It looks like Round Table is at it again with a new album after their single, Koi wo Shiteru. I haven’t really been watching anime so I haven’t been picking up on their anime OP/ED or anything. I guess they did the one for Yozakura Quartet.

It feels like Round Table is sorta running into that Ali Project thing where all their songs are starting to sound the same. It’s not as bad, but I think they have a couple of song “templates” that all run into each other. I’m listening to the album right now and it’s like, “did I accidentally switch to April?” For example, “Atashi Datte Onaji Koto Omotte” sounds like “symphony,” which also sounds like “Stay With Me” which also sounds like “Where is Love.” Some parts of “Nagareboshi” sound copied and pasted from “puzzle!” Seriously.

I’m not sure what the solution is here, since you can’t just ask Round Table to stop sounding like Round Table (and Nino). Maybe they just need some new blood? Round Table Feat. Nino and X?

My favorite J-pop-ish group (featuring Nino) is back with a single called “Koi Wo Shiteru.” For a while I thought they had died since their last album was out in August 2006!

So Koi Wo Shiteru is just a short single with three songs and two karaoke versions. Here’s my take on the new songs:

1. Koi Wo Shiteru:

So this song is definitely in Round Table’s “disco” style of playing. I don’t typically like their disco-ish songs. Another example of a similar song is “Dancin’ All Night.” A few extra listens to this song and it’s sorta grown on me though, I guess. The hook is pretty good. I guess my problem with this track is that it’s a little too “pure” in its disco sound. A lot of Round Table songs are more fusion-y. Not really so with this one. It’s also kind of super repetitive.

2. Symphony:

Symphony is in the Round Table genre of “R&B.” You know, with the clapping percussion and stuff. This one kinda reminds me of Rainbow. Unfortunately I’m not a huge fan of the Round Table R&B genre, either.

3. mono:

This one’s pretty neat. It’s got acoustic guitar and shakers! Nino also does her Nino voice stuff in this song pretty well. You know, the stuff that Nino does. With her voice. This is apparently a demo version, so I’m looking forward to the produced version!

So all in all, kind of a disappointing release. I prefer the Round Table driving rock genre (like, Beautiful or Sunny Side Hill), personally. Hopefully the full album arrives with the type of song I like from Round Table (feat. Nino). Isn’t it about time they just incorporate her into the band?

I also heard this song from Round Table (without Nino) on Nico Nico Douga called “Every Every Every” that was pretty sweet (and in the driving rock style I mentioned earlier, actually). Round Table seems to do well without Nino, so I could probably pick up a few of their old albums if I get tired of waiting for them to release new ones…

For the past few months, I’ve been wondering when the heck they’re going to release the single for the Lovely Complex anime OP. Sure, the ED has been out for about a month and a half, but why doesn’t the OP get some love? Then I realized the OP was also on the ED single. Oops.

So I figured I’d transcribe and translate the song, since I really like it. Hey, it’s Japanese ska! This one was kind of easy, since the Japanese lyrics are actually included in the OP on the bottom of the screen. I only had to figure out a few of the lyrics in the extended version.

As usual, my translations might be a loose or wrong, or both, so take these with a grain of salt. If you have any suggestions or comments, please let leave a comment below. Anyway, here we go!

Lyrics in Kanji and Hiragana:
君の事どう思うか？　ってさ
「別に嫌いじゃない」なんて言ったら
もしかして泣いてる？　あらっ
かわいいかもしれない

走り去ろうとした　てを握ったら
胸の奥のなにか　きゅうに騒ぎ出した

恋愛の教科書が　あればいいな
わからない問題が　ありすぎて
恋愛の先生が　いればいいな
キミ＋ボク＝ラブ　になりますか？

好きな子はいないのか？ってさ
「明るい子がいいな？」　なんて言ったら
いっぱいの笑顔で、あらっ
眩しいかもしれない

目を閉じる旅　キミが浮かんで
胸の奥でなにが　もっと騒ぎ出した

恋愛の教科書があればいいな
人一倍どんかんなボクだから、
恋愛の先生が　いればいいな
１＋１＝ラブになるかな？

恋愛の教科書が　あればいいな
わからない問題が　ありすぎて
恋愛の先生が　いればいいな
キミ＋ボク＝ラブ　になるかな？

恋愛の教科書があればいいな
人一倍どんかんなボクだから、
恋愛の先生が　いればいいな
１＋１＝ラブになるかな？
キミ＋ボク＝ラブ　になりますか？

Lyrics in Romaji:
kimi no koto dou omouka? tte sa
betsu ni kirai ja nai nante ittara
moshikashite naiteru? ara
kawaii kamoshirenai

hashiri sarou toshita te wo nigittara
mune no oku no nanika kyuu ni sawaru dashita

rennai no kyoukasho ga areba ii na
wakaranai mondai ga arisugite
rennai no sensei ga ireba ii na
kimi + boku = love ni narimasuka?

suki na ko wa inai no ka? tte sa
akarui ko ga ii na? nante ittara
ippai no egao de, ara
mabushii kamoshirenai

me wo tojiru tabi kimi ga ukande
mune no oku de nanika motto sawagi dashita

rennai no kyoukasho ga areba iina
hitoichibai donkan na boku dakara
rennai no sensei ga ireba iina
1 + 1 = love ni naru kana?

rennai no kyoukasho ga areba iina
wakaranai mondai ga arisugite
rennai no sensei ga ireba ii na
kimi + boku = love ni naru kana?

rennai no kyoukasho ga areba iina
hitoichibai donkan na boku dakara
rennai no sensei ga ireba iina
1 + 1 = love ni naru kana?
kimi + boku = love ni narimasuka?

Lyrics in English (Translation by Hung):
What do I think about you, you ask?
I’d say, “I don’t hate you or anything”
Hey, have you been crying? Umm…
I guess you can be kind of cute.

As you begin to run away, I grab your hand
and there’s a sudden stirring in my heart

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a textbook on love?
There are so many problems that I don’t understand.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a love teacher?
Does You + Me = Love?

“Is there a girl you like?” you ask
I’d say “Cheerful girls are nice, right?”
And with big smiles, oh,
You could be dazzling too.

In my mind’s eye, you come to mind
and again my heart begins to stir

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a textbook on love?
Because I’m a lot more dense than most people.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a love teacher?
Doesn’t 1 + 1 = Love?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a textbook on love?
There are so many problems that I don’t understand.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a love teacher?
Could You + Me = Love?

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a textbook on love?
Because I’m a lot more dense than most people.
Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a love teacher?
Doesn’t 1 + 1 = Love?
Couldn’t You + Me = Love?

The emo violin adventures continue in VS. Versus Vol. 2! Now with twice the emo!

Story:
After saving his sister from their abusive father, Reiji has fallen into a slump. Without his sister around, he has no will to play violin. His teacher Mitsuko tries getting him to relax, but when he returns to the contest, there’s already a replacement for him.

Wacky hijinks ensue when the replacement has Reiji kidnapped so he can compete in the contest. Unfortunately for Reiji, he’s disqualified for being late, though he’s allowed to stay in school for the time being. Finally, Reiji is ordered by Mitsuko to pick up one of her new students. A piano prodigy turned violinist who happens to be his next rival!

Analysis:
Seriously, this manga is soooo emo. Everything that Reiji does is slathered in whining and self pity. He must listen to a lot of Weezer or something. It gets to the point that I’m starting to get pissed off at him as a character.

I’m a musician. While it’s true that I’ve never competed at the level that these violinists are supposed to, the situations all seem so exaggerated. I’m sure there’s a lot of pressure to perform at such a high level, but I really don’t want to hear a kid whine about playing a musical instrument. Lighten up! This is the exact reason that I like Nodame Cantabile a lot more than VS. Versus. Nodame is really lighthearted; the way music should be. VS. Versus is total drama queen material.

As far as the plot went, there’s some hints that Reiji and Mitsuko are romantically involved, but it still seems a really long way away. Perhaps someday.

The Actual Book:
I just wanted to point out that I noticed a TON spelling mistakes in this volume. Spelling mistakes piss me off! Example: “I’d always hopped for a chance to meet you, sensei.” or “If I don’t pactice, there’s no way I can win!” Does CMX even have a copy editor!?

Conclusion:
I enjoy comedy over drama. VS. Versus has a ton of drama and a small amount of drama. It’s like the opposite of Nodame Cantabile. While I sort of enjoyed reading this volume in a mocking kind of way, it didn’t really do much for me. Nothing against the actual manga, it’s just not my style.

Many thanks to CMX Manga for sending me a review copy of VS. Versus Volume 2!

I haven’t bought this single or anything, but I felt the need to post this simply because the cover art is freaking awesome. It’s got the Suemith guy in a mirror image with Nodame doing the weird Nodame face! I wanna commission someone to draw a picture of me and Nodame too! And maybe throw in Stevie Nicks as well!

I actually wish I played piano so I could make weird faces while I play, like Nodame! It’s not really possible to play trumpet and make weird faces at the same time (not the same kind, at least), though I do play on the side with a weird embouchure, so maybe that counts.

I may end up buying this single just for the album art. I just ordered the second volume of the Nodame Cantabile manga from Amazon, too. But buying domestic stuff sure is easier (and cheaper) than importing…

The single for Nodame Cantabile anime ED song, Konna ni Chikaku de, is out! I really enjoyed watching the PV, and before this single came out I was forced to play the PV to listen to it.

Right now I have the titular song, Konna ni Chikaku de running on infinite repeat. It’s really freaking good! Plus Crystal Kay is pretty cute. Apparently she’s bilingual in English and Japanese, though she’s actually African American/Korean. Which means her English lines in her songs turn out pretty smooth and not Engrishy.

I tried writing down all the lyrics and translating them to improve my Japanese listening and translating skills. For lyrics I wasn’t sure about, I got help from either Memento’s post or this other one. The translation itself was totally done by me though. I don’t know if that’s something to brag about…

After reading my translation, I like the song even more! Well, that’s if the translation is accurate at all. I’m sure everyone’s felt the way that the singer does at one point in their life. The song really does a good job of showing how Nodame feels, without the use of her weird language (gyabo!).

I think I did a somewhat okay job of translating, but if you see any mistakes or have any suggestions, please let me know! I want to improve so I can eventually read Japanese without a dictionary or other aids.

In Kanji and Hiragana:
恋が切ないと直ぐ傍で気づいたあのよる
だって他の誰より貴方の事を知っているから
いつもの然リ気ない優しささえ
この胸をしめつけてく

こんなにこんなに近くで見つめても
どうしてどうしてただの友達なの
どんなにどんなに強く思っていても
伝えられない
You don’t understand
I’m so in love with you

元気ないよると貴方から言われた瞬間
涙此処すえ首で寝不足からで言い訳した
一番大切な人に嘘を重ねてく今の私

毎日毎日胸が苦しいから
幾つも幾つも眠れる夜を声
初めて初めて出会ったあの日々また
戻れるのならいいのに
I’m so in love with you

愛していると告げたいいいと
もう二度と笑顔には戻れないかも知れない
けれど友達の侭告げリはないは恋以上
私出来ないから

本当は本当はずっと好きだったの
何時でも何時でも愛し続けてたの
貴方に貴方に届けたいきもちを
青い空へと囁いた
I’m so in love with you

Romanji:　
koi ga setsunai to sugu soba de kizuita ano yoru
datte hoka no dare yori anata no koto wo shitteiru kara
itsumo no sarigenai yasashisa sae
kono mune wo shimetsuketeku

konna ni, konna ni, chikaku de mitsumete mo
doushite, doushite, tada no tomodachi na no
donna ni, donna ni, tsuyoku omotteitemo
tsutaerarenai
You don’t understand
I’m so in love with you

genki nai yoro to anata kara iwareta shunkan
namida koko sue kubi de nebusoku kara de iiwakeshita
ichiban taisetsu na hito ni uso wo kasaneteku ima no watashi

mainichi, mainichi, mune ga kurushii kara
ikutsu mo, ikutsu mo, nemureru yoru wo koe
hajimete, hajimete, deatta ano hibi mata
modoreru no nara ii no ni
I’m so in love with you

aishiteiru to tsugetai ii to
mou nido to egao ni ha modorenai kamoshirenai
keredo tomodachi no mama tsugeri wa nai wa koi ijou
watashi dekinai kara

hontou wa, hontou wa, zutto suki datta no
itsudemo, itsudemo, aishitsuzukete ta no
anata ni, anata ni, todoketai kimochi wo
aoi sora e to sasayaku
I’m so in love with you

English Translation: (by me, so there’s probably mistakes)
I realized that love was painful that night by your side
Because I know you better than anyone else
Your everyday kindness
Makes my heart ache

Just like this, I look at you from up close
But why, why are we only just friends?
No matter how strong my feelings are
I can’t convey it to you
You don’t understand
I’m so in love with you

It was a dull night the moment you said it
The tears that reached the tip of my neck were the reason I couldn’t sleep. (!?)
Right now I’m always lying to my most precious person

Everyday, everyday my heart aches
There are so many voices I hear when I sleep at night　(!?)
I’ve gone through so many, many sleepless nights
Ever since the first day we met by chance
If only we could return to that time
I’m so in love with you

It’d be nice to confess and love you
Is it impossible to go back to our smiling faces?
Although remaining as friends and not confessing might be better than love
Because I’m not able to do it anyway

Truly, truly I’ve always loved you
I always, always want to continue loving you
I want to send these feelings to you
I whisper them to the blue sky
I’m so in love with you

The karaoke contest deadline passed, was extended, and has passed again, so now it’s time to vote on the best entries! I received quite a bit of last minute entries, so I’m glad that I extended the deadline.

I’m really happy with all of the entries that were submitted. I had to double check some of the entries to make sure they were actually karaoke, and not the original (seriously!). Thanks to everyone who entered. You’re all winners in my book!

Without further ado, here are the entries for the 1st Annual Basugasubakuhatsu Karaoke Contest (in the order that they were received):

Artist: Shuichiro
Title: Life is Like a Boat

Anime: Bleach

Artist: Paul Chn
Title: Canvas

Anime: Eureka Seven

Artist: ProxyM
Title: Yubiwa

Anime: Escaflowne

Artist: kristalyamaki
Title: Start Line

Anime: Suzuka

Artist: SJ
Title: Fly Me to The Moon

Anime: Neon Genesis Evangelion

Artist: MrLostman
Title: Last Regrets

Anime: Kanon

Artist: Asuka
Title: Houki Boushi

Anime: Bleach

Artist: Kaika
Title: Hearts

Anime: Star Ocean EX

Artist: Ten
Title: Scarlet

Anime: Ayashi no Ceres

Artist: Atashi
Title: LoveLoveLove no Sei na no yo!

Anime: Lovedol ~Lovely Idol~

Artist: LianYL
Title: Brand New Reason

Anime: Innocent Venus

Artist: tj han
Title: Ichigo Complete

Anime: Ichigo Mashimaro

Artist: Sana Jisushi
Title: Moon Revenge

Anime: Sailor Moon

Artist: CalAggie
Title: Hanabi

Anime: Bleach

Artist: Omo
Title: Grand Blue

Anime: Tenshi na Konamaiki

Artist: Naddie
Title: Daichi no la-li-la

Anime: Scrapped Princess

Artist: Karin
Title: Yasashii Gogo

Anime: DNAngel

Artist: Langknow
Title: Aka no Seijaku

Anime: Shakugan no Shana

You can download all of the entries as a compressed rar, or get them via bittorrent. I have tons of bandwidth, but I figured I should try and do the bittorrent thing to conserve anyway.

SJ submitted a karaoke version of Fly Me To The Moon. While technically, the song was in an anime, I don’t really consider it an anime song in the spirit of this contest. He went to the trouble of entering though, so I’ll post it, but it won’t be in the running.

I tried linking to the websites of the entrants when I knew their urls. If you entered and you’d like a link to your website, email me and let me know so I can add a link to your blog or whatever.

Voting starts right now and ends at midnight on January 1st (or whenever I remember to end the voting), so vote early! The winners will be finalized and prizes will be sent!

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to record an entry. For the most part, the quality of the songs were above anything I had ever expected. Good luck to all the entrants!

Thanks to everyone who has entered! Keep the songs coming!

Edit: Although I got a lot of last minute entries, I’d still like a few more, so I’m extending the deadline to December 25th! Please let everyone you know about the contest!

Audacity is a free, open source audio editor. You can get it here.

Open up Audacity, and within audacity, open your karaoke sound file. I’m assuming you got the sound file legally. Please don’t ask where to download the karaoke files. Audacity should look something like this:

Next, we’ll set up Audacity to play the background track while simultaneously recording. Click on Edit-> Preferences. On the “Audio I/O” tab, click the check box that says “Play other tracks while recording new one.”

Next, return to the main window of Audacity. You’ll now be able to hear the background track while recording the new one. Just click on the big red record button, and sing along to the off vocal track. You should wear headphones or a headset microphone so that the music doesn’t feed back into the microphone.

Once you’re finished recording the awesome karaoke, you’ll need to export the file. Click on File-> Export As MP3.

If this is the first time you’ve exported an MP3 in Audacity, it will ask you for the lame_enc.dll file. You can download it here. Just save it somewhere safe and point Audacity to the file.

Audacity will write both tracks to one MP3 file. You can then share it with friends, family, whoever! You can even enter the Basugasubakuhatsu karaoke contest! Have fun!

Yep, that’s right. Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Basugasubakuhatsu Anime Blog. Over the course of one year, I’ve met (virtually) a lot of cool people, and learned a lot more about anime. I didn’t even know my tsunderes from my meganekkos a year ago!

Anyway, I wanted to mark the occasion by having a karaoke contest! Yeah, I know AnimeSuki just did one, but I read that a few people were regretting not entering that contest. Since I got a bunch of calendars that I won’t use from Broccoli Books, I figured I’d give ‘em away in a super cool karaoke contest!

I’ll be offering three of the four calendars that I got. The Samurai Champloo, DiGi Charat, and Juvenile Orion calendars from this post will be available. First place gets first pick, and so on. I’m guessing we’ll just have a giant contest where I’ll host the MP3s and it’ll just be a free for all vote.

Here’s the short list of rules:

• One entry per person. The song must be from an anime or video game. I guess live action dorama is okay too.
• One vote per person. I’ll just be using the normal wp-poll thing to keep track of votes, so vote for the best song!
• Email your entries (in mp3 form) to contest@basugasubakuhatsu.com. Maximum file size is 10MB.
• Entry deadline is Dec. 17. Voting will begin on December 18 and last until December 25.
• The winners will be contacted, and the calendars will be sent once all prizes have been chosen.
• I’ll pay for postage within the US or Canada. Anywhere else and I might have to ask you to help me pay for shipping. Like if shipping is worth more than the prize itself…
• Have fun!

Since I wouldn’t expect anyone to do anything that I wouldn’t, I made an entry myself. But I guess it’s in the rules that I can’t win… Oh well. Enjoy my heartful rendition of Anata ga Mori Ita.

If you don’t know how to record a karaoke song, I’ll try and have a “how-to” up shortly. Be sure to tell all your friends about the contest!