Mr Skunk's fantastical music thread!

[mr skunk]

Title:"Chiyoko's Theme Mode-1"
Composer: Susumu Hirasawa
Album: Millennium Actress Original Soundtrack

I don't know if I would exactly classify this as instrumental, because there are voices of sorts in it. It's more like background music. But anyway, it was this song that had me searching for the MA OST. This song is so beautiful. It mixes traditional Japanese instruments and loud drumming to create a magical feeling. Susumu Hirasawa is right up there on my list of favorite composers. He/she does the music for all of Satoshi Kon's movies (and TV shows, if you've ever seen Paranoia Agent...) This is Satoshi Kon's BEST movie and BEST music to go along with it. The whole soundtrack is worth it. It's slightly strange, as most of Hirasawa's music is, but has an underlying beauty. Wonderful song, and worth a download.

Download "Chiyoko's Theme Mode-1" http://rapidshare.de/files/24739179/02_Chiyoko_s_Theme_Mode-1.mp3.html

[Latu]

When I looked at the picture the Paranoia agent theme song came into my head. I'll upload the Paranoia Agent theme song later.

[Kimba]

When I looked at the picture the Paranoia agent theme song came into my head. I'll upload the Paranoia Agent theme song later.

God, that show was so dark, yet the ending theme was so trippy.

[mr skunk]

(sigh) I'm dissapointed in the small amount of downloads "Cloe" and "Jump up behind me" recieved. Only 2 each! C'mon people, you can do better than that. It doesn't take too long to download something. Plus, I greatly urge you to try these songs. I really think you'll like them. Just because they're different doesn't make them bad.

[DrFrag]

Rapidshare doesn't work for me, it always says the sessions are invalid. So I'm using EMule, but it's a lot slower. I'm still trying to get the James Taylor one and I'm in a queue.

The Jazz Man one was okay, but I prefer lounge jazz (I think that's what it's called) rather than blues. I know the second half was more upbeat, but Yeardley Smith's voice grates on me when she's singing.

[LynnyM]

Chiyoko's theme -

Beautiful, and just the sort of thing I love to listen to. I'm a sucker for a good instrumental, and you know that as well as anyone, Skunk...what with all my video game music and celtic nonsensery.

This was GOOD, really good...it both relaxed me and made me feel like I needed to hide under my bed covers.

But one question: I don't hear many, if any traditional Japanese instruments. I want to say that I hear pizzicato strings, strings, and a harp, but maybe that's not a harp? Eh...as if I would know.

I'm so cool. I used the gourd-man to illustrate my silliness.

I still feel the message, though. No worries.

On a related note, there is an album that I absoloutly love called Water Spirits that is composed of four very long tracks resulting from the combined free-association of two artists and their Koto, Shamisen (sp) and Sakuhachi (sp) skills. I do believe you would love it, but the songs are upwards of 20 minutes long each. If you'd like some samples, I would be happy to give you a listen. They are indescribably beautiful, not unlike this current song.

[mr skunk]

Title:"Pretty Me"
Artist: Imago
Album: Probably Not, But Most Definitely

Imago is a Filipino band specializing in Folk/Rock. Their songs mix traditional cultural instruments with pop and folk influence to create something utterly addictive. I first discovered Imago maybe three years ago by accidentaly stumbling across one of their songs. Ever since I've been trying to get as much as I can. I can't get enough of these guys. The lead singer is a woman whose fluent in her native language AND English. A good amount of their songs are in English, and are beautifully writen.

"Pretty Me" is currently my favorite song by them. It's fast paced but I wouldn't say it's happy or upbeat. Imago is prone to make very emotional songs, and just because this song isn't a ballad doesn't make it any less emotional. This particular song is in English. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Download "Pretty Me" http://rapidshare.de/files/24832708/Imago_-_Pretty_Me.mp3.html

[mr skunk]

Title:"Twenty Thousand Hearts"
Artist: Eddie from Ohio
Album: Looking Out the Fish Bowl

Eddie from Ohio specializes in acoustic folk/rock. I enjoyed some samples I heard awhile back and went searching for some of their music. Their music is good in the sense that it has a lot of variety. They're able to do ballad-folk and then go all the way to swinging jazz. Because of this, I feel they can become a favorite to anyone, no matter what style you like.

This song is a favorite of mine for a few reasons. For starters, the lyrics are amazing. I've never heard another song that tells such a strange story yet makes it so heart wrenching. Second is the guitar playing. The music feels lost and sad, an absolute perfect mix to go along with the lyrics. What I enjoy is the fact that the words are not cliche in the least. They talk about a loved one, but with lyrics that are different from most and completely original.

It took me awhile to apreciate this song, but now it has become an eternal classic for me that will never be over-shadowed. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Download "Twenty Thousand Hearts" http://rapidshare.de/files/24931488/Eddie_From_Ohio_-_Twenty_Thousand_Hearts.mp3.html

[mr skunk]

No download today. In fact, no downloads until people start commenting again. Uh uh! Don't give me that look.

[LynnyM]

Twenty-Thousand Hearts:

I think this is the best song posted yet. In all honesty I didn't really like "Pretty Me"; I'm not sure why, but it just didn't speak to me as much as it should have. THIS, however, is pretty awesome...last night I listened to it upwards of 5 or 6 times.

It is a very good brother-sister song, as you mentioned. It can also be very romantic, or just fitting for any kind of relationship where one person relies on another.

I found it good for roughly 7,000 Black Jack situations.

But you know me...everything is fan-something. A beautiful song, and I think the best on this list so far.