[rotation 57] all that glitters is not gold
Saturday, January 1, 2011 posted at 6:17 PM
Happy New Year everyone! You may have read in Carmi's post that she was only going to be updating once a month from now on. From now on, I will be updating weekly instead of biweekly/randomly like I usually do. I will still probably only post full rotations/mixtapes once every two weeks, but in the weeks in between I'll be making smaller updates. Posts will probably be made on weekends. :) All the best in 2011!
- Haruhi
overview: The theme of this mix is a bit difficult to explain. It's for those points in your life when you feel like you've changed; like you're no longer as naive and you are in a way proud of how you've grown, yet sad for the things you've lost along the way. These songs are about the moments that changed you and the things you learnt from them - about past, present, and future.
01. mercedes - joseph arthur
oh i know you will rise
when you watch yourself burn to the ground
oh i hope that you will rise
when you talk about what they've done
02. dancing at her funeral - the limousines
the only words she can say are can you take me home
before her spirit escapes her as a soft blue glow
03. the truth is in the dirt - karen elson
the truth is in the dirt on the ground,
not in your poison tongue or your acid tears
04. give us a little love - fallulah
leave it by its pain, leave it all alone
if i never turn, i will never grow
05. lights go on again (full version) - beast
i kept wandering in the long darkness
to reach that place touched by the single ray of light
06. the end where i begin - the script
sometimes your first scars don't ever fade away
07. the ice is getting thinner - death cab for cutie
and the ice kept getting thinner with every word that we'd speak
08. i was wrong - capsule
the best of times
through coloured glass
09. skeleton key - margot & the nuclear so and so's
and it's clear to see
you're nothing special
you're a skeleton key
10. change - monkey majik
i need a change
cause it's all gone wrong for me
i need somebody else to lead me now
11. fisheye lens - nell
you were meant to be my reality
but it's over now, it's over now
12. white gold - metric
hush don't explain,
when you water down my name
i'll be up too late
call me when you get
better at your game
you haven't beat me yet
13. 별 빛이 내린다 (starlight is shining down) - bye bye sea
between the starlight that poured down
above the people that poured out
my hearth that poured out
i've grown like that
14. you and i both - jason mraz
oh taking your advice i'm looking on the bright side
and balancing the whole thing
but often times those words get tangled up in lines
and the bright lights turn to night
15. history sticks to your feet - modest mouse
and you realize that the floor sticks to your feet like history
16. 남자 때문에 (because of a man) - joo
i want to learn to live alone
so that i can smile a bright smile
without holding someone else's hand
17. cross bone style - cat power
oh come child
come and rescue me
because you have seen some unbelievable things
18. sorry that i loved you - anthony neely
but sorry doesn't turn back time
19. don't you mourn the sun - mimi
and i said, don't you mourn the sun
cause darling, the nightmare has just begun
20. army men - charlotte sometimes
cause tears are selfish and you aren't anymore
21. anything at all - cara salimando
but i can feel it between my fists as i close my hands around this
i don't know why i ever fooled myself into believing anything that i heard
22. blood, tears & gold - hurts
love grows cold
blood, tears, and gold
won't make it any better
[download]
This mixtape features a number of female vocalists I recently discovered, including Karen Elson and, a favourite of mine, Charlotte Sometimes. Metric's downtempo White Gold is gorgeous, I especially love the lyrics quoted. Another standout is the last song by Hurts, I love the echoing vocals.
Labels: Anthony Neely, Beast, Bye Bye Sea, Cat Power, Charlotte Sometimes, Death Cab for Cutie, Fallulah, Hurts, Jason Mraz, Joo, Karen Elson, Metric, mixtape, Modest Mouse, Monkey Majik, The Script
In the last poll, it seemed like people liked the idea of having one full single/mini-album in a post and then some individual songs, so that’s what I’ve decided to do this week. The "top ten" theme will continue next rotation (in 2 weeks) with top 10 rock songs.
Please remember to comment/leave a rating.
Noblesse - Sadness
Korean | Pop/Hip-Hop/Ballad
1. 이별의 전주곡 (Ibyeoreh jeonjoogok)
2. 이별통보 (Feat. 서진영/Seo Jin Young) (Ibyeul tongbo)
3. 심장이 하나라서 (Shimjangi hanaraseo)
4. 내 삶은 너였다고 (Feat. 오윤혜/Oh Yoon Hye)
5. 사랑 (Sarang)
6. 이별통보 (Inst.)
7. 심장이 하나라서 (Inst.)
이별의 전주곡 is a gorgeous piano intro, clocking in at a fairly short 1 minute 42 seconds. It's lyrical and filled with warmth. It has a lot of depth and density, yet at the same time is melodic and pretty. It leads perfectly into the next track, 이별통보 where the piano backs away a little to make room for a slightly bittersweet acoustic guitar line and a lovely balance of Noblesse's deep, accented rapping against Seo Jin Young's breezy yet powerful voice. Noblesse sings a couple lines here and there, but the melody is mostly led by Seo Jin Young. Her voice is sweet, but not sugary or poppy in the least. Out of the more recent releases I've been listening to, this is probably one of the best ballads. 심장이 하나라서 shows Noblesse's singing ability. Although I think he's primarily a rapper, his singing voice is quite good as well. It's not quite as powerful as I would normally like in ballads, but it's emotional and smooth. Not really a stand-out track to me, though. 내 삶은 너였다고 features Oh Yoon Hye, who I have never heard of but has a great voice - very strong and rich, yet wit that same airy quality. This song features a similar theme as 이별통보, with Noblesse mostly rapping and a female vocalist taking the melody, but it's more aggressive and a little darker. It's heavier on percussion, keeps the acoustic guitar but uses the piano more sparingly, and has a heavier bass sound. 사랑 is mostly conversationally rapped verses, almost more like he's just speaking, set against a piano arrangement. It builds a little as percussion is encorporated, but other than that doesn't really go anywhere. Okay, so most of Noblesse's songs sound quite similar. His collabs with female singers are great, but tend to blend into each other if you listen to them all in a row. However, his style is unique, recognizable, and consistent. Sadness has some impressive songs, and is definitely worth a listen, whether you've heard of him before or not.
DO THE PANIC - Phantom Planet
English | Alt Rock
I originally heard this song from the Nano-Mugen Compilation, then realized it was on the Gossip Girls soundtrack. The compilation is to advertise AKFG’s Nano-Mugen festival and features one song from each of the sixteen performing groups. Japanese, American, and UK bands all perform at the festival. This band is from California, as reflected in this feel-good, guitar-driven track.
Sour Cherry - The Kills
English | Soundtrack
This song is also from the Gossip Girls soundtrack. Ironically, I have never watched the show and don’t think I’d like it, but always here these songs in commercials for it. Which led me to download the soundtrack, which actually has some pretty good songs. Sour Cherry has such a driven, addictive beat, coupled with laid-back, assured vocals. I absolutely love the aggressive percussion in this song.
看袂落去 - Hsiao Hung Jen
Mandarin/Taiwanese | Pop/Rock
A strongly piano-based track that mixes Mandarin and Taiwanese. Feel-good guitar chords, an overall upbeat feel. The vocal work is lovely - beautifully layered harmonies and echoing, as well as Hsiao Hung Jen’s smooth, confident voice.
Lucky - Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat
English | Alt. Rock
This song has a strong acoustic feel, relying mostly on minimal guitar chords and a simple percussion line. Splashes of tone and colour are added to the accompaniment by piano and, later on in the song, strings. Their voices compliment each other perfectly - both smooth, warm, and light. The melody is beautiful. The lyrics, although a little corny, are sweet and heartwarming. One of my favourite songs right now.
Canvas -Piano Version- - Ken Hirai
Japanese | Pop/Ballad
i’ve never actually heard the original version of this song, but I really love this piano version. Ken Hirai’s expressive, chocolaty voice is so unique, leaning towards the higher ranges. As expected, the sole accompaniment is a rich, full piano sound that takes care not to outshine Hirai’s strong yet tender voice. It gives the song a pure, genuine sound.
Bitter Sweet - Mao Denda
Japanese | R&B/Pop
A new artist I recently discovered. A mid-tempo R&B ballad. Mao Denda’s voice is perfect for R&B - smooth, creamy, and full. Although composition-wise I found it to be fairly average, her vocals really push it forward. An enjoyable listen.
Ji Mo Bao Xiang - Judy Zhou
Mandarin | Pop
Judging by the name I thought this would be a girl, but ... I was wrong. An uptempo track with strong hip-hop influences. Judy Zhou’s voice is surprisingly sweet and smooth against the grittier beat. Synths here and there, classical Chinese strings, a great hook that features some pretty hard to hit intervals that Judy gets right on. Definitely worth a listen.
Labels: Hsiao Hung Jen, Jason Mraz, Judy Zhou, Ken Hirai, Mao Denda, Noblesse, Phantom Planet
