en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal The Last.fm journal for michal_p_pl. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2009/07/13/2v4zzw_survey! Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:13:28 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2009/07/13/2v4zzw_survey! 1. How did you get into 29? (Princess Superstar - 553)
I'm not sure. I've heard her song "Bad Babysitter" for the first time some years ago, but I've never payed much attention to her music untill recently.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? (Santogold - 770)
"Les artistes", I suppose. French title was what attracted my attention.

3. What’s your favorite lyric by 33? (Epica joint with Eurythmics at #32, Epica reached this later - 536)
In fact, my favourite song of them is off vocals.

4. What is your favorite album by 49? (Xandria - 395)
I think that'd be "Kill the Sun", their debut.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? (Lady Gaga - 1 002)
Well, she released only one and I'm the happy owner of its Polish edition.

6. What is your favorite song by 50? (Fleetwood Mac - 379)
"Little Lies" - the melody is somewhat happy, but the lyrics are not. I like contrasts.

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? (Emiliana Torrini - 478)
Yes, "Gollum's Song" from the LOTR OST.

8. What is your favorite album by 15? (Cristina Branco - 928)
"Ulisses", but "Sensus" is also great.

9. What is your favorite song by 5? (Tujiko Noriko - 1 689)
"Bebe", due to many great memories I associate with this, and "Shayou", which - contrary to its lyrics - brings me back the faith in people.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? (Leaves' Eyes - 1 555)
Yes, "Ankomst". It reminds me that everything comes back.

11. What is your favorite album by 40? (Lacrimosa - 470)
"Elodia", it's so epic!

12. What is your favorite song by 10? (M.I.A. - 1 258)
"Bamboo Banga", it's the song that made me like her.

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? (Natasha St-Pier - 539)
"Nos rendez-vous", her single, was heavily airing in Polish radiostations when I went abroad alone for the first time. The trip was great and this song remains connected to it.

14. What is your favorite song by 38? (Sheryfa Luna - 495)
"Aime-moi". Yeah, I know I've misspeled the tag.

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? (Lacuna Coil - 832)
No, they all are rather making me sad.

16. How many times have you seen 25 live? (Within Temptation - 620)
Never and - considering what they did with their music - not going to.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? (Eminem - 701)
It was "Stan", his masterpiece with Dido. However, it was not then when I got into him, he appeared in my charts recently as a result of my best friend's influence upon me.

18. What is your favorite album by 11? (Adela Popescu - 1 087)
"Lacrimi de iubire", as it contains my favourite songs of her.

19. Who is a favorite member of 1? (Theatre of Tragedy - 2 539)
It was Liv Kristine, before she was dropped. Any replacement service as of now.

20. Have you ever seen 14 live? (Emilie Simon - 930)
No, but I'd like to see her.

21. What is a good memory involving 27? (Paul Romero & Rob King)
As it was in the case of Lacuna Coil, the new age-feel of Paul Romero & Rob King's tracks makes me rather sad and is not a kind of "accompanying music" - no memories linked.

22. What is your favorite song by 16? (Liv Kristine - 922)
It's "This Is Us", one of the best upbeat love songs I've ever heard.

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 47? (Danity Kane - 423)
I'd say "Ride for You".

24. What is your favorite album by 18? (Enigma - 892)
"A posteriori". Rare choice, but I like this ethereal, ambient atmosphere made by songs from this album.

25. What is your favorite song by 21? (M83 - 797)
"Coloring the Void", if it's possible to call a cry song a "favourite".

26. What is the first song you ever heard by 26? (Rasputina - 588)
"Transylvanian Concubine" in a collaboration with Marilyn Manson. And I hate it.

27. What is your favorite album by 3? (Björk - 2 225)
"Vespertine". Especially in the winter time.

28. What is you favorite song by 2? (Tori Amos - 2 422)
"Caught a Lite Sneeze", and "Not the Red Baron", and "Taxi Ride", and "Sister Janet", and "Space Dog", and...

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? (Eurythmics - 536)
I'm not sure. It would probably be "Sweet Dreams" or "Here Comes the Rain Again".

30. What is you favorite song by 8? (Nightwish - 1 438)
There are three contestants struggling for this title, respectively "Nemo", "Ghost Love Score" and "Sleeping Sun".

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? (t.A.T.u. - 921)
Never, although I had a possibility once. I just don't like gigs.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? (Bang Gang - 445)
No, it's a "give me the tissue I'm going to weep" band.

33. What is you favorite album by 12? (Activ - 1 008)
“Motive", I mean, it's international edition. And "Sunete", more recently.

34. What is the worst song by 45? (Mylène Farmer - 431)
I'd say it's "Libertine". The cover of it by Kate Ryan is much better.

35. What was the first song you ever heard by 34? (Goya - 529)
It was "Bo ja". However, I was unaware that it's their song.

36. What is you favorite album by 48? (Sirenia - 409)
"An Elixir of Existence", which contains also my favourite - instrumental - song of them, "Seven Sirens and a Silver Tear". The rest of Sirenia's albums are somehow mediocre.

37. How many times have you seen 42 live? (Zazie - 448)
Never, but she sounds in studio almost the same.

38. What is you favorite song by 36? (Benassi Bros. - 517)
"Rumenian", it was also the first song in Romanian I've ever heard.

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? (Angela Maria Forero - 557)
"Fiera inquieta", an opening to the telenovela "Pasión de gavilanes".

40. What is your favorite album by 7? (Nelly Furtado - 1 500)
I'd say "Folklore", but the forthcoming Spanish album might reach the top only due to the language.

41. Is there a song by 31 that makes you happy? (Bat for Lashes - 538)
Yes, yes, YES! It's the first question of this type where I can say "yes". It's "Daniel", the leading single of her new album "Two Suns". Magical.

42. What is your favorite album by 41? (Kamelot - 454)
I'm not into their albums, usually I listen to a mix of songs from "Epica" and "The Black Halo", the rest remaining somewhat unknown.

43. What is your favorite song by 24? (Sigur Rós - 659)
It's "Sæglópur". But all the songs from their album "Takk..." are great.

44. What is a good memory you have involving 46? (Anja Garbarek - 430)
Her song "Can I Keep Him" is a part of a bigger set of songs that bring me back my first love.

45. What is your favorite song by 35? (Kate Bush - 521)
That'd be "Get Out of My House", partially inspired by "The Shining" of Steven King.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? (Mediæval Bæbes - 1 337)
Yes, their version of the Occitan folk song "Quan vey la lauzeta" always causes that I smile.

47. What is your favorite album by 4? (múm - 1 806)
"Finally We Are No One" and its Icelandic counterpart, "Loksins erum við engin". It was the very first múm's album I've got. All other albums and their EP "Please Smile My Nose Bleed" are also superb, but rather not prepared for easy listening.

48. Who is a favorite member of 37? (Kenza Farah - 497)
This question is irrelevant in this case.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? (Reni Jusis - 446)
Her very first chart-topping single "Zakręcona".

50. How many albums do you own by 20? (Madonna - 805)
I've got two - "American Life" and "Ray of Light".]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2008/03/22/3kpn_where_are_my_top50_artists_from%3F Sat, 22 Mar 2008 23:29:24 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2008/03/22/3kpn_where_are_my_top50_artists_from%3F United States of America - 5,277
Tori Amos - played 1,684 times
Paul Romero & Rob King along with Might and Magic Soundtrack & Paul Romero - played 1,267 times
Rasputina - played 698 times
Madonna - played 684 times
Kamelot - played 496 times
Danity Kane - played 331 times
Fleetwood Mac - played 319 times
Christina Aguilera - played 258 times
Cassie - played 224 times

Norway / Norge - 4,935
Theatre of Tragedy - played 2,080 times
Leaves' Eyes - played 1,437 times
Liv Kristine - played 862 times
Sirenia - played 298 times
The Sins of Thy Beloved - played 258 times

Germany / Deutschland - 2,790
Leaves' Eyes - played 1,437 times
Enigma - played 560 times
Lacrimosa - played 460 times
Xandria - played 333 times

Romania / România - 2,710
Adela Popescu - played 1,064 times
Enigma - played 560 times
Activ - played 545 times
Akcent - played 292 times
Voltaj - played 249 times

United Kingdom - 2,181
Mediæval Bæbes - played 1,280 times
Eurythmics - played 482 times
Kate Bush - played 419 times

Canada - 1,758
Nelly Furtado - played 1,311 times
Natasha St-Pier - played 447 times

Italy / Italia - 1,701
Lacuna Coil - played 884 times
Benassi Bros. - played 517 times
Laura Pausini - played 300 times

Netherlands / Nederland - 1,354
Within Temptation - played 580 times
Epica - played 526 times
4 Strings - played 248 times

Russia / Россия - 1,532
t.A.T.u. - played 1,352 times

Finland / Suomi - 1,345
Nightwish - played 1,345 times

Poland / Polska - 949
Goya - played 440 times
Moonlight - played 281 times
Reni Jusis - played 228 times

Sweden - 685
Antique - played 363 times
Katatonia - played 322 times

Portugal - 632
Cristina Branco - played 632 times

France - 563
Yann Tiersen - played 331 times
Era - played 232 times

Iceland / Ísland - 562
Björk - played 293 times
múm - played 269 times

Bulgaria / България - 501
Reni - played 501 times

Colombia - 471
Angela Maria Forero - played 471 times

Greece / Έλλας - 363
Antique - played 363 times

Austria / Österreich - 289
L'Âme Immortelle - played 289 times

Japan / 日本国 - 267
林原めぐみ - played 267 times]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2008/01/10/3kpm_open-minded._what_does_it_mean%3F Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:49:29 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2008/01/10/3kpm_open-minded._what_does_it_mean%3F As user derek_trash asked me recently in my shoutbox about that what means "open-minded" for me, I'd like to answer to this question also here. Derek told me that for him, listening to all possible "mainstreams" is not equal to being open-minded. O.K., everyone could've his/her own point of view.

My point of view on being open-minded and this strange division between "mainstream" and "indie" is very simple. Open-minded people don't bother, to which genre belong their favourite artists. Let them listen to both Metallica and Britney Spears, Nightwish and Tokio Hotel, etc., if they like to do so. Probably, for them the genre is not that important. They concentrate on music - maybe they like both guitar riffs and synthesised voices? Maybe they do not think that *place here the genre's name* sucks? Or maybe they are unaware of existing genres?

And what's mainstream? Is it that music, which is listened by many people? Well, if so many people listen to that, it doesn't mean, that it is a crap. In fact, many mainstream artists are quite good in what they're doing. Do you want to offend, let's say Nelly Furtado, because beats from her new album are all the same? O.K., so now create different beats, wrtite lyrics and start your music career. I wish you a lot of successes.

And what's indie? So-called "independent" artists, who aren't so popular? I think most of them, if they could've a chance to promote themselves as, for example Christina Aguilera does, they would catch the opportunity. Marketing can also be used to promote really talented people.

I'm not dividing musicians neither into mainstream, nor into indie, nor into crap, nor into "the worst thing ever to happen to music", etc. All artists are doing what they want. And if you don't like their songs, simply do not listen to them and let the others to do what they want. Think before any offensive comment in next shoutbox. I believe in you!

:)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2007/11/27/3kpl_game_soundtracks Tue, 27 Nov 2007 21:59:17 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2007/11/27/3kpl_game_soundtracks I'm joyfully observing that the quality of computer game soundtracks gets higher and higher. Let's just listen to some tracks by Paul Romero & Rob King. Analysing their music from Might and Magic VI to Heroes of Might and Magic V is a good generalisation of a quality growth.

The music from MM6 was very good, however, even if still beautiful, couldn't be compared to, let's take something newer, Neverwinter Nights. And then, let's take The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the newest to be presented. The level of music is comparable with, if not higher than the soundtracks of movies.

That caused great jump of Paul Romero & Rob King on my charts. I'm also seeking names of music composers for NWN and TES:Oblivion, in order to add them to my charts.

This note is also a kind of rationale for my new avatar, which presents NWN henchman, Sharwyn ;)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2007/07/11/3kpk_after_a_long_break_-_bj%C3%B6rk_&_tori_amos Wed, 11 Jul 2007 19:38:12 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2007/07/11/3kpk_after_a_long_break_-_bj%C3%B6rk_&_tori_amos Hah, let's just say, that I became Björk's new fan. I'm really astonished by her work. A friend of mine (he's somewhere around, has a nick combined of various letters starting by "a" and finishing by "g", and an avatar with Björk's photo) gave me several months ago a CD with all but two ("Björk" - an early debut and "Volta" - then unreleased) of her albums. I found it this week when I was doing some kind of clean-up on my shelves. I copied the music and started listening.

Although not everything suits me in her music, there are many amazing songs, let's name two: "All Is Full of Love", "Jóga". They cannot get out from my head, and they are on air all the time in my mind. :P

O'course, I couldn't be myself, if I wouldn't compare Björk to my beloved Tori Amos. Their musical style is different and similar at one time - that's my impression. And both concentrate either on important and quite up-to-date world topics or people's feelings in their songs.

My favourite Tori's songs: "Caught a Lite Sneeze" and "Taxi Ride" probably gained a high competition from Björk's side. No problem, in my heart there's a place for both ;)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/07/03/3kpj_loose_by_nelly_furtado Mon, 3 Jul 2006 12:55:46 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/07/03/3kpj_loose_by_nelly_furtado Today I bought in our Virgin Stores the new Nelly Furtado's album. Now I'm listening to it. Song titled "Afraid", first one, is great. Now the "Maneater" is on. It's better on album than on TV/radio. More reflexions on the album soon. :)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/20/3kpi_two_great_songs Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:51:32 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/20/3kpi_two_great_songs I don't like Tool much. For me, their songs are just boring, no matter, how good lyrics are. But my friend sent me two great songs by that band: No Quarter and Reflection. They are over eleven minutes long, but sound and lyrics vary and depend of the moment of the song. If they have more similar songs, maybe I'll become a new Tool fan. :)]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/09/3kph_let_indie_and_mainstream_go_together! Fri, 9 Jun 2006 23:21:54 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/09/3kph_let_indie_and_mainstream_go_together! As I see, when I'm travelling from musical profile, there are not many people who can connect indie and mainstream. I think you should try. Some independent, for example new age artists such as Era or Engima are inspiring more popular mainstream stars, like Benassi Bros. or Tiesto to create something more original and interesting.

It works also reverted - some mainstream rock groups are inspiring heavier musicians and punk-rockmen to create something that, in their opinion is shitty, but in the opinion of the crowd is great. Many people became fans of Green Day because of typical mainstream political connection in their lyrics.

And there are many other examples.

And who can tell me, when the mainstream is finishing and indie starts?]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/02/3kpg_top_60_artists_-_country_rank Fri, 2 Jun 2006 19:02:14 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/02/3kpg_top_60_artists_-_country_rank 1. USA - 1418 = 493 + 253 + 196 + 150 + 106 + 95 + 81 + 44
2. Norway - 1229 = 518 + 425 + 218 + 68
3. United Kingdom - 935 = 249 + 215 + 120 + 94 + 72 + 69 + 62 + 54
4. Pays-Bas - 646 = 258 + 175 + 84 + 83 + 46
5. Finland - 645 = 598 + 47
6. Poland - 583 = 194 + 138 + 85 + 85 + 81
7. Germany - 567 = 167 + 77 + 74 + 66 + 63 + 56 + 53 + 51
8. Italy - 507
9. France - 325 = 107 + 82 + 72 + 64
10. Bulgaria - 308
11. Russia - 293
12. Canada - 290 = 178 + 112
13. Romania - 276 = 113 + 89 + 74
14. Switzerland - 252
15. Japan - 178
16. Denmark - 71
17. Sweden - 61
18. Liechtenstein - 49]]> http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/01/3kpf_i%27m_bored,_so..._questionnaire! Thu, 1 Jun 2006 09:09:05 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/michal_p_pl/journal/2006/06/01/3kpf_i%27m_bored,_so..._questionnaire! Write down your first 10 bands mentioned in the overall list and tell about first song you heard, song you fell in love with and current favourite...

I'll add some artists from lower positions. ;)

1. Nightwish
First: Nemo
Loved: Creek Mary's Blood
Cur. fav.: Walking in the Air

2. Leaves' Eyes
First: Lovelorn
Loved: Ankomst
Cur. fav.: Into Your Light

3. Lacuna Coil
First: Heaven's a Lie
Loved: Tight Rope
Cur. fav.: Entwinded

4. Tori Amos
First: Silent All These Years
Loved: Space Dog
Cur. fav.: Father Lucifer

5. Theatre of Tragedy
First: Lorelei
Loved: ...A Distance There Is...
Cur. fav.: Automatic Lover

6. Reni
First: Kato Ptica Sym Swabodna
Loved: Opasno Te Wolim
Cur. fav.: Kato Ptica Sym Swabodna

7. t.A.T.u.
First: Nas Nie Dogoniat
Loved: Pakażi Mnie Lubow
Cur. fav.: Clowns

8. Epica
First: Sensorium
Loved: Triumph of Defeat
Cur. fav.: Adyta-Sensorium

9. Madonna
First: Frozen
Loved: Die Another Day
Cur. fav.: Hung Up

10. Lacrimosa
First: Crucifixio
Loved: Halt Mich
Cur. fav.: Crucifixio

11. Kate Bush
First: Wuthering Heights
Loved: Running Up That Hill
Cur. fav.: Get out of My House

(...)

13. Liv Kristine
First: Huldra
Loved: This Is Us
Cur. fav.: Good Vibes, Bad Vibes

(...)

17. Natasha St-Pier
First: Tant Que C'est Toi
Loved: Nos Rendez-Vous
Cur. fav.: Un Ange Frappe A Ma Porte

(...)

20. Rasputina
First: Transylvanian Concubine
Loved: Witchcraft
Cur. fav.: Tourniquet

(...)

24. Nelly Furtado
First: Turn Off The Lights
Loved: Try
Cur. fav.: Maneater

(...)

26. Kamelot
First: Wander
Loved: Wander
Cur. fav.: Un Assasino Molto Silenzioso]]>