Overcast Boku

Fri, 21 Jan 2005 21:56:24 GMT

Hi everyone! Sorry about the delayed and very late update; I've had a lot of things going on, from a major outline in English class to my computer not working -_-;. I PROMISE my next update will be much sooner, so thanks for sticking with me!

Kaela Kimura - Artist Homepage
happiness!!! - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:59 ~ 6.85 MB
From: happiness!!! single (Out 04.10.27)
Genre: Pop Rock
Buy It

Thoughts: This is Kaela Kimura's second single, released in October. Both the lyrics and the music convey an upbeat sense of happiness, although the song also has a rockish feel that prevents it from sounding like pure bubblegum pop. Kaela's voice isn't high pitched or squeaky at all, and it's very pleasant to listen to. She also does modeling work and hosts the Japanese TV program saku saku. "happiness!!!" is a great song for cheering you up, obviously ^_^

Garnet Crow - Artist Homepage
Fill Away - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:05 ~ 5.62 MB
From: I'm waiting 4 you album - (Out 12.08.04)
Genre: Alternative Rock, Soft Rock
Buy It

Thoughts: Garnet Crow is a 4 person band (2 girls, 2 guys) that has been called a 'softer' Do As Infinity, and I would have to agree with that. I really like them because, as good as DAI sounds, sometimes they can be a little too hard, and Garnet Crow sounds more gentle and yet still retains their alternative rock sound. They're also pretty good at ballads, but this is more of an upbeat but still soothing rock song. (Excuse my horrible diction, I should be using a thesaurus. :P)

nobodyknows+ - Artist Homepage
T.R.U.E - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:32 ~ 6.23 MB
From: Shiawasenara te wo Tatakou / T.R.U.E. single (Out 01.15.05)
Genre: Hip-Hop, Dance
Buy It

Thoughts: I used to hate this 6-man hip hop group, mainly because one or two of their MCs have really annoying voices. But then I watched one of their concerts, and they don't seem that bad to me anymore. I think it's because the concert showed me that the group doesn't take itself that seriously, or at the very least, their PVs and songs are all light hearted and easy to dance too. And I will admit that a few of the singers actually have good voices for this genre.

L'arc en Ciel - Artist Homepage
Killing Me - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:02 ~ 5.55 MB
From: "Killing Me" single (Out 01.15.05)
Genre: Rock
Buy It

Thoughts: Well, it seems like Larku has just been going on "autopilot" through their latest songs - don't get me wrong, they're still great, and one of Japan's top rock bands, but their newest music isn't anything special or innovative or 'a step above'. "Killing Me" is still an upbeat, fast-paced release from them, so listen to it if you haven't had the chance yet (even though I'm sure you can find this single very easily on the internet ^_^). Oh, and I hate Hyde's new hairstyle, the whole time I watched the PV I was distracted by it. It makes him look like Elvis. :P

Dynamic Duo - Artist Homepage
Ring my Bell - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A (Korean language song)

Length: 3:47 ~ 3.48 MB
From: album (Out 05.17.04)
Genre: Hip-hop, R + B
Buy It

Thoughts: Ahh, I love this song! I always thought Korean artists were a little better at hip-hop and R + B than Japanese artists, maybe it's because Japanese is a more flowing language, and Korean is slightly more fragmented. Oh well, that's just my opinion, feel free to disagree. ^_^ The two college students who make up Dynamic Duo used to be part of the group CB Mass, but I think the group spilt up and Choi Ja and Gaeko became a duo later on. Anyways, they sing really good, this song is really catchy, and if you liked it even a little bit, you HAVE to watch their hilarious MV for this song. It spoofs old kung-fu films and The Exorcist and you can it view it for free at their official website (under "Video Clip").

Sowelu - Artist Homepage
Shower - Download | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:45 ~ 6.53 MB
From: "Sweet Bridge" album (Out 01.
Genre: Hip-Hop, Pop
Buy It

Thoughts: Off Sowelu's latest album. Well, this obviously isn't her greatest song, but I still like it. My favorite song on "Sweet Bridge" would have to be "I will", but that's an older release, and Shower is an original album song, so I'll put this up instead. Shower is a little downbeat but still catchy, and has a nice chorus section. (Special thanks to z-degrees.net for this song ^_^)

Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:46:17 GMT

Hi everyone! Sorry this isn't a real update, but I do have the date for the next update, and I'm also posting to say that I uploaded the mirror links - sorry if I'm a little late. ^_^

It's hard to make an update around this time because not a lot of artists are releasing new stuff. My next update will be around the 15th to 16th of January and will be hip-hop/R + B themed. Not intentional, really, it's just that a lot of songs I chose happened to have that genre. But don't worry, the update AFTER next will be more folksy and pop-ish, because I'll be posting some songs from my favorite girl Jpop artist's new album, the self-titled "Rie Fu".

Thanks again, and sorry for the long wait in b/w updates!

First Update! Iori Maki, The Uncoloured, Aiha Higurashi, Ayumi, Rie Tanaka

Wed, 22 Dec 2004 18:57:03 GMT

Okay...first update! Just remember:

-- The Mirror links will be DEAD (actually, just a link to Lj.com) until the first links are "exhausted", so please click on the -Download- link first!

-- PLEASE comment

Thanks, I hope you enjoy the songs!
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Iori Maki - Artist Homepage
「月のかけら」- ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: Tsuki no Kakera - Pieces of the Moon

Length: 5:18 ~ 4.87 MB
From:    Tsuki no Kakera single (Out 12.01.2004)
Genre:  Folk-ish pop
Buy it

Thoughts: This is Maki Iori’s debut single, just released earlier this month. It’s a pretty song that’s a little too fast paced to be a ballad, and it also has a strong folk sound to it. This is mainly because of the excellent instrumentation, with lots of fiddler's violin, acoustic guitar and accordion (or possibly harmonica) being heard, backed up by a strong percussion in the background. It all comes together with Iori's voice to create a pleasant, upbeat song with a nice country-ethnic vibe that still sounds pop-ish. It's a great first release, although the quality of the song depends more on the instrumentals than Ms. Maki’s actual singing. Even so, I’ll still be looking out for her next release in the future. (On another note, for this girl, it's somewhat hard to tell which is her last name and which is her given, because both Maki and Iori can be used for both, I think.)

Eri Nobuchika - Artist Homepage
「Lights」 - ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: None needed :)

Length: 5:00 ~ 5.02 MB
From:    Lights single (Out 12.15.2004)
Genre: Pop
Buy it

Thoughts: Another new Sony Music artist making her debut this month. Her first single is highly anticipated, and she has a great voice. Lights starts out as a gentle piano song, but then intensifies with some techno beats and strings towards the end.

Rie Tanaka - Artist Homepage
「Fields of hope」- ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:15 ~ 4.69 MB
From:    Gundam SEED Destiny OST 1 (Out 12.16.04)
Genre:   Ballad
Buy it

Thoughts: I know I said that I will try to stay away from anime songs, but this is such a beautiful ballad, I had to put it up. It's sung by Rie Tanaka, the seiyuu for Lacus Clyne from Gundam SEED. Even people who hate Gundam SEED and it's second season love this song, it's very sorrowful yet uplifting. Please check it out even if you don't care for anime. Unfortunately, there's no single version yet - it's only available on the GSD soundtrack.

The Uncoloured - Artist Homepage
「After the Rain」 - ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 5:23 ~ 4.94 MB
From:    ONE - Album (Out 12.27.2003)
Genre: Classy Lounge Rock
Buy it

Thoughts: A relatively old release from last year, but The Uncoloured is one of my favorite Jpop groups of all time. Their music is so much more deep, so much.....richer than average J-pop, and MUCH more so than average bubblegum American pop. The Uncoloured song's are very easy to listen to, and their music encompasses lots of different genres, so give them a try. The "After the Rain" single was discontinued, but you can still buy their album, "ONE". I really hope that they return from their year-long hiatus.

Ayumi Hamasaki -Artist Homepage
「HOPE or PAIN」- ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:21 ~ 5.98 MB
From:     My Story - Album (Out 12.15.2004)
Genre:   Rock
Buy it

Thoughts: I tried to pick a lesser known song from Ayumi's newest album. My personal favorite on the disc is "About you", but that's decidedly easier to find. Hope or Pain is still a solid rock song, and of course, Ayu is skilled at singing multiple types of music.

Aiha Higurashi - Artist Homepage
「Steve,Steve,me」 - ~~Download~~ | Mirror
Translation: N/A

Length: 4:24 ~ 4.03 MB
From:     Yumemitai (Cherish my life) single (Out 12.01.2004)
Genre:   Soft Rock
Buy it

Thoughts: This is the B-side from Aiha Higurashi's latest single. She's had a long career in music (formerly with the rock band "Seagull Screaming", so she is well respected by many saavy J-music fans (If you do a Google search, you can find a lot of praiseful articles on her in English). She's skilled at rock music, and this song shows she can also sing in competent english.