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November 13, 2006 - BWUAHA! I live! Finally got all the songs updated and it's a whooping 19 song upload WITH an album download to boot. :D :D :D This is what happens when I'm trying to make up for over six months worth of non-updating. Anyway, definitely give these songs some loving because most of them are just really good listens. This update seems to alternate between hip-hop, happy, and soooooul R&B. OH AND IS THIS LAYOUT NOT LOVE? I adore SE7EN. :3
Bi - Still Believe
[Still Believe - 3:49 - 5.00MB]
Comments: So, when Bi released this Korean single after being gone so long, I was really excited. The heavy beat, the light string background, and the brooding quality of this hip-hop song suits Bi's husky voice really well. To add to that, his English has shown drastic improvement. After hearing this song, I could understand why JYP had such high hopes for Bi in America. This is the kind of hip-hop song that could easily be played in clubs across the US. Too bad his album to follow up the album is so unmemorable. This single is definitely worth a listen, even if the album isn't.
Big Bang - La-la-la
[Big Bang is V.I.P - 3:19 - 4.10MB]
Comments: When YG first put together Big Bang, there was a huge hoop-la over the boys and how great they were. While I acknowledged that they were pretty talented, I just didn't see the appeal of a group that was essentially a copy of 1TYM. It took listening to Big Bang's second single for me to finally understand why everyone is so in love with the newest group from YG.
While La-la-la isn't the most innovative hip-hop song out there, the energy and enthusiasm Big Bang brings to the song makes it something special. Watch any performance of this song and you can see why they are such a hit. You can tell in the vocals that these boys are just happy to be able to perform, that they're enjoying every moment they have. That kind of passion is rare, so to be able to hear it in T.O.P.'s Teddy-esque raps or Daesung's or Taeyang's smooth vocals is definitely something worth checking out. Plus, the song is REALLY fun. <3
Big Bang - V.I.P.
[Big Bang is V.I.P - 3:04 - 4.19MB]
Comments: My roomate heard this song and asked me "Is this Big Bang's pimp song?"... I died laughing, but she has a point. Here, Big Bang raps about their own awesomeness and hardcore hip-hop skills. They don't completely fail either. This song has a strong clapped beat and is definitely much darker than La-la-la. It's a good song that proves that Big Bang wasn't put together only to be a pop-oriented boy band.
Big Mama - Break Away
[Like the Bible - 4:21 - 3.96MB]
Comments: I learned about this song after hearing my Asian Studies professor describe the music video, where Big Mama sings behind a screen as skinny, pretty women lip sync in front of an audience. Big Mama was the substance and voice, the women in front were the face. It was a very smart way to send a message about today's music industry, I thought. As for the song itself, it's a much more laid-back, restrained track. The soul just oozes from this song. Add in the saxophone and this song is just sexy.
Big Mama - Ko Boo
[Like the Bible - 3:09 - 2.83MB]
Comments: If it isn't already obvious, I'm on a YG binge. Big Mama is definitely an underrated group of amazing women from YG, all of whom have the voices of the great divas of yesteryears. This is a fun little disco-ish song that'll make you want to get up and dance. It's a chance for Big Mama to belt their hearts out. Definitely a must download if you like motown music.
Dong Bang Shin Ki - 'O' - Jung.Ban.Hub
['O' - Jung.Ban.Hub - 4:15 - 5.86MB]
Comments: YAY DONG BANG SHIN KI IS BACK! So I admit that I'm not as crazy about their newest album as I was with their previous one. But what is a poor fangirl to do when so much randomness is in one song and the music video deals with all the strife existing in the world? Awesome choreography and political statements thrown together just own my soul. Not sure what to say about this song... lots of laser effects, really weird hair, pretty cowboy outfits, and a really weird combination of techno-dance-pop-rap-rock. I recommend watching a performance of this song because the choreography is amazing, and Yunho's butt shake is just cute. *_*
Dong Bang Shin Ki (Jaejoong) - Insa
[A Millionaire's First Love OST - 3:26 - 3.13MB]
Comments: Jaejoong of Dong Bang Shin Ki recorded this song during his free time for the movie A Millionaire's First Love, which stars Hyunbin. The song itself describes the bittersweet parting of a first love.
What words can describe this beautiful song? If there is any song to download from this entire rotation, I'd say this one is the must have. It's just too beautiful to not.
One of my friends sent me someone's analysis of the song, and the writer described this song as a warm breath to lessen a painful wound. In my opinion, there is no better way to describe it. This is definitely one of the most calming, healing songs I have heard in a long time. The song begins softly with little more than Jaejoong and a piano, and that same quiet quality lasts throughout the entire song. Jaejoong's voice takes on a warm quality to it, a breathy softness that sounds like a slowly parting breeze. This song is just what the memory of a first love is; something gentle and painfully sweet, something that quietly fades in the wind even as it contintues to reverberate in our soul.
...It's definitely a must listen if you feel like life is just too much.
Eddie - Love Twenty
[Love Twenty - 3:13 - 4.42MB]
Comments: YAY EDDIE! So, after being gone for a long time, Eddie is back with a completely new single. The man has really changed since the time of his first album. In this new single, he takes a completely different direction than his usual style, and the improvement in his voice is very apparent. It now has more strength and a larger range. The change in musical style is not a bad thing; I quite like the variety of styles he is now showing.
This is a very upbeat, happy song that makes you think of strolling down a street on a busy afternoon. It just has that happy feeling of the sun shining down, people smiling every which way, and that unfailing knowledge that life is going the right way. This is just a very uplifting song that will put a smile on your face. :)
Eddie - Boy and Girl
[Love Twenty - 3:13 - 5.53MB]
Comments: This isn't a very good indication of just how versatile Eddie is now in terms of musical style, but that's okay because this song is really happy and cute. I have no idea who the female vocalist is who sings in this, but she complements Eddie really well. I really like the jagged way the chorus is sung, and the smooth slide vocal that is randomly used in the verse. Same happy feelings described in the song above this one apply too. It's just a really sweet happy song.
Ito Yuna - Precious
[Precious - 5:48 - 8.02MB]
Comments: Ah, Ito Yuna. I know nothing about her and have nothing of her besides this one ballad, but oh what a beautiful ballad it is. Ito Yuna is a ballad singer with one of those rich, deeper voices that is like Utada Hikaru without the crazy vibratto. This song makes me think of what love should be. The simplistic lyrics, the beauty and magnificence of the piano and orchestra in the background... You listen and you understand the pure joy of finding that special someone. Well, okay, maybe it's not that deep, but definitely give this song a listen if you want to be swept away. It's just perfect for being swept away.
Kay Tse - I Love Tea Houses
[24/7 - 4:28 - 5.89MB]
Comments: Okay, how can I not upload a song with the title "I Love Tea Houses"? Friends have told me Kay Tse sounds like Stephanie Sun; I personally think her general style is very similar to Chen Lin's, the exception being Kay Tse's voice is lower and has more depth. This is just one of those happy lazy Monday songs that will make you bob your head along. Images of fall, tea, and clear blue skies will most likely pop up when you listen to this. It's a very pleasant feel-good song.
Koda Kumi - D.D.D. (feat. SOULHEAD)
[BEST ~second session~ - 4:11 - 9.65MB]
Comments: Sooo many things can be said about Koda Kumi with her sexually charged image and her provocative dancing. Think what you want about the woman, I still respect her because not only is she really good at the dances she does, but she actually has a good voice to back it up. Need proof? Just listen to this really really fun disco song. Featuring the talented ladies of SOULHEAD, this will just make you want to get up and dance. Done in the traditional woman power, diva belting style of Marmalade, this will definitely make you want to move.
Moo Ga Dang - Don't Call Me Babe
[Moo Ga Dang - 3:29 - 4.78MB]
Comments: People will probably know Moo Ga Dang as the group that Baekkyoung of 1TYM is... I know that's what I know Moo Ga Dang as. If you liked Supa Funk in One Way or like groups like Orange Range, you'll probably like this song. It's a very funky song that always makes me want to bob my head along. It's a little weird, but... it's just so cool.
SE7EN - Se7olution (Intro)
[Se7olution - 1:08 - 1.54MB]
Comments: I AM SO AMAZINGLY HAPPY SE7EN IS BACK. What can be said about Se7en's new album? It's definitely very different from his past style; I'd say this new album is much more ballad-dance oriented. He definitely gets to show off his vocal ability in this album.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this in past updates, but I really adore SE7EN's introductions and interludes. Even though they're usually really short, they're wonderful little compact songs in and of themselves. Having good intros and interludes adds a lot more to an album; it focuses the listener in before the beginning of a song. I just wanted to throw in the intro for Se7en's fourth because it's really sexy, smooth, and a great way to open an album. His random English is pretty good too. <3
SE7EN - La La La
[Se7olution - 4:32 - 6.18MB]
Comments: This song has honestly been on repeat since the new album came out. When I read reports that Se7en's title song would be a slow tempo song, I envisioned something more along the lines of Wah Joh, a poppish ballad type song. La-la-la is definitely not pop or full blown ballad; if anything, it's very much a smooth R&B track. The way Se7en sings this is just sexy; this song is sensual in many ways. What really makes this so great is the chorus where Se7en just sings "la la la" in succession. It's a really addictive song and a definite must-have if you like Se7en.
SE7EN - Last of Diary
[Se7olution - 4:40 - 6.38MB]
Comments: "Last of Diary" was originally on Se7en's Japanese album, but the first time I heard it in Japanese, I just didn't feel the impact of it. The meaning of this song was definitely lost when it was sung in Japanese. Listening to "Last of Diary" again, the words just flow together better, the voice inflections are more nuanced, and the emotion is so much stronger. Se7en's voice definitely better conveys the sadness of this song better this time around; in the verses especially, Se7en's takes on a slight falter at points that makes him sound as if he's so close to crying... It's a very touching song that needs little more than Se7en, a piano, and a small group of backing string instruments.
Tackey & Tsubasa - Venus
[Se7olution - 4:09 - 5.66MB]
Comments: HAHAHAHA. Okay, I'm good. This is the most cracked, addictive Latin-tinged song you will hear in a really long time. I used to swear off Johnny's groups because most of them can't really sing, dance or dress themselves, but Tackey & Tsubasa still win in this song because it's just so fun. I swear, this song just lifts up your spirits because it's so catchy. You can't listen to this song and not get it stuck in your head. Definitely check out the music video too! The dance is just... so... funny. XD!
Van Fan - Fang Sheng
[Unspeakable Gentleness - 4:19 - 6.18MB]
Comments: I only know about Van Fan because Hankyung from Super Junior said Van Fan is one of his favorite artists and I thought, "Well, any one Hankyung likes should be good." Van Fan happened to release a new album recently, and I actually really like it. His voice in this reminds me a lot of Nicholas Tse's; he has that same deep ring to it. It's a classic Chinese ballad with minor rock orientations. I swear I've heard this song before; it totally sounds like something that Andy Lau would have sung. Random Spanish-sounding guitar solo and a REALLY nice falling piano sound comes in towards the end. It's a nice song if you like the whole rock ballad thing because I certainly do.
[ALBUM DOWNLOAD!] Jang Woo Hyuk - My Way
[9 songs - 34:45 - 47.9MB]
Comments: It has been established since forever that Jang Woo Hyuk pretty much kicks major ass. His second solo album is so good, it merits being put up in its entirety because I just couldn't pick one or two. At a mere nine tracks, Woo Hyuk takes us through a fun ride that ends all too soon. His style this time around is much softer, more laid-back, funkier. It's just a very fun album to listen to. Considering the numerous artists who are releasing albums this winter, I'd say this is the one that really surprised me. Bi, Se7en, Dong Bang Shin Ki, Eddie, SS501 -- all the general favorites just don't quite satisfy as much as this albums. Since Woo Hyuk doesn't get quite as much loving as other Korean artists, give him a try. Oh, and listen to track 6. It's awesome in a really weird way. XD
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