Nada Sou Sou is possibly one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard.

I really think all of us need to just step away from the overproduced technology advanced techno songs we all listen to. Nada sou sou is such an inspiring song and I just can’t get enough of it. For the most part, this song is purely real and organic. No fancy vocal distortions, no electronic instruments, none of that. All it is a GORGEOUS song consisting of guitars, strings, and a traditional Japanese instrument whose name I do not know (I think it’s the shamisen?), but it adds SO MUCH to the song. It’s something totally different from anything I have ever listened to before. It’s so much more laid back and traditional with an Okinawan flavor.

Now, there are two versions I have listened to that have become my favorites.

The version by Rimi Natsukawa is definitely more traditional and laidback, and of course, with that wonderful Okinawan flavor. What I absolutely love about her is her different type of voice. No, her voice definitely isn’t “young and fresh”, but that’s what I love about it! I guess you could say she has a more “aged” and “matured” voice, and it just adds so much to the song. What makes her voice more interesting is the fact that she sings in the “shima uta” style. Her voice here sounds like it’s cracking and wavering, and it’s MEANT to be like that (I’m hoping everything I’m saying is true), and it’s definitely something new and interesting for me.

The other version I enjoy is alans version. Now, compared to Rimi, alan has a much more “young fresh” voice, and sadly no, she doesn’t sing in the shima uta style. However, if Rimis style was a bit too awkward for you, alans might satisfy you. I absolutely LOVE the full strong tone of her voice. It’s just so nice and clear to listen to, even when she reaches those high notes. Of course, the highlight of alans version is the ehru that she plays. Surprisingly, it works extremely well, and it’s a nice little touch from alan that is “out there” but still feels very well in place.

• The guys are hotter.
• The girls are hotter.
• There’s a lot more money put into production (as in better quality videos, pictures, flashy stuff like that)

And yes, I have fallen into the trap, and I CAN’T HELP MYSELF AT ALL! So here are the following new Kpop Artists that I’m going to feature on Stereo Love!

SNSD

Essentially the Korean version of Morning Musume, SNSD (which stands for So Nyeo Shi Dae) is a 9 member South Korean girl group formed by SM Entertainment in 2007. However, unlike Morning Musume, these girls actually look older, actually look taller, and are generally more interesting when compared to Morning Musume. I have only listened to 3 songs by them, and from what I have noticed, yes, they are still incredibly cute like Morning Musume. And after watching their music videos, yes, I have noticed that they are just as adorable, cute, childlike, and creepy like Morning Musume. I sometimes wonder WHY I like this group. And then I realize it’s because of all the extra “gloss” that this group has compared to Morning Musume and their “low budget” look. Plus, their songs are so freakin CATCHY. I have also noticed they are one of the few groups that don’t seem to make use of electronic distortions on their voices.

T-Ara

Another random group that I decided to listen to because of one song my friend made me listen to. However, I have only listened to that one song by them, and I have yet to explore their other material. Anyways. T-ara is a 6 member South Korean girl group formed by Mnet Media in 2009. All I know is that they enjoy using vocal distortions in one of their songs.

Brown Eyed Girls

HOLY CRAP. I have only heard one song from their group, but all I needed was that one song by them to make me believe that this group has something going on with them. Brown Eyed Girls (B.E.G for short) is a 4 member South Korean girl group formed by NegaNetwork. I really don’t know anything about them, but after watching one music video from them, I’ve noticed that their new image is very edgy and sexy, totally different from SNSD. I can’t wait to hear more material from this group.

2NE1

You could say that I have a special bond with this group because they were my very first dose of Korean girl group material. This group is kinda what got me into Kpop, just like how Utada Hikaru and BoA got me into Jpop. 2NE1 a 4 member South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment in 2009. This is the first group whos album I have actually listened to, and I have to say I’m impressed. What I’m impressed with though, is their sense of style. This group is incredibly edgy, sexy, chic, and totally different from any girl group I’ve ever seen. These girls definitely know how to take a risk, and I’m hoping to hear more material from them soon.

Oh yeah, if you guys haven’t noticed, I FINALLY have a new banner. Very simple and last minute thing I did, featuring Brown Eyed Girls! >:D

I’ll make the official post later on and shiz. Lets just say that all these new artists are going to be Korean! Maybe I’ll get a LOT more views because of that. I’ve noticed Jpop isn’t such a huge thing going with people, at least in my area. Most people are GAGA over Kpop at the moment, and because of my friends, I’m getting into it too.

So yeah. Stick around please!

It’s been a LOOONG time since I’ve been on here. Life got in the way. I got distracted. I got lazy. I lost inspiration and motivation to do any sort of blogging.

HOWEVER, I have recently gotten in Kpop (which came about from me trying to get into Chinese Pop), so MAYBE I’ll start posting stuff about Korean shizz?

IDK, maybe.

So you know what? I’m tired of the Japanese language already.

Yes, you heard me right. I am very tired of the Japanese language already. I really don’t know why, but I think ever since I took Japanese 2 (for which I had a horrible teacher), my interest in the Japanese language has totally died out. It did come back when I got my original teacher back for Japanese 3 this school year, but that spark has been totally lost.

And ever since I have listened to alan sing in Chinese, that love for Japanese just died out.

No this isn’t a goodbye post or anything like that.

This post is to make this announcement:

I’m gonna be taking Mandarin for my Senior Year of High School!

Yes, yes I am. It may sound weird, but to me, I find Chinese to be an AMAZINGLY SEXY language. I mean, the language FASCINATES ME SO MUCH. I just don’t know why, but there is just something really sexy about the complicated ways they pronounce their words. Add that to the fact that it’s a tonal language, and you’ve got one very interesting and sexy language right there.

So of course, to try and get myself into the language, why not listen to some Chinese music?

So yes, I am going to attempt to post things related to chinese pop. Hopefully, it’s going to be mainly Mandarin Pop, since thats the language I’m taking next year anyways.

And lets give a special thanks to alan shall we? I blame her for showing me just how gorgeous and interesting the Chinese language is, thanks to her Chinese version of Kuon No Kawa, and this amazing performance of Road To Heaven:

(thats Chinese right?)

xD

So yeah, I’m going to start listening to alans Chinese version of Voice of Earth, and we’ll just see how it goes from there.

It sure is going to be fun practicing how to pronounce all these titles.
WOOHOO!

xD

TiK ToK by Ke$ha

YES, before I suddenly get attacked by angry bloodthirsty, lemme explain myself.

Okay well, I dunno if I really can’t explain myself with this one.

I JUST CAN’T HELP IT.
After seeing that picture of her, I seriously never expected myself to enjoy this song. However, after listening to Lady Gaga along with more English songs, I decided to give her chance, and I’m extremely happy to say that I love the song to death.

Lemme clear some things up for now.
She isn’t an amazing singer, at all. Or at least, she has the potential (I mean, the people that signed her must have seen something), and you just can’t really tell from this song.

But really TiK ToK isn’t meant to have any deep meaning, or complex chord progressions (heck, I barely know how chords work), or anything that most people would call music. It’s a PARTY SONG, WTF were you seriously expecting?

And as a party song, it does it job amazingly well.

The one element of this song that I think has made it so appealing and catchy to pretty much everyone I know is that Kesha barely sings in this song at all. But you know what, I LOVE her “white girl rapping” that she does. It may sound silly and all, but seriously, I barely know anyone who doesn’t WANT to sing along to this song. It’s one of those songs where almost anyone can sing for the fun of it, which in part may explain it’s mass appeal. I mean sure, it doesn’t really show that Kesha has talent and stuff, but I can’t help but love saying the first few lines “wake up in the morning feelin like P. Diddy”.

What I also really like about TiK ToK is that the song just keeps on going and going with the singing and white girl rapping. Essentially, the song is almost like one entire run of raps and notes, which I absolutely love (those long runs is what I also think made Just Dance so catchy).

And of course, theres all the catchy and repetitive techno magic in that background that you all I love already.

So yeah. Tik Tok is not meant to be a song showing Keshas “amazing singing talent” or “deep thoughts” or whatever. If you’re that kind of person, stay away from this song. Otherwise, if you’re looking for an extremely catchy song to party, dance, and white girl rap / sing along to, here’s your calling.

Overall Rating:
7 out of 5!!

Happy New Years everyone!

BUT ANYWAY.

I have found that there is really only ONE Christmas song I can NEVER HATE:

Really now, how is it possible for anyone to actually hate All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey? Sure, it may have a very long title and it’s overplayed to the max, but I can’t help but LOVE LOVE LOVE IT.

It’s such an adorable and very simple Christmas song. Jingle bells, gospel background singers, a really pretty rapid piano in the background, and adorable and simple (albeit cliché) lyrics. Plus, the song is unbelievably catchy!

Mariah Carey gives an amazing vocal performance here. Her voice does become bothersome at all because of how strange it can sound at times. I can explain it, but it sounds like there is something in her throat giving her that “stuffed” sound, but I’ve come to love this “signature” sound from her. She also definitely knows how to belt her voice and reach those high notes, and it blends very well with the gospel singers in the background.

But guess what? I never knew that some of our very own Asian artists have done covers of this song! So lets see:

Yes, I was very surprised to see Yuna Ito herself cover this song, but at the same time, I expected it considering she lived in Hawaii. Compared to Mariah Careys version, Yuna Ito has a much more simple vocal style to her. However, it’s very nice and clean compared to Mariah Careys, which can get a bit messy at times (but that’s just me). Yuna Ito does give a very good performance here, but at the same time, I felt that she could have done better. She does have that really nice clean and clear voice, but I really wished she “belted” with her voice more. It felt like she was holding herself back that the gospel singers got a bit too strong for her. Still, a pretty good performance. Plus, I love that final high note she holds. And isn’t she adorable at the end when wishes us a Merry Christmas? <33

HOWEVER, what I found even more surprising was a cover from this girl:

Yes, I may not listen to Younha at all, but I have heard about her because of Lex from Beyond The Sea.

Now, this was the performance that I had a LOT of doubt in. I may not have listened to her, so I always had this assumption that Younha was one of those really bad asian artists who just could not sing at all. So her covering a Mariah Carey song was out of the question for me.

But damn, I was totally wrong.

For one thing, I was surprised at how she PRONOUNCED her words. Considering the fact that she is a Korean artist, I seriously thought it would be horrible Engrish. However, I’m very pleased to say that I understood almost every word that she spoke (of course, the subtitles, may have helped, but just a bit).

Vocally, she does a pretty good job. So much better than I expected. I really liked her slightly deeper and warmer sound when compared to Yuna Itos, making it a lot more similar to Mariahs original version. Plus, I actually really like that small hint of her accent that is shown when she sings. It adds a little bit more uniqueness to her performance.

However, I do think she doesn’t have as much of a “belting” voice like Mariah Carey. There isn’t enough of that “punch” that Mariah just gives, but this performance of Younha is still pretty darn good. The one thing I’m annoyed by is how I can barely hear the strings. (you know how much I love strings). I do like the jazzy sound her version has. I just think it would have sounded better if the musicians didn’t overpower her so much. There were times where she really got muffled by everything else going on.

Still, I think I may listen to her now after watching this performance.

Oh yeah, and heres one final cover I wanted to show you guys:

Yes, but Miley Cyrus. I don’t think she’s horrible, but when compared to the other versions I have listened to her, her cover just doesn’t cut it at all. XD

She does hit the notes and stuff (I’m guessing, I dunno, I’m not too amazing telling whether or not someone is tune, especially vocally), but it’s just the way she pronounces her words. Damnit. I know the little country accent is her thing, but oh gosh, it’s so horrible. I could have been good, but for some reason, it just kinda bothers me. Heck, even Younha pronounces her English better than Miley, and English isn’t even her first language (right?).

Plus, the song is way too fast when compared to the original. Here it feels rushed, especially during the beginning.

Also, this is the one time I’ve seen where the background singers need to be LOUDER. I couldn’t even here them.

Plus, it’s a shame she didn’t try and reach that high note that I was all excited for.

It’s not a horrible version or anything, I just don’t find it as amazing.

So, really, I know this may have been a really messy post, but it’s Christmas Eve right now and I’m too lazy to over think and be perfect about things.

So Merry Christmas everyone. And to all those make such a big deal about not being Christians, Happy Holidays!

You know, I’m really surprised I haven’t done this yet, so I might as well do it now. Lady Gaga will finally be on my blog.

It really is late, especially because I’ve been a such a huge fan of hers for a good few months now. (and yes, I’m really late with the fandom too). She’s quirky, freaky, and talented too. So I’m going to have to start talking about her now.

=D

Oh alan, you and your ballads. And more ballads. Followed by moar ballads. Actually, I really don’t care that she only ever releases ballads, because she always does a good job on them. However, it really was nice of alan to mix things up with Gunjou no Tani, an upbeat song that actually works. Alan’s two previous upbeat songs, Kaze No Tegami and Sora Uta weren’t bad, but they weren’t really that amazing either. They did have the alan touch to them, but for some reason, alan just seemed so uncomfortable and awkward with it. Luckily, she FINALLY finds in Gunjou no Tani, an excellent combination of acoustic/electric guitars and strings that gives the song a very interesting “adventurous” feel to it. Her vocals are also excellent in this song. There are absolutely no mountain notes sung here (it may sound too awkward). She does sound like she’s in pain when she gives more power to regular vocals, but I’ve come to accept that’s just an alan thing that you get used to. Also, we really get to see her hold some pretty nice high elongated notes and she sounds AMAZING when she does it, especially during her adlibbing section around the end of the song.  It may not have the extremely obvious “oriental alan touch” like in her previous upbeat singles, but it just WORKS here and I don’t know why.

Also included in this single is what I like to call the “chill version” of Gunjou no Tani, but it’s really just an acoustic version of Gunjou No Tani. It’s much more laid back compared to the original, and we really get to hear alans vocals so much more clearly here. She still does the whole “in pain” thing when she gives more power to her vocals. I do like it, but I also wished she might have given something more gentle for this song. (or maybe having developed more vibrato) There are also some excellent ehru sections in this songs too, along with some other small interesting changes.

Overall Rating:

4 out of 5

You know what, before I get any further, lemme show you some covers.

So…does anyone understands what I’m getting at?

Alan really doesn’t have much variety in a lot of her covers.

Really, why is it that her covers are almost only her with her eyes open, while the alternative cover would just have her eyes closed?

DXXX

I mean really. Does she go to photoshoots, and for a good 30 minutes (or however long it takes) just keep giving the photographer shots or her with her eyes opened and closed? Really now, it’s just so BORING.

Why didn’t she give some variation to her covers. Why didn’t they do some full body shots, or portrait shot variations with her first 3 single covers? In fact, why doesn’t she even move her ARMS or something? I find it kinda freaky and boring how she just does THAT.

I was especially bothered when I realized she and her photographer (or whatever) decided not to at least try different things in her Sora Uta cover. It’s such a gorgeous outfit, and I wish she did do something else aside from just standing there blinking her eyes.

Luckily though, her covers have definitely gotten better. I’m not a huge fan of her titled head thing in Megumi no Ame and Red Cliff, and I’m not a big fan of her side profile in Megumi No Ame either. However, her cover for Kaze No Tegami WINS for her best cover at the moment. It’s so beautiful and graceful, and she does give some variation, even if the other cover is a tad plain. It’s still amazingly GORGEOUS.

2nd place for her best cover would have to be her Kuon No Kawa covers. It’s amazingly exotic and beautiful. <3

Oh gosh alan, why is that you constantly release ballad after ballad, and yet I still fall in love with them? I have no idea, but for some reason, Megumi No Ame is yet another ballad that alan has won me over. Yes, essentially, Megumi No Ame is like any other ballad that alan has released in the past. I just can’t explain, but I just LOVE LOVE THEM.

Megumi no Ame is kind of like a “breather” after the epic and very powerful fire single that she released before this. It’s a very simple and (almost) typical ballad. Piano and strings in the background. I just don’t know why, but alan does an amazing job of making every ballad she does sound amazing and irresistible. I’ve found myself listening to this song over and over.

Of course, simple can always be the best answer to things. And a spiced up simple is even better. In addition to the gorgeous piano and strings that are part of the arrangement, there is also a lovely ehru that plays in the beginning. I also love how they give an entire minute at the end of the song that is purely just instrumental. I just wish the ehru was playing at the end too.

Vocally, alan is so much comfortable in this kind of music. She does sound a bit awkward when she is singing the chorus, but alan has always sounded like that, and I just love it now. <3

My only issues is that sometimes, they rhythm of her singing feels off. I really prefer it when she stays very simple with the rhythm of her singing in smooth ballads. Yet there are parts during the chorus such as when she sings “itsu made mo” in a rhythm that feels like she’s rushing to stuff in the other words because she was holding one of the other notes too long.
But really that’s a small detail.

The other thing that does bother me in this song is the really weird transition from the bridge to the last part of the song. It was going so well, and then the chorus just pops out of nowhere. It just sounds really awkward.

There is also the fact that I didn’t get enough of that “water” feel like I was hoping. It is relaxing like how I would expect the water element to be, but I think there could have been more done.

Following Megumi No Ame is yet another ballad called Namida. I think that Namida did a better job of following the water element thanks to the beats played in the background that sound a lot like dripping water.

Namida is more like the “darker” version of Megumi No Ame as it has more of a serious feel to it. While I do think the song is nice, I just can’t find myself listening to it that often. After being so relaxed by Megumi no Ame, all Namida does is make me feel stiff and uncomfy. >.>

Overall Rating:
4/5

I’m sure that when you guys think of fire, you guys thing of many “intense” things. Fire seems to be one of those elements that everyone realizes, and it often tends to be the “starting” element for all you video gamers out there (fire, fira, firaga anyone?). When I think of fire, I think of fierceness, intensity, dragons and many more things. Considering that fire is such a big and important element (to me at least), I was hoping that alans fire single, would be amazing.

And oh thank the god of fire that is.

RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~ is (as said by Lex), epic, epic, EPIC, and MOAR EPIC. Seriously, out of all her ballads, Red Cliff might be her most epic ballad yet. What I find most fascinating about this song is that it’s not your typical kind of “epic”. The song doesn’t automatically explode during the first chorus. Instead, there is a kind of very slow buildup that happens in the song. In fact, this buildup just keeps happening, even during the chorus. There is also a kind of loneliness yet tension and fire in this song.

Alan does sound a bit uncomfortable when she sings here, as she does sing in a more “heavy” style. However, I think this heavy style really adds to the burning fire intensity of this song.

The verses tend to stay very soft and lonely. And while there is a very strong chorus going on, I really like the element of the chorus still “holding back” a bit. It sounds awkward, but yes, I just really like that tension during the chorus.

However, (and I’m sure everyone is going to agree with me on this), the best of the song happens to the rather short bridge. Alan decides to go all out (along with the arrangement) and FINALLY does her mountain wail. It just sounds EPIC.

In addition to the Japanese version of Red Cliff, there is also a Chinese Version of it included called Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~. From what I have noticed, Alan definitely sounds a lot more comfortable singing in Chinese than she does in Japanese. I don’t feel that “stress” that she has when she sings in some of her Japanese songs.

Sadly, there is no amazing and epic Tibetan wail during the bridge this time around. However, considering that this track was meant to played in one of the biggest movies China has ever made, I can understand them not wanting to show any kind of “favoritism” towards Tibet.

I really should learn more about this Tibet issue though. I really have no idea what the hell its about. @_@

Oh yeah, an Orchestra Version of Ashita E No Sanka also exists.

One word, EPIC. The orchestra version totally beats the original version. All of you guys know I have a huge love for orchestras, especially this one! The orchestra just adds so much more beauty to this song. The arrangement here sounds like it could have easily been put into Mulan.

Overall Rating:
6/5

Because it’s THAT awesome and epic.

As far as album covers go, Leona Lewis’ “Echo” is definitely a very simple and very clean cover. There is nothing “holy shit!” about it, but at the same time, there’s a bit of a striking-ness to it.

It’s really nice to see an album cover that doesn’t totally fail on the text. I have had my fair share of covers with text that I couldn’t read AT ALL, which I find very stupid. I know the pictures important, but it’d be nice to know what the title of the darn thing is here. The one thing that bothers me though is that I wish the title “Echo” was below her name. That might just be me being really anal though.

One of the things that fascinates me most about Leona is how she is such a chameleon. I’m not sure if it’s just not me, but she is always sporting a dramatically different look. I kinda have a hard time figuring if that actually is her. And yes, that chameleon comment applies here too. I had to double check on her other pictures to make sure this actually was her.

And Damn, she is quite a beautiful woman in this picture. Nothing says “beautiful” like a very bare bones shot like this one. I’m surprised to find how gorgeous she is with her hair all wet and pulled back. We really get to see her features. Yes, I know theres makeup involved, but still. I just can’t over those beautiful lips!

However, the one thing I really do not like about this album cover is what she’s doing with her face. She’s doing a “Jennifer” face. If you remember Jennifer, she was the only Asian contestant in cycle 13 of ANTM, and she had a habit of constantly keeping her mouth open.

Yes, the fact that Leonas mouth is opening is bothering me. However, I’m happy to say that it doesn’t make her look “whory” like how Jennifer was in her Goddess Photoshoot. I think it’s the eyes that makes the open mouth look awkward.

The mouth by itself is fine. However, when you take a look at her eyes, it makes her look very dazed and confused. I do not like how it looks like she’s looking in a different direction. It really would have been nice if she looked more directly at the camera. If that did happen, I think she would have really nailed this shot.