houston. Versecity performs a number of catchy songs and one of the best recordings is gotta be TiK ToK.


TiK ToK is the debut single by Kesha. It was released in year 2009 and it scored the biggest single-week sum of all time for a female artist selling 610,000 digital downloads in one week. As in June 2010 (according to Wikipedia) the single had sold 4.9 million downloads in the United States alone. Kesha's TiK ToK has been played in many radio stations for weeks and in fact this song is one of the most favorite clubbing songs for many clubs and cafe.


Versecity has done a great job performing an alternative rock version of Kesha's TiK ToK. I heard this version being played in the radio when I was doing my shopping in Cotton On Mid Valley last week and I never knew there's such version exists.


I've finally put my search into an end when I found Versecity's YouTube profile and I think you should take a glance at the video of them doing the recording. It was totally owning! Micah's powerful voice, Dan's solid drum beats, Marcus and Nelson's guitar playing plus Jared's bass along with the background singers made the song sound even more energetic than Kesha's version. Click here to listen and download TiK ToK by Versecity.

† Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence: What A Cocktail †

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (戦場のメリークリスマス in Japanese) is a classic movie produced in 1983, directed by Nagisa Oshima.


The synopsis: In 1941, Jack Celliers, a British soldier comes to a Japanese prison camp. The camp is operated by Yonoi, who has a firm belief in discipline, honour and glory. In his point of view, the allied prisoners are cowards if they chose to surrender instead of committing suicide via seppuku. One of the prisoners, John Lawrence the interpreter, tries to explain the Japanese way of thinking, but is considered a traitor etc...

I'm not so interested with the storyline but the theme song of the movie with the title 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' caught my attention. Here's the trailer and do pay attention to the background music that sound so traditionally Japanese. Also click here to listen to the original version.


The theme song becomes popular again after almost two decades when it is sang in Utada Hikaru's version. Thanks to the fusion style of traditional and hip-hop, Utada Hikaru's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence really make a big hit in many countries. Click here to listen Utada Hikaru's version.


Ryuichi Sakamota's piano version is a master piece that one must not miss. The song hits its peak when the strings flow in along with his harmonious piano melody.


If you're a guitarist, you must also pay extra attention to Oshio Kotaro's amazing guitar play on this song. I've never seen someone play like his way other than Erik Mongrain that I mentioned in my previous blogpost.

Seriously, what a cocktail for this song.

† My Father My Guiding Light †

Dad, you're the shepherd of the house, our guiding light. We thank you for all the hard works and earnings for the family.

싸이 - 아버지

A wonderful song sang by a Korean group known as PSY, with the title "Father". Its not an easy task for our dads to take care of the family and thus, we must never forget him even we're busy with studies or works. A simple phone call or text message will always please him in the heart without you knowing it.

Happy Father's Day 2010 in advance!

† How To Train Your Dragon: Music Review †

You can call me a 'caveman' or a 'frog under the coconut shell' and the truth is that, this is the first time I come across John Powell's name. I didn't know his popularity as a film score composer is equally famous as Hans Zimmer and Harry Gregson Williams. In fact I'm so impressed with the music he has composed in the animated movie 'How To Train Your Dragon'. This soundtrack is available through Varèse Sarabande Records.

01.This Is Berk (04:12)
02.Dragon Battle (01:55)
03.The Downed Dragon (04:16)
04.Dragon Training (03:10)
05.Wounded (01:25)
06.The Dragon Book (02:22)
07.Focus, Hiccup! (02:05)
08.Forbidden Friendship (04:10)
09.New Tail (02:47)
10.See You Tomorrow (03:52)
11.Test Drive (02:35)
12.Not So Fireproof (01:11)
13.This Time For Sure (00:47)
14.Astrid Goes For A Spin (00:45)
15.Romantic Flight (01:55)
16.Dragon’s Den (02:28)
17.The Cove (01:10)
18.The Kill Ring (04:27)
19.Ready The Ships (05:13)
20.Battling The Green Death (06:18)
21.Counter Attack (03:02)
22.Where’s Hiccup? (02:43)
23.Coming Back Around (02:49)
24.Sticks & Stones (04:08)
25.The Vikings Have Their Tea (02:04)

In case you have the OST CD, these are the two songs that I recommend you not to miss: track 11 and track 23. I absolutely love the strong melodies and consistently reoccurring themes that Powell uses especially his variations and the way he strips them down and builds them back up (with bag pipes in this case).

† Don't Stop Believing: Journey vs Glee †

"Don't Stop Believing" is a recently popular song sang by the Glee casts. This song has been played over and over again especially in Malaysia's English radio station such as Red FM and Hitz FM. Click here to listen and download Glee's Don't Stop Believing.

Glee is an American musical comedy drama focused on a high school glee club known as the 'New Directions'. The song appears in the first episode of the drama and I believe this song is the center of attraction in the drama.

Glee casts really did a great job in singing this song especially the acapella intro. Great song great drama however most people might not realize that this is not the original version.

The original version of "Don't Stop Believing" is sang by the classic American Rock band known as Journey back in 1981. If you ever heard of the original version, you'll definitely feel that this song is really powerful and moving. Click here to listen and download Journey's Don't Stop Believing.

For those who are saying things like "Journey would kill Glee" or "If you like this, you have no taste in music," you guys are totally wrong. First of all, Journey has licensed this song to the TV company for use in Glee. It is obviously a great way to reintroduce classical song to the young audience.

In case you don't know, this song did appeared in Adam Sandler's Bedtime Stories as well. If you don't believe it, you gotta watch it here on YouTube.

† Kizuna By Orange Range †

Orange Range was first introduced to me in year 2007 by my friend Alvin who is a full time Jap culture fan. Orange Range (オレンジレンジ, pronounce as Orenji Renji) is a 5 member Japanese alternative rock back originated from Okinawa. Most of their band members are childhood friends and the members consist of Hokama Hiroki (mid vocal), Miyamori Ryo (low vocal), Ganeko Yamato (high vocal), Hiroyama Naoto (guitarist), Miyamori Yoh (bassist) and Kitao Kazuhito (drummer).


Although Orange Range is not a band consist of a group handsome or muscular tall guys and in fact some of the comments that I've found in the YouTube videos criticized that they are a bunch of ugly dudes, but there's no doubt that their music is good.


If you're a fan of Bleach the animation, I bet you're familiar with Orange Range because the intro song of the first season was sang by Orange Range, titled 'Asterisk'.


Song recommendation as usual? Yea, here's a song that I would like to recommend. My all time favorite song of Orange Range is always gonna be 'Kizuna' (listen and download here). Their songs are mostly hip hop and rock, but this particular song is so different from the others. If your ears are sensitive enough, you'll realize that there's 'er-hu' being used in this song and I think that's very creative and lovely. Most of you might laugh when Ganeko the high vocal sings because he looks pretty funny in the music video.


Never judge a band by their look. Their quality is determined by the music they produced and Orange Range is the best example.

† Flugufrelsarinn By Sigur Ros †

This is an interesting song performed by Sigur Ros, an Icelandic band well known for its ethereal music. Thanks Chris for introducing me to this song but the unofficial music video seems a little bit creepy and disturbing.

The music video is a project made by a student of Bezalel Academy of Arts & Design Jerusalem. I would say its a well done for this ainimated video even though it really freaks me out. I still couldn't figure out what's the video is trying to say. Perhaps its about being born but stripped away from any visual reality to prevent the world from seeing the truth?