미쳐보려 해도 (Can’t Be Crazy)

Artist: Alex
Album: Just Like Me
Genre: Ballad
Release date: 24th May, 2011

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Rating: ★★★★★
미쳐보려 해도 (Can’t Be Crazy) is the title track of Alex’s second full length album Just Like Me. Alex is better known for his electronica trio Clazziquai under the company Fluxus Music. This song has fused elements of electronica and string sounds together to create a beautiful, fantasy-like ballad number.

The song begins by introducing a steady accompaniment followed by the entering of percussion and vocals at about 0:07. The accompaniment is quite repetitive, maintaining an unchanging structure throughout the entire first verse, but partners well with Alex’s mellow, gentle style of singing. The first verse gives a laid-back, easygoing atmosphere, and the song is set at a walking speed, andante, which enhances the relaxing mood. There is a lift in the atmosphere and emotions as the chorus enters at around 0:43. More instruments are added to strengthen the accompaniment; strings and guitars can be heard, and Alex’s voice also picks up volume, accentuating and emphasizing the sentiments of the song. The chorus ends at around 1:34, and the second verse starts, mimicking the first verse in exactly the same way, but this time soft sounds of a guitar are added into the accompaniment. Chorus re-enters at 2:10, and the mood is raised again. A string instrumental bridge enters at 3:02, sustaining the atmosphere of the song, and a section from the chorus is repeated at 3:14, but the mood drops as the accompaniment suddenly quiets down until only a faint sound of a keyboard, and the rest of the accompaniment re-enters at around 3:20. The song comes to an end at around 3:50 as everything slows down, and concludes.

I gave this song a 5 out of 5. There had been lots of mixed opinions on not only this song, but Alex’s entire album, as many people think that the tracks do not enhance Alex’s vocal range and abilities, but rather make them appear restricted and bland. The accompaniment in this song is also quite repetitive and unvaried. However, I still gave this song a 5 out of 5 because personally I think it is successful in presenting the emotions and messages that were intended. This song isn’t conveying thunderous and powerful, or even dramatic emotions of love and desire, but rather a more preserved and retained type of admiration, as Alex sings about the past and memories. The song itself is about how he cannot lose his mind and express his pain and longing of a past happiness, no matter how much he wants to, and therefore these lyrics and these intentions combines well with the simple yet beautiful music.

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Artist: fra-foa
Album: 宙の淵 (Abyss of the Space)
Genre: Rock
Release date: 21st February, 2001

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Rating: ★★★★★
This is a rather unique Japanese rock song that I had been dying to review. I discovered it through fra-foa’s last.fm page (my last.fm is onemillionlove btw; add me! C:) and this song had left a great impression ever since. 真昼の秘密 (Mid-afternoon secret) dates back to 2001, and was written by the vocalist Chisako. fra-foa disbanded in 2005.

Starting off with steady, muted strumming, the aura of this song is already set within the first few seconds. The sounds seem to drag on instead of being clean-cut and straightforward, and there is a sense of heaviness in the atmosphere of the song. Building up, the weight is let out at around 0:06 as percussion and a stronger sound of electric guitar enters. This sense of heaviness is continued until about 0:32 when the vocals enter. Muffled and soothing, Chisako’s voice seems to glide through the verse, creating a peaceful yet mysterious ambience. She is accompanied by a soft, clean picking of a guitar and a distinct and stable beat, giving off a feeling of simplicity and steadiness. There is an explosion of emotions as we enter the chorus at 1:24 as the volume picks up and as Chisako sings the line I spun round and round and round. The accompaniment is strengthened, but her voice appears to sound more distant now. At 1:51 the chorus ends, and the mood of the song dies down into the same tranquil atmosphere in the first verse. The chorus re-enters at around 2:43, but this time Chisako sounds more aggravated, and there is a sense that she is yelling, raising the intensity and spirit of the emotions she is conveying. Chisako’s style of singing compliments the weight that the accompaniment is creating, and this is what creates this explosion of power and emotion within the song. It all comes to an end at about 4:27 as everything seems to be dragging and blending into one, and then finally dissolving slowly.

Overall I gave this song a 5 out of 5. It is a rather unique song in terms of sounds and lyrics, and also the emotions that are trying to be conveyed. From reading the English translated version of the lyrics (x) there is a sense of self-intoxication, being trapped in one’s delusion and memories, and mystery all integrated into one. Chisako’s voice adjusts fittingly to the scenarios that the lyrics are initiating; soothing and gentle in the verses as she sings about a rainy garden, and passionate as she sings about how she spins round and round, diving into an ocean of her own reminiscence and emotions. There is also almost a child-like sense portrayed in the entire song with how the lyrics describe the constant spinning around and laughing, and also the sense of fascination in the environment the lyrics had created.

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Dear

Artist: Mad Soul Child
Album: 아저씨 (The Man From Nowhere OST)
Genre: Ballad/OST
Release date: 16th December, 2010

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Rating: ★★★★★
Dear by Mad Soul Child is the theme song from the 2010 movie 아저씨 (The Man From Nowhere). I actually came across this song on Facebook from a friend who had posted a fanmade video of this movie with it playing in the background. Mad Soul Child’s vocalist Jinsil is known to be featured in Tablo’s song 나쁘다 (Bad).

The song starts off with a series of broken chords and a low sound of strings accompanying Jinsil’s melancholy tone as she hums softly, and as the music proceeds it also seems as if the sound of the piano and the strings in the background too are starting to sound heavy-hearted and sombre. The accompaniment pauses at 0:24 and holds on one note, dragging it slightly and creating a sudden loss of movement, adding on the heavy atmosphere of the song, and the first line of lyrics appears at 0:27 as Jinsil sings in a hushed voice, emphasizing the melancholy ambience that was created. The accompaniment continues for a large of the song as broken chords played on a piano and a dense sound of strings, but it is built up when lead to the chorus at 1:20, when percussion and a faint sound of an acoustic guitar is bought in. The emotion builds up here, but sinks down slightly as the chorus ends, though not as much as before. A sorrowful tone is still maintained, but the second verse holds a slightly different - perhaps a more uplifting flavor that before. The atmosphere dies down and starts to conclude at around 3:30, and the regular sound of the strings can be heard. The piano plays single chords instead of broken chords now, which diminishes the mood even more and signifies the end of the song, but the overall aura resembles the beginning. The accompaniment drags itself out even more, and finishes off with the strings.

Overall I give this song a 5 out of 5. I think Jinsil’s voice portrayed the emotions of this song extremely appropriately, as she sings about an abrupt wave of loneliness that crashes into her due to the loss of a lover. The lyrics of this song are simple and straightforward, and it matches with the honest, sincere tone of the vocals, highlighting the sentiments that were intended. Jinsil sings with a muted voice during the verses, almost as if she was whispering her sorrows and feebly calling for help, and instead of portraying this in a desperate way, it is almost giving a sense of ceasing to continue. This song is both soothing and powerful with emotions, creating a perfect corresponding between voice, accompaniment and lyrics.

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꼭 이만큼만 (Just This Much)

Artist: Casker
Album: Tender
Genre: Soft electronica/Indie
Release date: 21st October, 2010

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Rating: ★★★★★
꼭 이만큼만 or Just This Much is the newest title from Korean electronica duo Casker’s album Tender. This song is quite slow and has a consistent beat, simply made up of a keyboard and a drum kit. This song has a very coffee shop-esque feel to it, which is why it sounds laid-back and soothing.

The first second of this song starts off with captured live sounds of a busy street, and then the music starts straight after at 00:02. A plain, unaffected keyboard sound starts us off, with a somewhat faint sound effect of a telephone accompanying it. A sudden pause at 00:08, leaving only the busy street sounds mentioned before, and then re-enters at 00:10 with a beat accompanying it. Vocals enter at 00:18, and they sound somewhat manipulated, or as if the vocalist was singing through a telephone. This time, hi-hats were added to the drum beat, increasing the tension and catchiness of the song. A bass sound enters at 0:34, adding depth to the music, and the vocalist’s voice pulls away from the “telephone” effect. It is quite difficult to spot where the chorus starts, so I assume it starts at 0:49, as the vocals are slightly raised as well as the atmosphere. Up till now the same keyboard pattern is repeated over and over again in the background. Faint ‘oooh’s can be heard in the background starting at 1:06. Chorus ends at 1:18, and the atmosphere drops as the bass and drum kit stops, leaving only the keyboard sound. Again a sudden pause at 1:20, and everything re-enters at 1:22. The affected “telephone” voice can be heard again, and ends at 1:30 where the bass is added once again. Chorus re-enters at 1:45, raising the atmosphere again. Instrumental solo begins at 2:14, and this sounds somewhat a jazz style, with the same keyboard pattern in the background, drum kit, and an instrument that sounds like a trumpet/sax. Vocals re-enter suddenly at 2:33, and all instruments stop at 2:34, leaving a faint electrical hum accompanying the vocalist. A faint violin sound can be heard at 2:41, and at 2:48 the drum kit and bass and everything else re-enters, and the chorus is repeated. Everything stops at 3:02, leaving only the keyboard pattern and the faint sound effect in the background. This only lasts for a few seconds because everything re-enters at 3:05, and at 3:10 the vocals stop, leaving only the keyboard pattern, the faint sound effect and the drum kit playing. The affected sound of the vocalist enters at 3:14, and the song ends, abruptly.
I gave this song a 5 out of 5. From typing the process of the entire song out I discovered that, this song does not only have laid-back style, but it is also very interesting to listen to at the same time. There is a lot going on; lots of effects, affected sound etc., even though the music itself is very plain and simple. Sounds keep coming back, popping up randomly and suddenly stopping, which makes this song such fun to listen to. The vocalist has an amazingly smooth voice; her voice sounds simple and yet is able to bring out the emotion within this song.

Overall, if I had a coffee shop in Korea, I would play this song for sure.

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얼음요새 (Ice Fortress)

Artist: Dear Cloud
Album: Dear Cloud (Album)
Genre: Indie/Soft-rock
Release date: 8th November, 2007

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Rating: ★★★★★
Having listened to Dear Cloud for quite a period of time, they have developed a special place in my heart with their music style and the sense of belonging and satisfaction I get when I listen to them. This song Ice Fortress was their most popular song, even starring the actor Kim Jae Wook in their music video.

The song starts off with a soft continuous electric guitar, and keyboards are added at about 0:14 playing some soft arpeggios-like pattern. Vocals enter in a mellow manner at 0:27, and the keyboard can still be heard in the background, playing the same pattern. The soft electric guitar re-enters at 0:49, and drums are added at 0:52, which adds onto the mood as the verse is repeated, but with a stronger sense of emotion. The soft electric guitar and drums gradually build up and becomes more and more obvious, as if trying to take over the vocalist but not exactly doing so. Guitar strumming can also be heard at this point. Chorus at 1:20, and the emotion and overall atmosphere of the song is very strong and overwhelming. The vocals adds to this by singing at a higher octave, building and reinforcing the mood of the chorus. The atmosphere of the song calms and quiets down at 1:47 as the verse re-enters, leaving only a keyboard and perhaps a soft electric sound in the background, accompanying the vocalist’s mellow tone. Drums re-enter at 2:00, slowly building up the atmosphere once again. Chorus again at 2:13, and the mood rises up to a high point again. Chorus is repeated at 2:40, and this time the vocalist does her own changes to it. Instrumental begins at 3:07, and the atmosphere of the song drops slightly again, leaving only the keyboard and soft guitar sound playing. Another electric guitar and the drums enter at 3:19, raising the mood of the song slightly. Vocalist re-enters at 3:33, and the mood of the song is raised again. Vocals fade away at 4:00, leaving behind the electric guitars, keyboard and drums. Change of chord at 4:13, instrumental continues, and then the song finally pulls to an end.
I gave this song a 5 out of 5. I didn’t think this was a particularly “good” song at first, and I thought that it didn’t really catch my eye (or ears rather) when I first listened to it, but as time passed this song became a memorable song in terms of all the masterpieces that Dear Cloud had produced. This song gives me an extremely soothing and laid-back feeling, especially the music video and where it was filmed. I had mentioned and complimented before about the vocalist’s voice and how it has a subtle masculine edge to it, and this song only accentuates this, thus allowing the vocalist develop her own style while singing live. The vocalist’s voice is extremely appropriate and fits well with the lyrics of the song, which describes the worship and luminous feelings for what seems like an ice princess, beautiful but cold and difficult to reach.

Overall, I think that this song is a must-listen for all Dear Cloud fans or for those who are willing to try out their music, as this song is their most famous song. The vocalist’s voice is very unique and soothing, appropriate for a relaxing afternoon.

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가장 아픈 사랑 (The Most Painful Love)

Artist: Fanny Fink
Album: 가장 아픈 사랑 (Single)
Genre: Indie/Soft-rock
Release date: 24th January, 2011

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Rating: ★★★★
This song is an indie/soft-rock song by Fanny Fink, an indie band from Pastel Music. They debuted with the albumMr. Romance, and unfortunately their former member Young Bin left the group in 2010 when they came back with the digital single Snowdrop. This song is a soft, mellow song from their newest single 가장 아픈 사랑, or The Most Painful Love, telling a painful story of reminiscence.

Starting off, we can hear vaguely in the background a soft sound of the outdoors and some water running. The music starts at 0:18, and Myoi’s faint, mellow vocals are accompanied by chords played on a piano and more background noises. The clean guitar and drum beats enter at 0:44, and this adds a stronger tint to the verse, contrasting to how soft and calm it was before. Chorus begins at 1:10, and Myoi spells out the soothing melody with her smooth voice, and soft electric guitars also enter. The range clearly widens in the chorus, as high notes start to appear. Chorus ends at 1:58 with an short instrumental, and the verse reappears at 2:04. The song returns to its mellow, relaxing self. Chorus re-enters at 2:59, this time with the backing track slightly stronger and louder to create a high point and to contrast with the verses. Chorus ends at 3:47, and the song returns to a lower point as the volume of the guitar, drums and keyboard decreases slightly. Myoi re-enters at 3:52, concluding the song with her pure and soothing voice. Guitar fades away, and only drums and keyboard can be heard.
I gave this song a 4 out of 5, and this is because I have been looping this song a lot, and that made me a little sick of hearing it, but nonetheless this is a beautiful indie track. The lyrics of this song had been written in a very melancholy and very beautifully, with a theme of reminiscence and the patient lingering of the heart for a lover, and all these feelings and emotions in the lyrics match extremely well with Myoi’s mellow, artsy style of singing.

Overall, I think this song is a must listen for people who want to try out Korean indie, and also for people who are new to Fanny Fink. This song is a light listen that conveys strong emotion with a mellow style.

손가락 걸고 (feat. 서영은 & 김현중 & 제이스)

Artist: 윈터프로젝트 (Winter Project)
Album: Winter & Color Story Two
Genre: Ballad/Rap
Release date: 24th January, 2011

Rating: ★★★★
This song is a pop ballad/rap song sung by Suh Young Eun, Kim Hyeon Joong & Jace. This song consists of ballad sounds and rap, which I personally love listening to. It is not an average ballad song because it has strong beats, which suit with the rap parts as well. This song consists of both female and male vocals, and a female rapper. Unfortunately I couldn’t find the English translation of the title, so if anyone knows what it is please leave me a comment below.

The song starts off without an intro; the female vocalist’s voice enters softly with an electric vibe accompanying her. The rap enters at 0:24, and a drum kit can be heard as well. The rap is very well structured, keeping a consistent tone and following the accompanying beat in the background. Rap ends at 0:46, and the male vocals enter. Powerful, but still with a soft, mellow tone. Female vocals re-enters at 1:09, and repetition of her original melody can be heard, but this time a guitar, tambourine and more drum kits are added in the background. Rap at 1:33, but this time with a slightly softer tone as the drum kit has been cancelled out. Drum kits re-enter at 1:38, and the rapper picks up volume slightly, thus energizing the mood once again. You can also vaguely hear a keyboard in the background, and some background vocals. Female vocalist re-enters at 1:55, repeating her line yet again, with background vocals vaguely accompanying her. Mood drop at 2:20, as the atmosphere of the music becomes dream-like and a little melancholy. Mood picks itself up again at 2:30, as the male vocalist joins in, and creates the high point of the song and a sustained high note at 2:37. Male vocalist enters with a modulation change at 2:41 with only a keyboard accompanying him in the background, but a slight drum kit enters at 2:44, together with guitars and mellow background voices. Female vocalist takes over at 3:03, and male vocalist adds adlibs while accompanying her. Change of tempo at 3:19 and a slight pause at 3:23, and then the female vocalist re-enters softly with a piano accompanying her, bringing the song to a satisfying ending.
I gave this song a 4 out of 5, and this is partly because I couldn’t find a lot of information /in English/ about it (there were Korean sites talking about this song but I couldn’t understand a word) which irked me. It is a beautiful song with a lot to review about, but there wasn’t enough literal information about the artist and the like. The different parts in this song highlighted the contrasted between the male and female vocalist, and the rapper, but it wasn’t strong. I especially liked the rap sequence in this song because it added a powerful tint to a beautiful ballad number. The vocals are of high quality as well; soft but yet strong at the same time.

Overall I think this ballad/rap song is an uplifting one, I like to listen to this song when I’m down, or need a boost of energy. It can soothing but upbeat at the same time, which I think is a good balance for casual listening.


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하루하루 (Day By Day)

Artist: 김보경 (Kim Bo Kyung)
Album: the FIRST DAY
Genre: Pop-rock/ballad
Release date: 24th January, 2011

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Rating: ★★★★★
‘Superstar K2’ contestant Kim Bo Kyung recently released her debut EP ‘the FIRST DAY’consisting of 5 beautiful pop-rock/ballad style tracks. 하루하루, or Day By Day is her title track; an ear-warming song full of expression and soul. The music video is also a very beautiful one, as a light story between Kim Bo Kyung and a boxer-in-training traces their only connection to this world - a forged ambition and a mysterious ring.

The song starts off with light sounds of a clean guitar and keyboard playing a riff, followed by drums and vocals coming in at about 0:15-0:16. Kim starts off rather softly, and then when proceeding into the first chorus, raises her volume a little, creating a slight high point. Electric guitars and a bass appears at 0:44 with the chorus, and her first high note is at 1:06 when she sings ‘I can’t let it go’. Chorus ends immediately after that at 1:13, and back into a second verse where the mood is lowered down again. The chorus after the second verse brings a slightly higher point compared to the first chorus, but the overall tone and speed of the chorus is the same. High note at 2:06, followed by an extra line “Haru haru” and the bridge at 2:14, which is the overall high point of the song with Kim’s impressing vocals. A sudden dip of mood at 2:35 when the first bit of the chorus is repeated, vocals are effected, and the overall tone is much more softer, but the mood suddenly picks itself up once again at 2:41 with a slight modulation and adlibs, creating another high point, but nothing else is changed in terms of structure of the chorus. Mood drops back down at 3:12 as the song proceeds, and ends.
I gave this song a 5 out of 5, not just because that this song is my favorite out of the five Kim has released, but it is also a must-loop song on my playlist. I absolutely adore the highs and lows of this song, as they can have such overwhelming contrast. Kim’s vocals is extraordinarily smooth and gives the song an overall flow and completion. She knows how to use her voice well to create contrast and mood between parts of the song. Voice effects are used well in this song as it is not used too much, but just slightly to compare with the rest of the song.

Overall, I would say this song is a masterpiece for a rookie, and it could definitely win over the hearts of many people. It is a title track that I would say has been chosen wisely, so please support Kim Bo Kyung’s debut.


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