Lukthung Top 5 (26/09/10)

1) kor mark pai ru - Earn The Star
2) hai jai yah hai - Tai Orratai

3) in hang - Aiden Apinun
4) mai loy lum - Takkatan Cholada
5) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee

San Naka - fon ra ruem tee korat

Hard country rock, slow grinding guitar solos, gutsy singing. You know the kind of thing, i am a big fan of this kind of music to be honest. The title track for example is wonderful with an almost cliche like opening with slow guitar chords before proceeding into a chunky slow beat with cutting guitar seemingly punching in and out of the melody. Terrific stuff.

"Kid tueng da dur" is another great track, starting with some bluesy guitar before entering a great power ballad. A departure is "Plong" which is a much faster paced song with traditional instrumentation (though still plenty of guitar too!) A better track though is "Plug ra dom" with its funky beat. Its not a flawless album but the bad is greatly outweighed by the good.

Rating : 8.3/10

Lukthung Top 5 (19/09/10)

1) hai jai yah hai - Tai Orratai
2) in hang - Aiden Apinun
3) kor mark pai ru - Earn The Star

4) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee
5) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper

Lukthung Top 5 (11/09/10)

1) hai jai yah hai - Tai Orratai
2) in hang - Aiden Apinun
3) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee
4) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper
5) sao sading - P Saderd

New releases (11/09/10)

• Sirintra Niyakorn - Thao Rai Tueng Ja Por
• Maitai Jaitawan - Bor Mee Sith Nuey
• Natalie Sripetch - Kodung Hua Jai
• Noo Meter - Mark Kwa Kwam Ruk (5th album)
• Fon Tanasoontorn - Chun Ja Ngorn Leaw Na
• Chalermpol Malakum - Perd Tumnarn Buk Job Loy
• Pure Pure - Special album
• Satien Tummuer - Yark Pen Khon Tee Ter Reak Wa Fan

Lukthung Top 5 (04/09/10)

1) in hang - Aiden Apinun
2) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee
3) hai jai yah hai - Tai Orratai
4) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper
5) chimi - Blueberry

Nui Suweenar นุ้ย ชุดที่ - khon nee fan chun

I like Nui, her first RS album was very good indeed and this is the follow-up. It starts off straight-forward enough with a decent rocky song with a good chorus. Nui sings it well enough but you feel sometimes she is straining on some of the notes a bit. Her voice also lacks a little of the warmth of some other singers though she has plenty of power. You feel Nui gives it everything.

"Kon nee fan chun" is another song with a good melody and rock edges. It has a really good chorus (though again a few strained notes). "Tien kai fai fah" is much the same, this album is built with huge slabs of power chords. If you like rock ballads then this album is for you. Its music i like which is fine but maybe there should have been a bit more variety in the song selection and a little bit more lukthung in the mix.

Its a decent enough album with some good songs but the album is not without some flaws. Some of the singing could do with some improvement though the music is good if maybe a bit samey after awhile.

Rating : 8.5/10

MV : "Yarng nee tong tee kao" by Kratae & Kratai

Song off the album by Kratae and her friend.

MV : "Bor luem sunya" by Alexandra Bounxouei

Alexandra one of the biggest (the biggest?) star in Laos, and huge in Thailand too.

Lukthung Top 5 (28/08/10)

1) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee
2) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper
3) in hang - Aiden Apinun
4) hai jai yah hai - Tai Orratai

5) kor anuyart kid hord - Nongpang Natthida

MV : "Mhuen derm eak tee nueng" by Takkatan Cholada

Takkatan has a dance remix album out, not sure i like the sound of that really. Usually those sort of things are a bit cheesey. Anyway this song has not been megamixed.

MV : "Leo phai see huck ai" by Maitai Jaitawan

Maitai's 4th album is out now, here is one of his older songs.

Lukthung Top 5 (21/08/10)

1) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper
2) kor anuyart kid hord - Nongpang Natthida
3) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee
4) in hang - Aiden Apinun

5) kid tueng da dur - San Naka

MV : "Ruk gao tii baan kert" by Eakkachai Sriwichai

Artist who has been around a while.

Lukthung Top 5 (14/08/10)

1) kid tueng da dur - San Naka
2) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper
3) jai jar worn - Klin Patooma
4) kor anuyart kid hord - Nongpang Natthida
5) yah klub ma - Bew Kalaynee

MV : "Bao guitar yuem" by Aidin Apinun

This guy is fast becoming one of my favourite male artists.

MV : "Chimi" by Blueberry

Three adorable girls, you can forgive them a lot. Well the song isn't that bad, certainly heard worse!

Earn The Star เอิร์น เดอะสตาร์ - kum kor jark wa tee khon took ting

Earn The Star is on the pop-rock side of the lukthung spectrum but that is not necessarily a bad thing, it would be boring if every lukthung artist was the same and Earn has a good voice so how is this latest album? Its pretty good as you might expect from a very commercial artist. You feel everything is calculated  and planned to sound good. Maybe it lacks the "credibility" (real or imagined) of some albums but the mainstream is not always bad.

A song like "Koon jae yung yoo tee kao" for example has a lovely melody, beautiful tones, and one of those tunes that builds and builds throughout, all topped off with some clear and crisp singing and some luscious keyboard chords. Its a wonderful song to be honest. Much of the rest of the album is like that too, tunes you'll likely be humming for awhile.

Rating : 8.8/10

Lukthung Top 5 (07/08/10)

1) jai jar worn - Klin Patooma 
2) kid tueng da dur - San Naka
3) ruk mai kla sadeng - Fangkaew Worasamon
4) kor pen khon - Vit Hyper

5) kor anuyart kid hord - Nongpang Natthida

MV : "Bussaba sieng tien" by Nittaya Boonsungnern

Plenty of candles were harmed in the filming of this MV.

MV : "Koy" by Pure Pure

Pure Pure is back with a new album, and it includes this.

Lukthung Top 5 (31/07/10)

1) ruk mai kla sadeng - Fangkaew Worasamon
2) kid tueng da dur - San Naka
3) jai jar worn - Klin Patooma
4) yhark pen kon - Takkatan Cholada

5) pen dai kae fan - Nui Suweenar

Saowaros Roongpailin สวรส รุ้งไพลิน - ror sai khon jai dum

Saowaros Roongpailin is a new singer to me and quite promising. "Sin-la-pin" is a stand-out song, nothing out of the ordinary, just a straight forward slow ballad but sung pretty well if a little rough (but thats fine with me, i don't like my music to be too polished).

"Sapha hua jai" is another fine track, ups the pace a bit but is another ballad. This one you can dance to (slowly). Some of the higher notes Saowaros struggles on. The rest of the album is fine, nothing else really stand out but nothing stinks either. As a body of music its well worth a listen. It doesn't try and break any boundaries and maybe lacks a little ambition. It does, as the saying goes, exactly what it says on the tin. A straight forward lukthung album.

Rating : 7.5/10

MV : "Sao cheer ball" by Aum Nuntiya

In case you still missing the world cup.

MV : "Peur yai" by Golf Sirikwan

I miss Golf.

Lukthung Top 5 (24/07/10)

1) yhark pen kon - Takkatan Cholada
2) ruk mai kla sadeng - Fangkaew Worasamon
3) pen dai kae fan - Nui Suweenar
4) karuna hen jai khon - Duangjun Suwanee
5) kid tueng da dur - San Naka

MV : "Mai loy lum farng" by Takkatan Cholada

Love the microphone!

MV : "Lod pung noi pee" by Ajareeya Bussaba

Older song by my princess.

Lukthung Top 5 (17/07/10)

1) yhark pen kon - Takkatan Cholada
2) vilismalar - Bew Kalaynee
3) karuna hen jai khon - Duangjun Suwanee

4) ruk mai kla sadeng - Fangkaew Worasamon
5) pen dai kae fan - Nui Suweenar

MV : "Tua kun jor jor" by Aidin Apinun

Off his previous album.

MV : "Morlum ma leaw" by Saifon Uthairat

Off her debut album.

Ajareeya Bussaba อาจารียา บุษบา - subparode

Ajareeya's latest (6th album) and the second album of the latest stage of her career. Unlike her previous album which was a little more daring and experimented with different styles this album is a little safer, more like her earlier work. Very well done of course but the album overall is not quite as good as last time.

A song like "Mua nim" is a decent enough mid-paced track that bounces out with a bit of trademark Ajareeya energy and spice. The title track is a little more interesting though, a fast song again but with some nice guitar. "Luem nong leaw ka" interestingly mixes some traditional sounds with some hard beats. Its full of the usual infectious energy you expect from Ajareeya and good enough but personally i think this album could have been a little bit more...

Rating : 8.3/10

Lukthung Top 5 (10/07/10)

1) yhark pen kon ruk mai yhark pen choo - Takkatan Cholada

2) vilismalar - Bew Kalaynee
3) pen dai kae fan - Nui Suweenar
4) sin-la-pin - Saowaros Roongpailin
5) koon jae yung yoo - Earn The Star

MV : "Karn ve la" by Bew Kalaynee & Noo Meter

Duet with 2 of my favourite singers. Win!

New Releases (08/07/10)

• Boonthom Somjit - look esarn
• Anda - Anda jumbo hit
• Yui Yardyer - yui ma leaw jah
• Takkatan Cholada - poo ying nork aom kaen (hits)
• Su Boonlaeng - samuer kum yuen yun

MV : "Sao Korea" by Pee Saderd

Off Pee Saderd's 5th album.

MV : "Aeb joob roob joy" by Aidin Apinun

Sure Audio male artist. I like his voice. This is off his debut album.

Lukthung Top 5 (03/07/10)

1) vilismalar - Bew Kalaynee
2) koon jae yung yoo - Earn The Star
3) pen dai kae fan - Nui Suweenar
4) subparode - Ajareeya Bussada
5) sin-la-pin - Saowaros Roongpailin

MV : "Dao Inter" by Sao Mard Mega Dance

Sao Mard is ace, ok all her songs and MVs are pretty much the same but still...

MV : "Job (mai) bor ri boon" by Anda

Anda has a new compilation out which includes this song.

Lukthung Top 5 (26/06/10)

1) vilismalar - Bew Kalaynee

2) koon jae yung yoo - Earn The Star
3) subparode - Ajareeya Bussada
4) pror pai mhao wa - Nongpang Natthida
5) sin-la-pin - Saowaros Roongpailin

MV : "Sai bua yung koy" by Yui Yardyer

Yui has a new album out, i guess the songs will sound like this.

Updating the look of this blog

I thought it was high time the blog had a face lift and i wanted to take advantage of the new Blogger templates anyway. Let me know if you have any problems with the new look such as reading the text or anything.

MV : "Sapha hua jai" by Saowaros Roongpailin

Another song off Saowaros' debut.

Lukthung Top 5 (19/06/10)

1) koon jae yung yoo - Earn The Star

2) pror pai mhao wa - Nongpang Natthida
3) mue dai si kid - Tai Orratai
4) vilismalar - Bew Kalaynee
5) subparode - Ajareeya Bussada

MV : "Kat-ta-korn dee den" by Ying Thitikarn

Off Ying's 5th album, released last month.

MV : "Sao ka-yerb" by Duang Morrakot

Going back a couple of years.

Lukthung Top 5 (12/06/10)

1) pror pai mhao wa - Nongpang Natthida
2) mue dai si kid - Tai Orratai
3) subparode - Ajareeya Bussada

4) koon jae yung yoo - Earn The Star
5) jai nong bor kwang - Boonta Muangmai

MV : "Khong kwan tee nong khor" by Kratae

Not dancing around or kick-boxing for a change.

MV : "Fon ra ruem tee korat" by San Naka

Off his most recent album released late last year.

MV : "Kae sieng mai pieng por" by Duangjan Suwannee

Off her new album.

Lukthung Top 5 (05/06/10)

Featuring the return of my weekly chart. This is my weekly top 5 lukthung songs that i have been listening to the most this week.

1) mue dai si kid - Tai Orratai

2) pror pai mhao wa - Nongpang Natthida
3) tung hug tung yarn - Aum Nuntiya
4) jai nong bor kwang - Boonta Muangmai
5) luem sunya - Dokfah Tahchana

MV : "Sin-la-pin" by Saowaros Roongpailin

New artist to me, got her album today (and VCD). As the video is so matrix like i thought i had to upload it. I like this song a lot!

MV : "Yha ma ruk kan tel nee" by Nui Suweenar

Got Nui's new album today and it includes this song.

New releases (05/06/10)

• Sao Mard - The Star Kong Mae
• Duangjan Suwannee - Kae Sieng Mai Pieng Por
• Pee Saderd - Yok Sode
• Saowaros Roongpailin - Ror Sai Khon Jai Dum

• Nui Suweenar - Khon Nee Fan Chun
• Lawan Junphen - Somtum Pua
• Nong Mild & Thala Senanikom - Mild Sah Thala Goh
• Dokruk Duangmala - Chun Mai Chai Seven

MV : "Tha Star Korng Mae" by Sao Mard

Sao Mard is back with a new album which includes this.

MV : "Sao sa ding" by P Saderd

P Saderd is back with a new album.

Top 5 CDs of May 2010

1) Dokfah Tahchana - mai mee chun nai jai ter
2) Aum Nuntiya - wai teen yasothorn
3) Jukkajun Wunwisar - prub took kub ngao
4) Takkatan Cholada - kon ngao tee kao jai ter
5) Tai Orathai - fhun yung klai kai yung ngao

MV : "Nong si tha" by Dokruk Duangmala

Off her new album.

MV : "Yark tho ha jai si kard" by Aum Nuntiya

One of my favourite singers at the moment.

Top 5 CDs of April 2010

1) Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn - sao noy chiang mai
2) Tai Orathai - fhun yung klai kai yung ngao
3) Earn The Star - kum kor jark wa tee khon took ting
4) Job Sabye Heart - narm tar poo chai
5) Takkatan Cholada - kon ngao tee kao jai ter

MV : "Rao sarm kon" by Bew Kalayanee บิว กัลยาณี

Rockin' with this track off Bew's latest album.

MV : "Fah kwang klang krong" by Nui Suweenar นุ้ย สุวีณา

Joy is unconfined here as Nui Suweenar has a new album out! Who is she? Well check this out...

Boonta Muangmai บุญตา เมืองใหม่ - kwam wung... bon tarng sai mai

Now i dare say Boonta is no rookie (actually i know she is as she has quite a back catalogue of CDs already) but this is my first time to listen to her and she impresses me with her voice and songs. "Yah hen nong pen kong tai" opens the album and is a professional slower song with some nice melodies and gutsy vocals. "Bor kei luem barn hao" is very different, a fast traditional song marrying bluesy guitar chords and notes from a lot more traditional Thai music forms. Boonta sings well on this too. A key test for a singer is how they manage with a fast song. It can find out the weaker or adequate but Boonta shines on this track.

"Jai nong bor kwang por" takes the tempo down again, Boonta's vocals just veer the right side of shrill on some of the high notes but its good, trust me. This is another accomplished song. Terrific vocal hooks. Another song to mention is "Roo suek dee tee ter tho ma" which has some interesting instrumentation going on.

While the album didn't blow me away i enjoyed it throughout and will be sure to add Boonta to my list of artists to track.

Rating : 8.5/10

Favourite songs : Jai nong bor kwang por, Yah hen nong pen kong tai

MV : "Khor soo mar ter" by Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn

One of her songs that i uploaded to Youtube.

MV : "Kon mee koo mai roo lork" by Trai Nawawun

New RS artist, lets give her a listen. Seems pretty good though a bit generic RS too.

MV : "Ardeed ruk dork thong kwao" by Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn

Currently my favourite song, doesn't get much better than this IMO.

MV : "Rao ruk kan mai dai" by Oiy Kraton

Nice vocal hook to this one.

Top 5 CDs of March 2010

1) Nongpang Natthida - kor anuyart kid hord ai
2) Takkatan Cholada - kon ngao tee kao jai ter
3) Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn - sao noy chiang mai
4) Aum Nuntiya - wai teen yasothorn
5) Tai Orathai - fhun yung klai kai yung ngao

MV : "Don kord wun tord katin" by Jintara Poonlarp จินตรา พูนลาภ

Off Jintara's latest album.

MV : "Vilismalar" by Bew Kalayanee บิว กัลยาณี

Bew has a new greatest hits album out, this Bollywood-esque song is on it.

New Releases (31/03/10)

• Pornsuk Songsaeng - Mangwee Mai Mee Sith
• Amp Inthira - Inthira Kwa Mic
• Bew Kalayanee - Buntuek Pleng Ruk - Vol.2.
• Earn The Star - Kum Kor Jark Wa Tee Khon Took Ting
• Monsit Khamsroi - Hom Farng Tarng Pah
• Chaiyo Tanawat - Kor Arnuyard Kid Tueng
• NongBenz Junior - Kong Zaap Esarn
• Boss Nawaphol - Narm Ta Maew
• Karnjana Masiri - Mee Mia Mae Mhai Mai
• Ajareeya Bussaba - Subparode
• Tai Orrathai - Fhun Yung Klai Jai Yung Ngao

MV : "Ruk mai" by Amp Inthira แอม อินทิรา

She has a new album out and this is on it.

MV : "Si huk pai aow hai sure" by Boonta Muangmai บุญตา เมืองใหม่

Off her latest album.

Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn พรรณรวี พจนสุนทร - sao noy chiang mai

This album starts off in a bright manner with "Sao chiang hai", a nice mid-paced track with an infectious chorus and appealing vocals. Punnawaree's vocals have a somewhat innocent and youthful air to them but she stays the right side of young girl squeekiness. Some notes are a bit of a strain though, her voice is fairly low generally.

"Khor soo mar ter" is another mid-paced track, starting off with some chords from Western old-style dance music before moving onto a shuffle beat with a melody punctuated with traditional instruments and tasty organ. "Nhom sen narm ngiew" raises the tempo and is an excellent fast lukthung track. Punnawaree's vocals get a bit flat at times on it though but the song has an excellent if oddly sparse melody.

The best song on the album is "Sia jai tae wah" which has a kind of 60s style doo-wop melody in the background, earnest yearnful vocals and a wonderful synthesizer solo which seems to go on for ever. Following that is the interesting "Ardeed ruk dork thong kwao" which is quite 80s pop in some ways with a relaxing soft feel.

This is a very good album, maybe lacks some variety and polish especially with the vocals but has so much to entertain you with.

Rating : 9.1/10

Favourite songs : Sia jai tae wah, Sao chiang hai, Nhom sen narm ngiew

MV : "Chuer jai ter tae mai wai jai kao" by Earn The Star เอิร์น เดอะสตาร์

Earn has her new album out, lets remind ourselves of a song from the last one.

MV : "18 Fon" by Luang Kai หลวงไก่

Off his new album, like the keyboards on this.

Vit Hyper วิด ไฮเปอร์ - chai park rai pood taen jai ying oak huk

Vit Hyper's latest album, i am a big fan of Vit so always look forward to these. The opener "Poo ying luem yark" is a nice basic rock ballad though quite forgettable. "Rerm jark roy" is quite different, a more traditional sounding song with some nice harmonica and a building melody and a good chorus.

"Ma ruk tummai ton nee" is a high point, standard Vit rock ballad territory. Nice melody, warm vocals, big chorus et cetera. I'm sure he can do those songs in his sleep though. "Kor pen khon sood tai" is another rock song but with a bluesy feel though otherwise keeps to the blueprint. "Ma tee lhung wung taeng" is an interesting song, less rock and more lukthung. It works quite well with Vit's low but slightly rough vocals.

Its a decent album but ultimately a bit forgettable. The album lacks a bit of star dust and a really big hit song. It has a number of nice little songs but falls short of the killer blow. Fans will enjoy it though it probably won't convert anyone unconvinced.

Rating : 8/10

Favourite songs : Ma ruk tummai ton nee, Ma tee lhung wung taeng, Rerm jark roy

MV : "Lao dtee kiat" by Jonas Andersson

Time for another song by the westerner lukthung legend.

MV : "Pa-ya-korn arkard wun nee" by Jukkajun Wunwisar จั๊กจั่น วันวิสา

Off her latest album.

Aum Nuntiya อั้ม นันทิยา - wai teen yasothorn

Aum Nuntiya's latest (and third) album for Sure Audio starts with an excellent fast lukthung title track with an irresistible beat. "Yark tho ha jai si kard" brings things down tempo wise with some sweet melodies and tones and is an enjoyable slow song with a very ear friendly melody.

"Tung hug tung yarn" speeds things up again with an interesting melody which mixes traditional instruments and retro electronica and sounds like an 80s video game where you play the role of a lukthung star. "Ai bor kue kao" is a slow song (spot the pattern yet) and is basically fine but a bit too basic.

"Bor yark klub pai sei jai" has a very tinkly pop melody, sung by Aum with plenty of youthful energy and charm. Overall the album is an enjoyable listen, not earth shattering maybe not the best vocals in the world but a well put together album all of the same with plenty of high spots.

Rating : 8/10

Favourite songs : Wai teen yasothorn, Tung hug tung yarn, Yark tho ha jai si kard

MV : "Roo wa kao mod jai...tummai yung huk luer kern" by Tai Orratai ต่าย อรทัย

New Tai Orratai song. Can't wait to get her new album.

MV : "Soo puer ter" by Luang Kai หลวงไก่

Off Luang Kai's new album.

Top 5 CDs of February 2010

1) Klin Patoomma - poo chai khon raek
2) Fangkaew Worasamon - mark kwa puean dai mai
3) Bao We - v4
4) Punnawaree Pojjanasoontorn - sao noy chiang mai
5) Takkatan Cholada - kon ngao tee kao jai ter

MV : "Pu chai nai fun" by Ajareeya Bussaba อาจารียา บุษา

What a great month March will be, not only does Ajareeya have a new album... a certain artist called Tai Orratai does too...

MV : "Bung fai yasothorn" by Jintara Poonlap จินตหรา พูนลาภ

New Jintara song!

New Releases (19/02/10)

• Luang Kai - Luang Kai Lai Suer
• Boonta Muangmai - Kwam Wung...Bon Tarng Sai Mai
• Jintara Poonlarb - Jintara Krob Krueng Vol.4
• Jukkajun Wunwisar - Prub Took Kub Ngao
• Mam Panama - Oh...Na Mung
• Kratae & Kratai - Tee Kao Kayao Dance
• Cathaleeya Marasri - Wok
• Mhai Muang - Keb Ruk Wai Tee Plai Roong
• Pamela Bowden - Pamela Krajiew Barn
• San Naka - Fon Ra Ruem Tee Korat
• Phai Pongsathorn - Mee Ter Jueng Mee Fhun
• Mangpor Chonticha - Johnny Tee Ruk
• Sakol Darbpong - Phom Mai Chai Choo
• Aum Nuntiya - Wai Teen Yasothorn

MV : "Fon maa kai laa jaak" by Klin Patoomma กลิ่น ปทุมมา

The more i hear of Klin the more i am impressed by her.

MV : "Kon dee tee ai bor huk" by Boontar Muengmai บุญตา เมืองใหม่

Boontar has a new album out, though this is an older one.

MV : "Wai teen yasothorn" by Aum Nuntiya อั้ม นันทิยา

One of my favourite songs at the moment, her new album is great.

MV : "Kid hod boh jing" by Jukkajun Wunwisar จั๊กจั่น วันวิสา

Jukkajun's 4th album is out now, lets go back to an older song.

Bao We บ่าววี - vol 4

It doesn't take an Einstein to tell that this is Bao We's 4th album. I've quite liked his songs in the past though i've found he tends to have albums with a few great songs and a lot of filler instead of consistent great albums. Lets see if this is any different.

"Mai yark hai dao tong ma puen din" opens the proceedings and is a typical Bao We song, rock ballad with a big gutsy chorus and an excellent hook. The kind of song that gets lots of air play. And its a very good song indeed. "Mai mee pra yode" is a bit different, oddly enough it starts off a bit like "Kung fu fighting" (somewhat scarily) though quickly becomes another rock ballad. More traditional touches on this one though, and some soaring vocals.

"Song mue song thao" is a fast track with lukthung instrumentation married to some driving guitar. "Koo chewit" is another good ballad song, big chords, slow start. You know the form. Yeah big rock chorus. Probably the best song on the album.

Still unconvinced about Bao We album wise, overall its pretty good but some songs are much better than others. Well worth your time but you may find yourself skipping tracks a bit.

Rating : 8.8/10

Favourite songs : Koo chewit, Mai yark hai dao tong ma puen din

MV : "Pid fai" by Mam Panama แหม่ม ปานามา

Mam's new album is out now.

MV : "Sao rum wong" by Kratae & Kratai

I'm sure i don't need to tell you which one is which.

Top 5 CDs of January 2010

1) Nongpang Natthida - kor anuyart kid hord ai
2) Job Sabye Heart - narm tar poo chai
3) Fon Tanasoontorn - ruk nee mai mee luem
4) Takkatan Cholada - kon ngao tee kao jai ter
5) Bao We - Vol 4

MV : "Bor yark klub pai sei jai" by Aum Nuntiya อั้ม นันทิยา

What a cutie! Off her new album.

MV : "Perd pukkatu jai" by Lookpud Pimchanok

Coming to light after a reader's request, you may not have noticed the link in the comments to another post so lets give it its own post.

Revision : Noo Meter, Tai Orratai, A-Zeer

I review albums on this blog of course, but i may listen to an album many times more after i have written the review. Have some of my opinions changed? Well lets look back at a few albums from last year and see...

Noo Meter - khon derm tee koon kei

Back in September 09 i reviewed Noo's latest album and was impressed with him once again. Noo is one of my favourite male lukthung singers and he definitely has my favourite voice. I did say though there were no surprises, if you had heard him before then you would know exactly what this album would sound like.

But lets face it it was maybe a bit unfair to criticise him for that as you could say it for most lukthung artists! I think maybe i was just desperate for something critical to say. Recently i have discovered the song "Khon derm" on the album which i didn't highlight in the original review but its also a very good (and a very Noo Meter) song.

Tai Orratai - morlum dok ya

Tai Orratai goes morlum, when i reviewed this i said it was a great change. I think i was on the juice when i wrote that. To be honest i think the album is pretty average and that was painfully apparent with further listening. Usually i listen to Tai albums so much the CD case falls apart and if the CD laser could burn a groove the CD would look like a tyre tread. However this album has hardly been out of it's box for months. Back to normal next time Tai please!

A-Zeer - self-titled

I liked this album, though only the tracks with the female vocals. A reader helpfully pointed out that the female vocalist was Sear Napat, which passed me by (i am slow sometimes). Once told it was blindingly obvious! Sear Napat's last full album was one of the best in 2007. Her songs on this album are great, the guy's songs are (lets be nice) different.

MV : "Copy hua jai" by Nongpang Natthida น้องแป้ง ณัฐธิดา

Off her latest album.

MV : "Sao na sung fan" by Poompuang Duangjun พุ่มพวง ดวงจันทร์

Lets go back a bit in time.

CD : Songkrod Chama ทรงกรด ฌามา - khon kra jok

I admit i didn't like Songkrod's last album that much, it had one good song (no doubt the intended big radio hit) but the rest was a bit forgettable if OK at times. So i ummed and ahhed a bit where it came to deciding whether to get the follow-up or not. In the end i decided to give him a go again though the lack of that much else coming out probably helped my decision!

So the opening (and title) track is a big rock-edged ballad with a chorus. Well so far so good, its a good radio friendly song. It is followed by "Sua sin lai" that actually has some nice lo-fi keyboards and bluesey guitar chords. It has some nice atmosphere behind the song.

"Kae huang yai" is another atmospheric song, slowly building up into another tasty ballad like song. Songkrod's rough edged vocals work very well on songs like this. Faster songs like "Sew hua charng" i am not so sure about. It bounces around OK but when he sings faster he uses a higher key and struggles with the notes a bit.

He should stick to songs like "Fark" which suit his vocal style much more, and work well with the bluesey chords and relaxed style. I think this album is noticeably better than his last one which seemed to put all the effort into 1 song, this is much more even and much more enjoyable. I'm glad i gave him another go.

Favourite songs : Khon kra jok, Kae huang yai, Sua sin lai

Rating : 8/10

MV : "Nam prik num kheep muu" by Pamela Bowden พาเมล่า เบาว์เด้น

Can't remember the last time (if ever) had a video of Pamela on here so lets rectify that! Song is from her new album.

CD : Nongpang Natthida น้องแป้ง ณัฐธิดา - kor anuyart kid hord ai

I really liked Nongpang's album from 2008, a really good debut. Her youthful vocals the right side of cute and sweet and not annoying. This is the follow-up and is the usual mixture of tempos. "Kor anuyart kid hord ai" is a nice ballad, though when it starts it sounds a bit like Nongpang is barfing up the vocals, still it gets a lot better after that!

"Kata gun lhork" is a nice pacey track with some juicy organ. I will be honest though and don't think this album is as good as the last one. Some of the vocals seem a bit strained and rushed. Maybe they just needed to spend a little more time on this album? Still some good points though, "Aok huk ruang chill chill" meanders along rather lovely.

Best song is "Mai yark pen nong sao" with it's relaxed feel and yearning quality to the vocals, maybe even worth the album for that song alone!

Rating : 8/10

Favourite songs : Mai yark pen nong, Kor anuyart kid hord ai, Kata gun lhork

MV : "Mai aow pee chai" by Nidnoi Nantaporn

As you can see from my end of year review Nidnoi was one of my favourite singers of the year, actually the best "newcomer" (as in someone i hadn't heard of before). And it is because of songs like this.