Random Post - VIDEO

I've been so busy this summer that I haven't posted in a while. Hope you like this funny music video:

CollegeHumor’s Favorite Funny Videos

A Take on Martin Slaying

Even if one tried it is hard to get away from the news of Travon Martin and his killer. This story is so sad yet I also find something almost comical in the situation. For years as I black man I among many others in the US of A are told over and over to take care to not even provoke police because it can lead to us being shot and imprisoned. Yet here is a situation that shows us it is not just police we need to fear but any guy with a gun. The situation is humorous in our society because whenever we state the fact that we, African Americans are not equal in this society so many are quick to tell us to not hold grudges and that things are far better since the civil rights era.

Yet, this brazen shooting of a child and the law's act of inaction proves that status of equals is not the case. Even the public outcry has not lead to the man being held by police much less arrested. I've known men who merely walk down the street and end being harassed more by local law enforcement. I hope with all the attention that this case has gained that people realize and remember that this situation is not an exception. As one visitor from South Africa said recently: "I feel sorry for you Black men in America."

Anyway the situation reminded me of a song by Pharoahe Monch:

Funny Song Parody

Hey I needed a break from stuff so found these parodies of songs. Both were pretty funny and creative



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B.o.B Don't Let Me Fall

I've started to appreciate B.O.B.'s music recently. Here's a good one

Sukima Switch - Zenryoku Shonen

I happened to remember this song that I used to love listening to. The song is Zenryoku Shonen by スキマスイッチ(Sukima Switch). Odd thing is I don't remember where I first heard the song from. I thought it was a theme song for some tv show but when I searched on the internet the only thing it shows up connected to is a video game I've never heard of.

Ching Chong (it Means I Love You) - Single Jimmy Wong

A friend shared this with me. Since listening to her actual post I think Wallace's comments are being made into a much bigger thing than it actually was but this song is catchy and entertaining. I might even buy it off iTunes...or just listen to the Youtube version a few times.

Last Dance of Dj Ozma

I hadn't heard his last album so I didn't realize...DJ Ozma has done it again. First 「アゲアゲ」, then the man-thongs in 「Spiderman」, and now this video. Ozma really has nudity in music videos from his first to last album.
*Warning: This video scared me a couple times so if you are faint of heart don't watch.

School Rumble

Oi! Happy Lunar New Year! I was watching a favorite comedy of mine,School Rumble. It's a hilarious manga series, revolving around a group of students, their odd relationships, and frequent misunderstandings that was made into a anime tv show. I just realized that their theme songs are catchy. Here is their opening song,
Scramble (スクランブル)-Yui Horie...

and closing Girls Boys (オンナのコ オトコのコ)- Yuko Ogura

Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt

Yes,you read the title right, Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt. "Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt" is the name of a new anime. I don't know what it's about and to be honest though I am curious I'm not sure if I want to know. More importantly-at least to me- is the fact that m-flo's Taku Takahashi produced the soundtrack for the show and the talented, Emyli sings in one of the songs.
Those interested, can check out more info here

Black Friday

Yesterday was Thanksgiving here in the US. I don't really celebrate the holiday (as I consider it and Columbus Day, as practically celebrating the killing of millions of Native Americans)but I do celebrate food...everyday. So I hope everyone was able to eat and fill up on things good and tasty. I also hope everyone is enjoying and not going crazy today. If you are out buying gifts for those you love it makes no sense to hurt people someone else loves. Speaking of "love" this song has been in my head for a few days so I thought I'd share :"Love Mode"

Clazziquai project, Pe'z and M-flo are all pretty good bands. I suggest you check them out if you never heard of them before.
My recommendation is;
Instant Pig & Color Your Soul for Clazziquai
Astromantic, Beat Space Nine, and Cosmicolor for M-flo
I haven't heard any full Pe'z CDs to recommend one.

25 guitars and Nisei Week

Nisei Week is over. I am already missing it, but I'm also looking forward to next year. I think I may even have a more hands-on participation next year. *wink wink* The thing about Little Tokyo's Nisei Week ending is that it means more than just nisei week's festivals and celebrations coming to their yearly close, but also the end of obon season for me. That two month period on the weekends is the only time I see some friends.
But hey I can't mope, I have too many things to do and the great thing about living in the middle of L.A. is; there is always something going on. The 3rd annual Sunset Strip Music Festival is around the corner and less than a week away on the 28th! Unfortunately, I decided to not attend this year, however in my own way of celebrating West Hollywood's efforts I went on a kind of treasure hunt to "Guitartown". I walked the strip looking for the 26 10 foot guitars. I found them all except the one inside the Viper Room. I enjoyed the trip as I walked from one end of the strip to the next, rediscovering some places and finding new ones to check out.
The great thing to remember about these events is they are meant for the whole city- you are a part of the Gibsons guitars that are dotting the strip even if you aren't into music and even if you aren't Japanese or nisei you are part of Nisei Week so enjoy them. And hey! if you find some new events that are going on, tell me about them.

Utada!!!

Utada Hikaru announced via her blog that she will go on hiatus in 2011. After she released This Is The One, her second English album, and starting her America-Europe tour I thought I might get a chance to see her live. She has worked on this album for so long it felt like she was already on hiatus. Even though This Is The One is my least favorite of Hikki's (Utada) albums I wouldn't mind going just to hear her sing "Simple and Clean" and I would like to hear songs from either her Exodus or Japanese albums. Hopeful she will perform again in the future. Until then I'll just have to "keep tryin'"

Can You Tell?

Hi all, June has begun and looks like it'll be a nice month. Here are two music videos from a band whose CD I found recently and really enjoyed, Ra Ra Riot.




"Dying is Fine"

What's cooler than bein' cool?

I was just reminded of this great song while I was searching for the lyrics of another("It Takes Two")

OutKast - New Music - More Music Videos

Music and People

Does anyone ever find they associate songs with people? I do. I already know some others do because you always hear of people who were in a relationship having a song that makes them think of the person. However I am referring to those aside from the deep romantically emotional relationship connects for the most part here.
I think it must be natural to have a mental connection between a song and person for is not music emotional. The same way a picture can make people think of an event or a smell; music works in a similar pattern. Music can remind people of an event that is connected to it like a obon song to an obon or gongs to a festival or performance that featured them.
I am curious about mental connections that are not tied to a specific memory though. For instance I always think of an elementary school friend when I hear Santana's "Maria Maria" or how I think of a certain teacher I had when I hear No Doubt's "Spiderwebs" however I have no idea why. Maybe there is a memory at the core of these connects that I don't really remember now yet I still wonder how many others have these seemingly arbitrary connections.

Stella Notch's new PV

Stella's Notch has release their much awaited for PV.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04koTrYzQvo

Interesting note, I knew they were making the video but for some reason I thought the music video would be for another one of their songs.

Songs I want to translate

There has been a growing list of songs that I I have come across and want to translate further. I am going to keep a list here and cross them out after I post them

Do As Infinity- 深い森
SUEMITSU & the Suemith- Astaire
SUEMITSU & the Suemith- Allegro Cantabile
Orange Range - Sayonara
Orange Range - キズナ
Orange Range - いま会いに行きます
Superfly- 愛をこめて花束を
ケツメイシ -太陽
ケツメイツ - 今会いに行きます
樋口了一 -1/6 の夢旅人2002
ATTACK HAUS-漸-ZEN

Jackson Vibe-朝焼け旅路 (morning glow journey) たびろ

This is a post I will probably come back and edit later but wanted to start. Recently I have started to try to translate a song by Jackson Vibe"朝焼け旅路". I first heard it on 'At Home Dad' a Japanese show.

ありったけの力で　/ありったけのちからで/with all my strength
涙のその先へ　/なみだのそのせかいさきへ/before that tear
僕の心走らせる朝焼け旅路Run to my heart　morning's glow road　ぼこのこころはしらせれる
まるでさえない事ばかり
我ら腹這い真夜中のドリンカー/われらはらばいまよなかのドリンカー/ oneself crawl drinker in at midnight
もうもどれないかけ/もう戻れない駆ける/
どこにある　何が見える
ありったけの心で悩みのその中で/ありったかのこころでなやみのそのなかで
明日かりを確かめる暗闇/あしたかりをたしかめる　くらやみの旅路/ tomorrow surely road of darkness
まるで消えない炎を見たよ　/まるけえないえんをみたよ
いつか聞いた　キンシャサのドリンカー
そう変わらないモザイクの日々が
そこにある何が見える
そこにある

source:http://music.yahoo.co.jp/shop/p/53/325186/Y021443

高橋良輪

I was watching an old anime,Armed Trooper Votoms the other day and started to really like its theme songs. I found out they were song by Tetsuro Oda. The title to this blog is the singer who did he theme songs for Armed trooper Votom's sequel but I haven't figured out how you say his given name yet.

Gnarls Barkley

I have been getting into Gnarls Barkley. I only heard one of their songs,Crazy before but finally got to listen to their St.Elsewhere CD. Here is one of their songs from their first album(St. Elsewhere)