Keeping you all up to ~DATE~

Well first of all, I wanna say that as of right now, the blog has reached 48,760 “attendees”!!! Just a bit more and we’ll be at half of 100k! Wow! Never would have thought I’d see those numbers about a year ago when the blog first started off. Expect a gift, as always, when the 50k are reached!

In other news, the sidebar has been totally “pimped” out with new gadgets. Let’s go over them shall we?

- Poll & Vodpod widget: I changed the Vodpod widgets style to “floating”, now showing the three most recently uploaded videos. I think it looks a bit nicer, even if it stretched the sidebar more.

The polls(yay it’s back!) are now much prettier as I’ve begun to use WordPress’ custom poll maker. New styles will be made randomly, when I get tired of it or to match a new blog theme. This week’s poll won’t count in the vote [...V•O•T•E...] series btw.

- “FOLLOW ME” widget: Scrolling further down, you can see that I went ahead and added various sites where I’m also active in which you can follow/stalk/friend me.

In order clockwise starting with upper-left: deviantART, Facebook, Gaia Online, Last.fm, LiveJoruanl, MySpace, twitter and Vodpod.

Don’t be afraid to add me, I accept all requests and follow people back on twitter+last.fm. ;D

- “SUBSCRIBE” widget: So in order for you guys to have easier access to my updates and such, I added various ways for you all to subscribe to my updates.

Pretty huh? @-@ Anyway, the first(gray) button is your typical subscribe button using Live Bookmarks, My Yahoo, Google, etc… The second button is to subscribe using FeedBurner which gives you lots more options and applications for subscribing. The third button is to subscribe via e-mail! That way whenever I post something new, you’ll receive an e-mail with the post. Quite nifty I must say.

0 READERS SO FAR BUT LET’S TRY TO RAISE THAT UP!!!

!!!SUBSCRIBE!!!

So yea, apart from that, the Upcoming Reviews page will be flooded with what I have to review next once the poll finished up. Also, the Yearly Rankings have finally been updated to include recent releases so check that out to see how everything has been so far.

Lastly, the 100 Reasons will now me 50 Reasons ’cause no matter how much I try, not even my hate for Reina can conjure 100 well thought reasons. “The 50 Reasons why K-Pop is better than J-Pop” has also been added so take a look!

Sora to Happy Birthday!

I had remembered that my first post ever on this blog was sometime in August, after my birthday(the 25th) to be exact but I found out I was totally wrong when I saw that my first post was actually on August 1st, the day Sora to Kujira was made. o: So that means….

Sora to Kujira is officially one year old!!!

Wow, it feels just like yesterday that I was still reviewing with the old format. :’( Anyway, to celebrate the blog’s first birthday, as you can see, I’ve made a new theme. ^_^ The model this time is a girl who’s new single I’ve been obsessing over and totally spammed yesterday when it finally leaked a week after the release date: Kylee<3

As normal, I made an icon, button and a banner/header image:

Ya like? I REALLY liked how the button came out. The icon is okay, but once again, I’m not a big fan of the banner. >_< But meh, I might make a new one or just keep it. Anyway, don’t forget to update your sites with my new button!

Blog Stats

As of today, August 8th, Sora to Kujira has had 42,954 views! o: That’s just great! >_< Thanks a lot guys for viewing my blog, no matter how lame it can get. ^-^’

Busiest day: 579 — Friday, July 10, 2009
Posts: 228
Comments: 381

Most Viewed Posts:

1. Tokoshinki – T
2. Artists to be Reviewed (Part 4)
3. Angela Aki – Tegami ~Haikei Jugo no Kimi
4. About Page

Top Referrers:

1. Lex @ Beyond the Sea: 899 (txz bb!)
2. International Wota: 373
3. Efanz @ Radiant Dawn: 209 (;D)

Top Search Terms:

1. Kalafina: 515
2. Shugo Chara Cosplay: 333
3. News Summer Time: 314

As you can see from the charts, StK is only getting more popular as time goes on, so let’s keep it up! >_<

Again, thanks a lot for making StK what it is today. :3

New rating stars… For you!

No, I don’t mean the spades I use after each review to rate the album/single. Apparently WordPress released these things about a week ago and just announced them today. What they are are stars that I can put either at the top or bottom of each review post in which you guys can vote on what you thought about the release.

Note: You can only see the stars by clicking on the individual review’s page

Here’s an example using BoA’s album review:

You can vote out of five different ratings:

1 star: Horrendous

2 stars: Lukewarm

3 stars: Average

4 stars: Almost There

5 stars: PERFECT/FIERCE/HAWT

Now why did I add this feature to the blog? Well, apart from trying to bump up each review’s page views(:x), it’s also to see what most of you guys think about the music I’ll be reviewing.

So don’t forget to visit the five reviews I’ve already done and give your opinion!

P.S.: This feature is present on ALL posts made on the blog, so you can also give your opinion on my rantings. ;D

It’s finally time for…

III

At long last Sora to Kujira Version 3 is here! I’ve been meaning to do this post for a while now but I’ve finally “found the time” to do it so here it goes.

First of all, I wanna thank everyone for 35,200 hits. ^-^ That’s really something for me to be proud of.  I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! <3 I really wanna get to 50k now~~~

Also, don’t forget to vote on the weekly poll so I can get you guys’ opinions! It really makes it more accurate if more people vote! >_< Oh, don’t forget to check out the “Sora to Video” thumbnail to see the newest PV artists(that I like anyway) have released!

Next is a nice update to the “About Sora to Kujira” page. It’s been spiffied up. I added new content to about every section, totally edited the format(kinda), more info about me(and a pic ;D), removed and added artists from my favorites lists.

Oh right, well since I kinda want to make everything new here, I’m obviously going to make a new rating system! ;D I already made the icons for it, I just gotta work out a few kinks… It’s a lot simpler and cleaner than the older version so reading reviews should be faster. Of course, a new review format is also in the works. ;D

THE FIRST ARTISTS TO BE REVIEWD ARE UP ON THE UPCOMING REVIEWS PAGE! I’ve taken 3 Japanese artists, 2 Korean and 1 Non-Asian that I’ll be reviewing for the week. I think that’s the way I’ll be reviewing things. Posting them up on Sunday and than doing 6 reviews a week. :3 Sounds nice. ^-^

As you may have noticed, I got a new theme up. I noticed that Otsuka Ai starred in my first ever theme and I coincidentally used her in the Sora to Kujira Version 2 theme so I decided to make her my personal model everytime the blog jumps up a version. Congrats for you Ai! ;D

So yea, now that this Momosu in AX thing is over, I can finally concentrate on the blog again~~~ The first review should be up soon… but there’s a catch~~~

Artists to be Reviewed (Part 4)

And also the final part! Yes ladies and gentlemen, StK’s first review in oh so many days is only a few days away. >_< Let’s not waste time and look at the new arrivals:

K-Pop

Yea, I kinda forgot to add some during the last post so I’ll just stick them up in here. It’s no problem for me to review Korean music. Releases are really smooth and don’t stack up like J-pop does.

Girls’ Generation

Lee Jung Hyun

After School

4minute

J-Pop

• Kylee (New)
• BONNIE PINK (Returning)
• Saori@destiny (Request)
• alan (Returning)
• KOKIA (New)
• PUFFY (Returning)
  

Pop

Miley Cyrus

SHUT UP I LOVE HER

And there you have it. StK’s official featured artist list. ^-^ Here’s the full version:

J-Pop

1. AKB48
2. Amuro Namie
3. BoA
4. Hamasaki Ayumi
5. Hey! Say! JUMP
6. Kalafina
7. Koda Kumi
8. Mano Erina
9. MEG
10. misono
11. Nakagawa Shoko
12. Otsuka Ai
13. Perfume
14. Suzuki Ami
15. Tohoshinki
16. Kylee (New)
17. BONNIE PINK (Returning)
18. Saori@destiny (Request)
19. alan (Returning)
20. KOKIA (New)
21. PUFFY (Returning)
22. EVERYTHING H!P + TNX

K-Pop

1. Big Bang
2. SHINee
3. Wonder Girls
4. Girls’ Generation
5. 2NE1
6. 4minute
7. After School
8. TaeGoon
9. Younha
10. Lee Jung Hyun

Pop

1. Lady Gaga
2. Björk
3. Miley Cyrus

35-ish FEATURED ARTISTS!

Artists to be Reviewed (Part 3)

Wanna know what’s better than J-Music? It’s K-Music. :P OH MY GAWD IT’S THE KOREAN INVASION!

The Firecest thing on the net, 2NE1!

I’m sure I’ve expressed my love for this group before(a whole theme, video posts, etc…) so it’s only fair I kick up the blog’s fierceness level by over 9,000 by adding these fabulous girls on here. There releases are only getting better(as well as their live performances <3) and I’m so looking forward to their upcoming album~~~

Sweetie pie Younha.

I finally decided to listen to her Part. A: peace love & ice cream album after having ignored searching her up after hearing so many things about her. To my surprise, that particular album wasn’t really like by fans(from what I read) but to me, it’s extremely good. :0 I’ll be reviewing that album along with a few other things and her future releases. :3

Can’t have K-Pop without the Wonder Girls!

I’ve been a fan of these girls ever since the huge “Nobody” craze however months ago. After 2NE1(who dethroned them), they are my favorite K-Pop group. They have really high quality music and they better get lots of attention in the US! >:l Oh, I should stop saying what I’m gonna review from them ’cause than I’ll end up not doing it. -_-’

Hot stuff TaeGoon!

Ignoring how freakin’ hot he is, TaeGoon is really a force to watch out for. :0 He’s a new-ish soloist who debuted some months ago. Considered the new Rain(that’s gotta mean something, right?). I actually really like his music, which of now only consists of two mini-albums/singles.

SHINee

Now way I wasn’t gonna feature these kids. I love them soooo much. <3 Easily my favorite K-Pop band. :3 They’ve changed quite a bit since they last released something but now their back in full force with Juliette. <3

It’s Big Bang!

I kinda got into them due to their ever so popular duet with 2NE1 for Lollipop. Serisously, think 2NE1 but male(and vice versa). I’m a newbie with their music so far, but I’m gonna take my time with them. So far, Sunset Glow = total love. <3

Now, lets all go get double eye-lid surgery together! 8D

Artists to be Reviewed (Part 2)

So, who else will be joining the gang on the review list? Well, I introduce to you all the first of plenty(?) new additions. And guess what? Their not Asian!

That’s right bbz, Lady Gaga.

Technically, she was the artist who kinda got me into the whole American Pop scene with artists like Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani, and yes, even Miley Cyrus(<3). I just love her music, but what I love more is the way she presents herself. I LOVE IT. >_< You just gotta watch an interview of this girl to see how fxxxed up she is. <3 Expect a review of her debut album and all of the bonus/extra tracks(why must US albums have so many songs? -_-)

The AMAZING Björk.

I (re)discovered her on Last.fm one day. I recalled her name and how she looked, but I only ever knew one song from her(It’s Oh So Quiet).  I searched up some of her music and I was absolutely astounded. :0 I never knew she made such amazing, ethereal, mesmerizing, touching music. I always though she made like ska stuff. I just can’t believe I’ve spent so much of my life without listening to her. I started with her Homogenic album(which is a real work of art) and worked my way forward and back(Post, the album before Homogenic, and Selmasongs, the album after) and I liked them even more. :0 I’m taking my time with her music ’cause I don’t wanna pull a GARNET CROW(download whole discography, end up listening to none of it). Expect reviews of ALL HER ALBUMS.

30,000 hits = More new goodies for you!

Alright! WE HIT THE 30,000 HITS MARK! >_< I dunno why people always celebrate numbers like 500, 1,000, 10,000, etc… But I’m part of it, and it feels good. :P

So, to thank you guys(and to set up for the return of reviews) I’ve modified some stuff on the blog. :3

First, the “Requests” page has been totally deleted. I don’t think I’ll be taking requests anytime soon, but you can always request with normal comments on artists you think I might like. :3 I have a very open mind when it comes to music, so don’t be afraid to give your opinion. :3

I’ve added the “Upcoming Reviews” section again, which is empty at the moment. :P

I’ve added a new page! It’s called “Treasure Box“. I made this thinking about you guys! :’( If your just bored and wanna find something interesting to read without having to go through all the pages, than just visit this page to get instant links to what I think are the most entertaining posts on the blog. :3

The About page has been slightly remodeled(added my twitter link) and the Yearly Rankings have been updated with the latest releases. :3 AAA is just stinking it up in there. xD

Thanks again for visiting, more artists shall be revealed soon…

FUN FACT: StK reached 20k views on May 15 and reached 30k on June 13. That’s 10,000 views in under a month! :0

EDIT: Well, since it’s been a week(?) since the last two polls were put up, I’ve checked the final results. :3 It seems everyone(or mostly everyone) thought it would be a good idea to put an audio player+poll on the blog. Well, I did just that. ^-^
The poll, as you see on your right, will be updated weekly. However, I had problems with the audio player. :\ Actually, with all the searching I did, I don’t think their exists a flash audio player(it needs to have an HTML code) that will work on a WordPress.com blog. I tried making a Youtube play list but WordPress.com also doesn’t support those. Thus, I got stuck with the VodPod player. :P It’s not bad, right? >_<

It appears as a thumbnail, but you can click for other videos and click the actual image to pop up this nifty window(which isn’t actually a new window) that plays the video while allowing you to continue browsing the page. Sorry I couldn’t get an actual music player, btu hey, better than nothing right? :3

Artists to be Reviewed (Part 1)

So, here is the first batch of artists that I will be reviewing. I went ahead and made a HUGE list of artists that I would actually like reviewing but I decided to instead choose who I will CONTINUE to review since I stopped.

And they are…!!!

• AKB48
• Amuro Namie
• BoA
• Hamasaki Ayumi
• Hey! Say! JUMP
• Kalafina
• Koda Kumi
• Mano Erina
• MEG
• misono
• Nakagawa Shoko
• Otsuka Ai
• Perfume
• Suzuki Ami
• Tohoshinki
• EVERYTHING H!P + TNX

If an artist isn’t on the list it doesn’t immediately mean I won’t review them… Just not now. :P Also, this list might change.

That’s 18 artists so far. I’m thinking of having like 30, and a lot of those slots will be taken up by TNX/H!P groups. ;D

A POWERFUL INVASION!

As most of you have noticed, StK recieved yet another makeover! This time ditching the 2NE1/52K1 theme for images from Sudou Maasa’s gorgeous new photo book. <3

The button is on the top left, icon is on the url bar thingy+my last.fm page and the new header is up top. ^-^

Actually, I made a different banner prior to it, but I didn’t like it much after I saw the finished project. xD The one I have now is very similar to the Kago Ai theme I had a while ago… ‘Cept in color. :P