Check Please! These Guys Are F*CKING AWESOME, Presenting: Glen Check

Okay. I usually don't flaunt national pride, but this time I have to. Glen Check, Korean Indie Band. I'm not even going to do any explanations, I'm just going to jump right into the point. You ready? You really ready? Okay here we go.

Holy awesomeness. I have not heard a band that I was crazy for as much as I've been for Glen Check since I found Nell five years ago, which is another Korean indie-band. There was a time two years ago when I fell in love with Escort, but that was because I was feeling disco craze. I'm a bit picky when it comes to bands. The coordination and the right amount of consonance/dissonance. So many times I'll hear some boring four-chord spamming band without even a solid melody and some really cliched lyrics that have been picked out from a random list drawn up by a mainstream radio station. The litmus test I do is whether I can guess the next chord or not. Sad thing is I usually do, and when I do I just crumple that band up in a ball and throw them in my memory trash can. These are about 95% of all the bands out there in the world.

Then there are some bands that try too hard, and they usually end up sounding like a cacophony of random notes with a direction that cannot be saved by a musical Indiana Jones with a compass. I am so desiring to name-drop some of those over-achievers but gosh, I won't. I'm not here to defame anyone.

These guys though. There is definitely dissonance, the uniqueness of seemingly separate notes that are coming together when you take a step back. Then again, there is balance. Just enough so that it doesn't turn anyone off.

I'm not getting the tennis balls but I will buy it from the seeming reference of the title, that there is 'racket' being caused. Anyways these guys are Koreans from abroad. One of them is definitely from UK, since the vocalist's voice has an accent and they've confirmed that one of them is indeed from UK. In any case, they are all about simple but cryptic-enough lyrics that complements their sound just right.

Their first studio album, Haute Couture, has been out since 2012. Buy it. Seriously. I've only ever bought from iTunes twice in my life. Once for Escort (a simply sweet disco band led by a korean-american), and Glen Check. They are worth supporting. I want them to give me more. I want them to play wherever I am. I want to go and watch them play wherever they are. This was the Dreaming Jukebox and I will sign off because the blogger is currently going through technical difficulties by the means of musical seizures in his brain.

Oh Hello March. Time for Reposts! Presenting: The Koxx

Okay I'll admit it. I've failed to find anything new for the last four or five days? So you knew this was coming. Reposts!

Then again, you wouldn't even know this was a repost, since The Koxx was, let's see how far back was it....

Okay not too far. Still, a year is a long time. I say I bring them back since they've got some new stuff since the old post. Like this one:

Just to let you know if the English lyrics have masked their Asian-ness, The Koxx are a Korean indie-band (a bit of that hipster-indie in there). No wikipedia article of them exists so I shall skip the biography.

One thing I really like about them is their style. It's punchy, tangy, and my god it's unpredictable. Usually for most chord-based songs I can guess the progression, especially if it's in G. Here though, The Koxx just does whatever they want, seriously.

I have no idea where that beginning progression popped out from. It's all so, daring. That's a word I'd take if I only could dispense one word for it. Even after that, the chord progression sections are kind of in dissonance, but they work actually.

This one is a bit more calm compared to the above two, but my god is it atypical. Especially that bridge. You'll hear what I mean.

In terms of the lyrics, I like his English vocals actually better. His accents give a special tonal element to the singing. Tonal element, what ambiguousness is that eh. Never mind my rambling.

Here's one with a great message too.

Anyways I think I've stayed up enough. Here they are. Can't believe I'm posting K-indie stuff again since I vowed that I would try to make this blog a bit more diverse. Though I do understand why I used to fill this site with Korean stuff. Swear to Confucius, Koreans are some of the most musical Asians out there, including myself. Yes, shameless self complements. 

This was the dreaming jukebox, and is still the dreaming jukebox, and will still be the dreaming jukebox. I'm out for now. 

PEACE 

You Know I've Just Run Out of Ideas: Presenting Hanz Zimmer

Pretty much a dead give away that my music bank has run dry when I start giving movie soundtracks. What the hell though, I love them. Especially Hanz Zimmer. He gets musical soundtracks like Joe Hisaishi gets Ghibli. Don't worry I'll probably reboot that to give everyone a reminder.

Anyways, without further introductions, since they are overrated, here's the man who gave you the music of many epic films you ever enjoyed.

Most people think Elton John did the Lion King soundtrack. Please though, his music is more appropriate for the musical portions of the movie, not that I did not enjoy them. I actually love all of Lion King's music, but the instrumentals do get me, and they were done by none other than Hanz Zimmer. Moving on.

Okay now, whatever you say, Pearl Harbor was still a good movie in my opinion. I enjoyed it to the fullest damn it. Seriously, what more could you ask for than tons of explosions mixed in with cliched cheesy romance?

Even now, Tom Cruise was the best non-Asian Asian I've ever encountered in a movie. You think that doesn't make sense? It's Asianception, accept it you people. Speaking of which....

Great movie, but Hanz Zimmer's music made it even better. Hanz really has a knack for that low growling sound in the music, hard beats (without what the kids these days call beats, those crazy kids), and a really strong momentum that gives any movie an epic feel. Try going to the bathroom listening to the Inception soundtrack.

Lastly but not certainly not the least, the Dark Knight.

It is iconic. Now when people think of Batman, they will certainly have this soundtrack ringing in their minds. They better have Zimmer for the Superman vs Batman movie, or I swear I will execute a precious Stradivarius right in front of whatever orchestra they hire (this is such a music-nerd statement that you have to have been in an orchestra once in your life to get it).

Once again, speaking of which, he also did the Man of Steel soundtrack.

It is a sombre turn for Superman I'd say. However, I love what they did with Man of Steel. It portrayed Superman as more than just a hero. He was a Super'man', in that he was still an individual, a person who is trying to cope with having to adjust himself to a world he was not born into, and yet still so physically different, that he has to become detached from the society he longs to be within. This soundtrack perfectly captured that emotional conflict he had going on inside him, and it really put Superman in a more relatable light.

Anyways that's a little heavy isn't it? I do like the heaviness that Hanz's soundtrack brings sometimes. It really adds to the weight of a movie.

So I'll conclude for now here, and next time I'll probably do an overview of his video game soundtracks when I run out of stuff again (to my utter glee of course).

This was, not a movie review post, but still the Dreaming Jukebox. Have a good night you people.

Drop That Bass: Presenting Ron Carter

I've always adored that sound of the double bass. Deep tingling sounds, keeping pace with the rest of the instruments, sort of a rhythm maker. To me though, that sound that was always in the background, always stood out to me the most. I think that's why I like jazz a lot. It's that prominence of the bass that gets articulated in jazz unlike in an orchestra.

Am I trying to be too sophisticated? Well yes I am. Trying to shake my boorishness off. Welcome to my blog my pretties.

So here's Ron Carter, a double bassist now in his 70s. Man of style, and class, and most of all, music.

I've just never heard a double bass being played like that. It's so novel, it's so fluid, and it's just simply magical how it all fits in perfectly. Plus his beard is quite one of the most fantastic collections of facial hairs I've ever seen in my life. That's not due to my being Asian and not being to grow one of course. I just really envy people who can grow beards.

In that one, not only is Ron Carter amazing, but everyone else is. The thing about Jazz is that not one in a band would lack skills for simply playing on. I've tried jazz it's not something that everyone could do. I'm not saying that it wasn't my incompetence, probably, but gosh jazz musicians have that extra 'kick' in them.

This next one sounds more like be-bop, almost comical, sort of like something that Al di Meola would play. Just shows his flexibility.

But then, it's always good to have good 'ol jazzy jazz. Yes I have no clue how to differentiate between different types of jazz, so please, hold your comments on my lack of knowledge. I know already dammit.

And this one that really reminds me sweet days of watching Disney movies.

Anyways, I hope that I enriched your musical horizons. Mine certainly has been. Like I said, I'm as much as in an exploratory position as you are. Let's hop off the musical safari jeep though, camp out, and wait for the next ride to begin. Until then, enjoy Mr. Carter, I know I will be. Ciao!

Sometimes I feel lazy: Presenting Jose Gonzalez

So I simply don't search, but just present stuff that isn't 'new'. Now before you start howling at me like a monkey given a rotten banana, just tell yourself, do you know who Jose Gonzalez is? By the look of you throwing the rotten banana splat back at my face I'm assuming you do know him. If not, then shove the banana in your mouth.

The first time I ever got acquainted with Jose Gonzalez was back in 2006, when I was into watching machinimas. Don't ask me what that is, look it up man. In this blog, only I have the right to be lazy. Anyways, I was watching this battlefield 2 machinima and Jose Gonzalez's version of 'Heartbeats' was on.

Instantly fell in love.

I looked him up, then found more of his music, all equally enchanting. This man is quite the master of the guitar. His vocals are simple, but god they can't be more right.

There's nothing dishonest about it really. He doesn't try anything fancy with his voice, neither does he put in unnecessary amount of instrumentals, let alone any sort of electronic sounds, even a synth. I love some great simple instrumentals, something that draws me to piano virtuosos as well. In this case, Mr. Gonzalez is truly a virtuoso.

And did you know, he was featured in the soundtrack for the Rockstar game, Red Dead Redemption? With this one:

Just simply amazing. His new music only gets better and better. This one was from the film, the Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

There's something about Mr. Gonzalez that doesn't hide anything. He shows his music as it is, if you get what I mean. Well, that's how I feel it, but I really do get that these songs sound, and come to me much more personally than any other guitar/lyric song that I've heard in my lifetime. Maybe save for other few artists I might feature here because I got lazy again, and some that I'll discover later, who knows. What I do know though, is that Mr. Gonzalez is a talented man, with a great career ahead of him. If you didn't know him, no shame on you, since that's my job, to keep you all informed of what's good out there. Albeit what I think is good. I shall be indoctrinating you into my musical empire.

This was the jukebox, always attempting to brainwash you. Cheers!

Lisztomania, I'm feeling it: Presenting Franz Liszt

Okay, I know. Franz Liszt has been dead for more than a hundred years. Then again, if you don't like it get your own damn jukebox. Don't you try to change the channel on my private property.

Anyways, Lisztomania, defined by the wise god of wikipedia, was 'the intense fan frenzy directed toward Franz Liszt during his performances', characterized by 'intense levels of hysteria demonstrated by fans, akin to the treatment of celebrity musicians today, but in a time not known for such musical hysterics'. Quoting is a great way to feed laziness by the way. 

So yes, I'm feeling Lisztomania, because you have no idea how brilliant this guy was. The technique his pieces displayed, the sheer skill level he presented on his compositions. 

This one is quite famous: La Campanella. 

Yes, I'm already throwing my panties at the stage right now. Just awe-inspiring. I do say I play the piano, but this is a level that I haven't ascended to yet. I mean, this puts pretty much everyone who came before him to shame, save for Ravel or something. Even Beethoven's pieces (mind you he is my favourite) pale in the face of such wondrous technical brilliance. 

Just listen to this one. 

Gosh! My piano playing was for nothing! It was all for nothing! Why was I even taught how to play it if I was only going to feel shame in the face of these awesome pieces? Why! Why!  

Not only is Krystian Zimerman a bulldozer of a pianist, but here he is just a shining beacon. 

Okay, but let's turn the heat down a bit this one. I think my Lisztomania is actually making me maniacal. 

In any case, Franz Liszt was a genius. A Hungarian pianist from the 19th century, he was known as the most technically advanced pianist of his age, so no wonder he was able to produce such virtuosic gems such as the ones I've presented here. I know. It's a bit strange, not really in the realm of anything conventional but hey, this blog is anything but conventional. So take it or leave it. I mean, you should know Liszt, since they even made a song about Lisztomania. So this was a educational experience for you all then. Thank me later. 

This was the Dreaming Jukebox, and I'll be constantly throwing rainbow in your face. 

Good Things Come in Threes (Presenting Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio)

That statement right there was for my crew in London right now. You know who you are. Us three musketeers, although I going to presume only 'one' (only you will get it, 'one') of you read this blog so please let the other person know.

In other news, the Morelenbaum2/Sakamoto Trio comes in threes. I mean, it's in the damn name so if you could not guess that go cry in the corner. Kidding. I would never want to put anybody in the corner. I've been to the corner and trust me, it's not a pretty place. 

Back to what I was saying, to introduce, Jacques and Paula Morelenbaum are a Brazilian husband and wife duo. Jacques does many things like composing and producing, but in this context he is the cellist. Paula is the singer. Ryuichi Sakamoto is a Japanese pianist (Yes, I admit it, I have a weird musical fetish with Japanese musicians! Now please! Stop pointing fingers at me!) who is quite known around the world for his solo work, including composition and production as well, just like Jacques. All three of them are very accomplished professional artists. So this is quite the combo here. A dangerously fabulous chemical mix of three great musicians. The genre is like, jazz/contemporary classical. Anyways I'm wasting words. Music on please! 

So great. Paula's voice is perfect for the ambiance set by the music. Kind of makes me sit back and really enjoy this spaghetti I'm eating. I've been eating spaghetti for the past week. Why? Well these damn jars of sauce were on sale, and so were these spaghettis, so I bought a whole bundle. That's what you do when you're a student, and well goddamn I'm ready to try anything if something will make this spaghetti taste better. Fortunately I think the music is helping. 

If there was a purest form of mood, like, good mood, then this would be it. I don't even, let me just quietly eat my dinner in peace. Please. I just want to listen. I'm new to this as much as you are. 

Why is Paula's voice so perfect? Why is everything about this so refined, and just, pure beauty? Why? Why? WHYYYYYYYYYYY

Too bad though, the last time these guys released an album as an ensemble was 2003. So I'm going to assume that they don't tour anymore. I'd like to buy the album though, because this is just one of those rare bands that you need to have a physical copy of. 

Lastly, a shout out to my friend Kotaro, once again, whose deep taste in music has brought the sincerest pleasure of discovering this wonderful band. Yo KoKo, I know you're reading this. Arigato, and may you do whatever you dream to do. This is the dreaming jukebox after all.