egao_parade

I'm sorry to say this, but I am going to close egao_parade.  It's actually quite tiring to have only entries devoted to just one artist.  Also, the lack of comments per entry is another issue.  I know people are downloading, but are just too lazy or whatever to leave a response.  Anyway, I'll be back in another form.  Be sure of that (hint hint).  I won't remove any of the files here so feel free to leech them until they're removed (by the powers that be).

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

Drama Theme Songs

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Noriko Sakai
Aoi Usagi
// TRANSLATION : 碧いうさぎ / Blue/Green Rabbit
// FROM : Aoi Usagi
// RELEASE : 1995
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Ballad, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

Japanese singer and actress Noriko "Nori-P" Sakai (b. 1971) was born in Fukuoka.  She debuted as a singer in 1986 and released her first single, Otoko no Koi ni Naritai, in 1987.  Her first major role in acting was in a 1993 drama called Hitotsu Yane no Shita.  In 1995, she studied sign language for several months to act as a mute in the series Hoshi no Kinka.  Sakai married in 1998 and gave birth to a son the following year.  Today, she still releases music and acts.

// This classic ballad is a gorgeous slice of music.  The arrangement is enchanting, but never too happy.




COLOR
Tsubasa ga nakutemo
// TRANSLATION : 翼がなくても / Even Without Wings
// FROM : Tsubasa ga nakutemo
// RELEASE : 2001
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Ballad, Pop, Rock

COLOR was an obscure Japanese girl group circa early 2000's.  Eventually, the group would evolve into Buzy.

// I know very little about COLOR (no, not the EXILE spin-off), but I adore this dramatic ballad.  Something about the acoustic guitar adds an almost folk flavor.




Takako Matsu
Sakura no ame, itsuka
// TRANSLATION : 桜の雨、いつか / Cherry Blossom's Rain, Sometimes
// FROM : Sakura no ame, itsuka
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Ballad, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

Japanese actress and singer Takako Matsu (b. 1977) was born in Tokyo as Takako Fujima.  She grew up in a Buyou (traditional Japanese performance) house.  Takako attended Asia University in Tokyo, but never graduated.  She would debut in 1994 in the drama Hana no Ran.  Her popular series include Love Generation, Omiai Kekkon and Long Vacation.  Takako debuted in 1997 as a singer with the single Ashita Haru ga Kitara.  She has released eight studio albums as of 2007, and often takes a role in songwriting.

// This is a pretty and laidback piano ballad that will calm your soul.




REBECCA
FRIENDS
// TRANSLATION : フレンズ
// FROM : REBECCA IV ~Maybe Tomorrow~
// RELEASE : 1985
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Pop, Rock
// VISUAL : Music Video

REBECCA is a band that debuted in 1984 with the single WEARHAM BOAT CLUB.  The group's lead vocalist was Nobuko Yamada, better known as "NOKKO".  She would later go on to a successful solo career.  REBECCA disbanded in 1990.

// This pop rock track completely embodies that '80s synth sound that makes it so memorable.




Hysteric Blue
Naze...
// TRANSLATION : なぜ・・・ / Why
// FROM : Naze...
// RELEASE : 1999
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

Japanese band Hysteric Blue was an Osaka based trio made up of vocalist Tama and members Takuya and Naoki.  One of their demos reached the producer of such bands as GLAY and JUDY AND MARY.  Hysteric Blue's first single was RUSH! in 1998.  Their second single Haru ~spring~ was a bigger hit, though.  The group would continue to be successful, but controversy hit when Naoko was accused of raping nine girls.  Hysteric Blue went on a hiatus during this, finally disbanding in 2004.

// If you like that dated J-pop sound, similar to HAL, Every Little Thing and early move, Hysteric Blue could be for you. "Naze..." is emotional pop.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

Britney Spears

Britney Jean Spears (b. 1981) was born in McComb, Mississippi, but was raised in Kentwood, Louisiana.  After being rejected from The Mickey Mouse Club at age eight, she went on to study for three summers at the Professional Performing Art School in New York City.  She would do some off-broadway performances and performed on Star Search before finally joining the cast of The Mickey Mouse Club at age eleven.  In 1997, Britney joined a short-lived girl group called Innosense before recording a solo demo song.  She was signed to Jive Records that same year.  In 1998, Britney debuted with her international hit single "...Baby One More Time".  It featured a music video with Britney wearing a revealing and abbreviated Catholic school girl uniform.  Spears became an overnight success.  Since then, she has released four original albums before taking a hiatus after 2003.  In her personal life, she dated 'N Sync member Justin Timberlake before breaking up after four years in 2002.  She would go on to marry dancer Kevin Federline in 2004 and gave birth to two sons during the marriage.  The couple divorced in 2006.  Britney has become a hot topic in the entertainment industry, whether it be about her questionable parenting skills or her emotional state of mind.  In 2007, Britney returned with a comeback album, Blackout.  It received favorable critic reviews, but Spears decided not to promote the album.

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Anticipating
// FROM : Anticipating
// RELEASE : 2001
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Pop

// This cheerful, upbeat disco-pop tune is mostly about dancing the night away with friends despite any reminders of past relationships.




Born to Make You Happy (Radio Edit)
// FROM : Born to Make You Happy
// RELEASE : 1999
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// I always liked this dark, almost obsessive track that embodies that refined and overproduced Europop sound.




I Run Away
// FROM : Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman
// RELEASE : 2002
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Ballad, Pop

// This is an exceptional B-side to Britney's works.  It's still of the same caliber of her older work, and it has a sorrowful, dramatic quality.




Overprotected (The Darkchild Remix Radio Edit)
// FROM : Overprotected
// RELEASE : 2002
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Pop, Urban
// VISUAL : Music Video

// Although this single was a flop, Rodney Jerkins really did improve upon the original by giving it a light urban flair.  The beat is a little abnormal and tinny, but I like that.




Everytime
// FROM : Everytime
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Ballad, Piano, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// It's no surprise that Britney has a very limited vocal range, but that airy and thin style works well on this deprecating piano ballad.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.



S.E.S
South Korean girl group S.E.S made its debut in 1998 with the hit song "I'm Your Girl" from their eponymous album.  The group name derives from the girl's first names - Sea (Bada), Eugene and Shoo.  They were housed under SM Entertainment and were originally concocted as a female counterpart to popular boy group H.O.T.  However, the success of S.E.S was surprising and led to a second album, featuring "Dreams Come True".  The trio's albums released three more original studio albums as well as two special albums.  In 2003, the three called it quits and went their separate ways.  Only Shoo stayed with SM while the other two recorded solo albums under new labels.

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I'm Your Girl
// FROM : S.E.S
// RELEASE : 1998
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// S.E.S' first single is still a personal favorite and possibly one of their best.  It's an endearing and cheerful pop confection with a strong backing of light hip-pop and that traditional early SM sound.

Ghetto Style
// FROM : Guardian Angel OST
// RELEASE : 2001
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Pop, R&B

// The arrangement of this slightly urban dance tune is similar to a past track, "Shy Boy".  However, it's a strong non-album song with a seductive chorus.

Meguri au sekai
// TRANSLATION : めぐりあう世界 / Meet Across the World
// FROM : PRIME-S.E.S the best-
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// I'm surprised that one of my favorite S.E.S songs is actually a Japanese single.  "Meguri au sekai" is semi-dramatic pop, blending elements from their Japanese and Korean careers.

Be Natural
// FROM : A Letter From Greenland
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Pop, R&B, Soul
// VISUAL : Music Video | Live Performance

// Bada is able to emote a mature soul on this classy R&B flavored jam.

S. II. S
// TRANSLATION : Soul to Soul
// FROM : Friend
// RELEASE : 2003
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Dance, Electronic, Pop, Urban Swing
// VISUAL : Music Video

// It's a little sad that the girls didn't even perform for their last album and give us an official visual goodbye.  "S. II. S" is a unique pick from S.E.S' discography as it's basically an electronic R&B song with a strange identity.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

Spice Girls

The Spice Girls (originally called Touch) is a London based quintet that formed in 1994.  The fivesome made its mark internationally with the mega 1996 hit "Wannabe", selling over six million copies worldwide.  Their first album Spice was and still is the best selling girl group album to date, with sales of twenty-three million around the globe.  Spice Girls' members included Melanie Brown ("Scary Spice"), Emma Bunton ("Baby Spice"), Victoria Beckham née Adams ("Posh Spice"), Melanie Chisholm ("Sporty Spice") and Geri Halliwell ("Ginger Spice").  While the group enjoyed popularity for its first two albums, Geri left in 1998 to pursue a solo career.  The remaining four finished up its U.S. tour without her, and even recorded another album as a quartet.  The girls finally called it quits in 2001 despite each member already working on solo activities.  In 2007, Spice Girls reunited for a highly anticipated tour to commemorate the release of their greatest hits compilation.

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Melanie B
Tell Me (Radio Edit)
// FROM : Tell Me
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Dance, Pop, R&B
// VISUAL : Music Video

Melanie Brown (b. 1975) was born to an English mother and a black Nevisian father in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.  She joined the Spice Girls in 1994 and became known as "Scary Spice" for her loud demeanor of curly hair and animal print clothes.  She recorded a solo album in 2000 while the group was still together, and snagged a number one hit, "I Want You Back", in her homeland.  She was married to a Dutch dancer, Jimmy Gulzar, in 1998, but they eventually divorced.  The two had a daughter, Phoenix Chi.  Melanie's sophomore album L.A. State of Mind was given poor promotion and ended up only selling over fifteen hundred copies total.  In 2006, Brown claimed to be pregnant by former boyfriend Eddie Murphy.  He denied it, but blood tests proved otherwise.  The next year, Melanie joined the fifth season of Dancing With The Stars and married Stephen Belafonte.

// At first listen, this sounds like Namie Amuro's gingerly steps into the urban market.  The beat is fun and fiery, and Mel B sings scathingly of her first husband.




Emma Bunton
What Took You So Long?
// FROM : What Took You So Long?
// RELEASE : 2001
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Pop, Rock
// VISUAL : Music Video

Emma Bunton (b. 1976) was raised in Woodside Park in London.  Her parents split when she was eleven, and she lived with her mother.  Before joining the Spice Girls, she auditioned for some television parts.  In the Spice Girls, Emma was known as "Baby Spice" because she was the youngest member, and always wore babydoll dresses.  Bunton's first solo album, A Girl Like Me, spawned a number one hit "What Took You So Long?" in 2001.  Emma has released two more albums since then, and gave birth to a baby with singer Jade Jones in 2007.

// While Emma's latter work is more bossa nova and Motown, her early music is simply pop.  "What Took You So Long?" is acoustic pop with a bona fide hook made sincere because of Emma's pure voice.




True Steppers & Dane Bowers feat. Victoria Beckham
Out of Your Mind (Radio Edit)
// FROM : Out of Your Mind
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Dance, Electronic, Pop, UK Garage
// VISUAL : Music Video

Victoria Adams (b. 1974) was raised in the wealthy area of Goff's Oak, Hertfordshire.  Her family's prosperity led to her getting picked on a child at school.  She convinced her parents to let her pursue a career in entertainment.  In 1994, she joined the Spice Girls and became "Posh Spice".  Adams married football player David Beckham in 1998, changing her last name to his.  The couple now has three children and reside in Los Angeles.  Victoria has only released one solo album, but she did cut four top ten singles.  Besides singing, she's worked as a fashion designer, too.

// Posh and Ginger had the weakest voices of the five girls, but this electro track with ex-boy band mate Dane Bowers hides Victoria's lack of vocal ability.




Melanie C
Never be the Same Again (Single Edit) feat. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes
// FROM : Never be the Same Again
// RELEASE : 2000
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Pop, R&B
// VISUAL : Music Video

Melanie "Sporty Spice" Chisholm (b. 1974) was born in Whiston, Merseyside.  She studied dance, singing and theatre at the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts.  She responded to an ad in 1994 for the formation of a new girl group.  At first, Melanie did not make the cut, but she replaced Lianne Morgan before the debut of the Spice Girls.  In 1999, Chisholm recorded her first solo album Northern Star.  It spawned popular singles, but "Never be the Same Again" reached number one in the UK.  As of today, she has four albums and holds the record for possessing the most number one UK singles co-written by a female artist.  In her persona life, Melanie has suffered depression and an eating disorder.  She dated Robbie Williams and Anthony Kiedis.  As of 2002, she has been dating Thomas Starr.  In 2007, she announced that she wanted to remove all of her tattoos because they bring up bad memories for her.

// Mel C had arguably the best vocals of the five.  She has a style to her voice that puts her in a league of her own.  "Never be the Same Again" is a tight R&B flavored jam with a cameo rap from deceased TLC member Left Eye.




Geri Halliwell
G.A.Y.
// FROM : Mi Chico Latino
// RELEASE : 1999
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Dance, Electronic, Pop

Geraldine "Geri" Halliwell (b. 1972) was born in Watford, Hertfordshire.  Her father is English-Swedish and her mother is Spanish.  She was raised as a Jehovah's Witness.  Before joining the Spice Girls in 1994, Geri was a dancer in a nightclub and a model.  She would be dubbed "Ginger Spice" in her group.  As she became popular, nude photos of her surfaced.  In 1998, Halliwell announced her departure to go solo.  Her first album Schizophonic was released in 1999 and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.  In 2006, Geri gave birth to her first born child.  The father is rumored to be Bush drummer Sacha Gervasi. 

// I don't actually like much of Geri's solo music, but this club anthem is ridiculously catchy.  I believe it's named after the famous club in London.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

The Breathing
The Breathing is an indie band based in South Korea, but started up in Michigan.  They were originally housed under Modern Life Entertainment.  The group is unique for its international roster: Sunny Kang (Korean, vocalist), Mitch (American, guitar), Andi (American, bass), Won Shik Lee (Korean, drums), Michael (American, piano) and Johnny Song (German, DJ).  The Breathing has gone through many changes, losing Michael and gaining Andi after Sung Min left.  So far, the group has one EP, Walk Away, released in 2006.  They are currently working on a full-length album, set for a tentative 2008 release.

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Walk Away
// RELEASE : 2006
// LANGUAGE : English, Korean
// GENRE : Indie, Modern Rock, Pop

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
29 MB,192 KBPS

01. Radio
02. Walk Away
03. Breathing
04. Hope of a Love
05. Radio (English Version)

Bonus Track:
06. Africa

// I found this release on Soulseek last year and have become obsessed with the little I get.  The lead track "Radio" is a melancholic heartbreak fable with infectious vocals from Sunny, who could easily be mistaken for a young Japanese pop singer in the vein of Daichi Miura circa Folder.  "Walk Away" is progressive pop bordering on subtle emo; "Breathing" is the most cheerful yet relaxed; and "Hope of a Love" is delicate piano pop decadence.  This is a practically perfect showcase of wonderful Korean indie pop.  "Africa" is a new song, possibly a demo, that is available on The Breathing's myspace page.  It's not of the same caliber and sounds more like a jam session recording.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

Alexz Johnson
Singer and actress Alexzandra "Alexz" Spencer Johnson (b. 1986) was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.  She is best known for her roles in So Weird and Instant Star.  Alexz also had a minor role in Final Destination 3.  On Instant Star, Alexz sings every song herself and is working on a solo debut.

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Songs From Instant Star 1
// RELEASE : 2005
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Ballad, Pop, Rock

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
47 MB,128 KBPS

01. 24 Hours [Music Video]
02. Temporary Insanity
03. Waste My Time
04. Let Me Fall
05. Skin
06. I'm in Love with My Guitar
07. Criminal
08. Time to Be Your 21
09. It Could Be You
10. Me Out of Me
11. Pick Up the Pieces
12. Your Eyes
13. That Girl
14. Stupid Girl

// Despite the casual hatred for the revolution of girlish pop rock in the last five years, there's at least one girl who's singing it right.  Alexz Johnson stars as Jude Harrison, the protagonist of a young Canadian soap called Instant Star.  It has a cheesy premise, a fifteen-year old rocker wins an American Idol-esque contest, but the show is enthralling and entertaining.  The situations and consequences are as real as I can believe considering I've never won a singing competition.  A major part of the show is the music, all sung by Alexz.  No sound double.  I was surprised to learn that she had a great voice.  The music itself sounds borderline Lavigne and Branch, but the lyrics are nowhere as cheap and empty.  Some of them are quite telling and earnest for any teen listener, and Johnson's voice rescues them from being mundane.  Her vocals are rich and expressive on "Let Me Fall", and it's vulnerable enough to make the crooning "Time to Be Your 21" warm and credible.  The final track, "Stupid Girl", is a Garbage cover and should have been cut, though.  If you just want an album full of upbeat, overproduced guitar pop, then this batch is full of that.  Ignore the lyrics if you must, turn the volume up, and let go to a fun soundtrack.  Alexz easily triumphs in terms of voice over her real life counterparts.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.



Lee Soo Young 이수영
South Korean singer Lee Ji Hyun's (b. 1979) father died in a car accident when she was in elementary.  In high school, her mother died in a car accident as well.  From this heartache, Ji Hyun was able to fully emote her sorrow through music.  She made her debut in 1999 with the song, "I Believe".  Since there was already a singer named Lee Ji Hyun, she used a stage name, Lee Soo Young.  She has become incredibly popular and well known for her ballads.  In 2004, Soo Young made her Japanese debut with the single Saigo no Wagamama.  Today, she has eight studio albums and three special albums.

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Gil
// Translation : 길 / Road
// FROM : Made in Winter
// RELEASE : 2001
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Ballad

// There are some tribal drums and Spanish guitars throughout this low ballad.

Goodbye
// FROM : Sweet Holiday in Lombok
// RELEASE : 2003
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Acoustic, Pop

// Instead of the usual sad song, "Goodbye" is midtempo acoustic and has a pleasant chorus.

Hwil Ril Ri
// TRANSLATION : 휠릴리
// FROM : The Colors of My Life
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : Korean
// GENRE : Ballad
// VISUAL : Performance

// The orchestration is powerful on this emotional track.

La La La (Chinese Ver.)
// TRANSLATION : 라라라
// FROM : As Time Goes By
// RELEASE : 2005
// LANGUAGE : Mandarin
// GENRE : Acoustic, Ballad, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video | Live Performance

// I'm pretty sure Soo Young's Mandarin is less than fluent, but something about the language is really perfect for this melancholic tune.

Saigo no Wagamama
// TRANSLATION : 最後のわがまま / The Final Selfishness
// FROM : Saigo no Wagamama
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Ballad, Pop, R&B

// While Soo Young's Japanese career was very short, the title song from her only single is a serene and beautiful R&B laced ballad.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.



Baby.M
Baby.M (b. 1985) is a singer with a British-Japanese heritage.  The "M" in her stage name stands for "Monica", her mother's name, and "Maria", a reminder of her Catholic faith, and her love of "Music".  Baby.M began to sing in 1999.  Her first single with Universal Music Japan was usual girl, which came out in 2002.  She followed with Baby love / Ai ga tomaranai~Turn It Into Love~ in 2003 before being dropped by the label.  She would not resurface until 2004 with an indies single, Make off, released under M-Beat Record. 

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usual girl
// RELEASE : 2002
// LANGUAGE : English, Japanese
// GENRE : Pop

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
23 MB, 192 KBPS

01. usual girl [Music Video]
02. Hoochie Coochie
03. usual girl (Baby goes latin mix: DJ KEN)
04. usual girl (Instrumental)

// The title track is higher quality bubblegum pop.  It's not groundbreaking and can be called generic, but "usual girl" is a little fun.  "Hoochie Coochie" is the better original song here as it's a sugary pop rock tune.  The remix of "usual girl" is given a Latin spin.  I found it to be too annoying and it completely shrouds the original's merits.




Baby.love / 愛が止まらない~Turn It Into Love~
// RELEASE : 2003
// LANGUAGE : English, Japanese
// GENRE : Pop

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
12 MB, 128 KBPS

01. Baby love
02. Ai ga tomaranai~Turn It Into Love~
Love Is No't Stopped
03. Heaven
04. Baby love (Instrumental)

// This is my favorite Baby.M release.  The first A-side is borderline Britney Spears perfection pop, a la "Anticipating".  The othe A-side is a cover of WINK's '80s hit, which is a Japanese cover of Kylie Minogue's "Turn It Into Love".  "Ai ga tomaranai~Turn It Into Love~" is dramatic pop with a brilliant hook.  "Heaven" is close to being a contemporary Christian ballad, but Baby.M's pretty voice saves it from being sappy.  The lyrics have some Engrish moments, making me wonder if they were directly translated from Japanese. Granted, I also don't believe that Baby.M is fluent in English.




Make off
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Pop

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
21 MB, 192 KBPS

01. 「Sugao→Make off」
Face Without Make-up
02. HG
03. OLIVIA wo kikinagara
While Listening to Olivia
04. Together

// I believe this was her last release, an indies single back in 2004.  All of the original songs are sadly not that great, with only the first track standing out because of the guitars.  Her piano cover of ANRI's "OLIVIA wo kikinagara" is simply nice, making me remember that Baby.M actually possesses a good voice.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.



Nana Katase 片瀬那奈
Nana Katase (b. 1981) was born in Tokyo, Japan.  She is a model, gravure idol, singer and actress.  She released her first single, GALAXY/TELEPATHY/FANTASY, under avex trax in 2002.  "FANTASY" was used as an opening theme for the anime Hikaru no Go.  Nana would go on to release six singles, one album and one mini-album before releasing a compilation, RELOADED~Perfect Singles~, before being dropped by the label in 2005.  Katase still acts and models today.  Her dramas include Dekichatta Kekkon (Shotgun Marriage), Last Christmas and Pretty Girls.

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Teardrops
// FROM : TELEPATHY
// RELEASE : 2003
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Electronic, Pop, R&B

// While I think it's obvious that Japanese idol singers can't appreciate or execute the R&B genre genuinely, voices like Nana's add a nice spin.  "Teardrops" combines her writers' usual dance element to a basic urban groove.




Shine
// FROM : Shine / REVENGE~mirai e no chikai~
// RELEASE : 2003
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Electronic, Pop

// This is the only single of Nana's that's close to a ballad, but it's not exactly a slow track.  It still carries similarities to her electronica material, except now it's a little more beautiful.




GALAXY
// FROM : GALAXY/TELEPATHY/FANTASY
// RELEASE : 2002
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Dance, Electronic, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// If there was ever a need to mention a Japanese counterpart to Kylie Minogue circa club days, Nana is the girl.  Her debut song is a mysterious dance song.




TELEPATHY
// FROM : RELOADED~Perfect Singles~
// RELEASE : 2005
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Dance, Electronic, Pop, Trance
// VISUAL : Music Video

// Katase's simple mantra of "la-la-la" on this dramatic trance cut is alluring.




Meu amor é...
// TRANSLATION : ミ・アモーレ... / Mi amore
// FROM : EXTENDED
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : Japanese
// GENRE : Cover, Dance, Pop

// The original is sung by classic idol Akina Nakamori.  While hers is better, Nana's is good in its own way.  There's a mild electro-Latin twist to "Meu amor é" that keeps the song contemporary and fun.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.



Maria Mena
Maria Viktoria Mena (b. 1986) is a Norwegian pop singer who debuted in 2002 with the hit album Another Phase.  Her mother was a playwright and her father was a drummer.  After her parents divorced when she was nine, she went through a depression and suffered from an eating disorder.  She would begin to write music to cope with her feelings, such as "Blame It on Me" (written from her father's point of view) and "My Lullaby" (about the divorce).  Mena's father got a friend to help his daughter record a demo, later helping her to get signed with Sony Music.  While her first single "Fragile (Free)" did not do well, "My Lullaby" was a hit.  She would go on to release her second album Mellow in 2004.  It would be similar in success.  Both of Maria's albums would be used to create her international debut, White Tuns Blue, released in 2004.  The first single would be "You're The Only One", peaking at twenty-five on the Billboard's top forty mainstream.  The album would only reach one hundred two, though.  No other singles were cut and Mena would be discontinue her international forray after disagreeing with suggested image changes from the label.  In 2005, Maria released "Miss You Love" off her third original album, Apparently Unaffected.  The second single "Just Hold Me" would reach the second spot on the charts back in Norway.  Mena performed at the German leg of the Live Earth concert series in 2007.

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Ugly
// FROM : Another Phase
// RELEASE : 2002
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Pop, Rock

// While "Ugly" has a buoyant beat over atypical girl rock, the lyrics of feeling misjudged by society are a little dark and jaded.




Sorry
// FROM : Mellow
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Ballad, Pop
// VISUAL : Live Performance

// If you've had a first love or even a powerful crush, this acoustic song is definitely the one to listen to while wallowing after the end.




Just a Little Bit
// FROM : White Turns Blue
// RELEASE : 2004
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video

// The sweeping and melodic "Just a Little Bit" lyrically portrays those instances of low self-esteem we feel from time to time in an honest manner.




Miss You Love
// FROM : Apparently Unaffected
// RELEASE : 2005
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Ballad, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video | Live Performance

// "Sorry" was about a first love of sorts, but "Miss You Love" is about a major love and a heartbreak that leaves you missing that person like crazy.




Just Hold Me
// FROM : Just Hold Me
// RELEASE : 2006
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Pop
// VISUAL : Music Video | Live Performance

// Mena's emotional vocals during the chorus are like a refined shrill, effectively expressing that need for a negligent lover to pay attention.

Please leave a comment if you download anything.

Justin Nozuka
Justin Tokimitsu Nozuka (b. 1988) is an American-Canadian musician born in New York, but moved to Toronto, Canada with his twelve siblings after his parents divorced.  His father is Japanese and his mother is of European descent.  He learned to play the guitar at boarding school, and then studied music at the Etobicoke School of the Arts.  Justin released his first album Holly in 2007, naming it after his mother.  He briefly appeared with his brothers Phillip and George, also a musician, on the series Degrassi The Next Generation.

---

Holly
// RELEASE : 2007
// LANGUAGE : English
// GENRE : Acoustic, Pop, Rock, Soul

DOWNLOAD @ mediafire
66 MB,192 KBPS

01. Down in a Cold Dirty Well
02. Golden Train
03. Be Back Soon
04. Mr. Therapy Man [Music Video]
05. Supposed to Grow Old
06. After Tonight [Music Video]
07. Criminal [Music Video]
08. I'm in Peace
09. Oh Momma
10. Save Him [Music Video]
11. If I Gave You My Life

// After I discovered The N and Degrassi, I ran across an episode with the Nozuka brothers.  I looked them up out of pure curiosity and discovered that two of them are singers.  While George is more geared towards R&B, Justin is similar to artists like Paolo Nutini and maybe even Maroon 5.  He possess an offbeat soul to his voice that just sits with you at first before you warm up to it.  "After Tonight" is tender and truly infectious whereas "Criminal" possesses a funky beat attractive to any twentysomething follower of not-so-designer pop.  This is mainly an acoustic pop album with some stronger tracks mixed in.  I can't say that I can differentiate between all of the slower songs, but Holly is at least cohesive and an honest fruition of Justin's musical leanings.

It's a new year.  I'm slightly revising my format.  I will still update with entries devoted to one artist, but now I will also upload complete albums from time to time, too.

Also, the low number of comments per entry is rather annoying.  I just want to reiterate that if you do download anything from one entry, comment in that entry.  No blanket commenting either.  Just be respectful of the time and effort I'm putting into this free service.

Please leave a comment if you download.

My 50 favorites in 2007

This entry is solely devoted to the songs I liked in 2007.  While most of my selections came out this year, there are some that are older.  To better things in the new year.



alan
Ashita e no sanka
Song Sung for Tomorrow

Ashita e no sanka 2007
Japanese
Ballad
Music Video | Live Performance

alan (Alan Dawazhuoma) is a Tibetan singer and actress who grew up in the Meiren valley of China.  She studied traditional Chineses singing at a musically oriented school, which also taught two members of 12 Girl Energy Band, and plays the ehru as well.  alan released a Chinese cover album in 2005.  She made her Japanese debut in 2007 with the single Ashita e no sanka.

If you are brave enough to tackle contemporary enka/minyo with a Chinese twist, I recommend giving alan's debut a try.  She unleashes her honed and powerful voice so hauntingly on the chorus to the point of wailing.




Aly & AJ
Potential Breakup Song

Insomniatic 2007
English
Electronic, Pop
Music Video | Live Performance

Sisters Alyson Renae "Aly" Michalka and Amanda Joy "AJ" Michalka formed a duo after learning to play the guitar and write their own music.  Prior to singing, Aly was an actress best known for her role on Phil of the Future.  The two's first album, Into The Rush, came out in 2005 and was a sleeper hit.  However, their 2007 album Insomniatic features their first top twenty hit "Potential Breakup Song".

Although Aly & AJ's religious beliefs expressed in interviews is somewhat of a turnoff, I won't deny that they are pretty good "tween" singers considering their Disney upbringing.  "Potential Breakup Song" is not so much of the pop rock variety but more of an insanely catchy electro-pop anthem for bad relationships.  Ami Suzuki remade the song in Japanese this year as well, but her version isn't as good.




Anggun
Juste Avant Toi
Just Before You

Luminescence (Special Edition) 2006
French
Pop, Rock
Music Video | Live Performance

Anggun Cipta Sasmi, born in Jakarta in 1974, is a popular east Asian and French artist whose music career began in her homeland of Indonesia.  She eventually met her future husband, a French engineer, while touring in Borneo.  In 1994, she left for Europe to reinvent her music.  The couple ended up in Paris after living in London for a while.  She met a producer, Eric Benzi, who created a specific style that pushed Anggun into the spotlight.  Her debut song, "La Neige au Sahara", became a hit in 1997.  An international version of her first LP followed, and the lead track "Snow on the Sahara" received airplay in the United States.  Anggun went on to tour with Lilith Fair in 1998.  Since then, she's released two more studio albums, including the very successful Luminescence.  Her sophomore effort Chrysalis greatly reflects her divorce from her first husband of seven years.  In the fall of 2007, Anggun will give birth to her first child with French actor, Cyril Montana.

"Juste Avant Toi" is a synthesized pop rock track laced with Anggun's deep, soulful voice.  The music video was filmed in Malaysia while Anggun was touring there.




AZU
CHERISH

CHERISH 2007
Japanese
Pop, R&B
Music Video | Live Performance

Japanese singer AZU (born in 1981) has been performing since she was sixteen years old.  Her big break came when she was featured on SEAMO's song "kokoro no koe" from his #1 album Live Goes On.  She toured extensively with him and is also promoting her own solo career under BMG.  AZU's first single, CHERISH, came out in 2007.

This is a really breezy and light pop R&B track with a cute approach and style from AZU.




Alexz Johnson
I Don't Know If I Should Stay

Songs from Instant Star 3 2007
English
Ballad, Piano, Pop, Rock
Performance Clip

Singer and actress Alexzandra "Alexz" Spencer Johnson was born in 1986 in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada.  She is best known for her roles in So Weird and Instant Star.  Alexz also had a minor role in Final Destination 3.  On Instant Star, Alexz sings every song herself and is working on a solo debut.

I caught a marathon of Instant Star one evening and was surprised to fall in love with this emotional ballad.  Alexz has a rich voice that is portrayed wonderfully during the bridge.

( Click to see 6-50 )

Please leave a comment if you download.

Hello! Project

Hello! Project is the name of the music family that houses artists produced by former SharanQ member Tsunku.  Artists under the umbrella include Morning Musume., Aya Matsuura, Miki Fujimoto, Country Musume., Melon Kinenbi, Berryz Koubou, C-ute and more.



FIRST KISS

FIRST KISS 2003
Japanese
Pop
Music Video | Live Performance

Aa! was a one time only trio composed of Morning Musume. member Reina Tanaka and Hello! Project Kids Airi Suzuki and Miyabi Natsuyaki.  Their first and only single was FIRST KISS, released in 2003.

At the time of this song's release, Airi was only nine, Miyabi was eleven and Reina was fourteen years old.  However, they all give a rather strong vocal performance in spite of their ages.  Especially Airi.  "FIRST KISS" is a dramatic pop song with lyrics that are a little too mature for its members.




MI DA RA Matenrou
Improper Skyscraper

MI DA RA Matenrou 2003
Japanese
Pop
Music Video

Melon Kinenbi is a Hello! Project quartet made up of girls who did not get to join Morning Musume. after auditioning in 1999, but were talented enough to form their own unit.  The first single was Amai Anata no Aji in 2000.  Unlike most groups in Hello! Project, Melon Kinenbi has not experienced a member change.  They have two albums, one compilation and one mini-album, and are still active as of 2007.

Latin and island elements such as a steel drum are added on this mature pop track.




Everyday Everywhere

Taiyo & Ciscomoon 1 1999
Japanese
Pop, R&B
Music Video

Taiyo to Ciscomoon is a Hello! Project group of four girls chosen on the series ASAYAN.  The girls are Atsuko Inaba, RuRu Honda, Miho Shinoda and Miwa Kominato.  The first single Tsuki to Taiyou came out in 1999.  Miwa left the group temporarily before the sixth single, but later returned.  Taiyo to Ciscomoon's members were each sent to different parts of America to study that city's music.  Atsuko went to Atlanta, RuRu went to Chicago, Miho went to Memphis and Miwa went to Detroit.  In 2000, the group's name changed to T&C Bomber and released two more singles and a second album before disbanding.  Chinese member RuRu recorded a solo album under avex trax and Atsuko is still part of Hello! Project.

"Everyday Everywhere" is a slow song that reflects retro American R&B.  It's more vocally intense than other H!Ps tracks.




Shining Itoshiki Anata
Shining Lovely You

Shining Itoshiki Anata 2004
Japanese
Pop
Music Video | Live Performance

Country Musume. is a joint creation between Hello! Project creator Tsunku and producer Yoshitake Tanaka.  The group's image was to reflect countryside life, so the audition's contestants were sent to work on a farm in Hokkaido.  Three girls were picked - Rinne Toda, Azusa Kobayashi and Hiromi Yanagihara.  Tragedy struck days before the girls' first single's release in 2000 when Hiromi was killed in a car accident.  Her family approved the release of the single, though.  Azusa would leave for personal reasons, and Rinne was left alone to perform until the addition of Asami Kimura.  Yoshitake decided to divide executive decisions with Tsunku, and Tsunku added Morning Musume. member Rika Ishikawa, creating Country Musume. ni Ishikawa Rika.  Her placement was supposed to be temporary, but her presence increased popularity for the trio.  Mai Satoda joined in 2002 and Rinne left that same year.  Miuna Saitou was added in 2003, and Yoshitake made Tsunku the sole producer for the group.  Ishikawa was retired from Country Musume., and Morning Musume. members Miki Fujimoto (former solo artist) and Asami Konno were put in, again changing the name to Country Musume. ni Konno to Fujimoto.  The last single, Shining Itoshiki Anata, was released in 2004.  Everyone but Satoda has graduated from the group, leaving her as the only member as of now.

There is a noticeable Motown-like influence on the group's final single.  It's very light and cute.




Shiawase desu ka?
Are You Happy?

Shiawase desu ka? 2002
Japanese
Pop, R&B
Music Video

Sexy 8 is a shuffle group made up of other members from the Hello! Project family.  Its roster includes Mai Satoda (Country Musume.), Ayaka Kimura (Coconuts Musume.), Masae Ohtani (Melon Kinenbi), Maki Goto, Rika Ishikawa, Mari Yaguchi and Hitomi Yoshizawa (all four from Morning Musume.), and solo artist Michiyo Heike.  They only have one single, Shiawase desu ka?, but it is the highest selling shuffle single from Hello! Project.

"Shiawase desu ka?" is a mellow and medium paced song with a main beat extracted from R&B.

Please leave a comment if you download.

Diva

Diva is a South Korean girl trio.  The original members were Vicky, Jini and Chae Rina.  Rina was also a member of the group Roo'ra and would eventually leave Diva in the early stages.  Her replacement was Lee Min Kyung.  Diva's first album came out in 1997.  While the group was popular during its initial run, Rina's departure definitely hurt Diva's success.  Despite this, the girls managed to release some popular songs.  By 2005, they released the eighth original album.  Unfortunately, it sold poorly and Diva has been on hiatus since then. Chae Rina recorded a solo album in 2002 and joined Yuri (of Cool) to form Girl Friends.



Go Ri
Ring

Millennium 1999
Korean
Pop, Rap
Music Video

Despite the TLC-esque cover of the album, Diva's third release is lead by the spitfire pop tune "Go Ri".




Up & Down

Naughty Diva 2000
Korean
Pop, Rap
Music Video | Performance

Diva will always be a unique girl group in the sense that their songs feature loads of rapping.  It can be coarse and almost a deterrent to anyone expecting S.E.S. of Fin.K.L quality.  "Up & Down" is a energetic mix of ethno-hip-pop as well as a bold interchanging of rap and singing.




Ddak Ee Ya!
Exactly

Cream 2001
Korean
Dance, Electronic, Pop
Performance

This song is so silly and brilliant with its neo-disco dance melody.




Wae Bool Ruh
Why Are You Calling Me?

Snappy Diva's Second Album 1997
Korean
Pop
Music Video | Performance

This older Diva hit is a good example of that happy Euro-pop style that many groups were doing during the late nineties.




Ee Gyuh Ool Eh
At This Winter

Best World + Special Non-Stop 2003
Korean
Pop, R&B, Rap
Music Video | Performance

"Ee Gyuh Ool Eh" is slightly slower in pace than Diva's other singles, but it possesses a sultry Latin spin.

Please leave a comment if you download.

Page

Page is the stage name for South Korean singer Lee Ga Eun.  She debuted in 1995 with the album Page.  She is a classically trained opera singer and incorporates the techniques into many of her songs.  Although she has never gained mainstream fame, she is well known for her talent.  Today, she has six albums and a best of compilation.



Love is Blue

Love is Blue 2002
Korean
Popera
Music Video | Live Performance

This is probably Page's most popular song, as it's a dramatic pop track with a lot of movement.  The melody is gorgeous, and Page's moments of opera singing are impressive.  I definitely recommend watching the live performance linked above.




Mi Ahn Hae Yo
I'm Sorry

Dear 1998
Korean
Popera, World
Music Video

Page actually raps a bit here as well as sings on "Mi Ahn Hae Yo", a song that sounds like it escaped from the original Sweetbox's discography. 




Blue Note

Blue Note 1999
Korean
Pop

No opera influence here, but "Blue Note" is still a lovely blend of string orchestration and lightly synthesized pop.  Of course, Page's voice is serene and strong.




Night Fever

Quella Ragazza E Un Sogno 2003
Korean
Dance, Pop

"Night Fever" is a mysterious type of midtempo pop, most likely written to lighten the slow moods found on Page's latter albums.




Say Goodbye (with Kim Jo Han)

Unforgettable 2006
Korean
Ballad, Pop
Music Video

Here is another older Page favorite.  She duets with male vocalist Kim Jo Han on the sweet yet sad retro slow jam, "Say Goodbye".

Please leave a comment if you download.

RIZE

Rock group RIZE formed in 1997 with only vocalist/MC/guitarist Jesse McFaddin (also known as SORA3000), drummer Kaneko Nobuaki and bassist TOKIE.  The three were signed to Sony Japan's Epic Records in 2000.  Their first single was Kaminari, followed by another single and then the first album, ROOKEY.  TOKIE eventually left to join UA's band AJICO after dividing time between it and RIZE.  u:zo would replace TOKIE and guitarist Yoshihiro Nakao also joined.  RIZE's popularity was growing, albeit not necessarily by commercial means.  The band played at many live shows.  Jesse would become a radio personality and collaborated with the Beastie Boys for the Tibetan Freedom Concert.  After touring in America in 2004, RIZE went on hiatus until later that year.  In 2005, RIZE began to perform again and Jesse created the TENSAIBAKA RECORDS label.  It houses fellow artist DefTech.  u:zo would leave and Kaneko's brother, KenKen, joined.  RIZE was released from its contract with EPIC in 2005 and recorded an independent album under TENSAIBAKA.  Once the band signed a contract with Universal Music Japan's FAR EASTERN TRIBE RECORDS division, RIZE came out with a single featuring a cover of deceased singer hide's "Pink Spider".  It ranked number eight on the ORICON charts.  Today, RIZE is still recording and performing at many live events.



I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT MY RADIO (ZEEBRA MEETS RIZE)

FUCK'N BEST 2005
English, Japanese
Metal, Rock
Live Performance

Strangely enough, ZEEBRA's usual fashion hip-hop style is nowhere to be heard on this track.  If anything, it sounds like ZEEBRA is trying to emulate JESSE's coarse rapping.  Make way for angry metal.




BLACK FLY

SPIT & YELL 2005
English, Japanese
Metal, Rock
Live Performance

The lyrics are overly girl crazy, but the beat is appealing.




heiwa
Peace

ALTERNA 2007
English, Japanese
Rock
Music Video | Music Video (#2) | Live Performance

RIZE finally seems to be parting, at least somewhat, from their typical thrash niche.  If anything, the metal is toned down to something melodic and JESSE's rhymes are more fluid.




LADY LOVE

LADY LOVE 2007
English, Japanese
Electronic, Rock
Music Video | Live Performance

While it's nowhere as polished or extreme as BOOM BOOM SATELLITE's electro-rock sound, "LADY LOVE" is edging slowly towards that direction.




G・I・C・O・D・E

E・D・O・C・I・G 2003
English, Japanese
Hip-Hop, Rock, Urban
Music Video

Rapper SPHERE of INFLUENCE joined JESSE to form GICODE, a brief side project to RIZE.  "G・I・C・O・D・E" is surprisingly catchy urban rock.

Please leave a comment if you download.

Sun Yan Zi

Singaporean singer-songwriter Stefanie Sun is also known as Sun Yan Zi or Sng Ee Tze.  She was born in 1978.  Besides Mandarin and Teochew, she speaks English fluently.  Sun received a marketing degree at Nanyang Technological University.  Her musical talent was discovered by a professor there.  Her first album under Warner Music, Yan Zi, was released in 2000 in Taiwan.  By 2003 and after only seven studio albums, Sun has accumulated over seven million copies sold across Asia.  She would go on hiatus that year to reflect on her musical direction.  The next year, her comeback Stefanie would go on to sell over two million in Asia, becoming her most successful.  After one more album, Sun would leave Warner to sign with Capitol Records.  Reasons for this decision include the departure of music executive, Sam Chen, who had worked with Sun for the majority of her Warner albums.  Her first album on the new label, Against The Light, was released in 2007.



Xing Qi Yi Tian Qi Qing Wo Li Kai Ni
Leaving You on a Bright Sunny Monday

My Desired Happiness 2000
Mandarin
Pop, Rock
Music Video

Yan Zi's melancholic vocal style restrains this song from ever sounding as bitter as it should be.




Silent All These Years

Start 2002
English
Alternative, Cover, Pop
Music Video

This cover is of one of Tori Amos' signature songs.  Sun never shys away from the original's arrangement or flow, but she sounds beautiful nonetheless.




Wo Bu Ai
I Don't Love

My Story, Your Song 2007
Mandarin
Ballad
Music Video

This is a sad ballad, simply put.  Its major kudos is how effective Sun's voice is.  She never wails or whisper the lyrics.  It's just sad with moments of acceptance.




Yi Yang De Xia Tian
Summer as Usual

Leave 2002
Mandarin
Acoustic, Folk, Pop
Music Video

If you can imagine yourself sitting in some dark dive with little physical or verbal interaction between patrons, I can hear this soft folk tune playing in the background.  It's incredibly moody.




Gu Ji Gu Ji

Against The Light 2007
Mandarin
Pop, Rock
Music Video

Yes, Yan Zi does upbeat sometimes.  This is a basic pop song with elements of electronic and rock.  The music video is awkward, though, because you see Sun dance.