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Artist: Gackt
Album: Moon
Release date: 6/19/02
Video link: Via YouTube
About the song: Noah, the first track on Moon, is a beautiful instrumental piece. There is such a variety of sounds that I couldn't even place what instruments were played where. It really sets an almost supernatural feeling for the album. In my opinion, it's perfect as an opening track.
My husband and I went to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall today. Here's the premise of the movie: Peter (Jason Segel) has been dating television star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell) for the past five years. One day, Sarah suddenly breaks up with him. It turns out that she has been dating rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). In an attempt to forget about Sarah, Peter goes on a Hawaiian vacation, only to find out that Sarah and Aldous are at the exact same hotel. Peter befriends most of the hotel staff, including customer service rep Rachel Jansen (Mila Kunis). With their help, he realizes that he is more than just "Sarah Marshall's boyfriend." I expected Sarah Marshall to be funny. However, I didn't expect it to be this funny. The script, which is absolutely brilliant, was written by Segel. There are also a few original songs he wrote for the movie as well. All of the actors gave amazing performances, though I have to admit that I loved Russell Brand the best. This isn't a movie that you can go see with your kids though. There are a lot of sex jokes and quite a few penis shots. (It is rated R, in case you weren't paying attention.) But if you are of age and have a good sense of humor, I think you will really enjoy the movie. I know I'll be buying the DVD the day it comes out.
Artist: Live
Members: Ed Kowalczyk (lead vocals and guitar), Chad Taylor (lead guitar), Patrick Dahlheimer (bass guitar) and Chad Gracey (drums)
Album: Throwing Copper
Release date: 4/26/94
Video link
Lyrics: Warm bodies, I sense Are not machines that can only make money Past, perfect, tense Words for a feeling and all I've discovered I'll be along son With medicine supposed to, designed to Make you high I'll be along son With words for a feeling and all I've discovered
Old, bad eyes Old, bad eyes Old, bad eyes
On loneliness comes Go see the foreman, go see the profiteer On loneliness drives We're takin' our time movin' shit for this holy slime
Old, bad eyes Old, bad eyes Old, bad eyes, almighty fear
The shepherd won't leave me alone He's in my face and I The shepherd of my days And I want you here by my heart And my head, I can't start 'til I'm dead About the song: Live comes from a fairly small town not too far from my house. Like many small towns, York, Pennsylvania is a blue-collar town. This song is about the people working hard in a crappy job to support their family. It's a pretty powerful song with a hard drum beat and a steady bass line that give the song a dark feeling. You're left feeling sorry for the people forced to live these sorts of backbreaking jobs just so they can put food on the table.
Most people are familiar with the term "Rick Roll" nowadays. It's where you click on the link to a video and, instead of getting the video you were expecting, you get the music video for Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up." For me, the funniest thing about this fad is that my mother owned that album and she loved it. So, in honor of my mother and Rick Astley, today's Favorite Friday video is the VH1 Pop-Up Video version of "Never Gonna Give You Up."
Artist: Barenaked Ladies
Members: Steven Page (vocals), Ed Robertson (guitar/vocals), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (keyboards)
Album: Barenaked Ladies Are Me
Release date: 9/12/06
Video link: Via YouTube
Lyrics: Ever since we said our good-byes The onion rings, the phone makes me cry Something isn't right Like the Deep Blue without the Great White
In the morning open your eyes The waterfalls, the fire flies You're an abacus And my heart was counting on us
Your heart's got a heavy load There's still a long way to go Keep your eyes on the road
Crescent moon sings me to sleep The birches bark, the willows weep But I lie awake; I'm adrift without a snowflake
Your heart's got a heavy load There's still a long way to go Keep your eyes on the road About the song: While Steve has the stronger voice, I think it was a perfect choice to have Ed sing lead on this. His voice is a bit softer which gives this sad ballad so much emotion. It's a wonderful song though I'm not sure I agree with their choice to lead the album with it. It sets the entire album off with a melancholy feeling instead of something a bit happier. But it still a good song on its own.
Title: Nodame Cantabile
Broadcast date: 10/16/06 - 12/25/06
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Number of episodes: 11
Cast: Ueno Juri, Tamaki Hiroshi, Eita, Koide Keisuke, Takenaka Naoto
Plot: Noda Megumi, despite her extremely unusual behavior, is a piano prodigy. However, she wants to become a kindergarten teacher. Chiaki Shinichi is a musical perfectionist and Nodame's (Noda's nickname) next door neighbor. Nodame falls madly in love with Chiaki but can he ever accept someone as strange as this girl?
What is good: Ueno Juri and Tamaki Hiroshi both shine in their respective roles as Nodame and Chiaki
What is bad: There wasn't anything particularly bad about the show.
Letter rating: A
Overall: From the first episode, I was hooked on this series. Besides having a good mix of comedic and romantic moments, there was some really good classical music. My favorite moment was when the S-Oke performed "Rhapsody in Blue." This is the first time that I have seen Ueno Juri (Nodame) and Tamaki Hiroshi (Chiaki) perform and, I must admit, I was impressed by their acting abilities. There are quite a few sight gags that require a lot from the actor. Both of them pulled it off very well. I'm looking forward to watching the specials as soon as I can.
Artist: Arashi
Members: Ninomiya Kazunari (Nino), Ohno Satoshi (Leader), Matsumoto Jun (MatsuJun), Aiba Masaki, Sakurai Sho
Album: Arashi No.1 Ichigou
Release date: 11/24/01
Video link: Performed on the One Tour
(Surprise additional video! A music video directed by Hideaki Takizawa of Tackey and Tsubasa)
English translation: Pop it yeah! Honesty good! The heaviness from that boo! That's all right! Yet we will shape the world yes we are super boy! We are cool Even if something unpleasant happened, we show it off We'll do what we can, can't we? It's all right to have a dream, right?
You are my soul! Soul! You always are here with me I can't give it away. No one can get in our way. Congregate the wind and wind it all over my body storm storm for dream
Today again, they are saying in TV They are saying how miserable the world has become. I am always looking for looking for a gigantic love and ambition Everyday! Everybody! The world hasn't end yet Why don't we start from here? Let's get on! Let's get on yea!
Step by step instead of bursting, go for it naked Day by day I want stimulation rather than boredom Let's open our huge wings up
You are my soul! Soul! You always are here with me I can't give it away. No one can get in our way. Congregate the wind and wind it all over my body storm storm for dream
Catching the harsh storm with your both hands Be brave, let's fly Aim the heaven and unbeatable cloud Fly away
Step by step instead of bursting, go for it naked Day by day I want stimulation rather than boredom Let's open our huge wings up
You are my soul! Soul! You make me strong Tears are tommorrow's energy Aim the future, let's go for it. Storm storm oh yea!
You are my soul! Soul! You always are here with me I can't give it away. No one can get in our way. Congregate the wind and wind it all over my body storm storm for dream
Today again, they are saying in TV They are saying how miserable the world has become. I am always looking for looking for a gigantic love and ambition Everyday! Everybody! The world hasn't end yet Why don't we start from here? Let's get on! Let's get on yea!
You are my soul! Soul! You always are here with me I can't give it away. No one can get in our way. Congregate the wind and wind it all over my body storm storm for dream About the song: As should be fairly obvious, this was the first single released by Arashi. The word 'arashi' means storm, which is why it sounds a bit weird in the translation. I think the lyrics intended to reference the band and not a weather pattern.
This was the perfect song to use for the debut. It not only highlights Ohno's amazing voice but it also has some really good raps for Sho and the boys can show off a bit of their dancing skills too. It's easy to see why it's still one of their most popular songs.
Artist: BoAAlbum: Outgrow
Release date: 2/15/06
Video link: Via YouTube
English translation: Beside you, for you I want to do something for you I don’t care when Just tell me
Why does the mere thought of you Make my heart jump like this? Why does the mere touch of your hand Heal all my pain?
Did you move the wind When you suddenly sneezed? As the sunlight streams through the trees Our two feelings become one
Beside you, for you I want to do something for you I don’t care when When you feel like crying Just tell me
I hope that this time When we can talk about things Like what we were doing this time last year And where to go on the weekend Continues forever, without changing
At the crossing, you put your arm around me To protect me from the stream of people That ordinary kindness …Made me so happy
There’s so much more That I want to tell you We’ll be able to see each other again tomorrow But would it be luxuriant of me To wish I could stay by your side longer?
Beside you, for you I want to do something for you I don’t care when When you feel like crying Just tell me
I want us to share Our happiness and pain Can I say something just a little bit selfish? My heart’s trembling a little So hold me tighter than anyone else About the song: Another sweet ballad comes from the BoA camp. However, since this song is so slow, it seems like it is way too long. It is pretty and the lyrics have some nice feelings but there is nothing spectacular here. I would easily pass up this song for one of her pop songs.
Artist: Peach Hips
Members: Mitsuishi Kotono (Sailor Moon), Tomizawa Michie (Sailor Mars), Hisakawa Aya (Sailor Mercury), Shinohara Emi (Sailor Jupiter), Fukami Rica (Sailor Venus)
Album: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S Big Box (the song can be found on other albums as well)
Release date: 11/21/94
Video link: Via YouTube
English Translation: In the dish of the moonlight I take off my star earrings What should I do, my heart is, my heart is filled to the top Even if these fireworks turn into stars, even if we lose our love into darkness I beg of you, do not stop your kisses You can steal me away with your scent of velvet This is love my heart found in the galaxy
*The mantle of the evening spreads out in a rainbow More and more, I love you Tuxedo mirage Tuxedo mirage
The canary music box softly fades out What should I do, my heart is, my heart is stuffed up Even if these tears turn into stars, even if we lose our merry-go-round I beg of you, do not stop your kisses I want to be taken in by your gaze of velvet This is love my heart pledged in the galaxy
Gently held close in a storm of flower petals Never, never, disappear Tuxedo mirage
*Repeat About the song: Sailor Moon is my favorite anime series. Tuxedo Mirage is the ending theme song to Sailor Moon S, the third season of the series after Sailor Moon and Sailor Moon R. The song is sung by the voice actresses of the main characters. As love is one of the themes of the show, of course the ending theme embraces that feeling. Though it may not be my favorite song from the show, it is a sweet song with nice voices and soft music.
Artist: L'arc~en~Ciel
Members: Hyde (vocals, guitar), Tetsu (background vocals, bass), Ken (guitar), Yukihiro (drums)
Album: Ray
Release date: 7/1/99
Video link: Via YouTube
English translation: Separately scattered about flower petals, drops of pink around the waning moon reflecting an eternal love.
Eyes...left open a body that's going to rot splendidly lost, only this consciousness left without waiting for the spring.
my beloved one, you just gently turn cold, in these arms as you are broken listen. The abyss of dreams is calling like always.
on the night that blooms out of season the melody of a restless soul the flower floating in the darkness my only parting gift.
(English: Gravity is on the increase as time goes by my body returns to earth there is sky up in the air my body is in your sky and my life is in your cosmos we never come close to each other be here we exist as it is.....) it comes to an end at last the pain of being reborn in the earthen ground I swallow the promise I'm bound to a dead world
separately scattered about flower petals drops of pink around the waning moon reflecting an eternal love
This evening...oh the ecstasy of a dream... At last my eyes closed
On the night that blooms out of season the melody of a restless soul the flower floating in the darkness my only parting gift About the song: This is, by far, my favorite L'arc song. While the lyrics are fairly morbid, the song as a whole is still absolutely beautiful. In my opinion, the best way to listen to it is to watch the music video. The etherealness of the song mixes with the symbolism of the graphics in such an amazing way. I have a difficult time listening to the song without seeing Hyde in his "vampire" costume in my mind.