13 January 2015

Top 5 Albums of 2014!

Yesterday, I posted about my Top 25 Songs of 2014. Today I'll be posting about my top 5 albums!
After listening through all the music of 2014, these albums had the most played songs.
(Make sure you click the "xx" next to the song to watch the live version, music video or just listen to the audio of the song.)

Here they are:

2NE1 - CRUSH
  1. Crush [xx]
  2. Come Back Home [xx]
  3. 너 아님 안돼 (Gotta Be You) [xx]
  4. 살아 봤으면 해 (If I Were You) [xx]
  5. 착한 여자 (Good to You) [xx]
  6. MTBD [CL Solo] [xx]
  7. Happy [xx]
  8. Scream [xx]
  9. Baby I Miss You [xx]
  10. Come Back Home (Unplugged Version) [xx]
Aside from "Happy" and "Scream"(I prefer the Japanese version), this was a rather solid album. I don't think I'll ever like anything they put out as much as their first album, To Anyone. . .  but this was definitely a good one!


HA:TFELT - Me?
  1. Iron Girl (feat. Lim) [xx]
  2. Truth [xx]
  3. Ain't Nobody [xx]
  4. Bond (feat. Beenzino) [xx]
  5. Wherever Together [xx]
  6. Peter Pan [xx]
  7. 다운 (Nothing Lasts Forever) [xx]
I'm not sure where this album came from, but all I can say is yasss! This one was definitely a surprise for me. I loved every song on this album. THe uniqueness of her voice, the diversity of each song! I just hope she does another solo soon. HA:TFELT (Heart felt) aka Ye Eun from Wonder Girls. I did a review of this album, you can read by clicking here.

Nick Jonas - Nick Jonas
  1. Chains
  2. Jealous
  3. Teacher
  4. Warning
  5. Wilderness
  6. Numb (feat. Angel Haze)
  7. Take Over
  8. Push
  9. I Want You
  10. Avalanche (feat. Demi Lovato)
  11. Nothing Would Be Better
Nick Nick Nick. . .  I don't know what happened between Nick Jonas & The Administration and now, but I like it. I loved that album, but this one is so so good! I first listened to "Jealous" and had to immediately get the album, and was absolutely shocked that I not genuinely liked every single song on this album! Good on you young Jonas. I can't wait to hear more from you.


EPIK HIGH - Shoebox
  1. 막을 올리며 (Encore)
  2. 헤픈엔딩 (Happen Ending) (feat.조원선) [xx]
  3. Rich (feat. 태양) [xx]
  4. Spoiler [xx]
  5. 부르즈 할리파 (Burj Khalifa) (feat. Yanki & Gaeko) [xx]
  6. 또 싸워 (feat. 윤하) [xx]
  7. Amor Fati (feat. 김종완) [xx]
  8. Born Hater (feat. Beenzino, Verbal Jint, B.I, Mino, Bobby) [xx]
  9. Lesson 5 (타임라인) [xx]
  10. Life is Good (feat. Jay Park) [xx]
  11. Eyes, Nose, Lips (feat. 태양) [xx]
  12. Shoebox (신발장) (feat. MYK) [xx]

Epik High is one of those groups that are just so good. I never really listened to them before they joined YG, but after they did, and listening to Tablo's solo album Fever's End, I knew they were something special. I have a few favorites on this album, but I think the one I play the most is Amor Fati. This will definitely go down as a favorite for a long time.

태양 (Taeyang) - Rise
  1. Intro (Rise)
  2. 눈, 코, 입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips)
  3. 새벽한시 (1AM)
  4. Stay With Me (feat. G-Dragon)
  5. 아름다워 (Beautiful/Body)
  6. Ringa Linga
  7. 이게 아닌데 (This Isn't It)
  8. 버리고 (Let Go)
  9. Love You to Death
I was debating whether this should be number one, or Epik High. But after noticing how many songs I liked on each album, and how many plays I had, Taeyang's album won out. I don't think I will like another album like his first one, Solar; but this one comes pretty close. My favorite song is "Love You to Death", but I played all of them frequently. Even the intro was another song for me, and a portion was even my ringtone for awhile.


Here are a few bonus albums/honorable mentions that I loved, but there just wasn't room on this list.
»--> Taemin - Ace (Quite a surprise from this one. It has a soulful vibe, but the tracks are still easy to dance to and just enjoy!!) [tracklist here]
»--> 개코 (Gaeko) - Redingray (I've always loved Dynamic Duo, especially Gaeko & this album is one reason why. I think "Rhythm is Life" is my favorite song on the album even though it was released a year before the album itself. "Rose" is another favorite because of --what I like to call-- his lazy singing style.) [tracklist here]
»--> TaeTiSeo - Holler (I have really grown to like Girl's Generation over time, and I was pleasantly surprised that I liked this mini album from the sub unit so much!) [tracklist here]
»--> Ariana Grande - My Everything (There are a few songs on here that aren't necessarily my favorites, but over all... I really enjoy this one. I love her voice and the lyrics themselves have improved from her first album, Yours Truly.) [tracklist here]


So. . . there it is, my Top 5 Favorite albums of 2014. I can't wait to see what music I'm going to be loving this year! I hope you had an amazing year in music and a great 2015 as well. Happy New Year!



12 January 2015

Top 25 Songs of 2014! [new blog name]

Welcome to my new blog! (I'm still working on a few things.) I have officially changed my blog name from Camisado Mind to Iridescent Lotus. I'll do a post later on how I came up with that name and why I've changed the name.
I would like to stick with the same general content that I had posting before, but more of the things I want to talk about. Less promotions.
And what I want to talk about today. . . music!! These are my Top 25 Songs of 2014!

Click the "xx" to listen to the song. 
Let me know if you like any of them, and what your faves for 2014 were. If you happen to have a post, please leave it in the comments. :)

  1. Gaeko (개코) - "Festival Virgin" [xx]
  2. HA:TFELT - "Truth" [xx]
  3. Jencarlos Canela - "Volveré" [xx]
  4. Taemin - "Danger (괴도)" [xx]
  5. Hoody - "Baby Oh Baby" [xx]
  6. T-ara - "Sugar Free (BigRoom ver.)" [xx]\
  7. Epik High - "Amor Fati" [xx]
  8. Ailee - "Teardrop" [xx]
  9. Taylor Swift - "Style" [xx] (not  the best quality; sorry)
  10. Hyoseong (전효성) - "Good-night Kiss" [xx]
  11. TaeTiSeo - "Holler" [xx] 
  12. Girl's Generation - "Mr. Mr" [xx]
  13. Got 7 - "A" [xx]
  14. Ariana Grande - "Why Try" [xx]
  15. Nick Jonas - "Jealous" [xx]
  16. Block B - "Her" [xx]
  17. EXID - "위 아래 (Up & Down)" [xx]
  18. 2NE1 - "살아 뷨으면해(If I Were You)" [xx]
  19. 15& - "Not Today, Not Tomorrow" [xx]
  20. 2NE1 - "너 아님 안돼 (Gotta Be You)" [xx]
  21. Hyuna (현아) - "빨개요 (Red)" [xx]
  22. HA:TFELT - "Ain't Nobody" [xx]
  23. Taewan (태완) - "되로 누워 (Laid Back)" [xx]
  24. Taeyang (태양) - "눈, 코, 입 (Eyes, Nose, Lips)" [xx]
  25. Taeyang (태양) - "Love You To Death" [xx]

I'm actually kind of surprised at the placement of a lot of these songs, and that some of these even made it to this list.

Here are a few bonuses that I loved, but there just wasn't room on this list!
  1. Selena Gomez - "The Heart Wants What it Wants" [xx]
  2. Girl's Generation - "Goodbye" [xx]
  3. 15& - "티가 나나봐 (Can't Hide It)" [xx]
  4. 2PM - "미친거 아니야? (Go Crazy!)" [xx]
I hope you guys had an awesome New Year, and I hope this year is good for you & full of great music!


29 August 2014

MOVIE REVIEW: Divergent 2014

Divergent

Theater Release Date: 21st March 2014
Available on DVD/Blu-Ray: Yes
Overall:
Watched on: DVD from Redbox

   Starring:
Shailene Woodley - Tris
Theo James - Four
Ashley Judd - Natalie
Jai Courtney - Eric


Review: This is yet another book-to-movie adaptation in which I have not read the original. But unlike Vampire Academy, I've tried to read this one, but couldn't get into it.
This genre I enjoy more through film rather than reading. Even though I hadn't read the book, I knew I wanted to watch the movie. That was mainly because of Theo James and Shailene Woodley.
But despite my decision--albeit shallow--to watch, I ended up greatly enjoying the movie. The progression of the film felt nicely pced. I could keep up and knew what was going on. Especially with the distractions going on around me during the beginning of the film.
I loved the world that was created within the film--te vividness--making it feel real. The acting from Shailene was amazing. She became Tris. There is a specific scene where she absolutely blew me away!! I need to watch every other movie she's been in since Secret Life!
After watching her in (the horrible show_ Secret Life of the American Teenager, I didn't know what to expect. But it's obvious that the role she is given is the role she will play.
Theo James, aka Four. . . eye candy!! I loved him in this role. I felt like his strong face and personality fit who Four is supposed to be.
The chemistry between Theo and Shailene was palpable and believable.
I cannot wait for the next installment. I still don't have any desire to read the boo but maybe in the future that will change.
All I know is that this movie was a visually stimulating great time!



Have you seen this movie!? What did you think? How did it compare to the books!?


Movie Trailer:



More on: Official Website | IMDb | Wikipedia | Goodreads



28 August 2014

Edge of Falling Blog Tour + Excerpt!



Title: Edge of Falling
Author: Valia Lind
Series: Falling, #2
Genre: Contemporary YA
Publication: August 1, 2014
For Chance, there's always only been Dakota.
He's been in love with the girl since the day they met. He's tried everything to get her to notice him and nothing has worked. So when things suddenly start moving in the right direction, Chance can't believe his luck.
Until Kyle comes along.
Kyle is like a new shiny toy and Dakota loves new and shiny. She falls for the tall, blonde and gorgeous fast and without looking back. Dating the summer before college wasn't in the plans, but come on, Kyle is perfect. So why does Chance and his snarky grin keeps popping up in her mind now that Dakota has found her happiness?
When Chance's world comes crashing down, Dakota proves the strength of their friendship, surprising herself and everyone around her, by helping him pick up the pieces. In return, Chance is finally able to crack her hard shell, discovering that not everything is sunny in Dakota-land. Her world is not what it seems on the outside, and together, they're able to pull each other to the brink of safety and sanity.
Dakota likes that things are simple with Kyle, so why does she feel more like herself around Chance?
As graduation grows closer, both Chance and Dakota learn that the plans you make for your life don't always play out the way you expect them and sometimes, everything starts to make sense when you find yourself on the edge of falling.


Purchase

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Author. Photographer. Artist. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia, Valia Lind always had a love for the written word. She wrote her first full book on the bathroom floor of her dormitory, while procrastinating to study for her college classes. Upon graduation, she has moved her writing to more respectable places, and have found her voice in Young Adult fiction. Falling by Design is her debut young adult novel. You can visit her online at www.valialind.blogspot.com or follow her on twitter, where she spends way too much time, @ValiaLind.


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Chance

"Chance, you're doing the weird staring thing again. Is there something on my face?"
"No, sorry. Your hair is all over the place." Her hands reach for her locks automatically, a tiny blush of embarrassment on her cheeks. She tries to tame the mess, smoothing it out a little bit frantically. I surprise myself when I grab her hand, stilling the movement.
"It looks great. Don't worry." I run my hand over her hair, distracted by the softness under my fingertips. When my eyes meet hers, there's not much room between us.

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