I said I wasn't, but then I did anyway...
Justin Nozuka- Save Him (live @ SXSW)
I adore the way he sings from the very depths of his soul and brings it all out. I swear, his live performances are better than the recordings,and that I think is saying something. You know you have mad crazy skills when you're BETTER live. turns out this show was in austin, which is a couple hours away and where i was this weekend. i should really get my ass up there for more venues.
Have no idea who he is? You might have heard his name on little commerical spots on VH1 with his song "after tonight" (another amazing song, if you go to one of my first posts, you can find that song for dl)- apparently he's getting some major cable-channel pimapage, which I have no problems with, talented artists getting mad famous makes me happy.
Hooray for good music. It's good for your soul. *currently listening to motown*
oh and for the record, the winner of "best solo" imo is...*drumroll*
Koki! yup, I wasn't that excited from the fuzzy previews, but the cd-quality version is quite awesome. I have this thing for electric guitars, so I was stoked to hear them abound, along with a semi-growly rap and lots of yelling it was <3. so i have to finally, and reluctantly give Koki some "bad ass" points for it. it's good stuff. Though his little english "outro" was almost enough fail to make him lose about half of those points.
Maru and Junno have the most adorable solos. they are like all kinds of cheer. Props to them both for really bringing it and proving that yes they too can carry a tune and really sing a song all by themselves and have it be enjoyable without the use of backflips or horns. Maru's is the slight favorite for the little notes he hits during the chorus.
Ueda's is just pretty, just very very pretty. this does nothing to help that "delicate" image of his, but maybe he's just giving into the fact that people think he should wear tiaras... whatever it makes for good music.
Then there is jin. i'm now pretty certain that I only really listen to his solo so much because i'm still not sure what the hell he's saying at times and it bugs me that I don't know. the song itself is ok, but i can't help but think that they should have dropped it down to a lower key, and a given it a more sultry sort of vibe- something that was really needed given the rather cheesy lyrics. sometimes they make me shudder in the bad way. still the hook is catchy, although it is a bit awkward, and the bridge is too.
Last there is Kame, I really can't say much about his solo cuz well, i don't think i've listened to it all the way through. i get about 3/4ths in before i just turn it off. I was just not feelin' it.
EDIT!!!
Turns out i didn't upload "After tonight" here, but i'm pretty sure its up in the music pimpage thread @ hesf. anyways, if anyone wants any of his stuff comment and i'll hook you up ^_^