Jane Zhang - Reform

And this is Jane Zhang! Wow, I wasn't expecting her new album so fast and I had a real nice surprise especially that Jane is one of my faves of all time!

She welcomes us with a beautiful and strong song 我的模樣. Rockish feeling, something that's never happened on her albums before. Maybe that's the whole change she suggested in the title? The second track 追愛 keeps the rocking but in a little different style. 出境入境 can be described as.. "totally relaxing". Such a pretty song! And a ballad is a must but I've always liked Jane's ballads. 錯就錯 is no different I like it but it somehow touched me. It's very beautiful. 為愛瘋狂 is a simple pop song just the way Jane'd do it. But there goes an upbeat song 大膽 - very catchy! The next one 愛就愛 is a ballad but not a classical one. I guess they call it R'n'B ballad but in fact they have nothing to do with R'n'B. But if you wanted a classical ballad with piano in the back and all the stuff here you have 有時候. 上一章 is pretty hard to describe. Not a ballad, not an upbeat song but something between. And finally titular 改變 which is really pretty piece. U just gotta hear it youself!

It's very recommendable to buy it. The release date is June 1 but that's the Chinese version. The Taiwanese one will be a little later. I have no idea what's the difference between those two versions except for the price. But I'd recommend to wait a while. Knowing Jane's company they'll release second Taiwanese version with DVD and all the cool stuff inside. So I'm going to wait for the second one since I didn't do it with the last album and I regretted it afterwards.

Artist: Jane Zhang 張靚穎
Album: Reform 改变
Year: 2011
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop
01. 我的模樣
02. 追愛
03. 出境入境
04. 錯就錯
05. 為愛瘋狂
06. 大膽
07. 愛就愛
08. 有時候
09. 上一章
10. 改變

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M.I.C - Rock Star EP

Somehow, I managed to find it! I can't find how to buy it online, though...

CHECK IT OUT! M.I.C is imo the best boyband in China. No doubt about it.

Artist: MIC男团
Album: Rock Star EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: dance/r&b/pop

01.Rock Star
02.要命的烦恼
03.漫游记
04. 这次，真的是你不对
05.第几幕的爱
06.要命的烦恼（特别版/Special version）


^credit: maypay^

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Nicky Lee - Hao Jiu

Have you ever had this thing that you adore one's voice but his songs aren't really good? So you just have to stick to those few good songs he has. But you dream that one day will come that you will listen to the whole album and say "that's it. I love it". That's my thing with Nicky. I love Nicky's voice, it's so uniqe. And I love his bio (Korean born, raised in US, now living in China - that's just too perfect!). His previous albums had few good songs. The rest was really boring. But then... 好玖, his new album came. I fell in love. I can't stop listening.
Thank you, Nicky.

Album starts with an awesome cover of Right Here Waiting. I couldn't stop myself from thinking that it's even better from Bryan Adam's version. Then next is 不愛了, which is a beautiful ballad. Just beautiful. 夏天 has a little faster pace and even some guitar. Wonderful. Probably you won't be surprised if I say that 最後的那一天 and 稱謂 are amazing too. And then comes No More Cryin' which can really surprise you. My favorite track here. Hard to say something about this song. It's just too perfect to say I guess. It ain't a ballad, yet it has some balladish feeling. 不一樣 is love. 他不夠愛妳 is the most wonderful way of saying "sorry". Who wouldn't forgive you after that, Nicky? And for the end - my song. Making Love Out of Nothing At All is a song used in Monga movie. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it. It's just... I dunno. So much better than the original. Nicky's voice makes it this way. Also, people were saying they don't like the second part of the song, cuz it spoils the whole feeling. I disagree. The second part, when guitars come is my favorite. Ridiculously amazing.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Artist: Nicky Lee 李玖哲
Album: Hao Jiu 好玖
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: ballad/pop
1. Right Here Waiting
2. 不愛了 (緯來戲劇『意外的人生』片頭曲 / 東森戲劇『松藥局的兒子們』片頭曲)
3. 夏天
4. 最後的那一天 (八大戲劇『殘酷的愛』片頭曲)
5. 稱謂
6. No More Cryin'
7. 不一樣
8. 他不夠愛妳
9. Making Love Out Of Nothing At All (電影『艋舺』蚊子與小凝初吻定情曲)

^credit: lalulalu^

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HIT-5 - Nothing Do Not Loves

I forgot about them! I mean to post them. So probably everyone interested already have this album but... maybe there's still someone left :D
It's their debut album and all I can say is that... well.. it sounds so boyband-ish lol. But it's a very good thing! I miss Fahrenheit so HIT-5 is my Fahrenheit's substitute. But I really like those boys to tell the truth.
And their album is very nice. Even the ballads are fine! Dunno which is my favorite. All of them I guess.

Artist: HIT-5
Album: Nothing Do Not Loves 5所不愛
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01. 無所不愛
02. 寫下這首歌
03. 愛
04. HIT
05. Sweet dream
06. Say you love me again
07. I want you to know
08. 懂愛的孤獨
09. 懂愛的孤獨(慢板)

^credit: maypay^

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Kelly Cha - The Last Raio Show

Hm, out of my endless laziness I won't do a review today but I'm gonna say a few words instead. Chinese-American radio host (mostly, she also does host TV shows and writes books and oh so many things) debuted with her first album in China.
The Last Radio Show mesmerized me. I haven't heard anything indiepop for a while and when I first heard Kelly's voice I was amazed. Wonderful and strong voice plus great music. From first to last.
One of my favorites is the titular song as well as Bored.

She wants to record an English album after this one - and I'm definitely looking forward to that. I'm sure it will be full of poetic lyrics and beautiful melodies.

Fricking recommendable.

Artist: Kelly Cha 查可欣
Album: The Last Radio Show
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/indie
01. The Last Radio Show
02. 铁皮狗
03. 天不亮我不睡
04. Bored
05. 关于爱情的几个问题
06. 神经病
07. 积木
08. 没完成的作业
09. 每个人心里都有一个路卡
10. 有没有人在这里
11. The Last Radio Show (Radio DJ Mix)

^credit: maypay^

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Wei Chen (VISION) - Disparate

Seriously, how can someone choose Vision out of so many beautiful English names? Dunno. When I first saw Vision I didn't know who's that. And then I read his name is Wei Chen and something was clearer. Then I got it. He had a song with Alan! That was it. When Alan released her Chinese album and there was song with him, I looked thru the net and searched a little bit about him.
If there is something to say about the album on the whole - there are two things. First, that there is a big medley of styles - everyone will find something good. Second that it's a good album.
The album starts with dance tunes of course - 千方百计. Very good song. Also as tradition continues the next song is a ballad - 我想爱. Not my cup of tea. But 向日葵的微笑 is much better with some guitar. Then some r'n'b 温存记忆 and another ballad 过客. Yeah, the ballads are boring. 酸酸甜甜 is better, but still... And again - rockish style in 女捕快. Great track. Some boredom with 流星雨又来临 and fast to my fave I Don't Cry. Simply amazing song. Skipping 疯人愿 which is another ballad to 二十三. It also is a ballad, but different this time. Listenable I guess. Enclosing - 梦的怒放. Ballad with pretty guitars. There's also a hidden track but it can remain hidden for me... They shouldn't give ballads as the last tracks. It makes you sleepy. Especially if you listen to it in the evening.
It may seem that I wrote so much about how boring the ballads are so the album isn't good. That's not true. The album IS good. The faster songs overshadowed ballads I guess. Coz I enjoyed the album. True, that when I listen to it I skip the ballads and I practically listen only one half of the album but... It's the better half and I like it.

Artist: Wei Chen VISION 魏晨
Album: Disparate 千方百计
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01. 千方百计
02. 我想爱
03. 向日葵的微笑
04. 温存记忆
05. 过客
06. 酸酸甜甜
07. 女捕快
08. 流星雨又来临
09. I Don't Cry
10. 疯人愿
11. 二十三
12. 梦的怒放

^credit: maypay

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Bibi Zhou - I Fish Light Mirror

Wow. She looks wonderful~! Give her a dress and let her hair grow and look how beautiful she can be.
That's just an amazing comeback. After first listening I knew this album isn't bad. Second I knew it's good. And now, after a few - I know it's great.
But that's mostly because of I Miss U Missing Me. It's a beauty! Seriously amazing and so is the mandarin version of this song - at the very end as a bonus track 一滴泪的距离. I can't decide which version is better. Kinda similar feeling has second track 鱼罐头. 单面镜 is a ballad here, but very pretty! Let's change the rhythm a bit and listen to very nice 恋爱料理. Another pretty song 时光机与流浪者. And now it'll be a little indie 星期三的信 with some guitar in the back. With 别装了 comes pop rock. U can hear guitars in the very first accord. Next goes 眼镜 and after that 二手歌. A ballad with r&b beat? Almost the end - Love & Life. Not an english one, but pretty as well. And bonus track I already mentioned in the beginning.


I tagged it as "pop" but that's not really pop. She mixed lots of genres with pop and I didn't really know how to tag it as, so I just went with pop.

Artist: Bibi Zhou 周笔畅
Album: I Fish Light Mirror i 鱼 光 镜
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad

01. I Miss U Missing Me

02. 鱼罐头

03. 单面镜

04. 恋爱料理

05. 时光机与流浪者

06. 星期三的信

07. 别装了

08. 眼镜

09. 二手歌

10. Love & Life

11. 一滴泪的距离 (Bonus Track)

^credit: lalulalu^

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Age of Water & Wood - Start On A Journey

I can't believe they're back O.o Even though I expected something different from this album, I'm happy that they're alive and keep on working.
Honestly, the album is full of ballads. Acoustic, rock, softer or harder. I don't see any sense in writing a review, since all ballads are kinda the same. Not that they sound the same, it's just... a ballad is a ballad for me XD
I'm not sure if they'll gain some new fans with this album... I hope they will. But for the people who already know them and like them I think they'll find this album pleasurable. Like I did.

And I absolutely love the cover.

Artist: Age of Water & Wood 水木年华
Album: Start On A Journey 启程
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: rock/ballad
01. 启程
02. 生命的意义
03. 旅途
04. 面朝大海
05. 你是我找了很久的温柔
06. 自由蓝
07. 那些花开的日子
08. 宝贝你听到了吗
09. 生命的尊严2010
10. 最好的年华

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credit: valen music

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Isabelle Huang - Itchy

I've heard that Isabelle is making a comeback soon. Don't know any details, but it's always like this with chinese releases. You don't know about them until you see them on the release day, lol. Unless it's a star like Jay Chou or someone.
I decided to review her first album that was released a couple years back in 2007.
Ahiba is the weirdest song here. I don't know it's just weird. I like it though. High歌 is another upbeat song where Isabelle shows us completely different side of her vocal skills than in Ahiba. And the first ballad here is 一个人想你, but it's not bad. I'd even say it's good. I have mixed feelings about 夜来香, she tried to give it an oldschool feeling but don't know if she succeeded. And then 抬头我大牌 is coming and it's another good song. Now to my favorite - 玫瑰玫瑰我爱你. Know that song? It's a very old chinese classic from 40s. Some of you may know it's original version, some the English version or... Joanna Wang's version (which is gorgeous) or none at all. Isabelle show us completely different interpretation. I like when singers do that. It's always somehow original. Titular track 痒 is kinda weird too. I liked 红眼睛, crazy song. And not really a ballad 软绵绵 but not sure how to call it. And 魔鬼身材, good r'n'b song.
Hope her new album will be as good as this one. I expect something really good from her! Also, I hope the rumors about new album are true.

Sorry, I didn't notice my tracklist was in a mess so the songs in review aren't in the right order.

Artist: Isabelle Huang 黄龄
Album: Itchy 痒
Year: 2007
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01. High歌
02. 痒
03. 红眼睛
04. 软绵绵
05. 玫瑰玫瑰我爱你
06. 抬头我大牌
07. 一个人想你
08. 魔鬼身材
09. Ahiba
10. 夜来香

^download^
credit: valen music


-------------
I changed the download option. It was always a link to another site under the download pic. Now there's a link to the actual file. But there's always a credit so if u want to check out the site the file comes from just google the phrase that's written in credits.
I thought it's kinda tiring to come from one site to another just to download one file. Even though I did it to avoid unnecessary problems.

Remember that all the files come from another website, I don't upload them myself. Of course remember to delete them after 24 hrs, support the artist and all the bullshit u won't do but I have to say.
But actually supporting the artist is a good thing. Chinese/Taiwanese/HK editions are usually really pretty and have beautiful booklets. It's worth to buy if you like the album.

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BOBO - Let's BOBO

I've finally managed to download BOBO. My net sux lately and that's why I'm late. Sorry. I'm sure the ones of you who have been waiting for BOBO's new album already downloaded it, but since there're ppl who don't know them here's my review.
It's so hot outside and Let's BOBO is like a perfect song for hot summer days. But the verse "let's bobo like a laughing God" kinda makes me laugh too. That's just so lol. 全城热恋 didn't really fit my taste. Unfortunately the same goes to 我只在乎你 and 喜欢你 . But then 希望 is much better. And the next 毕业歌 isn't my thing either. On the other hand I liked 爱就爱 very much. Especially the background music. Also 哈皮bobo is a nice song. Not to mention absolutely positive and optimistic 停不了的快乐. Kinda rock'n'roll feeling, lol.
I expected something with less ballads. But faster songs make up for it.

Artist: BOBO
Album: Let's bobo
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/pop-rock/ballad
01.Let's Bobo
02.全城热恋
03.我只在乎你
04.喜欢你
05.希望
06. 毕业歌
07.爱就爱
08.哈皮bobo
09.停不了的快乐

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credit: valen music

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Kiya Xu - The South of Colorful Clouds

I wanted to write a review for Kiya for some time now but I always forget XD So here it is.
Oh, by the way - isn't she a beauty?
I think you'll like Kiya Xu's album if you like Tibetan or Mongolian singer say Phoenix Legend , Sa Ding Ding or alan (her second album before she was "avexed" so much) for example. But it's not only for folk lovers, I think every cpop lover can find something for oneself here. I really, really love this album. When I heard it for the first time I couldn't stop playing this on replay a few times. I just love folk. And I think I'm gonna buy this album next time I'll do shopping on YA.
彩云之南 is a folk song that combines typical for chinese folk voices with hip hop. Or something like hip hop. And the next 向往 is a mixture of pop rock and folk. I wouldn't say it's possible until I've heard this one. Even though the beginning of 北京情人 may point at one boring ballad without any folk influence there is one, somewhere between the verses. And I like this ballad a lot. Ah, and again my favorite combination of folk and pop rock here in 情流感. I don't like when they don't mention who features in the song coz I don't know to who this beautiful voice in 火花 belongs to. Besides hers of course. This song is less folk oriented but I still love it. 苏州河 is a solo song this time. Folk ballad I guess. And another ballad is 半路, but I guarantee you won't fall asleep. It's too beautiful for that and that'd be a waste. Funny but this song reminds me of Teresa Teng I dunno why. Her voice in some particular moments really is similar to Teresa Teng's. 蓝色海风 is yet again a beautiful song from her. I like the ending parts of the song especially. A Jazz Nigh In Spring 春风沉醉的晚上 is exactly that at what it points at. A jazzy song. Oh, such a beauty! And then 美丽家园 comes. I like it but it could have some folk elements. Eleventh track is 念念不忘 and it's a very pretty song. And 坐上火车去拉萨 which means Going To Lhasa By Train is pure love. Again she mixes elements of different genres. 彩云之南 (悠扬版) is the last track. It's something mysteriously called "melodious version" but it's remixed first track. I'm not sure which version is better.

The sad thing is that this album is from 2007 year and still no hear from her. That's too bad, coz she has a real talent and there're too little folk singers. Interesting folk singers I mean.

Artist: Kiya Xu 徐千雅
Album: The South of Colorful Clouds 彩云之南
Year: 2007
Language: Mandarin
Genre: folk/pop/ballad/jazz
01. 彩云之南
02. 向往
03. 北京情人
04. 情流感
05. 火花
06. 苏州河
07. 半路
08. 蓝色海风
09. 春风沉醉的晚上
10. 美丽家园
11. 念念不忘
12. 坐上火车去拉萨
13. 彩云之南（悠楊版）

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credit: yourfuneralmama @ lj.

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Li De Hui - Anthomaniac

Ah, sorry for my absence ^^' But there was nothing interesting in cpop music lately and I had my exams so... But here goes Li De Hui, a newcomer from Mainland, with her first album. Really weird cover... I expected some sweet pop or something, but got... let's see what.

The album starts with 天使说,花开了 which is a ballad and goes straight to upbeat 花痴. Nice, I liked it. And then there's 专属制作, a duet with some guy. Unfortunately, the letters on the cover are too small for me to read who's that T_T Anyways it's a very pretty song. My Flower represents her pop rock side. I liked its chorus. 不要你的我 is a ballad. And 假 Rocker is another pop rock song. Quite nice I must say. Same as 不想他啦 . 嘘…悄悄话 is weird, but I like the atmosphere of the song. 再见太难 is the third ballad here and so on to the next - 目光. Her pop rock songs are really good. Ballads are little worse...

Artist: Li De Hui 利得汇
Album: Anthomaniac 花痴
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: pop/ballad
01. 天使说,花开了
02. 花痴
03. 专属制作
04. My Flower
05. 不要你的我
06. 假 Rocker
07. 不想他啦
08. 嘘…悄悄话
09. 再见太难
10. 目光

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credit:maypay

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Aloys Chen/Chen Kun - Me

So finally I made myself play and watch Hua Mulan. I've waited so long for this movie and when I got it I couldn't make myself get into this war mood and watch it. But I did and I have no regrets. I think it's amazing just as the soundtrack. And Jaycee acted so good, he's really talented. I think ppl should appreciate him more, coz he obviously lives in his dad's shadow. But I didn't drool at Jaycee only. There was also Chen Kun. Oh, gosh, srsly this guy is just... beautiful. Like woman. No, you can't call him hot, coz he's not. He's just beautiful and has this killing look and I'm kinda happy he lives so many miles away, so I won't bump at him on the street, coz I'm sure at the moment he'd look at me I'd die of heart attack. And I'm too young for that. But he doesn't only look great, but also acts so good and sings. I remember when his last album was released and I stared at the cover but didn't check it out. Why, oh why? But I did some time ago and it was the best decision I've made lately XD
As some of you probably already know I prefer upbeat rhythms or rock, rap and so on, but I mostly hate ballads. Not always, but it's very rare for me to like every ballad on an album. Actually the only artists who can make me listen to it are Leehom Wang, Peter Ho, Karen Mok and no one else I guess, but I could forget some. Anyways as almost every chinese album Aloys' Me is filled with ballads... that I actually liked. Here we go, we can celebrate ;D
Me or Mystery (I don't know why they translated it to me since 謎 means mystery, but that's the official version that is written on the cover) starts with 薔薇刑 an amazing and beautiful song with some strings and guitar in the back and the most amazing chorus I've heard in a long time. He doesn't have a strong voice but somehow he can sing it very good. And I've heard that 我們不愛了好嗎 is a remake of Gackt song but actually I have no idea which one. Anyways it's a beautiful ballad. Same goes to 琥珀. I truly admire him. Actually 我一個人記住就好 is good, but I think it's the weakest song here. But then we go to the titular song 謎. We start with a guitar from the very beginning and to the great chorus. Rockish but with his soft voice. That's amazing. And 愛你有多麼寂寞 is another ballad but it doesn't bother me. And I really liked 蝴蝶! For some reason it reminds me of that Mulan movie XD Now, let's go R&B (I guess) to 什麼都不留. Slow but still pretty ballad. 遇見你 and 鏡子 are another ballads. Pretty! And as a bonus track we have dance rhythms of 獨一無二 which I love. So cool~

Artist: Aloys Chen/Chen Kun 陈坤
Album: Me 謎
Year: 2009
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Pop/Ballad

01.蔷薇刑
02.我们不爱了好吗
03.琥珀
04.一个人记住就好
05.谜
06.爱你有多么寂寞
07.蝴蝶
08.什么都没留
09.遇见你
10.镜子
11.独一无二 (Bouns Track)

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credit: lalulalu

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Super Band - Go South EP

Funny band but what I like about them is various styles on just one small EP. 归来 is something you can call a ballad I guess. Guitar, piano and backing voices of some folk singers. 握手 is a ballad with a beautiful guitar. Rock ballad. Oldschoold style, good thing coz there is a lack of that these days. 爱 欲 浮世绘 is beautiful and touching and I can say it after hearing just the beginning. And later is even better. 有光 - uhm... blues? Or whatever you call it, it's a good song. Get ready for something heavier - 给自己的歌. This is it! Heavy rock feeling! And still oldschool, like 70s and later. Good! And 感应 for closing the album. All of them are singing here. It's very, very pretty.

Artist: Super Band 纵贯线
Album: Go South 南下专线 EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin
Genre: Pop/Ballad/Rock
1。归来
2。握手
3。爱 欲 浮世绘
4。有光
5。给自己的歌
6。感应

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credit: maypay

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alan - 蘭色~Love Moon Light~

Personally I really like Alan, but I hate what they did with her in Japan. She's so jpop now T_T I remember I used to listen her first Mandarin album like all the time non stop. Absolute, beautiful, pure folk. It was amazing. I haven't even heard japanese version, coz I prefer chinese. And then her second japanese album came out, so I checked it out out of curiosity and I didn't really like it that much. Now, she's back to chinese market - finally! I was really happy about it.
So let's start with 我的月光, a great song that keeps her style form the first album. I really like her that way. 炫影～Sharp Light～ is good also, even though less folk in here. But then comes 有ME就好 which is completely something different. More poppy, happy but somehow makes me like it, coz it's very positive. Next alan goes pop-rock. It's a surprise even to me that I actually like it! 落單的翅膀 sounds really good! Of course I'd want the whole EP to be like first and second tracks but... I can't help it. Nobody Knows But Me sounds so much better in Mandarin, srsly, but I'm not a big fan of this song. Same goes to My Life actually. And piano version of the second track. That's it. Too short T_T

Artist: Alan 阿蘭
Album: 蘭色~Love Moon Light~ EP
Year: 2010
Language: Mandarin

Genre: Pop/Folk

1. 我的月光
2. 炫影~Sharp Light~
3. 有Me就好
4. 落單的翅膀
5. Nobody Knows But Me
6.My Life
7. 炫影~Sharp Light~piano only version

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credit: warezshares

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