What I listen to when I get No Replies on Facebook

To calm myself that is. Because when I receive no replies after I leave a message or a post on Facebook, I get antsy. To my defense, I reply very promptly on Facebook. So whenever my heart goes racing beyond the horizons in anxiety, I listen to something like this.

Introducing, No Reply, an indie duo consisting of two childhood friends. Ever since their official debut in 2008, No Reply has been touching people's hearts in a way that no other musician can. Their meteoric rise started when they achieved second prize in a major singer-songwriter competition back in 2006, from which they gained the courage to truly step into the world of Indie music. Ever since then, they've sold out shows after shows, their albums receiving critical acclaim and achieving commercial success. Two friends who met in a piano school, now an Indie band with a name and talent to back it up.

It's a pretty basic set up if you take a closer look at the band: our main vocalist on his piano, and the guitarist strumming along. Add whatever else that's needed to the song, like a double bass or a cello as shown above. The result is smooth vocals, and a gentle melody that all come together in soothing harmony. This is the kind that make you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy a cup of coffee while watching raindrops fall outside the window. I'll have a cup of green tea instead actually thank you very much. Let me actually just sit back and enjoy a song for a while. Of course you can all join in. 

With slow songs, I find that it's often easy to be bogged down by plain melodies that bore the hell out of listeners. I've heard a countless number of them and my verdict is that while it's relatively easy to pick up a guitar or a piano and write out a simple, calm melody, it's that simplicity that makes it so hard for an artist to get it right. Too many times I'll find a line of notes that has been used over and over again in other songs, and I can literally guess which note will come next. It's prevalent in all forms of music, but I feel this even more prominently in slow acoustic songs.

No Reply, literally gives no reply for such inquiries into their music, because No Reply is a band that satisfies it all. Not a single part is extraneous in their songs. Every instrumental line has a purpose, and a clear role in the overall sound they make. In a way, they remind me of Urban Zakapa, in their precision and accuracy in coordinating their musical parts, all the while never losing sight of the essence of the music itself. The kind of acoustic harmony they create in their songs, is something I consider rare even within the circle of Korean indie scene.


With them, each line of lyrics, each procession of notes, is a slow, ethereal stroll that never ceases to pleasantly surprise the listener. The end effect that they have is mesmerizing, in a very elliptic way that couldn't be described with words.Well, that's what I've been trying to do all this time, but as you can see, all to no avail. It's simpler when you just listen and feel it yourself.

Simply said, there's no reason to not like No Reply (too many negations I know). Planning a quiet day of reading, studying, or ruminating about the meaning of life? Here's a band to go with it, like how coffee goes with milk, unless you like it dark. Nevertheless, enjoy!

Sweet Salty Loves Songs

It's raining. I'm trapped in my girlfriend's apartment, and I have chores to do at home. Pity, that my umbrella is nowhere to be seen. That's all right though. She's gone to class for the time being, and I'm just cozying up under the blankets, past noon, with the cat. Yes, it's a lazy Tuesday.

Rainy days like this need something soothing. Something to softly pet the sorrowful mind, and whisper into its ears that the rain is only here for shortly, that sunny days are coming.

Sweet Salt, is that kind of band.

An indie rock duo with a smooth female vocal and a simple instrumental section that fills up like orchestral music.

This song below, is titled 5 Minutes Before Breaking Up. 

There's nothing too complicated here. No fancy lyrical playing or musical banter going on. But simplicity is what makes Sweet Salt truly shine. Every note, every word hides an emotion, and not a thing about their music is extraneous. It's just enough, to make us feel it.

Before I speak in more ambiguities, here's more music!

Sweet Salt at first can come like one of those any other underground indie bands that are out there. I admit it. This isn't something new. But then again, it's never the originality nor the novelty that gets the job done. It's the delivery. Perhaps it's not intended, and these things usually aren't when they happen right, but Sweet Salt knows how to deliver their tunes, their music, just right.

Often in music, there's that, 'whoa' factor. It can't be explained, and it has barely anything to do with level of training, or the genre of the music. Practice has probably something to do with it, but that's a given. That's why so many bands, so many individuals rise out of the outskirts of mainstream music, the mainstream breeding ground of music. Sweet Salt, I feel like, has that 'whoa' factor.

Are you in need of love songs to soothe your troubled soul? Are you searching for that perfect band to fall in love with music again? Are you simply looking for good music to relax by? Here's where you can start. Enjoy.

Don't Ever Slip Away From Us Nell

After a long hiatus since their release of Separation Anxiety, the indie band giant Nell made a triumphant return, their years in military service hardly numbing their musical talent. With a brand new 5th album Slip Away, which was released last April, Nell's sound is now deeper, and as experimental as it ever was, incorporating many musical elements together to create this album that now possibly stands at the very frontline of Korean indie music.

From the surface, it's reminiscent of Separation Anxiety. And Nell certainly have retained that calm, yet heartfelt sound they often evoke in their more dramatic songs. Even the swearing in their song, Losing Control, sounds so beautiful with Kim Jong-Wan's soothing vocal.

But there's surely more. In this Album, there's a more extensive instrumental line. Shown here in Hopeless Valentine, with a string section arranged by Kim Jong-Wan. It's always a bit tricky to work strings into modern rock music, but Nell does this with uncanny harmony, even incorporating traces of what they had back in their 3rd album, Walk Through Me.

And then there's some new sounds appearing. Personally, the following song sounds more upbeat and folksy than their usual sound.

So there you have it. Nell's new album, and by god it's a dynamite album. When Nell was gone back in 2008, which was when I was just starting to discover the band, I was struck with disappointment, knowing that they wouldn't be back for many years.
Now, with this amazing return they've made, I would say the wait has been worth it. Don't ever leave us now Nell, and just keep on making music like this.

Coming back to you with a ROCKET PUNCH!

After four months, all I can say about writing on this blog again is that, damn, it's good to be back. These past several months that I haven't wrote anything on the Dreaming Jukebox have seen very eventful. Almost to a degree that it has changed me drastically, and to say that I've become a different person would not be an overstatement.

But then again, I'm still Alex.

Anyways, so I've been contemplating life after university. Yes, it's a great enigma that plagues the mind of every college student. The mysterious beyond. So I was grabbing everything I could get at, spinning the engines of head as fast as possible as my stress level shot through the ceiling, until when I couldn't take it anymore, and began to talk to some friends for some advice on this.
And among the advices I've gotten, this was probably the one that had the fastest effect on my mood:
Rocket Punch Generation.

I present to you, W & Whale: a K-indie band with a electronic rock sound. Originally the band's name was W, with three members, Young Joon Bae (Guitar, Lead), Jae Won Han (Keyboard), Sang Hoon Kim (Bass, Drums), founded in 2001. They released two albums by 2005. Then in 2006, they brought in Whale as the Lead vocal, and the band's name was changed to W & Whale.

Another thing is that they're under Fluxus Music, a label that manages some of the finest K-indie bands in Korea, including Clazziquai, Loveholics, and once before, My Aunt Mary. All of them my favorites.

Rarely does an electronic rock band has such rich vocals as Whale's, and that's what I love about this band. They have the sound, they have the musicians, and to top it off, they have Whale, whose strong, ringing voice is an unexpected, yet harmonious mix to W's unique electronic sound. Try this next song, Moon Madness

But that's not all. Turns out W is quite flexible as a band, not only capable of playing out the pop rock sound, but also ringing out something like this.

Seriously. Everyone should check this band out. This band's sound can appeal to almost anyone, and I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like this band. W & Whale. Keep your eyes on them. They are bound to be a force to reckon with in the future of Korean music.

Adults yesterday, Children tomorrow.

Sometimes, I wish that I could have stayed as a kid for all my life. When you're little, all you need to do is just run around, laugh aloud, eat well, play with your friends, do your homework, and be a kid, unless you're Asian. Fortunately, my childhood was less oppressive than the typical Oriental household. I'm kidding, obviously. It's not that bad.

What's really not that bad, is today's band. Actually saying 'not that bad' would be an understatement. They're a great band. I give you, Mr. Children. 

Mr. Children is a Japanese rock band that was formed back in 1988 by Kazutoki Sakurai, Kenichi Tahara, Keisuke Nakagawa, and Hideya Suzuki. With over 50 million album sales, they are one of the most successful Japanese rock artists.

At a first glance, I can see why Mr. Children is such a successful band. Their songs are simply very likable. It's comfortable to listen to, and enjoyable by almost everyone.

Like this song, Hanabi. 

This next song is another staple Mr. Children, called Replay.

 
Again, I have no idea what they're saying. Actually I do have and idea here an there. One word understandings mostly. So I won't say anything about the lyrics for the fear of butchering their original meaning.

However, what I can say about the band, is that they're an all-around solid band, that one can listen to on many occasions. It's like one of those bands that you always keep in your iPod or mp3 player, because you know you will go back to them again and again.

Here's several more good songs to fill your playlist. Hero, Crossroad, and Youthful Days.

In continuation of Remioromen, their vocalist is plain sounding, yet very unique in a particular way. I feel as if Japanese vocalists have a way to really convey their honest feelings in their songs, and make their voice truly represent their souls. That's what I feel about Mr. Children's vocalist, Kazutoshi Sakurai at least.

So I leave you today with this one last song, that has a very special video with a great message. Can you guess it? I'll let you decide. Cheers!

This Band Makes Me Crave Ramen

Although infinitely infused with salt and calories, no one can deny the overwhelming savoriness of ramen. Even though they may be a simple meal replacement packaged in plastic wrapping, if done right, ramen could be a nutritious, and delicious dish. So says my friend. Anyways, I do like ramen, and I always try to twist it around by adding various external ingredients into the pot. 

Aside from all that, here's a great band from Japan. Their name, is Remioromen.

Remioromen is a Japanese rock band formed by Ryota Fujimaki, Keisuke Maeda and Osamu Jinguji back in 2000. Since then they've released 5 studio albums, along with a compilation album and a live album.

The band's melody is one of the simpler ones out there, and my not understanding the lyrics is not helping me appreciate this band better. However, there's something captivating about their songs, albeit they are relatively plain.

Here's a famous song from them, called March 9th.

According to my friend, apparently March 9th is the graduation day for high schools in Japan, and this song is played commonly on the day.

For me, the best part of this band is the vocal. His voice is of no particular rarity, but the way he conveys his lyrics, is of much genuine emotion. To me, he's one of those people, that really mean what they say. Whatever he sings, although I can't understand a syllable, I can see that he truly feels that way.

To introduce you more to the band, this next song, is called Sakura. The ones after that is beyond my scope of knowledge. If someone who knows the language would translate the title, you have my gratitude.

I am currently attempting to dive into the language, to decipher this artful tongue and understand what these lyrics are conveying. I've in fact started with learning Yamazaki Masayoshi's One More Time, One More Chance, and certainly Remioromen's songs will be my next covers.

I'll sign off for now, since schoolwork is calling to me. So here's me leaving you with my favorite from Remioromen, Kona Yuki. 

 

Falling in Love at 5 Centimeters Per Second

So today I'm not going to introduce you to an artist, but an original soundtrack of a movie. The movie itself was heart-wrenching, and a big part of it was due to the soundtrack. Many times, the original score of the movie can significantly alter the audience's reception of the movie, like what Hanz Zimmer did with The Dark Knight.

The name of the movie, is 5 Centimeters Per Second: an animation movie directed by Shinkai Makoto. It chronicles the story of a boy and a girl, whom are best friends, and also are in love, ever since from elementary school. Throughout the movie, they drift apart, entering a long distance relationship where their feelings for each other are tested. To avoid spoiling the movie, I shall now shift my focus onto the music.

The movie's title comes from the speed of a cherry blossom falling, and Tenmon, the composer of the soundtrack, certainly had captured the image of cherry blossoms gently floating in subtle breeze. This one, is called Cherry Blossom Extract. 

The piano melody, is simple and subtle, yet searingly poignant, and penetrates deep into the emotions. It makes one remember certain things, tugs at their soul to bring certain moments back, and quietly contemplate them to the point where it begins to hurt, like someone is gripping one's heart.  

That's the kind of soundtrack this movie has, and it makes the atmosphere of the movie so much more touching. This next one, is called The Feeling That Doesn't Reach. 

This one somehow always reminds me of my first love. That first time, when I truly looked at someone, and said to myself, 'I would give anything to be with that person.' It's a rare feeling, and it has visited me very few times after the first, that I can count the moments of its coming in my one hand. What really makes my appreciation for this piece truly heartfelt, is that my first love never came out to be anything. It comes back time to time to haunt me, to remind me of how happy I would've been, had I been something else than what I was back then, and was able to be with her. That's the sort of feeling I get, when I listen to this.

This piece, is another gem in the soundtrack as well, if not the best one out of all the gems in the score. It's the one that gives me the shivers every time. The melody is very uncomplicated, yet it's deeper than how most piano compositions can be, and combined with the visual experience of the movie, the sense of longing the characters harbor in their chests, their desperate hope to see each other, can be felt through the screen.

So before I further shove myself into the well of depression and sadness, I'm going to call it a day, with this one last song. It's called, One More Time, One More Chance, by Yamazaki Masayoshi. He is a Japanese singer-song writer, and this song was written for his girlfriend, who passed away in an earthquake of 1995. The lyrics depict how he constantly searches for her, even though he knows he will never find her.

Meanwhile, I strongly recommend this movie if you haven't watched it yet. It is by far one of the best anime movies out there, and among the non-Miyazaki films, possibly the best. No matter how strong, how sturdy your heart is, this movie is certain to move you from the base of your soul, and make you think about it for days after it, bringing out your memories of past moments, when you fell in love at 5 centimeters per second.