Music review: Green Day - One For The Razorbacks

kerplunk.jpgArtist: Green Day Members: Billie Joe Armstrong (guitar, vocals), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tre Cool (drums) Album: Kerplunk Release date: 1/17/92 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Juliet's trying to find out what she wants, but she don't know Experience has got her down Look this direction, I know it's not perfection, it's just me... I want to bring you up again now

I'm losing what's left of my dignity A small price I'll pay to see That you're happy Forget all the disappointments you have faced Open up your worried world and let me in

Juliet's crying cause now she's realizing love can be Filled with pain and distrust I know I am crazy, and a bit lazy But I will try to bring you up again now About the song: I've always loved Green Day's older music more than their current albums. Maybe it was the "emo teenager" in me that felt a connection to songs like this. Songs about how love can suck and life isn't always roses. Now that I'm older, these songs don't cut nearly as close as they used to but they still bring me feelings of nostalgia.

Music review: Hyde - unexpected (English version)

hyde.jpgArtist: Hyde Album: roentgen.ENGLISH Release date: 10/14/04 Video link: via YouTube (this is not the original version of the song, this is a remixed version that was re-relased as the B-side of the Season's Call single)

Lyrics: Unexpected Promises woven

Unexpected Through space and time the path unwinds Leading me straight to you Unexpected Reaching across a moonlit square We found each other's hands Unexpected Under the blessing of the stars The life poured into us To meet is so unexpected About the song: The original version of Unexpected is so laid-back that unless you are trying to fall asleep, it is very difficult to listen to. However the remixed version is very good. Despite the difficulty of understanding Hyde's English, the fullness of the instruments pushes the song from a mellow, laid-back tune to a decent rock ballad. The only real downfall of either version is the approximately two minutes of the song spent singing "Unexpected, promises woven." Since that compromises about half of the entire song, it makes it difficult to not push the fast forward or next song button on your player.

Music review: Donald & Daisy Duck - Bicycle Built For Two

donalddaisy.gif Artist: Donald Duck and Daisy Duck Album: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse soundtrack Release date: 10/3/06

Lyrics: (Spoken parts are bold) Donald: Hiya, Daisy! Daisy: Hello there, Donald. Donald: Would you like to go for a bicycle ride? Daisy: A bicycle ride? Why sure. Donald: Daisy, Daisy Give me your answer do (Daisy: What is it?) I'm half crazy All for the love of you (Daisy: Oh, Donald) It won't be a stylish marriage (Daisy: It won't?) I can't afford a carriage (Daisy: But you promised) But you'll look sweet Upon the seat Of a bicycle built for two Daisy: Well, a bicycle built for two is better than a bicycle built for one anyway Donald: You said it! Daisy: Now I have a question for you Donald Donald: OK Daisy: Donald, Donald Give me your answer do (Donald: OK) I'm half crazy All for the love of you (Donald: Awww) It won't be a stylish marriage (Donald: What?!) You can't afford a carriage (Donald quacks incoherently) But you'll look sweet Upon the seat Of a bicycle for two

Together: Yes you'll look sweet Upon the seat Of a bicycle built for two

Daisy: Oh, Donald

About the song: For those of you without kids, here's the rundown on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Daisy and Pluto all hang out at the technologically advanced Clubhouse. Each episode has the gang solving problems with the help of "Mouseketools" - four different objects that will solve one of four puzzles in the episode. The opening and ending theme songs are sung by They Might Be Giants. The rest of the soundtrack is filled with songs by various Disney characters.

Bicycle Built For Two is a good song for young children since it has simple lyrics. However, that makes it fairly annoying for parents since it just repeats the chorus of the song. That usually means that parents will hear the kids singing it over and over and over. There are a couple of good songs on the soundtrack but this is not one of them.

Music review: Blind Melon - No Rain

blindmelon.jpgArtist: Blind Melon Members: Shannon Hoon (vocals), Brad Smith (bass), Rogers Stevens (guitar), Christopher Thorn (guitar), Glen Graham (drums) Album: Blind Melon Release date: 9/22/92 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: All I can say is that my life is pretty plain I like watchin' the puddles gather rain And all I can do is just pour some tea for two and speak my point of view But it's not sane, It's not sane

I just want some one to say to me I'll always be there when you wake Ya know I'd like to keep my cheeks dry today So stay with me and I'll have it made

And I don't understand why I sleep all day And I start to complain that there's no rain And all I can do is read a book to stay awake And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape escape......escape......escape......

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain ya don't like my point of view ya think I'm insane Its not sane......it's not sane.

About the song: Most people know this song from the infamous Bee Girl video. There's nothing particularly wonderful about No Rain other than having a catchy tune. I have to admit that Blind Melon is one of those bands that make me wonder what they could have been if they weren't involved with drugs. Would they have been more successful? Supposedly the band didn't start using until they started touring for the Blind Melon album. While it's too late for them now (beyond their current reunion with a new singer, which just isn't the same), I wish I could have known what would have been if things were different.

Music review: Do As Infinity - Wings

dai.jpgArtist: Do As Infinity Members: Tomiko Van, Ryo Owatari, Dai Nagao Album: Tangerine Dream Release date: 9/29/99

English translation: What's been the matter recently? You've been looking down Even your harsh language, which you were proud of, has disappeared Even if this world is just unfair, As for the weak, even the answers won't be found

On the nights the storm goes away, the sky is clearer than usual & the twinkling stars are blowing kisses to us

* Tomorrow is shining & the beat will stir up a miracle there We're together & time stops immediately We go beyond the horizon where the evening sun begins to melt

Let's throw away the excess baggage Let's just take the Gibson (guitar) If we can go willingly without choosing a goal, even the rusty fate will begin to pass

Even on the days of the preestablished harmony, it's better to throw everything to the shore, even if it's just the freedom in appearance

Even if the sparkling season passes by, let's hold onto the memories that don't change The fragments of the wish are in a dream You can grab them with a little courage

When you are tired of flying, it's better to rest your wings We know that you did your best

* repeat About the song: Wings was on DAI's debut single. It was rerecorded as Wings 510 for the New World album. This version of the song has a relaxed feeling to it while the rerecording sounds a lot more....well...studio, I guess is the best way to put it. The original recording has very simple instrument lines. The rerecording brings in more...stuff in the background. Both versions are very good songs. However, I like the simpler version better.

Music review: Kawabe Chieco - Be Your Girl

chieco.jpg Artist: Kawabe Chieco Album: Brilliance Release date: 3/15/05 Video link: on Veoh

English translation: Baby, I wanna be your girl Baby, all I need is you

Even though you're with me so much now Even though you love me this much now

Time isn't on my side I can't be your girlfriend

Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind, tell me I'm the only one

It hurts when the anesthesia of your kiss wears off Are you leaving already?

Telling myself it would be cowardly to cry here I'm gritting my teeth and holding myself back

Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind

Come on, please You're the only one inside me Tell me I'm the only one you love There's just one thing I want, I simply want all of you

I won't run away from the world waiting ahead on this path I want to see for myself where it leads Even if I get hurt even more than I have already, "I'm gonna be your girl!" There's no way you can stop me, because this is the way I feel

Again and again I thought I was okay with that I'm sharing you with somebody else, but Again and again I cry knowing I don't want that, "(I wanna) be your girl..." Even if it's a lie, even if it's just for my peace of mind, tell me I'm the only one

Baby, I wanna be your girl Baby, all I need is you About the song: Chieco is very good at singing bubblegum pop songs. After spending two years starring as Sailor Mercury in the Sailor Moon musicals, she released her first single, Be Your Girl. The song became the ending theme to the anime "Elfen Lied" and shot her into stardom. I can definitely say that this is a song I can listen to over and over and still not get tired of it. Even though it's very bubblegum pop, the music is interesting enough to capture your attention. Chieco has a strong voice that helps make the song sound a bit more 'rock' than it really is. Sadly, she hasn't released a song since early 2006. I hope that she will return with a stronger sound. Bubblegum pop is good but that can't last forever.

Music review: BoA - Searching For Truth

Artist: BoAAlbum: Shine We Are! Release date: 12/4/03

Lyrics: * Show me angel, Where are you? (Right) Show me angel, Where are you? (Here) Show me angel, Where are you callin' from? (Waiting for you)

* repeat

Sarang hahn da neun ma leun Noo goo la do sohk sak ee gaet ji mahn Mal ha neun guht mahn eu rohn ma eum ee juhn hae jyuh o ji ah nah Bah la mahn bo ki bo dan nuh ei moh deen gul neu kki go shi puh Nae ga bah lan ee saeng gak dee leun nae yohk shim in ga yo

So eul nae mil uh bwah do da ji ah nah yo Geu juh geu gae kkum il ji la do Na ei sahng eun dan hahn buhn ppoon il tahn ni Na reul ki da ri neun gun Ah peum ee duh la do doo ryuh wuh mal go Ji geum ei neu kkim eul ah nah bo go shi puh yo

** Searching for truth Geu dae neun ji geum uh de ae ees na yo nal bo na yo Searching for truth Geu dae reul whi hae sae sahng ae tae uh na jyo

* repeat

Mahn nam gwah ee byul deel ee Nae gae o buhn ee na ji na ga ya Na reul whi hahn oon myung ei geu dae reul Mahn nal soo ees neun gun ji Cho buhn ei mi soh deel gwah Ddo neun geu ee sahng ei noon moor deel ee Bi rohk nae gae neun ah peum ee la do ki da ril soo ees jyo

Ji geum geu dae reul hyang hae dahl ri go ees jyo Sul reh ee myuh buhk chah o reu neun Na ei ma eum eul neu kkil soo ees na yo Bi rohk kkum eul kkoo deus ee Hwan sahng il ji la do mid go shi puh yo Na ae gae geu dae ga da ga o go ees da go

Searching for truth soom gyuh jin bi mil Juh hyuh jin nal gae neun nae mahm sohk ae Geu dae ga ees jyo bah ro nae kyu tae Ji geum nan ahl soo ees jyo

** repeat

Searching for truth Shin bi hahn bi mil Juh hyuh jin nal gae neun nae mahm sohk ae Searching for truth Geu dae neun ji geum nae nal gae ga dwi uht jyo

Livin\' inside of my heart

* repeat * repeat About the song: This is one of BoA's Korean songs. (She sings in Japanese, Korean and English.) To me, a lot of her songs sound the same. This isn't any different. Don't get me wrong, it's a decent enough song. BoA's voice is strong, as always, and the music rocks. It just sounds like the rest of her songs. I usually end up picking a couple of BoA songs to listen to and this one doesn't make that list.

Music review: Ken Hirai - Miracles

kenhirai.jpgArtist: Ken Hirai Album: gaining through losing Release date: 7/4/01

English translation: Ah I love the whispered voice right by my ear mmmmh... You cast a spell on the overlapping lips

It always starts in a dream and the fear of the light coming in It's as though you'd disappear when I open my eyes

If I hold you, the more I do so this heart is about to tear apart I want to hold you Hold me longer until this pain subsides

I feel miracle when I see you when I kiss you (feel miracle) My spirit will go when I touch you when I hold you (when I kiss you baby) There's no miracle when I miss you when I lose you You're my miracle

If I hold you, the more I do so this heart is about to tear apart I want to hold you Hold me stronger so that this miracle can last longer

If I hold you, the more I do so this heart... I want to hold you Hold me longer until this pain...

You're my miracle About the song: When I first started listening to Ken Hirai, I didn't like anything other than POP STAR. However, his songs have grown on me. Miracles is the type of song that you would make love to. Ken's voice is silky and smooth while the music wraps you up in loving feelings. He may be a little odd in concert but his music definitely makes up for it.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Alternative Girlfriend

maybe.gifArtist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page, Ed Robertson, Jim Creegan, Tyler Stewart, Andy Creegan Album: Maybe You Should Drive Release date: 8/16/94 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: You're in an all-girl band Your futon's second hand Your parents understand but you don't care

I have a job in a shop I'm an undercover cop I make sure the customers aren't thieves

Old at being young Young at being old Everything's on hold within our evolution

Chorus:

You're my alternative girlfriend I love you, and now you cannot pretend There's nothing left that won't cross over

Last night we slept on the lawn you woke up and I was gone Back to the dream I dream to leave My life with her is a bore

A worn-out metaphor No more surprises up its sleeve We're old at being young Young at being old Everything's been sold to other's revolutions

Chorus

You live above your dad's four-car garage With your vinyl and imaginary entourage if I pull up in a U-Haul, pack up quick So we can get out of this town 'cause it makes me sick

Chorus About the song: I fully admit that I am pretty biased toward Barenaked Ladies songs. They have so many great songs. This is another one. Alternative Girlfriend is fairly straight-forward lyrically. It's a song about a young couple who have grown bored of each other. I think it's the background music that really makes this song. There isn't anything 'new' or 'fresh' about it but that's the point. It sounds like a whole lot of other 'alternative' songs from that time period which points out the fact that while you may think you are different, you're pretty much the same as everyone else.