I meant to post this song ages ago. Nico is half the reason why I love last.fm, as I was able to come across this lovely song on Japanese jazz band, Cymbals’ related artists (although they are not that similar!). I don’t think anyone loves this song like I do.

Lucy van Pelt – NICO Lovely and relaxing song by Japanese indie band, Advantage Lucy.

I admit it’s kind of boring, and the accordian is cheesy, but I think it is very well done. For copyright reasons, they changed their name to Advantage Lucy. Most of their songs are very feel-good happy songs, which makes sense, as I always feel happy listening to them. Hooray for J-indie! Here’s hoping someone out there loves this song too.

So I was watching the usual PBS drives the other day, and they had a Sarah Brightman special concert in the Stefansdom Cathedral in Vienna. Not that I’m a big fan of her, but I totally fell in love with her opening song, Canto Della Terra.

Just check out her crazy musical entourage. The guy on the double-necked guitar and the drummer are totally getting into it.

The fella she’s singing with is Alessandro Safina. Man those old people looked real excited when she said his name. o.o They say he’s known for his great stage presence, but all I see is him making eyebrows at the 47 yr old lady singing across from him. ô,ô Perhaps he’s more dazzling at his own concerts. Andrea Bocelli is totally better. But you have to admit they’re all fabulous singers! (who look fabulous for their age!)

It reminds me of RPG music for some reason. I felt Final Fantasy nostalgic somehow. I’m not the only crazy one. Grace thinks it sounds Japanese-game-esque too!

If anything it has gotten me mildly interested in popera.

I love last.fm.

It’s been a very long while since I’ve updated my music, so here goes.

土岐麻子 (Toki Asako) became one of my favorite artists immediately after I heard some of her songs. I came across one of her on a shared iTunes library at school. Apparently it was some Japanese person near my apartment. The song I heard was “Rain Song” back in her days with the jazz band, Cymbals. Now she’s doing her little solo bit, still jazz of course. If Jpop is getting a little too weird for you, give it a listen.

Toki Asako – ウィークエンドの手品 (Magic of Weekends) Careful if you want to google that song title, it’s my own translation. Best translation I could think of. 3rd song off her album, Debut.

One of my ultimate chill songs! And it’s in English! Not that that means I can understand it much more than my foreign songs… Mandalay is always meant for a more, err, passive listening experience. Much thanks to Kim for first introducing me to Mandalay, one of the big names in TripHop. This song is off their album, Empathy, which was mistakenly released somewhere as a Portishead album, Pearl. Not sure how that happened, but I’m quite certain it is Mandalay and not Portishead. You can’t mistake such a beautiful voice!

Mandalay – Another One of my triphop faves. It’s off their album, Empathy. (often mistaken as the album, Pearl by Portishead)

As usual, all my songs are up for grabs under the “Me wants it” link.

Just taking some time to make a tribute to my latest foreign favorite: Rainie Yang, Taiwanese singer/actress. Yes, there are lots of them out there. She’s cool because she is actually good at both singing and acting. Amazing huh? Anyhow, she’s popular for her “cute princess” look, and I must say, it works on me. Devil Beside You is her most popular drama if you care to youtube it. I suggest you google video it though. Just in case you were wondering, she was born in ’84. >=[

Gotta love a girl who can make ugly faces with no shame. Anyhow, I’d also like to share a favorite song of mine by her. I’ve killed it well enough this past week as Kim would tell you.

Rainie Yang – Zhi Xiang Ai Ni The title means “Just Want to Love You.” Little old, but very good! I’ve killed this song enough to share now.

Ah yes! The lovely Audrey Hepburn. Why on earth do they have her on Gap commercials. I don’t approve! She’s too cute for the current Gap…

I’ve had time lately so the random updates ensue. Including music. Have a listen:

	Hyolee – Straight Up For variety, I’ll throw in some hip-hop. Straight up from Hyolee’s Dark Angel album. Not a big fan of her voice but its cute and catchy, and she moves well. Mmm-mm.
	Suneohair – PINTO Much love for Suneohair! Most will recognize them from Honey & Clover endings. One of many songs I like by them.

Question: Is there a 5-second rule for cigaretts? Cause I totally saw this guy drop his cigarette and put it back in his mouth. Any smokers out there?

That was random. I must go study now. Enjoy the music.