Amy’s 2011 Music Highlights
7. Brown Eyed Girls – Sixth Sense
What can I say? I actually really loved Brown Eyed Girls’ comeback album. Sixth Sense wasn’t perfect, but it was still really strong conceptually and musically. In terms of Kpop, I think Julyssa may say it better — it’s probably one of the most cohesive Kpop albums released this year.
I loved this Latin jazz cabaret dance pop thing so much. I hope there’s more of it.
Listen to the album on on Xiami. Get the Regular Edition on YesAsia.
6. Pink Martini & Saori Yuki – 1969
What are the chances of Pink Martini singing Taya Tan, a cover they did of Saori Yuki’s hit single, and having Saori Yuki learn of the mini-orchestra and having 1969 be born as a project?
Of course, Pink Martini is known for their cover songs of some very internationally flavored hits. I love Que Sera, Sera while my mother loves Bolero. And I love that they made 1969 a complete Japanese album — jazzy, bluesy and flavorful music.
Apparently they were all on tour and had a gig at The Royal Albert Hall [1] — which is HUGE for a Japanese star the caliber of Saori Yuki. Sadly, I can’t find any complete/good clip online where all of them are featured, so this extract of Blue Light Yokohama [MV] might do.
Or this version of Puff, the Magic Dragon~
Listen to the album on Xiami. Get the album as a CD or as MP3s on Amazon.
I still can’t believe Salyu’s album didn’t make your list. And I thought you’d have at least one Hong Kong/Taiwan album in your list, but all your spots are taken by Mainland singers.
Also how do you feel Oh Land? Her discography isn’t like the ones you mention… this is supposed to be her 2nd album, so maybe she has more-than-one-album staying power.
@ghost, like I say. At the moment, I love Oh Land’s album to put on while working. But then again, that’s exactly what happened to me with The Ting Tings, and I mean it like the WHOLE album not just That’s Not my Name. I thought they were the shit, and now I barely listen to the album.
Same with Lily Allen. I thought that was the funniest album ever, now I barely listen to it. I have fond memories of it.
I have a lot of “debut albums” in my collection and they stay as lone albums because I just don’t like the other albums.
About Salyu, I liked about half the album – but then again, I was really hyped for it. I can’t wait to get the Live concert DVD though – it looks amazing. And she also has a new album coming out – both around my birthday, so I hope the Yen settles at a better price by then.
2 cellos remind me of Apocalyptica, their music videos may not be that good, but I love them. I believe is a little bit more extreme since they also do symphonic metal.