Cascada- Last Christmas

Rating: /10 Maybe next year "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..." but it's sounded a lot like it for near the last 2 months and I've had more than my fill of seasonal tunes. That said, I haven't been around December and I've suddenly got a bit more free time, so /shrug - here's some music I don't dislike listening to. I really like the PTX cover of "Mary, Did You Know?". It's been on YTube for over a year now, and it surpassed the oldest rendition on YTube (I remember watching a video from seven years ago around this time last year, but it may have been something else) within its first week. Go take a listen if you feel like it. This here is Cascada's cover, released on Nov. 21, 2007. The original was by Wham!, released on Dec. 10, 1984. Merry New Year o/

Hideyuki Fukasawa - EMIYA_UBW

Rating: 9/10 THE SOUNDTRACK IS OUT Main theme of protagonist Emiya Shirou. Fate/Stay Night by Type-Moon; Unlimited Blade Works 2015 produced by ufotable. Album details (->) UBW 2015 website (EN)(JP) It looks like the Heaven's Feel route is in the works ❤❤❤

Hatsune Miku - Black★Rock Shooter

Rating: 8/10 Sudden urge to listen to this after finishing a completely different anime series. Huke first uploaded an illustration to pixiv (original image link). Ryo (supercell) composed the song; then an anime, manga, and video game appeared. Animation was okay. Made me feel something about the ending, at least. Some of the movies (most) and anime I've watched recently don't do that. ┐(ツ)┌

Mourning Mountains - Trust Me

Rating: 5/10 Cause I've been pulling this tugboat 'round... heart on my sleeve The melancholic inverted madness that is the voice of this song stirs and pulls, fighting against the swell of the soothing guitar. Beginning in 2011 from Oakley CA, Mourning Mountains present the acoustic youth in rough and honest form.

katethegreat19 - Come Little Children

Rating: 7/10 Into the calm and the quiet Click for last year's post. Yay- it's All Hallows Eve again! Meaning that October is nearly done for! I like October; it's just that so much blasted stuff happens then. Reformatting my music library. It'll get done. Soon...

a LonginG to chAnge tHe font TO one thAt BETTER diFfereNtIates between caPTial and lowerCasE

So the person who I think is the primary founder of this blog put a link to it on his (or her) website. Maybe it'll be a sign of more posts by more people, perhaps some new authors.

Been busy. Loaned out my soul, took some pictures, built some stuff. Lots of staring at moving dots and pushing buttons. /hype /hype /hype /hypehypehype Still busy but have more spare time now.  Two to four songs a month is much more manageable than one song every [other] week, and more consistent than a song whenever I feel like posting one. Schedule will be switched the next time I post a song. I see someone[s] visiting irregularly...
          ｜−・;）

There's a pop song by a Sean Kingston that could have been acceptable for the video space. Rating: 4/10. Go YouTube it if you want.

Hatsune Miku- levan Polkka

Rating: 7/10 I finally have a bit of downtime v.v This song was written by Eino Kettunen in the early 1930s. It's Finnish. Then it got covered by Hatsune Miku, and now UK artist SHO! has made a dubstep remix. IMO, it doesn't get really good till 3:12. You can find a download link on their Soundcloud.

Fort Minor - "Welcome"

the first time I did it, yeah I'll admit it, I kinda hit and quit it and left ya'll hanging Rating: 8/10

After ten long years, Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda returns to his hip hop side project Fort Minor with "Welcome". It starts with a classic Shinoda piano intro with a pretty dope hip hop beat and sounds reminiscent of Xero (LP's first name). Then comes the long awaited Shinoda raps. It's new and different, and dammit there is talent and skill in every word and every note. This time around, every single thing was played, rapped, and sung by Mike Shinoda with no guests, friends, or help. Shinoda says he has no current plans for an album, but I hope this opens the door for more Fort Minor in the near future. For a short time, you can download the single for free from fortminor.com or support Mike by buying it on iTunes or your music provider of choice. Check out the epic music video shot with a 360 camera. View it in Chrome and use your mouse to move the screen around, or use the YouTube app on mobile and tilt your device to look around.

Sabaton - "Cliffs of Gallipoli"

I already did a post about Primo Victoria about a year ago which would have been appropriate for today but I think any Sabaton song can really be appropriate today and whenever because Sabaton is awesome! This is one of my favorite song's of theirs, about the Gallipoli Campaign of World War I. It uses the keyboard for some funky stuff and uses a super fun 7/8 time signature for the solo and is just generally a super awesome song.

Rating: 9/10 Gallipoli Left their letters in the sand Such waste of life Gallipoli Dreams of freedom turned to dust

Nightwish - "Shudder Before the Beautiful"

When Nighwish released their new album, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, earlier this year me and a lot of critics didn't really think it was that great. After seeing them live and listening to it a few more times I really started liking it a lot more. A lot of the tracks sound have a similar sound to them but I really like it. Is it their best album ever? Definitely not, but it's super solid and I enjoy listening to it. This song in particular, the first track, is a solid representation of the album and if you like it you'll probably like the rest. If you like what you hear I'd definitely recommend giving the rest of the album a listen.

Rating: 7/10 We are shuddering before the beautiful, before the plentiful, we, the voyagers

Cliff Edge feat. Maiko Nakamura - Endless Tears

Rating: 7/10 I luv you (luv you) Continuing the stream of unusual music. although it seems to be abating somewhat. This song was released in 2011 in Cliff Edge's album "Best of Love". A music video can be viewed at this YTube link.  EDIT: I seem to have done an oopsie with the embedded video. Fixed now ^_^

MOVITS! - "Fel Del Av Gården"

This is the toe-tapping Swedish story of growing up on the wrong side of town from trio MOVITZ! (composed of the two brothers Johan and Anders with saxophone player Joakim), wherein the group scats from their childhood memories to systems of oppression with an ever-present smirk. Their modern hiphop style both pushes forth the use of traditional instruments in the largely electronic-heavy field and calls back to this band's Swedish roots. Hope you enjoy!

Rating: 7/10 men nån gång måste fördomen hinnas ikapp (But at some point, you have to catch up to the prejudice)

Twenty One Pilots - "Fairly Local"

Rating: 6/10

Tomorrow I'll switch the beat to avoid yesterday's dance Twenty One Pilots just came out with their second studio album, Blurryface a few days ago. The first single that they released was "Fairly Local", about which I was skeptical the first time I heard it. Then of course, I couldn't get it out of my head. It took a couple listens, but I am definitely on board for this shit. They've got some dope beats and a good use of electronics with lyrics just marginally short of being pleasantly morbid.

Vist - Es Tut Mir Leid

Rating: 6/10 Posting something a bit different this time: German rap. Something to do with the shock of finding out I'm not alone anymore. I can't find much of anything on this song, so to prevent this from becoming an awkward post, click the play button in the embedded YTube player and enjoy the music. ^_^

Breaking Benjamin - "Angels Fall"

After a four year hiatus, legal battle between band members, and near complete lineup change, Breaking Benjamin is coming back with their fifth studio album, Dark Before Dawn, set to drop June 23rd, with mixed responses following the release of the first three singles. There was something raw and gripping about their harder debut and sophomore studio albums that admittedly got a little lost in the later years, but Benjamin Burnley's stunning vocals are still there as good as ever and there is no lack of talent behind the music with the four skilled new members. And of course, it's nice to still hear bands using guitars in their music. This second single is a great song, and I'm overjoyed to hear no drop in quality over the break. Stoked to hear more. You can also check out the songs, "Failure" and "Defeated" before the album comes out.

The turning of the tide don't leave it all behind And I will never say goodbye Rating: 7/10

Iron and Wine - Upward Over the Mountain

Rating: 7/10 Mother don't worry... I killed the last snake the lived in the creek bed... Iron and Wine, a name for singer/songwriter Samuel Beam taken from a vitamin supplement label, is well established in folk- indie circles for soulful guitar and rather whimsical lyrics. He sets off this track with lullaby grace, soothing and strumming. Perfect for long walks between the roots of trees.

REM- Setsumi's Theme

Rating: 6/10 Track is 12th in Narcissu: Side 2nd Sound Mode. Narcissu 1st & 2nd, the visual novel(s) that this was written for, is free on Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/264380/ Tomo Kataoka wrote the lyrics, Ebi produced the music. It's almost finals time again!

John Williams- Imperial March

Rating: 9/10 Also called "Darth Vader's Theme". This is probably one of the most iconic Star Wars sounds, right up there with Vader's respirator (link) and lightsabers clashing (link). Originally released on record by Sony Classical Records as track 1 on side 2. When ported to CD, it became the first track. Star Wars Day. May the Force be with you.

Moonaaavi- No Rules

Rating: 5/10 I have posts I want do do; I just haven't... done them yet. Might do some promotion for something next week. Or I might try something new. His channel says 'moon trance', but I say there's no real difference between 'moon/dragon/wolf/sea/...' trance. I first discovered this artist when I was getting into trance, with "Love is Fantasy 2.0" (YTube link). "No Rules" is the first track in an upcoming album. http://www.dropthefire.blogspot.com is still surprisingly busy. Blogger is by Google, so I have some access to who visits (how visitors get here, what country they say they're from, what OS/browser they're using) but I have no idea if it's a few people spamming refresh or it's many people occasionally checking.

Dev- 99 Red Balloons

Rating: 8/10 There's something here from somewhere else Originally by German band Nena, recorded in 1982. I like this one's continuity more (there's also a very similar video by Goldfinger) but the original German is better overall. Non-nightcore German (--->). Video doesn't capture the spirit of the song, but it's still pretty to look at. I would have also given a link to a English cover by Nena(I know I watched one), but unfortunately, most versions of this song on YouTube are blocked in my country (it's currently set at 'worldwide'; USA is not available; and I tried telling YTube I was in Finland) by Sony Music Entertainment on copyright grounds. There is a track called "99 Luftballoons" on the Nena VEVO channel, and I won't tell you to not watch it, but it's not the track I'm looking for.

Ron Van Den Beuken- Timeless

Rating: 7/10 I think of this as 'classic trance'. This song appears as Track 5 on Pure Trance, Vol 4 (link).

Hatsune Miku- ヤリたいの。 (I Wanna Do It)

Rating: /10 Surprise ninja post! May contain content not appropriate for small childs! Song by Boija. Images created in MikuMikuDance, edited with a program. Kids, ninjas can't catch you if you're on fire.

Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You

Rating: 8/10 I really really really really really really like you Remember when I said last week that I would post Vocaloid this week? I got confused about the dates and thought next week would be this week. You'll all need to wait just a little bit longer~ A really recent release by the singer of "Call Me Maybe". This particular nightcore edit was posted approximately 2 and change days after the official YouTube post (see it here, or buy on iTunes). Speaking of, I'm pleasantly surprised by the liveliness of this blog. In the last month (starting 2/21 [my] local time), there have been 48 page views from 10 different country/areas. Firefox on Linux was the most used browser/ OS. Unfortunately, I'm going to be really busy next weekend. A post is less guaranteed than usual (really). A nice change from the really short posts I've been doing for the last while. Really really really really really. Really.

MinutePhysics- Astronomically Correct Twinkle Twinkle

RATING A black hole's all that you now are Somewhat harder to sing than the 'classic' Twinkle Twinkle, but I'd say that this version is more fulfilling. Credits are in the video; they start at 1:40. Or, you can click here. The webcomic that started this can be viewed here. Vocaloid next week. Probably.

Lindsey Stirling- Senbonzakura

Rating: 7/10 As mentioned last week, performing violinist. Published on her YouTube over a month ago, but I haven't gotten around to sharing it around. Unfortunately, I can't find a download link anywhere. Understandable, as it is a cover. While I'm at it, I might as well share another cover I listen to. This one is performed by the Wagakki Band. 8/10. (YouTube link ->)

WORLD ORDER - INFORMAL EMPIRE

Rating: 7/10 May I tell you/ Truth is only perception The video is a mix of performance and song, like a certain violinist next week. I recommend watching it in addition to listening. Their synchrony is impressive, as are some of the 'stunts'. Appears as track 3 of their album, HAVE A NICE DAY. Their official website (-->)

The Pierces - Secret

Rating: 5/10 Swear this one you'll save Happy New Year to those who celebrated. Monkey is up next, but for now: a peaceful year to the Sheep. Used to love this song, then I decided that it was too 'dark' and stopped listening to it and forgot about it. Just remembered it today (2/17/15) while looking at a Fancy Feast advertisement in a CVS weekly flyer (I swear I'm not promoting a brand over others). I didn't like that one part where (1:44 - 2:18); still don't. Secret appears as Track 1 on Thirteen Tales of Love and Revenge, released in 2007 (iTunes link).

IA - キミのことが好きでゴメンナサイ (I'm sorry for liking you)

Rating: 5/10 Liking you like this... I'm so sorry! Valentine's Day! Music by Utata-P, illustrations by wowaga, lyrics by Tory Hitsuji. Published on niconico on 24 Jan 2013. For those who don't/can't/won't pause the video in time to read the manual (1:49 to 2:06), click here.

Hatsune Miku- Hop! Step! Instant Death! A Happiness Dance Death-Trap

Rating: 6/10 To all you happy people! Welcome!/ Glad ya came! I was going to write the draft for the prequel to this song (This Is the Happiness and Peace of Mind Committee), but when I logged on to the blog interface, it happened that ArchonofFail was working on one already... 0.o; So I wrote a draft for this instead. Then I sat on it till he published it. I like this song, I really do, but it's too disjointed for me to put into a playlist that I won't mind playing on repeat. I do love the contrast between the upbeat tone and what Miku is actually singing about. This song was uploaded to niconico on 24 July 2013. Lyrics are by Tory Hitsuji and illustrations done by wogura, but Utata-P the one who commonly gets the most credit. -11/3/14 Apologies for not posting last week. I'll try not to miss any more weekends. Hop!Step!InstantDeath! is the 6th installment in the Happiness Series.

Vocaloid.Disney V1: Hatsune Miku- 白い雪のプリンセスは (Snow White Princess)

RATING Yes, I just posted the previous post to open this one. I'm calling this series of posts "Vocaloid Disney" cause the songs reference a something most people know from Disney. In this case, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Part 1 of {x | x <= 1}. Project DIVA Arcade Modules (clothing) used: 00:05 Snow Miku 2014 00:39 Snow Miku 2014[Cape OFF] 01:09 Snow Miku 2014AS 01:22 Snow Miku 2013 01:48 Snow Miku 2013AS 02:29 Snow Miku 2012 03:04 Snow Miku 2011 ❤ 03:30 Snow Miku 2010 Song by Noboru↑-P and published on niconico on 21 Feb 2010. Uploaded to YouTube by googoo888 probably to 1) share music, 2) show Snow Miku modules.

Disney Villans- Counting Stars

Rating: 5/10 Evil, but I'm not that cold Disney-style parody of 'Counting Stars' by OneRepublic (YTube link). Video posted on YouTube by OhMyDisney (YTube link) on 27 Oct 2014. Portrays Scar (The Lion King, 1994) as the worst villain. And speaking of Disney...

Hatsune Miku- ネトゲ廃人シュプレヒコール (ONLINE GAME ADDICTS SPRECHCHOR)

Rating: 7/10 Hit the next stage even if getting tired First post in 2015! Put all my songs into a playlist, shuffled three times, and this was the first. Song by Satsuki Ga Tenkomori and video from Project DIVA f. Stage is Phantasy Star Online 2 Shopping Area. Miku is wearing her FOnewear-Style module. Speaking of, look at her ear-adornments. RMT - Real money transaction MPK - Monster player kill