Now, for a friend of mine called Stacey...For no reason, here's Toru off One Ok Rock below...
Anyway, returning to the Top 5 (And no, One Ok Rock Is DEFINITELY NOT in it)...
No 5 - (Artist) Everything Burns - I'd Die
Now these guys are very new to the music scene, and has just released their new album "Home". Whilst I haven't checked out their album (at least yet) but for all the lowdown and information about the band, here's their MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/everythingburnsband
I discovered this band actually earlier today while I was channel surfing. And well, this British channel called "Lava" (which has mostly unsigned rock/metal artists) and their song, although shows itself to be definitely of a band starting out (with its raw qualities, both in the song structure and the music video ) but it sounds...Well, quite good...Now, even though this band is going into a genre (metalcore), which is of course very popular (as there are british metalcore bands popping up left, right and centre) I do see them as perhaps having a good and solid fanbase in this country at least...Internationally though...That is left to be desired, and I sincerely doubt it.
Anyway, here's the music video "I'd Die" from their debut album "Home" ...
Now we're onto...
No 4 - (Artist) Ellie Goulding - Your Song
Now doing a quick bit of research about her with the ever reliant Wikipedia as my source, here's the nominations and the awards she's won already...Bearing in mind she only been in the music scene for about a year now, I have to say this is quite the impressive list:
Now, I have to admit...She's got one of the most honest and humbling voices I ever heard (and trust me, i've heard many, many songs!) And to be honest, on this song alone, she really deserves all that she gets! Also, its just...Mindblowing yet so simple at the same time...Seriously, I've fallen in love with this woman...Yes, i'm going to put a picture of her right now on here!
Anyway, moving on! Yeah, unlike Everything Burns, Ellie has a sense of uniqueness and natural swagger about her, that (in my opinion at least) she'll definitely be one of the headline acts of not only in the United Kingdom, but across the world as well! I haven't listened to her album "Lights" yet, but I definitely will do once this article is over...! (Actually Im downloading it at this second...Haha)
If you want to download the album, you can do it here at this link -----> Lights - Ellie Goulding
And for all those that don't know this, in the United Kingdom, the song below by here "Your Song" is also the track from the John Lewis ads...
Now, you guys are probably all wondering...Dude, if she's so good, why is she No 4? Well, to be honest, her music is excellent, but to put simply...There's 3 tracks that I listened to in the last 7 days that I had a preference to...Haha! And thats the truth, and nothing BUT the truth!
And a quick Edit: I had a few hours break in writing this, and I listened to half the album so far...And I feel her voice is similar to that of the lead singer of InMe in a way...But in a less rock sort of way...Just listen to InMe, and you can see what I mean...
Moving swiftly on, to the Top 3!!...
No 3 - (Artist) Exist†Trace - Resonance
I credit a fan called Shannon that wrote as a status something like "Does anyone know any female Visual Kei bands?"
Female...Visual Kei bands?!
Well, I did some of my own research, and of course Exist Trace was one of the first female bands that I found...By the by, for all those that don't know what Visual Kei is, this is what it means (Sourced from the legendary Wikipedia) :
It refers to a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that Visual Kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of J-rock (a term referring to Japanese rock in general), with its own particular sound, related to glam-rock, punk and metal. However other sources state that Visual Kei's unique clothing, make-up, fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.
And, to give you an example of this, this is what Exist Trace look like:
Cool fashion eh? Well...At least I think so...
Anyway, I never know what to expect from Japanese bands, let alone Visual Kei bands, because the majority all sound quite "samey" and don't "Push the envelope" enough with their music...However, exist trace stands out with their own unique blend of Visual Kei. As i've listened to all the songs that they have done, I have noticed that (of course there will be the one or two "Radio-Friendly" songs...) But, this band does have nice song structure to them, nice harmonies, riffs...And also the vocalist in the band is quite amazing!
Anyway, generally, they have amazed me and has truly got me hooked! This is their song from one of their Eps. This song is titled "Resonance". To add to this band too, they also touch upon the genre of "Death Metal"...Which is a rarity to see in Japanese metal, let alone Visual Kei...
No 2 - (Artist) Nelly - Just A Dream
We're in No 2 now, and the runner up spot has got to be for Nelly for his ballad song "Just A Dream". Now, to me...From past songs that we all know, such as "Hot in Heere" and many others, I never really took Nelly seriously enough for him to write something as emotional as this...Let alone something thats...Beautiful! Now, I don't listen to Nelly that much, so he may have done ballads in the past, but definitely, he seemed to have changed the image from the brash, cocky, arrogrant artist to someone that has..."Matured". They say, and to an extent , this is true...An artist has to evolve in order to stay relevant...By that, I mean that they have to explore new avenues within their music rather than being the same old, same old all the time...Barely any artists that has surivived for a long time has evolved to stay relevant and successful. In regards to this song, this is quite deep, and quite heart driven by Nelly...And truly, it has touched me, not only in the lyrics but by the Music Video as well...Its so wierd, yet...Amazing...Well, all of it to be honest. Nelly's new album comes out this week, so I'll see if I can obtain a copy of it...This is definitely a return to form for Nelly, and I feel he is stronger than ever!
And now the moment we've been waiting for...The top spot for this weeks TiT (Tune in Tuesday ;) ) is...
No 3 - (Artist) Byakura - Yume, Hakanaki
Yup, you guessed it, another Visual Kei band!
Well, firstly, as you know...Like last week, something thats #1 in this Top 5 not only has to be good, and such...But it has to have that special "Something"...A something I never thought I heard of...Metal, Death Metal growls...Japanese Visual Kei-ness...Mixed that with something that I never thought I heard of in modern day Japanese music: Ancient Japanese music! Seriously, it has taken me by surprise, and I'm quite surprised that this band hasn't had any/barely any youtube footage of them performing, let alone a music video!! Seriously!? They are probably the best female (well mostly female) Visual Kei band out there at the moment...The fact they have fused so many genres into one...And this band seriously deserves all the praise they can get! I listened to their album, and one of their Eps, and certainly Byakura varies their music to the point that every track surprises me...Even though I can't pronounce half of the song titles!!
Anyway, as I said...You can't see them perform on youtube at least...So you have to make do with just the song sadly...This song is called Yume, Hakanaki from their debut album!
Well guys, that about wraps it up for another Tuesday! Tune in next week for the Top 5!! Not only that, but later on this week, i'll hopefully write a new article...On something else !!! Haha
Peace, thanks for reading!
