With the finals season, that same breed of brutal monotony that pervades my universe every now and then has surfaced into existence. So in order to combat such droning boredom from taking over my spirit, I was searching through my digital library of music, and came across a band that I discovered a long time ago.
Their music pulled me through hard times, tough situations, and my recurring episodes of depression. Whenever I listen to their music I feel a relief, a sort of cleansing. So much is my love for them, that I've played them quite frequently at shows.
Their name, is Nell.
This first song is called, Time to walk on memories.
This one is from their fourth major record label album. Although this song has been criticized as lacking that "Nell sound," due to its more electronic nature, I do like that they were able to incorporate the style of popular trends into their music and make it their own.
So, what's Nell's sound? Well, let me demonstrate with, music.
Got the picture? Now try to compare these with these others.
The two above are also songs from the fourth album. Evidently, it's in a way much more than what Nell have been before. Here they've integrated electronic, and orchestral sounds into their musical composition. Normally I'm not much of a fan of electronic rock unless it's done right. In this case, I tip my hat to Nell, and here's one of the principle reasons why I adore their music: they keep their color despite going through so many trends and influences.
Nell is another one of those feel- good bands. A way out for troubled times, a relief for a harrowing day. When getting by gets tough to bear, I crawl back to Nell, and surely enough, I feel comforted.
However, what really draws me to Nell, is their lyrical poeticism. No word is ever wasted when it comes to their songs. Everything means something. To those who can't understand Korean, I assure you; this band is reason enough to start learning.
Along with their lyrical mastery that have been inseminated in their music, often in Nell you'll find melodies and rhythms you've never heard before, and in today's music scene, with songs that are not unlike from each other being pumped out like water from a drinking fountain - for mostly money making reasons - Nell's sound can be considered a musical triumph in today's profit oriented music industry in Korea.
This next music video, actually is a criticism of today's music industry from Nell. The song starts around 19 seconds in.
Did you get the message? This one I can particularly relate to, because it demonstrates the point that I want to make to everyone. Music is the artform of ears. If you need to see it to enjoy it, that's not music. There has to be a shift, from today's horridly pervasive "music of the eyes" to "music of the ears". There has to be a more active proliferation and support of bands like Nell.
They briefly put a halt to the band in 2008 in order to complete military duties, but fortunately, in 2010 they came back. They haven't come up with a new album yet, but if they do release it, I would go to Korea, just to buy their record.
I'll leave you with some more from their 4th major album and their EP from 2008.
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