[XIA- TARANTALLEGRA] review!

FINALLY I am back with another review- AND A GOOD ONE! I wrote this several days back while taking a 4 hour flight, because if you didn't know- I moved! :) Anyways, please enjoy my rambling and maybe you will see Junsu's album in a new way. Oh btw- I refer to 'Xia' as  Junsu since (if you didn't know) that is his real name~ 

And I have to say ONE more thing. I am totally JYJ/TVXQ biased for the record. Junsu is not my ultimate bias, but I still love this guy to death. So my view may be slightly biased due to my extreme fangirl love... But I think this was pretty fair.

ON TO THE REVIEW.

[Track 1: Sunset]

This is the albums intro, it actually has no words, but is just music. I actually really like this intro, it's the same music you hear towards the beginning of the 'Tarantallegra' music video. It's very electronic but at the same time has some sort of like 'sneaking around' sort of quality. Not painful to listen to like certain genre's of music (coughdubstepcough)

[Track: 2: Tarantallegra ft. Flowsik]

I really don't like Junsu's beginning like "Uh this time c'mon c'mon HO!", it's... awkward. I do really like Flowsik's rapping at the beginning he's whole "WHAT MUSIC WILL YOU LISTEN TOO?" jam. Moving onto the chorus, it is very catchy and I like the meaning behind it, as well as the meaning of Tarantallegra. What, you don't know what Tarantallegra means? It's a spell from the book series 'Harry Potter' that causes you to dance uncontrollably. Interesting right? Oh Junsu being all artsy and...Junsu-y. Now I have to talk about my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PART OF THE SONG, around the 2:12 mark IT HAPPENS. The most like magical, soothing, creeping, "this-is-someone-whispering-to-you-in-your-sleep,but it's all okay", sound. You know that's your favorite part in the song too. It's just like angelic but with like this sort of like "whispering-to-you-while-you-sleep" feel. I don't know if you understand what I'm trying to say, but lets make it simple- THAT PART OF THE SONG IS THE BEST PART OF THE SONG AND YOU CAN'T DENY MY R SQAURED PI TO THAT PART OF THE SONG THANK YOU VERY MUCH. :) Now the rap that follows up this part (the first time it's sang) is equally epic. I usually don't really like rappers that are featured in songs, but Flowsik is an exception "move to the beat show me how much you want me", I think that line somehow explains the whole song. And I love the way he says it. But isn't that kinda the whole 'moral' of the song moving to the beat, and I guess showing how much you want Junsu? DON'T DENY IT. Now after saying all these wonderful things about this song- IT'S TIME TO GET REAL. I. HATE. THE. AUTOTUNE. IN. THIS. SO. MUCH. I WANT TO KNOW WHO DECIDED TO PUT AUTOTUNE ON JUNSU'S ANGEL VOICE SO I CAN KINDLY KICK THEM IN THE FACE. Okay maybe I won't do that, but I'll be judging them, a lot. WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?!?!? GIVE ME ONE GOOD REASON AS TO WHY YOU FEEL THE NEED TO PUT AUTOTUNE ON THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VOICE IN KPOP? It is an insult to Junsu to put autotune on his voice! He doesn't need it, cause last time I checked Junsu was not T-Pain. And after all of this, Tarantallegra is actually one of my least favorite songs on the album o.o"

[Track 3: Set Me Free ft. Bizzy]

Ehhh. This is a rapper I'm not a fan of. Junsu's pronunciation of "Set Me Free" is kinda awkward in my opinion, I'm also not a fan of all the English scattered throughout the duration of the song. Oh and-MORE AUTOTUNE/EFFECTS ON JUNSU'S VOICE!?! REALLY NOW? Totally not approving. I quite rarely listen to this song for a couple reasons (1) Not a fan of Bizzy's rapping- it's plain (2) AUTOTUNE D:< (3) I like slow paced songs (totallynotbiased). So that's all I have to say. It's just- meh.

[Track 4: No Gain]

FJDAKHGFJDFJAJFDLAKFHROAJFDA. Dear Jaejoong, you made up for all the horrible autotune I had to suffer through during the beginning of this album with this song. Well if you didn't know Jaejoong wrote the lyrics to this song, I THINK he composed it- but I'm not sure (will look up before posting this...hopefully). I love the lyrics. So beautiful. ; A ; And Junsu sounds like the Angel Xiah we all know and love~ <3 APPROVING. "BABY YOU KNOW I CAN'T FORGET", Junsu actually pronunces that really well :) Good job Susu~ And at the 2:40 mark this song takes a turn for the...EPIC! See this is why he's a God/Angel. "Baby Girlll~", atleast he isn't saying "gull". :)

[Track 5: 사랑이 싫다구요 (I don't like love)]

Well anyone who watched rooftop prince knows this song was perfect for it! I was just watching Rooftop Prince and then- ANGEL XIAH STARTS SINGING. Don't worry Junsu we'll make you like love >:D I guess... The whole song is really pretty I think, and I love love love the piano and like...I dunno what it is so lets so orchestra. I love hearing classical music thrown in with more modern music (like by classical I just mean like string instruments). Amazing vocals, amazing instrumental, amazing everything! I listen to this song very often, even though I like love :)

[Track 6:돌고 돌아도 (Around and Around)]

The beginning of this song sounds like it should be in a Studio Ghibli movie- seriously. And I L-O-V-E Studio Ghibli films, so this is like HEAVEN. And Junsu sounds just-breath taking. I'll say it again- HE SOUNDS LIKE THE ANGEL HE IS. And oh my god the "Lalalalala~" parts. O.O CJES? WHERE DO YOU GET ALL THESE ANGELS FROM? I usually hate "lalala, nanana, rararara, dodododo" parts in songs (it's just filler cause they don't have any lyrics to put in), but it works here SO beautifully. It's just angelic and pretty sounding~  OPPAR LEMME LOVE YOU. And when Junsu does those high notes towards the end -dies-. Why can't I have all the talent he has...SHARING IS CARING! (btw- the lyrics to this are really sweet .w.)

[Track 7: Intoxication]

"KISS AND TOUCH ME RUB MA BANANA'S" thank you Simon and Martina. When I first heard this song (the original Japanese version) I was all like "Oh this song is chill", and then I saw the translation O.O -scarred for life-. But after getting over all of that, I'm a fan of the song. It's kinda a "OH YOU SO NASTY" (simon voice) kind of song, but ya know what- I CAN DEAL WITH THIS. Maybe I'm just biased because the original Japanese version was released on my birthday. Now to talk about the differences from the Japanese and Korean version. (1) The pronunciation is INSANELY BETTER, Junsu you have done a lovely job at improving. Except 'arpegio"... still not working (2) the instrumental has been softened and it's more sensual and sexy, before it was...not there yet (3) IT'S IN KOREAN! I do prefer it in Korean (4) Seems like there are more backing vocals. Word. This song is kinda a win because after you get used to it and don't feel awkward hearing it anymore you can totally play it for other people and make them uncomfotable. Don't act like you don't enjoy doing that. I know my fishy fish does. Yeah I put a shout out to you in my blog post.

[Track 8: Breath ft. Double K]

Yeahhhh. Not a fan of this rapper either. Or this song in general. It's better then "Set Me Free" by like a lot, but still. "Will I ever see you" is pronunced well, but whatever English comes after that- WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING. I'm gonna have to look it up when I have my album handy. this song is jam-able. But not something that I would show someone just getting into Kpop, they'd be disapointed. Okay I'm done wripping this song apart ; A ; sorry Junsu I love you. I just don't think your voice fits this type of Music and I'd rather have heard like a theater like song instead...

[Track 9: 알면서도 (Though I Already Know)] 

Suprisingly, I'm not too crazy about this song. It's good and I love the piano, but this is something I'd rather hear Yoochun sing then Junsu. He'd sound amazing singing this .__. <3 (totallynotYoochunbiased). I'm gonna make my talk about this fast because you're probably really bored if you even bothered to read this far TT^TT. I love the sound of the song, but I just don't think this is a song made for Junsu's voice. Yes he sounds amazing, but I think Yoochun would sound better singing it. This is kinda a sad song, so maybe I just like Yoochun singing sad songs... Like 'Love By Love' from the mirotic album~

[Track 10: Lullaby ft. 개코]

-explodes- MY FAVORITE SONG ON THE ENTIRE ALBUM. I mean HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE IT? It's like... my bed. Literally! Like my bed is a very warm, safe, comfortable place. That's what this song is? It's like that fuzzy blanket you like to sleep with when it's really cold, or those fuzzy hello kitty pajama pants! The song is called 'Lullaby'~ and that's what it is! Kinda- I'd be pretty creeped out if my mom (or my dad) sang this too me before I went to sleep. -shivers at the thought- But if Junsu sang this too me before I went to sleep, I wouldn't be complaining! I'd probably sleep like a baby, well a baby that sleeps well. The rap though... I could really do without it. It's all like "angelic-I'm-on-a-cloud-about-to-go-to-sleep-AHH-WHY-IS-THERE-SOMEONE-RAPPING-NOW". Explained perfectly. Junsu's highnotes at the end -dies-. NE SARANGHEEE~EE~EEE. And just fjdkalfjda more at "SWEET DREAMS~" <3 whatever you say Junsu :D

[Track 11: Fever]

I like this song. It's electronic done in-a-way-that-Katie-actually-likes. But seriously. This song makes me want to dance- a lot. -dances in my head- I really need to see the chreography for this, ASAP. HEY JUNSU WHY DON'T YOU COME OVER TO MY HOUSE AND TEACH ME IT? That sounds like a fair bargain-I bought your album and reviewed it! And praised you as a God!! C'monnnnn! D:<  I really like the chorus "FEVERRRRRRRRRRRRR", yeah I got a fever. Not really, but yeah. If you haven't heard this song- I DEMAND YOU LISTEN TO IT. Also I don't think there is any autotune! The chorus doesn't have any, which makes me SOO INCREDIBLY HAPPY. -dances- So yeah. Katie likes.

[Track 12: 이슬을 머금은 나무 (Tree Covered In Dew)]

Now I'm tired and my hands hurt from typing .___." BUT I'LL TOUGH IT OUT.. I GUESS. I think this makes a very nice ending to the album, after you danced your little booties off to FEVAAAAR, Junsu calms you down with this peaceful tune. I don't mind the "ah ah ahhhhhh~" parts, they aren't like amazing to me but still I can deal with it. He sounds gorgeous- he is gorgeous- Junsu is amazing. END OF STORY REVIEW OVER! (okay maybe I'll rewrite this when I dont feel like taking a nap on the plane...or not)

Alright so my review is OVAR. Hope you liked it~

[animeNEXT experience]

Didn't get to attend animeNEXT? Well don't you worry- your girl Katie has got you covered! I took as many pictures as I could, most ended up being blurry but I can tell you all about it in this way to long blog post! If you don't know what animeNEXT is, lemme explain. It is an anime convention, it was in New Jersey from June 8th to June 10th, so Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was my first EVER anime convention, and they had a special guest attending... Hello! Project group- Berryz Kobo. <3

Now Berryz Kobo is the reason I went XD I have been a fan for around 4 years, and I ADORE them. The members are: Shimizu Saki, Tsugunaga Momoko, Tokunaga Chinami, Sudou Maasa, Natsuyaki Miyabi, Sudou Maasa, and Sugaya Risako. Risako-san is my favorite, she's really amazing. But anywhoodledoodlepoodle lets get on with the show(post)!

[DAY ONE]

So this was how I looked on day one, Green polka dot shirt, white shorts, and I was wearing a blazer (which I took off in the car because it was hot) I wore very glittery makeup :D

While inside I saw this at a booth, IT WAS SO PICTURE WORTHY.

So then I saw this lolita booth! And I was looking at the dresses, and this ADORABLE sales lady comes over to me and asks me if I want to try anything on, so i decided to try this on... I REALLY WANTED IT, but it was $200... So my mom said no aha. My first time in REAL lolita! what do you think? ;D

Sadly on day one I really didn't take a lot of pictures of the actual con! But this is the stuff I got! All...TVXQ.... XD I got excited at the kpop booth... twas so wonderful.

And then there was  BERRYZ KOBO CONCERT. So I had to change into the only berryz shirt I have- a Momoko shirt .___. I'm a Risako fan. 

 I thought there would be like no people. I was mistaken. SO MANY PEOPLE OHMYGODDD.

That's what it looked like inside. They played some MV's on this huge screen while we waited. A Berryz One, C-ute, S/mileage, and Mano Erina I believe.

So now I'll talk about the concert. It was about an hour long, supposed to be an hour and a half but the management team SUCKED. Like really everything was so disorganized, horrible job. The songs I can remember are: Rival, Jiriri Kiteru, Otakebi Boy WAO, Dakishimete Dakishimete, Maji Bomber, VERY BEAUTY, Koi no Jubaku, Special Generation, Because Happiness, Yuujou Junjou oh Seishun, and then they did two songs I totally didn't know, probably from their 2 new albums- I'm not familar with the songs on those. "Do they sound good live?", oh god yes! They sounded AMAZING, Risako hit her high note in Rival perfectly, they didn't sound out of breath, they had great energy and were totally on point! Only complaint is the fact that Momoko's mic was not working properly, it was hard to hear her for a lot of the concert. "Did they dance in sync?", to be honest? I have no idea. I actually just starred at Risako for the majority of the concert. But I believe they were. "Did you make eye contact with any of them?" yes I did! Yurina looked at me many times, as did Chinami! Maasa and Saki I don't think saw me once! For Momoko, Miyabi, and Risako I think they saw me maybe once or twice. Over all it was great! Everyone was really energetic, and I totally chanted along with the wotas, though because I'm a girl my voice is really high compared to theirs, so I would start going "OI! OI! OI! OI!" and all the guys around me would turn and look at me all like "da fuck is dis chick doin?". Over all it was amazing. I enjoyed every minute of it! (btw- I was NOT up close, I was pretty far back, but I didn't mind. I was near a wota with like circle glow sticks, he was so hardcore for Yurina. keke)

Those last two pictures are of two of the wotas. There were a LOT of wotas from Japan. Seriously, apparently they were really nice! But I never talked to any of them for more then like 5 seconds. But ahahah, those two wotas were like smoking and just casually having a conversation and giggling. LOL. I had to take a picture.

[DAY TWO]

And then on day two I kinda did my Japanese school girl look. It wasn't official cosplay, but I figured- AYE I'M AT LEAST TRYING! I really didn't fit into the 'average con-go-er look', most of the non asian white girls were TERRIBLY awkward looking. There were some normal-ish girls, but most of them were in cosplay. For the first day I was a totally normally dressed normal girl. I got a lot of stares ahaha.

So I wanted to give you a taste of what the costumes are like. Pretty amazing right? A lot of people gave me weird looks cause I just had my camera out taking random pictures. I have a LOT more, but they were blurry or of non-cosplayers who accidently got in my picture.

OH GOD THE WOTAS. If you see the one in the Momoko like robe thing, HE WAS LITERALLY THE CREEPIEST GUY I'VE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE. He had long hair, pedo face, and was balding JUST on the top of his head. Good god he scared the crap out of me. He was just the creepiest man I've seen in my life.

And then I saw some Berryz Kobo cosplayers, she's cosplaying Tsugunaga Momoko in the Berryz Kamen vs. Cutie Ranger concert thing. Her outfit was adorable! She was nice and let me take a picture, but at the same time she didn't seem like she wanted to talk to me. A little bit rude, but hey, I'll let it slide.

And she was a Jenghis Khan cosplayer. I think she was being Shimizu Saki? Totally not sure. She was really nice though, I kinda interrupted her conversation, but she was totally cool with it and posed for me! Thanks so much! I met another girl cosplaying like her, and talked to her for a really long time, but never got a picture.. I think she was supposed to be Momoko~

These two lolita's were SOOOO FREAKING CUTE. But jeeeez they really weren't that nice. They seemed so annoyed that I wanted to take a picture. I just wanted to document how cute you were! :( <3

The first picture was of a 'vampire bite' I got, from the girl below. She was really, really sweet and asked if she could draw a bite on me so I agreed. It was in lipgloss tho... so I had to be careful not to get it on my white shirt, which it eventually DID get on. ughhhh. But it was fine, such a nice girl!

This is what the dealers room looked like. I don't think I have any pictures of the artists room, but it wasn't really as interesting. JUST TO PUT THIS OUT THERE- it smells so gross inside. XD Like sweat and fried food or something.. BLEHBLEHBLEH. But all the stuff inside was so cool! :DD

Whole group of salior moon cosplayers!! Really really cute huh? Some people were taking pictures, and then I saw, and then a ton of people were taking pictures. They did a great job! 

Super cute lolita I took a pic of! She was kinda like '...uh okay' when I asked her for a pic TT^TT WHY DO ALL THE LOLITAS HATE ME SO MUCH? 

And then I was in line for the Berryz Kobo Q&A/autograph signing so I figured- LETS TAKE SOME PICS.. of the wotas.

And then me and my mum snapped a pic~

Oh and while in line I met some people I fandub with online! :O It was really cool, we all talked about berryz :DD

Some 'MADAYADE' cosplayers. Really cute! :D

AND THEN OUT OF NOWHERE... 

BERRYZ KOBO JUST STARTED WALKING UP TO US.

They were SOOOO CLOSE. THERE IS NO ZOOM ON THESE PICTURES THEY WERE REALLY THAT CLOSE TO ME. I was SCREAMING "RISAKOO! RISAKO!!!" and she looked at me twice, and smiled kinda awkwardly and waved at me, I was dying! There really weren't a lot of Risako fans and I was right near the rope they put up, so she totally saw me. Also Chinami- THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSING FOR ME! She was the most interactive with us. You're the best. (which is what I yelled at her XD)

We got one minute to take pictures of them, and then they left. After that was the Q&A, it was amusing and pretty fun. People either asked questions, or gave gifts. A little boy (like 4 or 5) asked Chinami to marry him, it was SOOO CUTE. Basically the whole thing was fun, I didn't ask a question (cause I didn't really have any), and I didnt have a gift (wish I had, Risako didn't get ANYTHING, or maybe she got ONE thing. She looked really sad.). The best part was when someone asked if Miyabi could do her 'MIIYABEAAAM!', and she did, it was soo cute!!

These are the autographs I got! I was in line with my mom, so she got the Risako picture my friend Suki gave me while we were in line for the Q&A. It was AMAZING MEETING THEM. I was right upclose so let me tell you about it. I'll tell you about them as I met them.

Shimizu Saki: She was the first girl I came up too. She was very friendly and smiled at me a lot. She's was very  sweet.I like her a LOT more after meeting her. A great leader.

Tsugunaga Momoko: She seemed really tired and looked like she was going to pass out. The marker she first picked up to autograph my booklet with didn't work, so she had to fiddle around and find a new marker. I said to her "You are very cute!" and she just smiled and nodded. I felt really bad for her, there were a TON of Momoko fans there so she must've been worn out. 

Sudou Maasa: Maasa looked really uncomfortable, I really wished I'd said "I like manga too!", but she already looked so awkward. I just smiled and bowed at her. 

Tokunaga Chinami: OH MY GOD. She was so energetic and happy looking! She smiled at me and said "HAARO!"(they all said Hello, but hers was more notable.) and after giving me her autograph she high fived me! She's now my #2 in my ratings :D

Natsuyaki Miyabi: Miyabi was similar to Chinami in attitude, very happy and smiley. She's gorgeous in person also (well they all are, but she's stunning). I really enjoyed meeting her!

Kumai Yurina: She's the only one I actually talked to! I said to her "You are my best friend's favorite member" she looked at me like "Just smile and maybe she'll think you know what you're saying!", and then I followed up by saying "she's very tall like you!" and I did a hand motion for tall, she understood and said something like "Oh tall! Very good!", she really doesn't look that tall in person for the record. She looks totally normal.

Sugaya Risako: When I got up to her I was SO NERVOUS. All I could manage to say was "You're my absolute favorite!" I think I said something else as well but I can't really remember, again I was nervous. I wanted to shake her hand, or high five her, but this staff member was like standing infront of her holding my booklet for her. I was really sad about that. Risako looked really nervous too, she probably remember me from screaming at her earlier. She's gorgeous in person, like REALLY GORGEOUS in person. She dyed her hair an ash blonde sort of color, I think she looked MUCH better with dark hair, but she was still very pretty. Risako even though you looked scared I still love you. A lot.

These pictures are from this thing called "Hello Party 3", they played hello project/berryz kobo games. I didn't partcipate, just observed. I was terribly awkward, but it was fine! These were all the microfiber towels people had. I wished I'd broughten mine! I have a berryz kobo towel of all original 8 of them!

These were just some more pictures. The guy in the pink shirt with the blue robe over it was a hardcore Miyabi fan, and he had her name tattooed on his fore arm >.>" His mom was there with him and my mom talked to her. He didn't seem to like me. But his mom seemed nice, he was 18 for the record.

Two wotas who were sleeping in the corner. ALL TUCKERED OUT FROM THE AUTOGRAPH SIGNING AND Q&A! It's okay wotas, just take a nap infront of all of us! :) Daw.

And just a few more pictures.

[DAY THREE]

These are the last picture I took of the con :) Then I left~ keke.

You know your life wouldn't be complete without some selfies.

And this is my haul for whole convention! This is everything I got! :)

Now for a serious question: WHAT SHOULD I NAME HIM? U-know, Hero, or Micky? A lot of people on me2day said Hero. But I think he looks like a u-know! D: It's kinda dorky looking to me... dorky and cute, SO U-KNOW!

This is some stuff I got for my brother, he likes soul eater.

I had to get some noms. :D

THIS WAS SO NECCESSARY. Love me. Why did I get 3 buttons? Well I already got one for myself, so these 3 will be gifts to some certain me2day cassies :DD

JAElous? ;D

This is a bow I got from the artists room! :) So so so cute right? LOVE IT.

And this was the only manga I got XD kekekekeke. I LOVE SHUGO CHARA.

So that's all for my blog post. I hope you enjoyed it~ Anime conventions are awesome and I cannot wait to go to another one. If you're gonna be at one here in the US tell me about it! I'd love to meet new people! Bye! <3

-Katie <3