Bounen no Xamdou OST 1 & 2 - Xam'd: Lost Memories

I haven't posted for such a long time, I'm so sorry. I've had so many other occupations lately, that I didn't have the time nor the will to write anything on my blog... But today, I felt it should be time to write a post to celebrate the arrival of the Xam'd: Lost Memories OST 1 & 2 (Bounen no Xamdou). Since I finished watching the series back in February, I have been desperately waiting for the awesome soundtrack by Michiru Oshima to come out! I also did a cover song on the piano of one of the wonderful songs from the OST.

Today I've been able to listen to the 2 Bounen no Xamdou OSTs thanks to Gameurs who uploaded the OST.

Download the full Bounen no Xamdou OST 1 here!
Download the full Bounen no Xamdou OST 2 here!

Tell me what you think about it! And check out my piano cover and the original song after the jump!

New Kalafina song preview: Storia

In other related Yuki Kajiura news (it's been a long time I've posted anything about her highness!), kalafina has a new Single coming out soon! It's called Storia and it's their first single that won't be featured in an anime, but this time in an NHK TV series entitled Rekishi Hiwa Historia. Yuki Kajiura will also be composing the soundtrack of the series... It looks like the girls of kalafina are channeling ukrainian folk dancers on the cover picture! HAHA

Here's a short sample of Storia available on Sony’s website. You can also download the 40 second kalafina sample here.

Thank you to CPM for the news! Like all kalafina songs, storia sounds like a hit... I can't wait to be the first of July when it finally comes out!

Xam'd: Lost Memories OP2 song - Back on my Feet by Boom Boom Satellites

Since Xam'd is finally getting a TV broadcast version, there'll be a new OP theme song, but fear not, it is also by Boom Boom Satellites. Their previous OP for Xam'd entitled "Shut up and explode", was one of my favorite OP songs from the past season (Check out my review here). The new song is called "Back on my Feet" and the single is coming out the first of July.

Download the TV version of "Back on my feet" here.

9/10 By the looks of it, "Back on my feet" is as good or maybe even better than the first Opening song. Can't wait to hear the full version. In any case, even the TV version is nothing short of amazing!! Boom Boom Satellites have a unique sound and style, and this song is a good example of their awesomeness. I can't stop listening to their latest album EXPOSED, which is brilliant. Thank you Erias for making me discover this new Boom Boom Song!

Check out the awesome video sequence for the new OP:

My Piano Cover of Tokyo et Paris - Nodame Cantabile Paris ED

Here's my latest piano cover, which has been on youtube for more than a week now! It's the beautiful Nodame Cantabile Paris ED, entitled Tokyo et Paris by Emiri Miyamoto x Solita (check out my review here). It's so weird to be covering a song in my own language!! Anyway, I hope you all like it!!

You can download the mp3 of my piano version here.

Pandora Hearts OP Single - Parallel Hearts by FictionJunction

The Parallel Hearts Single has finally leaked (it's supposed to be released the 29th!)... It's always nice to have some fresh Yuki Kajiura songs, especially FictionJunction ones. And there's even a new FictionJunction YUUKA song on the single. What a treat!! In case you haven't heard my piano version of Parallel Hearts, here it is.

Tracklist

1. Parallel Hearts
2. Hitomi no Chikara (by FictionJunction YUUKA)
3. Parallel Hearts ～Instrumental～
4. Hitomi no Chikara ～Instrumental～

9/10 The full version of Parallel Hearts is of course even better than the TV-size version. I can't praise Yuki-sama enough for her awesome songs!!! I also really like the new YUUKA song, it's so nice they're doing songs together again... Even if I prefer the fast YUUKA songs, this one is still mesmerizing.

Check out the full PV, featuring Yuki Kajiura and FictionJunction:

Linebarrels of Iron Insert Songs and OSTs

Two weeks ago, I finished watching Linebarrels of Iron and while I wouldn't say it was masterpiece, it still had its moments... The characters were a bit too over the top for my taste and the storyline borrowed a lot from other animes of the genre. The music also had its moments, with some nice BGM tracks by Conisch (who I had never heard of before) and some really awesome insert songs from Lisa Komine (both are on the Linebarrels of Iron OST2).

8.5/10 The first insert song by Lisa Komine is entitled Kokoro no Mama ni and is a slow ballad accompanied by piano. I don't remember in which episodes it was featured, but it definitely was during some sad parts... The melody is truly beautiful and the vocals match the overall mood of the song.

Check out the song here:

9/10 The second insert song is called PROUD and is the true highlight of the Linebarrels of Iron OST2!! It's a wonderful song filled with drama and tension, that usually played in some of the action parts of anime. I remember it being played towards the end of the series, but it may have also played before that. The piano parts are truly amazing in the song... And I love the fact, that some parts of the song are a lot slower and are in contrast with the fast-paced beginning of the song. I also advise you to check out the instrumental version of PROUD, which is a slower piano track of the song...

Check out the full song here:

My Piano Cover of Parallel Hearts - Pandora Hearts OP

In other Pandora Hearts news, this is my piano cover of the OP theme song, Parallel Hearts by FictionJunction. This should come as no surprise to my loyal readers, since I already mentioned a few days ago, that my good friend Allexiel had posted it on his website. So here it is, I hope you'll like it... As some of you were complaining that I never show my face on the videos, here it is in the really cool picture Allexiel made (thank you man!).

You can download my high quality mp3 here

Oh by the way, I just noticed this is my 20th video! I'm amazed at myself, I didn't think I'd have the courage to do as many...

My Piano Cover of Irodori no Nai Sekai - Kurokami ED

Here's my latest piano cover! It's the song Irodori no Nai Sekai by Yousei Teikoku, which is the Kurokami: The Animation Ending Theme song (read my review here). I hope you guys like it! Tell me what you think!

You can download the mp3 of my piano cover here.

If you want to listen to my next piano cover, check out the latest blog post of my good friend Allexiel here. I'll have it featured on my blog next week!

Soul Eater OST2 - The Latest Iwasaki/Kasahara Song

I think I might have posted my Yuri Kasahara Anime Compilation Album a bit too early! Indeed, a new Kasahara song was just released in the Soul Eater OST 2 by amazing composer Taku Iwasaki! It is intitled Kindertotenlied (which means "song on the death of children" in german!).

Listen to the song here:

8/10 The latest Iwasaki/Kasahara collaboration is yet another amazing song. Kindertotenlied feels like a true classical track that could well be a part of some 19th century Opera! It's also full of despair and fits perfectly with the dark Soul Eater atmosphere. It truly amazes me how, both Iwasaki's and Kasahara's combined talents always make for the most wonderful songs.

Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou ED Album - Aishiteru by Kourin

Wow, I haven't written a post for one week! Sorry for being so lazy... This new post is about the the Zoku Natsume Yuujinchou ED theme song, Aishiteru by Kourin. I haven't watched the show but I've been reading a lot of positive reviews, so I might just add it to my ever growing list of animes to watch.

Tracklist:

1. Houseki
2. FLY
3. Aishiteru
4. Cherry Star
5. Shikakui Heya no Meiro
6. Katto
7. Shishuu
8. Kirei ni na Are
9. Namida Nanka Iranai
10. Sukoshi Zutsu
11. Arch

9/10 Aishiteru definitely has the right song title! I love this song. It's a beautiful piano ballad, sung by the very talented singer Kourin! It reminds me of some ballads by Mika Nakashima, although the two have completely different voices... Kourin is definitely a name I'll have to remember. Her album is really good, with a lot of high quality songs such as Aishiteru!

Check out the song here:

My Piano Cover of Kiseki - Birdy The Mighty Decode S2 OP

It's been ages since my last piano cover (here). I hope you won't think I'm being lazy! I've actually been working on a lot of songs these days... So there should be a lot more piano covers coming soon! This one is a cover of the awesome Birdy The Mighty Decode S2 OP song by Nirgilis, entitled Kiseki (read my review here). I hope you guys will like it. It's a lot faster than most of the songs I usually play!

You can download the Mp3 version of my cover here.

Gundam 00 S2 Insert Song Album - Unlimited Sky by Tommy Heavenly6

Unlimited Sky is an Insert Song featured in episode 18 of the Gundam 00 2nd Season anime. It is sung by Tommy Heavenly6, one of Tomoko Kawase's many pseudonyms. Tommy Heavenly6 also did the Soul Eater OP2 (my review here) and the Gintama OP1. Tomoko Kawase is also the singer and vocalist of musical group the brilliant green (They did the awesome Gundam 00 OP2, Ash like Snow). As a solo artist, she has released music under the alter-ego pseudonyms Tommy february6 and Tommy heavenly6. This Gundam 00 S2 Insert Song Album is actually the first Tommy heavenly6 compilation, entitled "Gothic Melting Ice Cream's Darkness Nightmare" and it contains songs from the first and second Tommy heavenly6 album.

Tracklist:

1. Wait till I can dream
2. Hey my friend
3. Ready?
4. I'm Gonna SCREAM+
5. Pray
6. Lollipop Candy BAD gir
7. I LOVE XMAS
8. Heavy Starry Chain
9. PAPERMOON
10. LCDD
11. Roller coaster ride
12. fell in love with you
13. GIMME ALL OF YOUR LOVE!!
14. GOING 2 MY WAY!
15. Wanna be your idol
16. Lucky me
17. +gothic Pink+
18. 2Bfree
19. Unlimited Sky

7/10 Unlimited Sky is a really nice rock song. I just love Tomoko Kawase's voice. It perfectly suits the touching melody of the track. It almost starts off as a slow ballad but then becomes this heavy, guitar-driven song with a really nice beat. Keep up the good work Tomoko! This compilation is also full of other great songs such as this one...

Watch the PV for Unlimited Sky here:

Maria Holic ED Single - Kimi ni, Mune Kyun

It's high time for a new ED song review! Today I'll be reviewing the Maria Holic Ending Theme song entitled Kimi ni, Mune Kyun and sung by Asami Sanada, Yu Kobayashi and Marina Inoue. For my review of the Maria Holic OP theme song, it's here.

Tracklist:

1. Kimi ni, Mune Kyun.
2. Neko Mimi Rhythm
3. Kimi ni, Mune Kyun. Original Karaoke
4. Neko Mimi Rhythm Original Karaoke

4/10 This song is all about cheesy pop and synth voices. In short, not the kind of songs I like. It sounds childish and cheap. Or maybe I'm just getting too old for this kind of music. What do my readers think? Am I being too harsh?

Check out the full song after the jump!

Birdy the Mighty Decode:02 ED Single - Tane by no3b

Can the Birdy the Mighty Decode:02 ED song by no3b match the brilliance that was the OP song? Find it out here, in my latest ED theme song review...

Tracklist:

1. Tane
2. Girls' talk
3. Tane -Instrumental--
4. Girls' talk -Instrumental-

5.5/10 Tane is your average J-Pop song. Neither good, nor really bad, it's the kind of song that doesn't leave a single trace in your memory banks. How could it? Forgettable singing and forgettable tune never make a big impression... I urge you to listen to kiseki the awesome OP theme song by Nirgilis instead.

Watch the ED sequence in HD here:

The Ultimate Joe Hisaishi Piano Sheet Collection

After the Ultimate Yuki Kajiura Piano Sheet Collection, it's time for the Ultimate Joe Hisaishi Piano Sheet Collection (223 sheets to be exact!). I've been gathering these for some years now, and I can say without hesitation that these are the best anime piano sheets out there. First of all, Joe Hisaishi's songs are timeless and just beautiful. Second, most of these sheets are the original piano sheets, and none of the transcribed stuff that isn't as good and generally over-simplified.

DOWNLOAD THE ULTIMATE JOE HISAISHI PIANO SHEET COLLECTION HERE!

That's why my favorite sheets in this collection are the ones from Hisaishi's piano albums (Piano Stories, Encore, Etude...). They're just wonderful to play and a couple of the songs in these albums are either from the Miyazaki movies or from the Kitano movies. So I would advise anyone to start with these sheets before venturing to the other stuff... My favorite songs to play are Innocent (Laputa), The Wind Forest (Totoro), Ashitaka and San (Mononoke), Fantasia (Nausicaa), Sixth Station (Spirited Away), Friends (Porco Rosso), One Summer's Day (Spirited Away)...

In this collection you will find songs from:

• Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind OST
• Laputa: Castle in the Sky OST
• My Neighbor Totoro OST
• Kiki's Delivery Service OST
• Porco Rosso OST
• Princess Mononoke OST
• Spirited Away OST
• Howl's Moving Castle OST
• Joe Hisaishi meets Kitano Films
• Piano Stories I
• Piano Stories II
• Piano Stories III
• Piano Stories IV
• Encore
• Etude - A Wish to The Moon
• My Lost City
• Parasite Eve OST
• Le Mecano de la General OST
• Pretender

Pandora Hearts OP song - Parallel Hearts by FictionJunction

Yuki Kajiura has really been working her ass off lately... Here is yet another example of her strong work ethic. Two months ago, I did a post on the trailer music for Pandora Hearts (here), the latest anime lucky enough to have its music composed by anime music godess Kajiura-san. She's also doing the OP theme song, Parallel Hearts, sung by FictionJunction (more like FictionJunction Wakana to me)...

9/10 Parallel Hearts promises to be yet another epic song from Yuki Kajiura and FictionJunction. Like I mentioned in the introduction of this post, main vocalist here is Wakana yet again. She's become Yuki's current obsession... And who could blame her? Background vocalist is again Keiko (kalafina anyone?) and I'm sure Yuriko Kaida's there somewhere. The song has a wonderful tune and a very catchy chorus... I wonder what Yuki's secret ingredient is, for making all these great songs, one after the other.

Check out the OP song for Pandora Hearts here:

Maria Holic OP Single - HANAJI by Yu Kobayashi

I've heard a lot about Maria Holic. Apparently, it's the funniest anime this season... I think I'll have to check it out to see. Meanwhile, here's the Maria Holic OP theme song called HANAJI by Yu Kobayashi.

Tracklist:

1. HANAJI
2. HANAJI BLOOD EXPLOSION-MIX
3. HANAJI (Original Karaoke)
4. HANAJI BLOOD EXPLOSION-MIX (Original Karaoke)

7/10 HANAJI is funky, fast-paced and very funny song. It reminds me of the Kemeko Deluxe theme songs... I love the way Yu Kobayashi (who voices Mariya Shido) sings it. She does a fantastic job at staying in character. It also helps a lot that the lyrics are really funny. You can check them out at the end of this post.

Check out the full OP song and the lyrics here:



Lyrics(Romaji):

Pottoshitari Guttoshitari (Moe Chau)
Hattoshitari Dokidoki (no)
Byu tto dechau Kyun to shichau (I Love)
Heart wa HAITENSHON (Girls)

Unmei no koi wo Sagashi ni kita kedo
Meutsuri Udemakuri
Bishoujo no hana ga Mankai Zenkai
Shiawase Sakimakuri

Naze ka himitsu wo Wakeau yatsu ni
Osare kimi desu no~n

Aitsu ni au to KAMINGUAUTO
Semerare Ijirare Yamete Yamete Aha~n

Oitsumerarete Furimawasarete
Ame to muchi wo Tsukaikonasu (S do S)
Nigetai kurai Ijimerarechau
Dakedo Kao wa TAIPU na no (M do M)

Wa tto shitari Hotto Shitari (Moe Chau)
Futto Shitari Wakuwaku (no)
Byu tto Dechau Kyun to Shichau (I Love)
HANAJI mo HAITENSHON (Girls)

Mousou MOODO ga Zekkouchou da ne
Kiai mo Ukimakuri
HAAREMU Joutai Mushikera yobawari
Saretemo Norimakuri

TACCHI wa shinai no Kokoro no HANDO de
Nuon to Washidzukami
Pikupiku out KAMINGUAUTO
DEEPU ni DEEPU ni Umoretai no Aha~n

Negurije kitari BEBIIDOORU de
Mote Asobu no ga Shumi na no (S do S)
Wakatteite mo Nonoshirarete mo
Dakedo Maji ni uzuichau (M do M)

Naze ka himitsu wo Wakeau yatsu ni
Osare kimi desu no~n

Aitsu ni au to KAMINGUAUTO
Semerare Ijirare Yamete Yamete Aha~n

Oitsumerarete Furimawasarete
Ame to muchi wo Tsukaikonasu (S do S)
Nigetai kurai Ijimerarechau
Dakedo Kao wa TAIPU na no (M do M)

Pottoshitari Guttoshitari (Moe Chau)
Hattoshitari Dokidoki (no)
Byu tto dechau Kyun to shichau (I Love)
Heart ha HAITENSHON (Girls)

Source

Lyrics(English):

Blushing, getting exciting
Getting Hot my heart races!!
It gonna burst out, it’s gonna shoot out!
My heart is at High Tension!

I came here searching for my destined one, but
rolling up my sleeves, it’s hard choosing a girl.
These flowers are all at full bloom,
I’m so happy~♥ I’m caught in blooming [season]!

But why, why did he have to find out my secret?
He looks so pushy~

I was found out by him, I’m coming out…
I’m being attacked, I’m being tormented! STOP IT! STOP IT! AH♥HA~N

I’m driven up to a corner! I’m getting abused by him!
He handles me with the carrot and stick policy… *
I’m being tormented~♥ so much that I want to run,
but his face is so my type!!

Sobbing, getting hot,
raging, IT’S SO EXCITING!
It gonna burst out, it’s gonna shoot out!
Nosebleed at High Tension!

My delusion mode is in good shape right?
My screams too are wound up in joy…
My harem’s state gets me called a ‘bug’
but even if, I’m entranced by it!

I won’t touch them with the hand of my heart,
I’ll nonchalantly get a hold of them~

I was jerked out, I’m coming out!
I WANT TO BE BURIED DEEP WAY DEEP! A♥HA~n!

My hobby is to play with
with a neglige wearing baby doll,
even if you understand, even if I’m spoken ill of,
I’ll seriously still be tempted to do it!

But why, why did he have to find out my secret?
He looks so pushy~

I was found out by him, I’m coming out…
I’m being attacked, I’m being tormented! STOP IT! STOP IT! AH♥HA~N

I’m driven up to a corner! I’m getting abused by him!
He handles me with the carrot and stick policy… *
I’m being tormented~♥ so much that I want to run,
but his face is so my type!!

Blushing, getting exciting
Getting Hot my heart races!!
It gonna burst out, it’s gonna shoot out!
My heart is at High Tension!

Source

To Aru Majutsu no Index ED2 Single - Chikaigoto by IKU

So many new OPs and EDs Singles have been released at the end of Frebruary. Which means, a lot of songs waiting to be reviewed (I have been too lazy these past weeks)... This song is one of them! It's the To Aru Majutsu no Index ED2 theme song by IKU, who already did the first ending.

Tracklist:

1. Chikaigoto ~Sukoshi Dake Mou Ichido~
2. Yurari Haru
3. Chikaigoto ~Sukoshi Dake Mou Ichido~ ~ instrumental
4. Yurari Haru ~ instrumental

4/10 Sadly, not as good as IKU's first effort! It's rather bland to say the least... In fact it's so bland, you could nearly choke. The melody is as dull as it gets. I hope I'm not the only one getting a "meh" feeling from this song.

Watch the ED in HD after the cut:

Jazzin' for Ghibli - A Remix of Hisaishi Tunes

For all the Joe Hisaishi and Ghibli fans out there, Jazzin' for Ghibli is a remix album that was released one year ago. It mostly features Hisaishi tracks (except one) with a twist of Jazz, Chillout and Hip Hop. In some tracks, you'll find it hard to recognize the original song, but they all make for great music...

Tracklist:

01 Sal / ano natsu he (Spirited Away)
02 Sal feat. Agape / kun wo nosete (Laputa: Castle in the Sky)
03 DJ Davi / ashitaka to san (Princess Mononoke)
04 DJ Ryu (Jag Soul) / kaze no tani no Nausicaa ~opening (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)
05 Novo Tempo / kaze no toorimichi (My Neighbor Totoro)
06 KGO / umi no mie ru machi (Kiki's Delivery Service)
07 Sal / teru no uta (Tales from Earthsea)
08 Nack / Nausicaa Requiem (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind)
09 Sal / maruko to jiina (Porco Rosso)
10 Morphil / jinsei no Merry-Go-Round (Kiki's Delivery Service)

7.5/10 Joe Hisaishi's melodies are already so brilliant, that half of the work is already done, hehe. In any case, these remixes are very good. I love the hip hop track No. 2 with rapper Agape. It sounds awesome... A lot of the other tracks sound like ambient or chillout music that could come straight out of Cafe Del Mar or Hotel Costes album! Another good point, is that most of the artists didn't just lay some beats on the already existing songs, but really became inventive! So, the result is of course quite impressive...

Here's a little sneak-peek:

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei OP (TV-size) - Super scription of data by Eiko Shimamiya

Hurray, another Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Series!! Well technically it's not a TV-series, just an OVA with 5 episodes, but still... I can't wait to see some blood and spilled guts! I really enjoyed the 2 series. Unfortunately, the first episode of Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Rei felt a bit off. What's with the goofy swimming-pool episode?? I hope we'll get to see some torture and gore in the next episodes, hehe...

Like in the previous installments, the awesome Eiko Shimamiya does the opening theme song which is entitled "Super scription of data"! I know what you're thinking! What a ridiculous name...

6.5/10 I'm not sure what to think of "Super scription of data"... I really loved the previous Higurashi OPs, and this one isn't as good in my opinion. It's still a good song, but something is lacking. I guess I'll have to listen to the full version to make my finale review...

The OP in HD and the lyrics are after the cut:




Lyrics (English):

Shall I tell you?
Promise me that you won’t say it
To anyone else besides us here
Let’s make a pinky swear on it
And if you lie, may you swallow a thousand needles

While it remains folded-up
Look up at the wriggling story
And show it to me
In the past and future, too
Super scription of data

Lyrics (Romaji):

Oshiemashou ka?
Sono moto igai wa dare ni mo
Iwanai yakusokushite ne
Yubikiri genman
Uso tsuitara hari senbon

Oritatamareta mama
Ugomeite iru monogatari o
Miagete misete yo
Kako mo mirai mo
Super scription of data

Lyrics (Kanji):

教えましょうか?
その元以外は誰にも
言わない約束してね
指切りげんまん
嘘ついたら針千本

折り畳まれたまま
蠕いている物語を
見上げて見せてよ
過去も未来も
Super scription of data