Music review: BoA - Rock With You

Artist: BoA Album: Love & Honesty Release date: 1/15/04 Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: Hey, hey get it up You try this Gonna make you hot Yeah, yeah pump it up Do you wanna rock with me?

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Uh-huh

Unlock your heart and listen… Ride out these unfair times skilfully It’s against my principles to believe rumours

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now

Hey, hey get it up You try this Taste my rock and roll Stand up get it up...

Turn up the volume on the stereo And when the night eventually comes, turn back time I want to show you That I’m the only one who understands That you’re just pretending not to be sad So that you don’t try to deny the person you are

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I feel like if I don’t pay proper attention to you you’ll go away So I’m gonna rock with you…right now

I’ll walk with you even though no one else believes in you Even though the situation is still serious So that you don’t run away Before you get the message…

Hey, hey give me your love We can never go back! Yeah yeah! We’ll enjoy even the impossible This warmth that is yours without a doubt Makes me love you more Now I’ve found myself

Hey, hey give me your love I want to keep dancing with you Yeah yeah! Life will always change From this day, that’s totally because of you A totally new history is beginning

I want to know more about you Gonna rock with you…right now About the song: BoA got a little more rock and roll with this song. While her songs are almost always good, they frequently have a typical pop sound. Rock With You relies more on drums, synthesizers and a throbbing bass. The result is a great dance song with the added benefit of BoA's strong vocals.

Music review: Barenaked Ladies - Down To Earth

Artist: Barenaked Ladies Members: Steven Page (guitar), Ed Robertson (vocals, guitar), Tyler Stewart (drums), Jim Creegan (bass), Kevin Hearn (piano) Album: Barenaked Ladies Are Me/Barenaked Ladies are Men Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Some people are just all show Well, I don't mind that if the show is worth watching But it's all bark and no tree What's more ironic than a hippie in Versace? It's all peace and love and limousines You got the right message, but the wrong intentions How can you be touchy-feely when you've lost touch? I think it's time we had a little intervention with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

There's no better friends than the, the kind you pay If they don't balance, great - then the door will keep revolving It's a tight circle of the chosen few Well, how'd you manage that with the recipe involving Just a pinch of sweetness and a cup of angst? Mix it all up - you're the all-purpose flour Though it looks delicious, something smells bad I don't think I'd last a half an hour with you

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite)

What's it like to love you When there's no one else above you And no one gets to know you? Well, who'll be there to show you (via satellite)?

It's like making love to a TV It's kinda novel, but it's miles away from satisfying Your hangers-on say it's a great deal But what you're selling, there's no chance in hell that I'll be buying

Hey now, wake up And lose the makeup She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth She makes you wanna know her When you don't know what it's worth Now you really wanna show her How she's just so down to Earth (via satellite) About the song: The more I listen to this album, the more I love it. This is a song about fake people...most likely celebrities like Paris Hilton since the guys like writing about current events and the people involved in them. These are people who pretend to be 'normal' yet act the complete opposite. Such a great song.

Music review: Alanis Morissette - You Learn

Artist: Alanis Morissette Album: Jagged Little Pill Release date: 6/13/95 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: I recommend getting your heart trampled on to anyone, yeah I recommend walking around naked in your living room, yeah

Swallow it down ( what a jagged little pill ) It feels so good ( swimming in your stomach ) Wait until the dust settles

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

I recommend biting off more than you can chew to anyone I certainly do I recommend sticking your foot in your mouth at any time Feel free

Throw it down ( the caution blocks you from the wind ) Hold it up ( to the rays ) You wait and see when the smoke clear

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

Wear it out ( the way a three-year-old would do ) Melt it down ( you're gonna have to eventually anyway ) The fire trucks are coming up around the bend

You live you learn You love you learn You cry you learn You lose you learn You bleed you learn You scream you learn

You grieve you learn You choke you learn You laugh you learn You choose you learn You pray you learn You ask you learn You live you learn About the song: When most people think of Alanis Morissette, the think of the angst-ridden song You Oughta Know. Amazingly, You Learn is on the same album. This song is about taking a chance in life, learning from your mistakes and growing as a person. It's a wonderful inspirational song and it's just one of the reasons I love this entire album.

Music review: Stone Temple Pilots - Creep

Artist: Stone Temple Pilots Members: Scott Weiland (vocals), Robert DeLeo (bass, vocals), Dean DeLeo (guitar), Eric Kretz (drums) Album: Core Release date: 9/29/92 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Forward yesterday Makes me wanna stay What they said was real Makes me wanna steal Livin' under house Guess I'm livin', I'm a mouse All's I gots is time Got no meaning, just a rhyme

Take time with a wounded hand 'Cause it likes to heal Take time with a wounded hand Guess I like to steal

I'm half the man I used to be This feeling as the dawn It turns to gray I'm half the man I used to be This feeling as the dawn It turns to gray

Feelin' uninspired Think I'll start a fire Everybody run Bobby's got a gun Think you're kinda neat Then she tells me I'm a creep Friends don't mean a thing Guess I'll leave it up to me About the song: I wonder how many people committed suicide while thing song was playing. Not only is it really slow and depressing but the lyrics even say the singer is a loser. I'm not really sure how this became a popular song. It must have been riding the coattails of Plush, another song from the album.

Music review: Ken Hirai - Pop Star

Artist: Ken Hirai Album: Ken Hirai 10th Anniversary Complete Single Collection '95- '05 Release date: 11/23/05 (album), 10/26/05 (single) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

When I’m with you I’m so happy but then I’m so sad when I’m not Taking each other’s hands we run straight into a love affair I can’t fly to the sky but I can sing my song of loneliness at night if that would bring a smile to your cheeks When I held you close for the first time It was as if God himself came down upon me Now my destiny is to be a hero, just for you

*I wanna be a pop star and be more to you I’m lifted from the ground in a daze A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic

**I wanna be your pop star try harder for you so come here so I can hold you A sparling pop star I spread my wings and do my magic just for you

I want to hide in darkness and have you pick up me gently If I’m imporatant to you, then hold me tight I keep walking this road, towards the light Using my right hand to protect you from pain so that I can hold you with my other hand

You’re gonna be my pop star and be more to me You smile in a daze A sparling pop star In your eyes, I do my magic

You’re my only pop star try harder for me Hold me, and don’t let go A sparling pop star Right now, in your eyes, I do my magic

As you fall in love anybody can be anyone’s pop star As God himself came down upon me Ny destiny was to be a hero, just for you

*Repeat **Repeat About the song: POP STAR is most famous for its video where Ken Hirai plays every role. It is a very catchy song and I can guarantee that once you hear it, it'll be very difficult to get it out of your head. All I can really say is listen to it. I hope you'll love it as much as I do.

Music review: Do As Infinity - Remember The Hill

Artist: Do As Infinity Members: Tomiko Van, Ryo Owatari, Dai Nagao Album: Boukensha Tachi (single) Release date: 9/5/01

English translation: It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything -- I'll walk straight ahead...

Continuing to sigh, shivering a little, I knew that reality Wasn't going to be that easy.

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then. I'm sure there's no way I'll be satisfied If it's something I can easily get right away, A path that only I can open.

Even though it seems I'm pressured By loneliness and worries, I keep a balance that seems like it's going to break.

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... The day of that refreshing wind...

A storm of despair with rain striking down... A dream full of tears...

It's all right, I haven't forgotten about That dream from then I know that hill, that light, About how I shone there more than anything...

If I'm sad for whatever reason, And end up without confidence, I'll once again remember that day, And the hill that holds your promises... I'll walk straigth ahead... About the song: It's easy to tell why this is a B side song. While there are some interesting string instruments being used, the song is still boring. The chorus parts are drawn out while the verses use a normal pace. It leaves the song feeling a little uneven. If they had left out the slow chorus parts, the sound would have been a bit better. Though I think it would still have a bland feeling to it.

Music review: Mika Nakashima - RESISTANCE

Artist: Mika Nakashima Album: Love Release date: 11/6/03 (previously released as a single on 12/7/02) Video link: Via YouTube

English translation: A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down Give a KISS of grief...

If you sleep, morning will come the land of freedom is scary It’s just foolish kindness a fleeting road is all that remains

When this girl cannot sing she turns to search for a reason Along in a group, going into the darkness The murmur of voices is interrupted

The snow started to lead me for now, it illuminates a shape But it’s just my own beating heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief...

My pulse keeps going up as I find the deceitful voice Those without all colors are left with just beauty

But like the snow eventually it’ll get dirty Unless you get away from this city you’ll live in a dream

A while angel’s feathers are fluttering down and start to pile up Cry! In a faithless city, life is sacrificed Crushed down the angel gives a KISS of grief...

Untill you arrive you will call out for the light you lost God’s voice, is just your throbbing heart

Looking through the gaps in my fingers The world is quickly narrowed towards the future Cry! Scorn this foolish love Spread your arms and give a KISS of grief... About the song: This is one of my absolutely favorite songs from Mika Nakashima. Her voice gives the song a sort of ethereal feeling despite the heavy drumline. It's the type of song that can help lift your spirits and just make you feel good about the world.

Favorite Friday

Just because it is raining here and I'd like to have a nice sunny day. Here's "If You Steal My Sunshine" by LEN.

Music review: REM - Losing My Religion

Artist: R.E.M. Members: Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Bill Berry Album: Out of Time Release date: 3/12/91 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Life is bigger It's bigger than you And you are not me The lengths that I will go to The distance in your eyes Oh no I've said too much I set it up

That's me in the corner That's me in the spotlight Losing my religion Trying to keep up with you And I don't know if I can do it Oh no I've said too much I haven't said enough I thought that I heard you laughing I thought that I heard you sing I think I thought I saw you try

Every whisper Of every waking hour I'm Choosing my confessions Trying to keep an eye on you Like a hurt lost and blinded fool Oh no I've said too much I set it up

Consider this The hint of the century Consider this The slip that brought me To my knees failed What if all these fantasies Come flailing around Now I've said too much I thought that I heard you laughing I thought that I heard you sing I think I thought I saw you try

But that was just a dream That was just a dream About the song: I'm sure everyone has their opinions about what this song is about. It's not as religious as most people think it is. 'Losing my religion' is a phrase that means something along the lines of 'end of my rope' or 'running out of patience.' In the context of this song, it's basically the singer following/stalking the subject to the point that it drives him a bit crazy. He's looking for a sign that the subject will accept or love him but it just isn't happening.

Musically, it's an interesting song. Instead of a lead guitar, the main instrument here is a mandolin. It gives the song a bit of a 'crazy' feeling to it. As if the strings will suddenly break and drive Michael Stipe insane. It's also interesting that this is considered one of REM's biggest hits. After all, how many pop songs have mandolins?

Music review: Cats - Journey to the Heaviside Layer

Artist: The cast of CatsAlbum: Cats soundtrack (1982 Broadway Cast) Release date: 10/82 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer

Up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer

Up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer

Up, up, up, past the Russell Hotel Up, up, up, up, to the Heaviside Layer About the song: A lot of people think Cats doesn't have a storyline. That's untrue. Cats is about a group of cats getting together to decide which of them will be reborn into a new life. A majority of the songs are simply introductions to the various cats who are in the running for the big rebirth.

Journey to the Heaviside Layer is the big piece for the play. Yes, Memory is the most famous song but Heaviside Layer has the biggest production value. The choice has been made and now that cat (I won't give spoilers!) is basically going to heaven. In most productions, this song has a lot of smoke and white lights coming from the ceiling as Old Deuteronomy and the chosen cat are lifted to the ceiling. It's a quiet song. There aren't a lot of lyrics and the singing is very hushed. This is a religious experience for the cats. As such, the song is set as a sort of hymn. Sadly, this is not the ending song for the musical. In my opinion, it should be but I wasn't consulted when the play was written.