UPDATE: (7/14/11) For reasons I won't state here, I'm deleting "Turn my Lambs" from my account. But wait! There's a new version coming out tomorrow! Stay tuned!

UPDATE: (3/22/11) Ohhh boy. I think classes work sports officially slammed me in the face. Not really sure when the next chap of Sauces will be finished. If I get a really stimulating review I might just find the inspiration to post the chapter ASAP...;)

UPDATE: (2/22/11) Yes, I am on a roll! Chapter 2 (technically the first measly chap was a prologue) for "Sauces" definitely by this Friday.

UPDATE: (2/14/11) Happy V-day everyone! I will post Chap 1 for "Sauces" by Sunday/Monday. I WILL.

UPDATE: (2/12/11) I'm BACK!!! Sorry, writer's block is preventing me from getting anywhere on my previous fics. So I'm hopping ship and starting a new one XD *Dodges kunai and shuriken* But in all seriousness, I will go back and add a new chapter to UTTS and TML when I get out of this funk.

UPDATE: (6/7/10) Regarding Turn, My Lambs: So classes ended a while ago. And where have my plot bunnies gone? Ahh. Unfortunately, I had a case of rabid fangirlism and bit one in the butt when it refused to produce any sasunaru goodness. So now my plot bunnies refuse to come near me out of sheer terror. Carrots don't help either.

Something new...

Thought I might post something interesting or relatively unknown for you anonymous readers. ;-)

Cliche Yaoi

...or not. Here are some beautifully crafted works that have not received the attention they deserve.

Negai Kanae Tamae by Nishida Higashi: A story of a piano player who gets entangled with a yakuza man. Their relationship is so multilayered, and I was absolutely riveted the entire way through. For those people who like their gay men incredibly feminine, the art may be a bit of a turn-off. But the style of art will lend a certain charm to the story as the plot develops.

Tenshi no Uta by Nishida Higashi: A doctor meets a volatile composer through his young son. One of my absolute favorites. The dynamics of the father-son relationship and the friendship-borderlining-romance between the composer and doctor are unique and well-crafted.

Coponicus no Kokyuu: http:///manga/coponicus_no_kokyuu/

My favorite yaoi by far. It is a story of a circus performer in 1970's France. The painstaking detail, the flowing, expressive poetry of the author's words, all come together to craft an allegory of - well, life. We all are circus performers, trapped in the gaudiness and underlying corruption of today's society.

A passage:

"Copernicus breathes. The brave fool who advanced the movement of the earth developed a magnificent idea, was regarded as insane, and then died.

"Copernicus breathes. The rhythm of Copernicus' breath turns the worm-eaten tent into a starlit-sky. Turn. Turn. Turn. The stars turn. I fly. In accordance with Copernicus' breath, I fly freely through Copernicus' starlit sky. Eventually I break off from the swing, and become a constellation. I become Copernicus' constellation."

My new muse: Stefon, the fabulously gay city correspondent from SNL.

http:///watch/144710/saturday-night-live-update-stefon

http:///watch/200104/saturday-night-live-weekend-update-stefon

http:///watch/149656/saturday-night-live-update-stefon

NEW V-DAY SKIT: http:///watch/215175/saturday-night-live-weekend-update-stefon#s-p1-sr-i3

http:///stefon-snl-weekend-update-bill-hader-as-stefon-october-23-video/

oooOooo

"I don't know how to say this, buddy, but I was brought up to respect people from all walks of life."

"Tolerance."

"Yeah. And I'm glad you have a world you feel comfortable in."

"Dungeon culture, yes."

oooOooo

"DJ Baby Bok Choy: a giant 300-pound Chinese baby who wears tinted aviator glasses and spins records with his little ravioli hands.”

oooOooo

"And just when you think the fun is over - knock, knock, who's there? It's black George Washington!"

oooOooo

Stefon's version of the Twelve Days of Christmas:

» 12 jacked albinos.
» 11 Little Richards.
» 10 pierce-eared babies.
» 9 Asian Balkys.
» 8 gay Aladdins.
» 7 psychos swearing.
» 6 Puerto Screeches (Puerto Rican Screeches).
» 5 homeless Elmos.
» 4 coked-up frogs.
» 3 French hens.
» Taylor Negron.
» And a human parking coooone. (“You know its that thing of when two jacked midgets paint themselves orange and you have to parallel park between them.”)

I've decided to post a new Japanese rock band every once in a while on my profile for people who like to take a leap of faith and fall in love with new music.

I avoid any form of trite or recycled music. I also try to post the subbed PVs, because...well, this is a literary website. I hope I'm not the only one in this crowd who wants to share beautiful poetry when I see it.

9mm Parabellum Bullet

I'm not sure how well known this band is, but their music has an electric appeal to it. Their rhythms are fast and unrelenting, and if you ever see them live their performances are equally as explosive as their music. Supernova and The Revolutionary are must-listens.

Supernova PV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Ow62nzz0g

The Revolutionary PV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbdPjFsSI28

Other great songs:

TVのシンガー

Cold Edge

Lovecall from the World

Discommunication

Wanderland

Dir en Grey

Ok, this band is officially rising up on my "top bands" list. I've unfortunately been deprived of their music for a ridiculously long time. I've heard that the reception to this band is remarkably polarized: you either worship them, or hope they will burn painfully in hell. Sure they can produce demonic, nightmare-inducing music (and lyrics), but some songs are just pure genius. Kyo, the lead singer, is one of the main reasons why I listen to their work. His voice is extremely versatile, ranging from mellow crooning to grating screams of agony. I respect him because his lyrics force out the darker aspects of society that people always seem to avoid, such as rape, abortion, or suicide (don't let that scare you away before you actually listen to their music). Here are some of my favorite songs:

Vinushka (their magnum opus in my opinion - the song is about the bombing of Hiroshima, and this is Kyo's strongest lyrical piece yet. The powerful guitar riffs and Shinya's complex drumming add even more dimension and character to this epic.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdceudJz8jA&annotation_id=annotation_354797&feature=iv

Ain't Afraid to Die - a beautiful song accompanied by a beautiful music video. This is back in Dir en Grey's visual kei days, which might deter some people - thankfully, the eyeliner and flamboyant outfits were significantly toned down in this music video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1VqX8Z6DNs

Dozing Green - a great showcase of Kyo's versatile voice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCdtsBptawg

Namamekashiki ansoku, tamerai ni hohoemi unplugged (this is a ballad version of the original song, with only piano and Kyo's heartwrenching voice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-28POsQTKx4

Embryo - a song about rape and incest; the live version is incredibly haunting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w_bbeT9SVE

Kodou - something about this song is hypnotizing. Maybe it's the warped guitar, maybe it's Kyo's vocals, maybe it's the girl hanging by a rope in the back. O.o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HD1eVh1RJU

Glass Skin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWwfz_Wi4d0&feature=related

Pledge (live) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEhXadXdTmc&playnext=1&list=PL63A746E19F32651C

Lotus (newest song) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-ufE76lO7Y

So if Dir en Grey was a little too dark or depressing for you guys, here's a new band: UPLIFT SPICE. The frontwoman is...well, a woman. I usually feel like gagging when I hear hard-edged powerchords accompanied by the soprano voice of a woman who should be singing arias, but the vocalist of the band absolutely nails it. Her voice is unashamed of itself - fearless even.

OMEGA RHYTHM - I've never been able to find an english translation of this song, but according to an interview with the vocalist, the lyrics deal with feeling powerless. You'll hear certain English references to war, genocide, and revolution interspersed in the song, which is quite fitting with the almost desperate rhythm of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lkoj9dKPBM

JUSTICE: their newest song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNTFh9sl0N8

Niji no Fumoto http:///view/?fid=Huyw8yNLNWukJIRu6Q3G

Kanojo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPHpkiJmiJ0&feature=related

Aaand if the last artist's music was a little too hyper or perky for you, I introduce...

Fujifabric

This band ranks pretty high on my favorites list. Fujifabric fuses electronica with rock, and all the band members are incredibly talented. Check out Daisuke Kanazawa rocking out on his electric keyboard!

Ginga (Galaxy): you will have "dun dun dun du-duh du-duh dun dun" running through your head for the rest of the day. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtoKKUMUj2Q

Sakura no Kisetsu - wonderful live. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfPA9Pp57n8

Aoi Tori: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcHKgccAVUQ

Niji (Rainbow) - this is an extended version of the song. Check out part 2 for Daisuke's piano solo at about 2:00.

PART 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eer7RUDT5tA&feature=related

PART 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4vx1Pn9hjc

環状七号線 - funky music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu1R8Clq608

Surfer King: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfZNw0-S5B8

Yoake no Beat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MScu-YH6fs

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet!! The biggest underground name in indie music: Eastern Youth. If there is any band that is entirely unashamed of itself, it is Eastern Youth. First off, they are all skinheads. There's no pretentious prancing on stage. Second of all, the frontman sings his heart out. There's no audiotuning. It's all raw emotion. I cried the first time I heard Daybreak Song. My friend who speaks Japanese says that their lyrics are pure poetry.

Daybreak Song - the message is simple, the lyrics are simple. But simplicity, when used in the right way, lends a tremendous power to words. I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to the emotions that just seem to fill the singer up to the bursting point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgbaYELTzDM

Tokyo Clear Zero Degrees Celsius - one of my favorite songs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8n0_0Z627M&feature=related

Kakato Naru - this is another extremely powerful song that gets better with each listen. I always get this feeling that the vocalist's voice is battling with the rapid instrumentals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA_FeWufKbk&feature=related

Quruli (くるり)

This band makes use of a wide variety of styles. From electronica, punk, jazz, to power rock, it's not too hard to find the music for the mood. I've got a few songs that I listen to at least twice a week: Bara no Hana, Tokyo, and Highway are the top on my list.

Bara no Hana: favorite song by Quruli ever. The simple piano pattern in the beginning never fails to send chills of pleasure down my back.

http:///video/x8con_quruli-bara-no-hana_music

Tokyo: an ode to the lively city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmJgmbPWnTA&feature=related

Highway: great song, amusing PV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNQk_bnt_E4

Rin Toshite Shigure

This band is incredibly unique. I hate to categorize music but if you really want to know, they play post-hardcore/progressive rock. The singer sings in a characteristic strained voice, which is the perfect complement to the desperate, fast-paced instrumentals. The rhythms are complex - check out "Telecastic Fake Show" for some wicked drum beats, and J-Pop X-File for a great showcase of all the band members' talents. And there's a female bass player/occasional singer - score one for the ladies!

All-time Favorites:

Shandy - http:///audio/KsxWIDor/Rin_Toshite_Shigure_-_Shandy.html

Telecastic Fake Show - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQHM2dTQX8E

A 7days Wonder - http:///audio/DwyH4TQw/Rin_Toshite_Shigure_-_a_7days_.html

J-Pop X File - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_R22qeKrf0

Disco Flight - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Od22NonzZOk&feature=related

Number Girl

Along with Eastern Youth, this is one of the biggest indie names in Japan. If you were to ask me I have a preference for Eastern Youth, but that doesn't make this band any less awesome. ;-) The overall appearance of this band may be a little peculiar at first sight, especially the frontman, who looks like a businessman who just ran out of his job. But my favorite band member has to be the guitarist, Hisako, who is known for "raping" her guitar (AKA delivering wicked guitar solos). Strangely enough she is one of the most modest women I've seen in interviews.

Some of my favorites:

鉄風 鋭くなって - The bass in the beginning is so catchy. This song is funky and the vocalist's commanding voice gets stuck in your head quite easily. I believe the PV also helps bring out the unprocessed, aggressive style that Number Girl is so well known for. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyZJqH8l0e8&feature=related

Urban Guitar Sayonara: The song is so multilayered - you'll hear Oriental melodies all throughout, and Inazawa's complex drumming switches up every so often to lend the song an unconventional style. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iigHbNW_WsU

Num-Ami-Dabutz: Here you'll find the vocalist "rapping" rhythmically to syncopated drum beats (wearing a fox mask) and Hisako making her guitar scream like no other. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=511XG_l36bM&feature=related

Asian Kung-fu Generation

I know, I know, you've heard Haruka Kanata and After Dark so many times it's not even funny anymore. But don't stop there! Ajikan is one of my favorite bands EVER. Sure, their music isn't too complex, but the simplicity of their songs is what makes the band a pleasure to listen to. Their lyrics are also incredibly powerful - they describe LIFE, not just the sex/drugs/anger/depression aspect of it.

Tightrope: one of their most beautiful songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmuIJnyLF-0

Kimi to Iu Hana: You might have heard this song somewhere before. It's definitely one of their oldest and most well known songs, and for a good reason. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHJ4wDrsZyU

[Re:Re] One of Ajikan's most well-known songs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QssrcuW76AM

Loop and Loop: God, I love this song. Although the PV isn't subbed, you can get the basic feel of the song - it's about growing up and breaking through society's oppressive ideals to find your own path. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbYiVkksPaU

Senseless: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iINsqOykxWQ&feature=related

Siren: This song took me a while to get used to, but now it is one of my favorite songs by the band. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hubjEwxU9-Y&feature=related

Fujisawa Loser: Favorite PV EVER!! You can get a basic idea of the lyrics without a translation - the man has to decide between following a competitive businessman lifestyle or pursuing a risky music career. Clearly, both have their downsides. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmBuZQTen9U

Mugen Glider: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spuocjht_8E&feature=related

Blue Train: My friend, who plays drums, is always baffled when he hears the complex drumming in the song. And I am baffled whenever I hear the song because I always visualize exactly what the title indicates - a "blue train." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My3fSJfLFvU&feature=related

Mustang: This song is so nostalgic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kb8QurupBE&feature=related

Shinseiki no Love Song: By far one of my most favorite songs lyricwise. I wish I could find the subbed version of this song! Basically it urges people to stop dwelling in the past and look to the new century (shinseiki). At about 2:30 the song picks up pace and you can practically feel the tension in the instrumentals and vocals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62nG5vXCe_U

The Novembers

I don't think I've heard a single disappointing song from this band. Their melodies are sweet, although dark, and the singer's unique voice coos and grates throughout. Dnim, Marble (not listed below), she lab luck, and こわれる are must listens.

Dnim - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0JIZaedn-0

こわれる - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzZz9f7Wve8&feature=relmfu

She lab luck - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jytnSqWGESc

Misstopia - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mStdR4BujZQ

Dysphoria - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9aKksX7BWA&feature=related

Paradise - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMkL94ZWqhc&feature=related

Download their albums here: http:///2009/03/novembers.html

(I recommend their self titled 2007 album to begin with)

RANDOM SHUFFLE

I have a hodge-podge of songs from various artists, for those who like to be introduced to random new bands. This section will probably stay at the bottom of my entire list so that I can gradually build up a good sized list.

Sakanaction: Aruku Around http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS6wzjpCvec

Art-School: Evil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6My9HJ_Wkc

Bluebeard: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ub-xrV-nAw

STRAIGHTENER: Man-like Creatures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MizLOlo9qkI

STRAIGHTENER: Lightning http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADAaN3KNiRk

The Twenties: Sunday http:///audio/XNMCQRNY/13_Sunday.html

Shinku-Horou: Parade of Closure (終幕のパレード) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdpmrIbegds&feature=channel_video_title

Mean Machine: Suuhaa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeSOq8gEeXM (Don't ask. Women breaking gender roles FOR THE WIN.)

Yura Yura Teikoku: Hakkoutai http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duHl8uMBB8k

Ogre You Asshole: Coin Laundry http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AxzJM_sQCQ