|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:10 pm
 |
|
|
 |
Well, this subforum needs a thread so I'm going to write/post reviews about whatever band I feel like talking about at least bi-weekly. So anytime someone is looking for a new sound, they can check this out.
EDIT:
I thought it would also be worth mentioning how I'll be reviewing it so there's some level of consistancy. First I'll mention band name, current and former members (if I can find out), list of albums (unless there's a ridiculous amount out), and then rate them each on originality of sound, harmony, performability, and enjoyability.
Also, these will mainly all be just my opinion, so honestly don't just take my word for it and check them out yourself. And as a forewarning, I'll probably be mainly reviewing rock/alternative or j-rock/j-pop music, but I will listen to any requests.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:25 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:12 pm
|
|
|
|
Hangry & Angry
Lead vocalists:
Hangry (Hitomi Yoshizawa??)
Angry (Rika Ishikawa??)
Songs (so far):
-Sadistic Dance
-Kill Me Kiss Me [[LINK]]
-Angelina
-GIZA GIZA
-Romantic ni Violence
-WALL FLOWER
Bio:
So basically Hangry and Angry are two cat-like creatures drawn in the gurokawa (grotesque-cute) style by Japanese designer H. Naoto. I'm fairly certain it's also a clothing brand or something by the same person. In essence the band is somewhat a way to expose these characters/clothing line to a larger audience.
A cute storyline for the characters was also created and it goes like this: "Hangry and Angry came from the H44 Star Nebula in order to save the world from global warming. They arrived in the present in their time machine dubbed 'LOVE MACHINE'." Don't ask me, they're the ones who made it up.
Hangry and Angry made their first official North American debut this last Easter weekend in Seattle, Washington. You can check out their music on Myspace or Japanfiles.com. (or youtube...)
Rating:
Originality - 6/10
As far as Japanese bands go, the concept behind this band isn't horribly original. A punk and a lolita or taking two supposedly opposites and putting them together is highly overused. Think Nana or PuffyAmiYumi (if anyone is familiar with either of the two) As for sound originality, their music does after a while all run into each other sounding like much of any other J-rock song one might hear. All the same, the songs had fairly decent guitar riffs and making a band out of a brand name isn't something I've heard of often.
Harmony - 8/10
The voices of these two girls is amazing. One has a slightly deeper voice and the other has a higher pitched voice and the two not only sing perfectly in sync, but even their actions on stage are perfectly synced around one another. Harmony is something they have a lot of. There were times when the bass was a bit too loud though and it kind of drowned out the voices, but that's the main reason for the point deductions.
Performability - 9/10
Everyone had come to watch another band: Girugamesh, but I swear there were more people in the concert room for Hangry and Angry than the other band. Also, they were able to get everyone pretty excited and jumping up and down. Their onstage presence was good and they had their own version of dancing/performing. I thought it was a little too similar to their music videos though. It was very obvious that all their actions were staged beforehand.
Enjoyability - 9.5/10
Despite me knocking down points, I did enjoy listening to this band. Maybe just cause I love cute/cool things and basically almost anything from Japan. Eh. This last section is really personal opinion. In either case, check them out if you'd like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 8:57 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:57 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:23 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 5:41 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:04 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:13 pm
|
|
|
|
It's been two weeks, you know what that means!! New music review! This week is Linkin Park. Next time it'll be Weird Al on May 13! Look forward to it! Without further adieu...
Linkin Park
Band Members:
Chester Bennington - Lead Vocalist
Mike Shinoda - Vocalist/MC (does a lot of the rapping)
Joe Hahn - Turntablist
Phoenix - Bassist
Brad Delson - Guitarist
Rob Bourdon - Drummer
Albums:
-Meteora
-Hybrid Theory
-Minutes to Midnight
-- In addition/Live Music --
-Songs from the Underground
-Road to Revolution: Live at Milton Keynes
-Live in Texas
-- Remix CDs --
-Collision Course (in collaboration w/ Jay-Z)
-Reanimation
Bio:
One of the more well known bands, they've been around for quite a while. Mike Shinoda had a brief stint where he went off and started his own group, Fort Minor, which is pretty cool too (even though it upset a lot of fans)
Rating:
Originality - 10/10
Honestly, these guys I feel keep re-inventing themselves, and it's fairly obvious too if you listen to all the albums. Meteora was more screamo, Reanimation more techno/electronica, Minutes to Midnight more alternative, etc. I think this is definitely due in part to the dedication and hard work of the band members and their affilliates. And even though it's not exactly the same sound over and over and over again, they still manage to make it enjoyable.
Harmony - 10/10
I love both the combination of the all the instruments with random found sounds that create the beat as well as the harmony between the regular lead vocals and the rap. Honestly, it's just enjoyable. Even the songs that grow old after a while or that I don't enjoy as much, I can still say the band harmonizes very well. I think it says a lot due to how long the band's been together w/ almost no major incidences or falling out between members.
Performability - ?/10
Honestly, I've never seen them perform live in concert before (shame on me!), so I can't really accurately judge this section. However, I tend to abhor their live CDs, and crappy youtube live vids just don't do it for me either. So...I'm going to choose to not rate their performability.
Enjoyability - 10/10
What can I say, they're my most fave band so I'm incredibly biased! biggrin Either way, definitely check them out. I assure you they have something for everyone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:44 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:50 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 10:10 pm
|
|
|
|
Sorry for the late review update. I finally listened to a bunch of Weird Al music to convince myself to get off my lazy @$$ to write this review. Still listening to it actually. ^^ So without further adieu...
Weird Al
Volcalist:
Al Yankovic
Albums:
-Straight Outta Lynwood
-Poodle Hat
-Running With Scissors
-Bad Hair Day
-Alapalooza
-Off the Deep End
-UHF--Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff
-Even Worse
-Polka Party
-Dare to be Stupid
-"Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D
-"Weird Al" Yankovic
-plus countless of others singles, random songs, polkas, etc.
For a taste of his music, here are some links:
[[White and Nerdy]] | | [[Jurassic Park]] | | [[Polka Power]] | | [[Eat It]]
Bio:
Well, what is there to say except Weird Al makes parody upon parody and it's absolutely great. Nothing is safe from him. Honestly, it's kinda funny when people get so upset over his parodies, cause it's not meant to be taken that seriously. Mostly his music is just meant for laughs. How can you not love it? Lol. It's also worth noting that Weird Al gets these laughs without resorting to vulgar/obscene language though some of his songs do sometimes contain some more adultish themes, but hey, so does Family Guy, The Simpsons, etc.
Rating:
Originality - 10/10
I don't know how he comes up with all these ideas. The man is a parody genius. Granted there are some recurring themes, like usage of polka, talk about nerdage, etc. However, I think these act more as his signature style rather than lack of originality. Plus, if you watch his actual music videos, he switches video medium from real people, cartoon, claymation, etc. Either way, I don't think anyone can argue he's original.
Harmony - 8.5/10
I do have to admit his voice isn't exactly on key or always on beat, but really now? It's meant to be that way. It's part of the charm, but still I have to give a somewhat fair judgement (Yah I know I'm already way too biased for these reviews)
Performability - 10/10
Edit by Krell
Having been to a Weird Al concert I can safely say he has this down. For each song he changes his wardrobe. Now while this would usually be a downside to any concert having large gaps between songs, Weird Al makes this time fun by showing clips from an old TV show he used to have which provide tons of hilarity and enjoyment between songs. (and let's be honest if you are going to a Weird Al concert you already expect something other than just straight music) Along with the rest he also will also ocassionally change the lyrics to some of his longer original songs giving you the chance to hear something new at each concert.
Enjoyability - 10/10
Like I said before, how can you not love Weird Al? 'Nuff said.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 3:37 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:37 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:29 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
