As if the post titles can’t get any lamer…XD

Anyway, I’m bored, my Internet connection is acting all spastic and the Windows Live Messenger service isn’t working for me…so I thought of joining the fun and responding to that survey over at Misa’s blog.

Just hope this post manages to get through without triggering a stupid error.

1. What was the first Japanese song that you ever listened to?
Asu no Egao no Tame ni by Yumi Matsuzawa. It was the opening for Gatekeepers, the first anime I watched on AXN about 7 years ago (back when that channel still aired anime).

2. Did it inspire you to like that group/singer, or did it turn you away?
Not really. Heck, I didn’t even know who sang it. Had to google it up just now, lol.

3. What is the one song that you have been listening to for the longest time?
Moments, by Ayumi Hamasaki. My first foray into the J-pop scene so yeah, naturally. It never gets old for me. =)

4. What group/singer have you liked the longest?
Again, Ayumi Hamasaki.

5. What is the song with the most plays on your itunes/media player?
I’m using Foobar and I’m not even sure whether I have the play counter thing enabled…so I’ll just refer to my Last.FM account. XD Wonder Girls’s So Hot ranks #1 (did I ever mention how addictive this song is?), followed closely by Buono’s Kokoro no Tamago and F.I.R.’s Tenth Planet.

6. Is that song your favorite?
Yep, all 3 are.

7. If not, what is?
-

8. Is there any one group that you can listen to all/most of the songs by? If so, who?
Several actually. Ayumi Hamasaki, Morning Musume, Ikeda Ayako, Goto Maki, Aikawa Nanase, JYONGRI, OLIVIA and Rin’.

9. What is your favorite agency?
Don’t think I really have a ‘favourite’.

10. What is your favorite group/singer?
Refer to question 8. =)

You know, I was just starting to miss Gocchin a few days ago. Found myself listening through her past albums again, letting myself be swept in nostalgia of the departed goddess’s voice - for the record, I still can’t get myself to like her last album except for Glass no Pumps and SOME BOYS! TOUCH.

Now Goto Maki’s back with a (somewhat) brand new look under the helm of Avex’s “rhythm zone” label. Her new official site looks classy indeed. Gocchin’s sporting a very gorgeous and sultry look now. In fact, I wonder whether she’ll still choose to go by the nickname Gocchin - doesn’t sound very hip, does it? Haha, then again, I’m sure she wouldn’t mind still being called that by her fans. I’m not sure about the hair though…looks like a lion on a bad hair day.

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Coming across pengie’s post on music and memories, it reminded me a lot about something I wrote on my old personal blog. Back then, I rambled on about the types of music I listen to and why I find them enjoyable. I likened it to food. J-pop was my sugary treats (well, except the ballads); metal, the meaty steaks and classical, a cup of warm Earl Grey tea. It’s essential to get a good dose of each for a healthy balance.

I think it’ll be interesting to retrace my love affair with music…so let’s see…

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When I listen to music, I can’t help but imagine scenes that would go well with the song. Mostly bits and pieces of imagery involving Sophia, Fenrir/Darion, Kelzeth and the rest of the characters from my own fictional world…but that’s another story.

Now there are some songs that would make awesome tragic ending themes for a movie. I know, I know, some of you are probably saying “but any ballad will do”, but I beg to differ. There are just some songs that sound right at home with the rolling credits at the end of a particularly sad movie.

Ayumi Hamasaki’s HEAVEN was used as the theme song for Shinobi. Never actually watched it yet, so I’m not sure how it ends. HEAVEN’s a good example of the type of song I’m talking about though.

Okay, so here’s the picture. Let’s say…the hero dies while valiantly protecting his love. Or the other way round. Take your pick. Someone dies. It’s horrible. It’s sad, bittersweet. Got that image clear in your head? Good, now let’s roll the credits…

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And that star’s name is Ikeda Ayako. I recently came across this lesser-known artiste while going through the new torrents over at JPOPSUKI. Her music’s very calm and soothing. Slightly ambient and ‘environmental’ in nature. This woman definitely needs more love. So here I am spreading word about her.

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