Guest Post: Top Five Anime Openings of 2011

Today, I have enlisted the help of my friend Sarah, amazing manga and anime blogger and reviewer to do a post for me because I'm a bad anime fan and haven't been keeping up with the new wave of shows. Trust me, this girl knows her stuff! But because I'm a bully, I made her focus on the musical side of anime (this is a music blog, ya know!), and she's produced a list of the best anime openings of the year.

Oh, 2011. You turned out to be a very uneven year for anime in terms of quality, especially in the winter season; I'm still gagging on what little of Guilty Crown I forced myself to watch. And the less said about Fractale, the better for everyone. But what you lacked in quality series you made up for in quality music. Some of the best opening sequences I've seen in the last couple of years premiered this year - and yes, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica is on this list, did you have any doubt in your mind it wouldn't?

Note: These videos are all hosted on YouTube, which means that in an effort to avoid anime companies shutting down their accounts, some users will actually flip the video as a means of protecting themselves against being served with legal papers. So if some of the videos seem literally backwards, that's why. Sorry for the inconvenience!

First Listen: Nadia Oh - Fqn Amazing

Oh, Nadia, how you always own my heart. This time is no different. Nadia Oh, Space Cowboy's main project, has never been one to disappoint. Lately, she has been taking advantage of viral marketing and has made her music available as it's ready on SoundCloud as opposed to waiting for an iTunes release. Much like Vampire Night, this new track is unbelievably sickening.

Nadia Oh 'Fqn Amazing' masterr by nadiaoh

The song breaks away from the almost Bollywood feeling of her past album and has adapted a new club bumping style. This song feels so distinctly different that I can only describe it as the jump from her debut album to "Colours". If you don't understand, just try and imagine her doing The Soopermodel to this track. Yeah.

This song was made for club play. It has a lot of club-track staples, and it just makes you want to move. I can't help but do a few (really bad) moves while listening to the song for this mini-review. It keeps her usual speak-rap style, but it also has her singing in a few spots. The vocals sound a bit over-processed during the singing parts, but given her style and overall lack of seriousness (I mean really? Who wears a sweater to a rave party?) I think this can be overlooked.

The song is in the same vein as "Telephone" by Gaga, but takes a much more positive approach. Instead of ignoring her boyfriend like a jerk, she is gonna take pictures and text him everything so that he feels like he was there. She's quite certain that her night is going to be "fqn" amazing -- Speaking of which, I wonder if the fact that she technically isn't saying the f-bomb that she could get past the censors.

The song literally just hit the net, "about six hours ago" according to SoundCloud, and coming in at around three and a half minutes, this song is the perfect length for a single. I can't say I would be disappointed in the least if this was the new Nadia single, but with this girl you never know. We will have to just keep listening and supporting her. Cheers to more music from this budding diva in the near future!

Song of the Week - Better Than I Know Myself

Ok, ok. So I kind of said last week I didn't like this song, but I also said it would probably grow on me. It has. Get over it. I'mma talk about Adam Lambert now.

As much as I detest shows like American Idol, every once in a while they produce some amazing talent. I don't pay much attention to the show because I believe that it's pretty much a karaoke competition, but nonetheless, once the top dogs release original material, I generally star paying attention. Adam Lambert was definitely one of these cases. Oh yeah, and he's really pretty.

This song is much less electro-pop than what people have come to expect from this established pop star. His wailing vocals get the emotions of the lyrics across very well, clinging to that last desperation of holding on to the one who he loves most of all. Overall, the song is very sweet, and it has a very strong story and message behind it, making it relatable to a large audience. I really hope his upcoming album explodes, because if the rest of the tracks are anything like this, it's going to be one of the best of 2012.

You can buy the track on iTunes. If you don't it means you are a douche. Just sayin'.

Merry Christmas Via Pandora Boxx

So I'm lazy and it's Christmas... and I ate too much. So to make up for the lack of holiday spirit, I'll post a video by the lovely Pandora Boxx as she channels her best Carol Channing to bring you this hilarious and festive video describing the exact present she wants. Enjoy.

2011 Universal Conquest Award Winners

Welcome one and all to the reveal of the winners for the first annual Universal Conquest Awards. This is my attempt to give the new guys, or maybe just the ones who haven't had enough attention, a bit of recognition. The music industry is a cold and cruel place. I hope that through these virtual awards, I can give recognition to those who I believe are not only doing it right but also doing it well.

Top Five Pop Divas I Would (Probably) Go Straight For (Maybe)

The time has come again for yet another pointless top five list from your favorite blogger. In case you haven't gathered this yet, I am gay as hell. I can hit on male artists all day long, but it's rare that I hit on the ladies. I feel I am comfortable enough in my sexuality to make a list of the top five hotties of pop. Plus, it's way more interesting than a top five hot guys of pop (it would be five entries of Space Cowboy).

5. Nadia Oh

Speaking of Spacey, anyone notice how hot his protege is? I have been a fan of Nadia since she started releasing music. I remember the insane rumors about her being a computer generated image (and looking back at some of the early press shots of her, I don't blame people) but lately, she has proved them all wrong by releasing a video for almost every song she's ever recorded ever. Joking aside, I really do think this lady is very attractive, and her Miss Kittin-esque music only helps further her as a standout in my mind. Keep werkin it, sexy bitch.

Hyper Crush Confirms Night Wave

After announcing the new album a while back, no other solid news has come around about the album. Earlier today, the group has finally announced a release date for "Night Wave", and even given us a glimpse into what the album is going to be like. Oh and there's this album cover here.

As if I didn't have enough of a crush on Preston already? And he wears a Misfits shirt for the photoshoot? Dear lord this man wants me to obsess over him, doesn't he? All joking aside, it is very nice to finally see the trio on the cover of one of their works as opposed to asses or Obama (I think). They are actually pretty attractive, and its good to get to know them, especially now that they are growing wildly in popularity.

The release date for the album is February 7, making the first quarter of 2012 an orgasm for the ears, especially since other amazing dance-pop acts are releasing material at this time. You can pre-order the album on iTunes, where in you will notice the tracklisting as well. The songs are as follows:

Werk Me
Chrome Pipes
Bad Boyz
Fingers Up
Cheap Thrills
Wtf
What Goes Up
Maniac
Chead
Flip The Switch
The Foundation

Missing from the list is a song called "Acid House" that is apparently a fan favorite from the live performances. No word yet on why it has been left out. Sadly, you cannot preview the tracks on iTunes for the pre-order, but knowing Hyper Crush, we will be getting a taste of what the album will be like very soon.