Asian Invasion
Speaking of Asians... See where this is going? You following me, Camera Guy?
*The title courtesy of Kate & Lara.
JAPAN
Hikaru Utada, or better known simply as Utada (official/myspace),
is a massive Jpop singer from Japan. I'm not sure how popular she is in
the US, but she seems popular with the anime crowd (her music's been
used in Square Enix's games).
Her second album, This Is The One, released May 12th, on Island Def Jam, sounds like more or less R&B.
The lead single, is "Come Back to Me", which I caught the music video for it during their promotional push in May (you could've also gotten the album for $5 too!). I was actually impressed with her English, it actually sounds like it was written and sung by a native English speaker (most Jpop songs seems to me like they throw in English words that sounds good, even if it doesn't make much sense in the song. Like South Park's interpretation.).
As far as the album is concern, it's very slick and, maybe just a little over produced? Take a listen to my favorite song, "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI" to see what I mean. I liked the lyrics, "FYI, we're gonna be up all night". You can interpret that how you like, but I can't see this cute/big-eyed girl being naughty.
HMONG
I don't think there is a country anymore, but the Hmong culture and
language lives on. They descended from Southern China, and you can hear
that influence in their language.
I was given a few albums by popular Hmong singers, Maiv Xyooj (myspace) and Tou Ly Vangkhue (myspace).
Since all their songs are all sung in Hmong (and I don't speak a word), I'll admit to not spending too much time listening and analyzing the music.
From listening to Xyooj's greatest hits album Best of Maiv Xyooj Collection,
it sounds to me like pop music with traditional singing (the flutes and
chimes help create that authentic sound). However, some of the
recording sounds like it was recorded with 80s technology.... but it
doesn't sound very new wave.
As for Vangkhue, his music is basically what you would call "soft rock". I was surprise to hear his Hmong version of the Bobby Vee classic song, "More Than I Can Say" (how come nobody ever covers Vee's "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes"?). Anyway, this version sounds like Hmong Karaoke: not quite as passionate with mellow guitar melodies.
VIETNAM
If you're Vietnamese or hang out with Vietnameses, you're probably familiar with the very popular music program called Paris By Night (official). They celebrated their 25th anniversary last year, but the DVD version wasn't made available until earlier this year - in two parts.
Of course, I have a copy, as do all Vietnamese families across the world (although ironically the program is banned in Vietnam).
The same crew and staff have been doing this annual program for years that it seems flawless, but because 2008 marked such a special year for them, everyone seems under a lot of stress and pressure. There are moments on the DVD where one of the hosts goes backstage and talk to the crew handling the program (everything from makeup, to lights, to camera works, etc).
As for the performances, it's not live... but the performers do some great lip syncing. Some of the speech are hard for me to understand, especially if they're using a northern dialect (they like the "zz" sound vs the south with the "yy" sound).
If you don't speak Vietnamese, don't bother tracking down a copy, there are no subtitled version as far as I know. But if you're just into the culture and performances, then Paris By Night #94 and Paris By Night #95 have a lot to offer. There's a bit of everything, from comedy sketches, insane dresses, film (The Vertical Ray of the Sun), interviews, traditional Vietnamese music, modern dance/techno, to even cover of popular American tunes ("Bang Bang I Shot My Baby Down").
As you can see from the follow epic intro to #94: it's pretty ridiculous. Especially when they started lowering this woman sitting on the 25th logo, holding a globe. As if the girls in white dresses balancing candles weren't crazy enough!
Stick around until 70% into this "thank life and parents" song, and it becomes a techno/dance song!
*The title courtesy of Kate & Lara.
JAPAN
Her second album, This Is The One, released May 12th, on Island Def Jam, sounds like more or less R&B.
The lead single, is "Come Back to Me", which I caught the music video for it during their promotional push in May (you could've also gotten the album for $5 too!). I was actually impressed with her English, it actually sounds like it was written and sung by a native English speaker (most Jpop songs seems to me like they throw in English words that sounds good, even if it doesn't make much sense in the song. Like South Park's interpretation.).
As far as the album is concern, it's very slick and, maybe just a little over produced? Take a listen to my favorite song, "Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence - FYI" to see what I mean. I liked the lyrics, "FYI, we're gonna be up all night". You can interpret that how you like, but I can't see this cute/big-eyed girl being naughty.
HMONG
I was given a few albums by popular Hmong singers, Maiv Xyooj (myspace) and Tou Ly Vangkhue (myspace).
Since all their songs are all sung in Hmong (and I don't speak a word), I'll admit to not spending too much time listening and analyzing the music.
As for Vangkhue, his music is basically what you would call "soft rock". I was surprise to hear his Hmong version of the Bobby Vee classic song, "More Than I Can Say" (how come nobody ever covers Vee's "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes"?). Anyway, this version sounds like Hmong Karaoke: not quite as passionate with mellow guitar melodies.
VIETNAM
Of course, I have a copy, as do all Vietnamese families across the world (although ironically the program is banned in Vietnam).
The same crew and staff have been doing this annual program for years that it seems flawless, but because 2008 marked such a special year for them, everyone seems under a lot of stress and pressure. There are moments on the DVD where one of the hosts goes backstage and talk to the crew handling the program (everything from makeup, to lights, to camera works, etc).
As for the performances, it's not live... but the performers do some great lip syncing. Some of the speech are hard for me to understand, especially if they're using a northern dialect (they like the "zz" sound vs the south with the "yy" sound).
If you don't speak Vietnamese, don't bother tracking down a copy, there are no subtitled version as far as I know. But if you're just into the culture and performances, then Paris By Night #94 and Paris By Night #95 have a lot to offer. There's a bit of everything, from comedy sketches, insane dresses, film (The Vertical Ray of the Sun), interviews, traditional Vietnamese music, modern dance/techno, to even cover of popular American tunes ("Bang Bang I Shot My Baby Down").
As you can see from the follow epic intro to #94: it's pretty ridiculous. Especially when they started lowering this woman sitting on the 25th logo, holding a globe. As if the girls in white dresses balancing candles weren't crazy enough!
Stick around until 70% into this "thank life and parents" song, and it becomes a techno/dance song!
06/23/2009 00:00:44 ♥ vu (
)
♥ news.weheartmusic.com
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