Music review: Hitomi wo Tojite by Ken Hirai

At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about Ken Hirai's music. I liked the pop stuff but the bluesy songs that he's really known for never really interested me. Then I decided to sit down and truly listen to what he was singing. That is when I realized how amazingly talented the man is. "Hitomi wo Tojite" is one example of how well he can handle a ballad. A lot of the time, ballads come out contrived and boring. Yet Hirai manages to express that feeling of love without making it feel forced. I have to admit that nowadays, he's one of my favorite artists.

Green Day - Castaway

I have been a big fan of Green Day for a long time. Of their entire discography, the Warning CD is my least favorite. "Castaway" appears on this disc.

The song is one of their more 'pop' songs and it sounds like they wrote it because some studio exec thought it would sound 'cool.' So we end up with a rather bland tune. Even the semi-catchy parts of the song come across as bored. There is very little energy here and, unfortunately, that feeling takes up most of the album.

Music review: Prince - The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

Artist: Prince (OK, he was the symbol at the time)Album: The Gold Experience Release date: 9/26/95 Video link: on MySpace TV

Lyrics: Could U be the most beautiful girl in the world? It's plain 2 see U're the reason that God made a girl When the day turns into the last day of all time I can say I hope U are in these arms of mine And when the night falls before that day I will cry I will cry tears of joy cuz after U all one can do is die, oh

Could U be the most beautiful girl in the world? Could U be? It's plain 2 see U're the reason that God made a girl Oh, yes U are

How can I get through days when I can't get through hours? I can try but when I do I see U and I'm devoured, oh yes Who'd allow, who'd allow a face 2 be soft as a flower? Oh I could bow (bow down) and feel proud in the light of this power Oh yes, oh

Could U be (could U be) the most beautiful girl in the world? Could U be? It's plain 2 see U're the reason that God made a girl Oh, yes U are

And if the stars ever fell one by one from the sky I know Mars could not be, uh, 2 far behind Cuz baby, this kind of beauty has got no reason 2 ever be shy Cuz honey, this kind of beauty is the kind that comes from inside

Could U be (could U be) the most beautiful girl in the world? So beautiful, beautiful It's plain 2 see (plain 2 see) U're the reason that God made a girl

Oh yeah! (Oh, yes U are) Girl (Could U be?) U must be ... oh yeah! (Could U be?) U're the reason ... oh yeah (Could) {x3} About the song: I don't think Prince has ever failed me. He is an amazing artist, no matter what he wants to call himself. I think any girl would love to have this song played for them. There really isn't anything else I can say about it. An amazingly romantic song despite the almost-completely falsetto voice it is sung in.

Music review: Madonna - Rescue Me

Artist: MadonnaAlbum: The Immaculate Collection Release date: 2/27/91 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: I'm talking, I'm talking I believe in the power of love I'm singing, I'm singing I believe that you can rescue me

With you I'm not a little girl, with you I'm not a man When all the hurt inside of me comes out, you understand You see that I'm ferocious, you see that I am weak You see that I am silly, and pretentious and a freak

But I don't feel too strange for you Don't know exactly what you do I think when love is pure you try To understand the reasons why And I prefer this mystery It cancels out my misery And gives me hope that there could be A person that loves me

Chorus:

Rescue me [rescue me, it's hard to believe] Your love has given me hope Rescue me [rescue me, it's hard to believe] I'm drowning, baby throw out your rope

With you I'm not a fascist, can't play you like a toy And when I need to dominate, you're not my little boy You see that I am hungry for a life of understanding And you forgive my angry little heart when she's demanding You bring me to my knees while I'm scratching out the eyes Of a world I want to conquer, and deliver, and despise And right while I am kneeling there I suddenly begin to care And understand that there could be A person that loves me

(chorus)

Love is understanding It's hard to believe life can be so demanding I'm sending out an S.O.S. Stop me from drowning baby I'll do the rest

Rescue me (echo) Your love has given me hope [your love has given me hope] Rescue me (echo) I'm drowning, baby throw out your rope [baby throw out your rope] (repeat)

Ooh ahh, ooh ahh, love is understanding Ooh ahh, ooh ahh, love is understanding

Love is understanding It's hard to believe life can be so demanding I'm sending out an S.O.S. Rescue me, rescue me

It's not my business to decide How good you are for me How valuable you are And what the world can see Only that you try to understand me And have the courage to love me for me

(Background vocals, continuously for remainder of song:) [I believe in the power, I believe you can rescue me]

I believe [I believe in the power] I believe that you can rescue me (repeat)

I'm singing I believe I believe that you can rescue me I'm singing, I'm singing, I'm singing I believe that you can rescue me

I'm talking, I'm talking I believe in the power of love (repeat)

I'm singing, I'm singing, I believe I believe that you can rescue me

Hey hey, hey hey R.E.S.C.U.E. me Only you can rescue me Hey hey, hey... [I believe you can rescue me] [I believe in the power] [I believe you can rescue me] About the song: I think this is the first song that features Madonna speaking instead of talking or whispering. The music video for it features footage from her Who's That Girl tour, which was about 4 years prior to the release of the album. Originally Madonna didn't want this song released as a single. However, some radio stations played it anyway and it reached the top 5 in airplay. The single wasn't released until the song was already popular.

Despite the spoken verses, the song is still a pretty decent dance song. It brings back memories of the early days of Madonna when she was really popular in dance clubs. Yet it still has the feeling of Vogue, where it's an updated feel of the 80s dance club music.

Music review: Everclear - Father of Mine

Artist: Everclear Members: Art Alexakis (vocals, guitar), Greg Eklund (drums), Craig Montoya (bass, vocals) Album: So Much for the Afterglow Release date: 10/7/97 Video link: Via YouTube

Lyrics: Father of mine Tell me where have you been You know I just closed my eyes My whole world disappeared Father of mine Take me Back to the day When I was still your golden boy Back before you went away

I remember blue skies Walking the block I loved it when you held me high I loved to hear you talk You would take me to the movie You would take me to the beach You would take me to a place inside That is so hard to reach

Father of mine Tell me where did you go You had the world inside your hand But you did not seem to know Father of mine Tell me what do you see When you look Back at your wasted life And you don't see me

I was ten years old Doing all that I could It wasn't easy for me To be a scared white boy In a black neighborhood Sometimes you would send me a birthday card With a five dollar bill I never understood you then And I guess I never will

Daddy gave me a name My dad he gave me a name Then he walked away Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name

Daddy gave me a name Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name

Father of mine Tell me where have you been I just closed my eyes And the world disappeared Father of mine Tell me how do you sleep With the children you abandoned And the wife I saw you beat

I will never be safe I will never be sane I will always be weird inside I will always be lame Now I'm a grown man With a child of my own And I swear I'm not going to let her know All the pain I have known

Daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My dad gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name Then he walked away My daddy gave me a name Then he walked away Then he walked away Then he walked away About the song: I always cry when this song plays. It's an autobiographical song about Art's father abandoning the family when Art was a boy. While I know that deadbeat dads aren't uncommon, I think the part that always tugs at my heartstrings is the "Now I'm a grown man/With a child of my own/And I swear I'm not going to let her know/All the pain I have known" verse. It's wonderful to hear someone breaking the vicious circle that usually happens when someone who has a crappy childhood becomes a parent. Even though this is a sad and depressing song, that last verse does give you hope for the future.

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: W - Daikishimenaide ~Nikki Tsuki~

Artist: W Members: Kago Ai, Nozomi Tsuji Album: 2nd W Release date: 3/2/05

English translation: Don't hold me Don't hold me What kind of facial expression should I make?

After we kiss After we kiss I can't look at your face 'Cause... I just can't look...

We were born far away from each other And then we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

I won't show my tears I don't want to show them I don't want to tell you what kind of tears they are

Everything, I mean everything! I like you This moment, just like this I want it to freeze

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

We've still got a long fight with the unknown There's a lot of restaurants nearby, so let's go That station is famous for its ramen

April 9th, a clear Saturday. I wonder how many times we've gone on a date now. It was really fun. But really, I know what number date it is...

I know what number date it is, but... But, I can't count 'em... the second kiss I like you. I like you I like you. I like you. Ahhhhhhh!!! I like you.

The environments we were born into Even our accents are different But still we met

There's a lot we don't know about each other, but We went shopping and got asked if we were siblings For some reason, I felt happy

About the song: Another W song about liking a boy. Surprised? Like the rest of their songs, this is pretty cute but it's not as powerful as some of their other ballads. The way the lyrics are divided between them is interesting. They even share a 'deatta.' One sings de, the other sings at and the first sings ta. It makes the song a little bit different but it's nothing special. All in all, a forgettable song.

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.