The reason why I'm "wasting"time writing this instead of doing my work is, I can't concentrate unless I let this out. In case you're wondering if its something epic, no its not. Rather its just me getting all melancholic over a song/manga/movie.
If you've been noticing my MSN status recently, its been playing the song "Solanin" by Asian Kung-Fu Generation. I've put it on loop whenever I feel like listening to it (laughs). Its their latest single which they wrote the song for an upcoming movie adaptation of a manga of the same name "Solanin". The lyrics were written by the mangaka (author), which appears in the manga.
I finished the manga in a few hours in 1 shot (thats how addictive it was) - read it here:
http://www.onemanga.com/Solanin/
The movie trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EMFvvv2hF4
The movie stars Aoi Miyazaki as Meiko, an office lady who quits her job, hoping to escape the tedium of her daily life and finally figure out her place in the world. Her long-time boyfriend Taneda (Kengo Kora) is a part-timer who belongs to an amateur band, but he too is stuck in life. Meiko tries encouraging him to seriously pursue his music dreams, but things aren't that simple. A tragedy triggers drastic changes in Meiko's and the band members' lives, following which they have to struggle with their internal conflicts and pick themselves up.
The story is both a reflection of the challenges faced by our generation as well as how we feel at times, and an inspiration to get out there to do something worth doing. I really emphasised with the protagonists Meiko and Taneda and the challenges they faced. I hope to catch it in cinemas over here, failing which I'll have to resort to "other ways" :P
The full song "Solanin" (PV), by Asian Kung-Fu Generation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kn8g0QHVNY
The lyrics to the song Solanin were written by Taneda in the manga:
Translation by Sato (akfgfan.com)
Mistaken thoughts from beyond the sky
A life spent saying goodbye?
The little piece of the future I saw
Was waving goodbye
The small room I once lived in
Is now occupied by someone else
The horrible things I said to you
The days that were wasted
Perhaps if I'd taken that chance, if I could go back to that day
But I'll never be that person again
Even if that frail happiness
had somehow lingered on
A bad seed would surely have sprouted
So I guess this is goodbye
The cold cans of coffee from freezing winters
That long rainbow coloured scarf
I stroll through the back alley
It all comes back to me
Even if that frail happiness
had somehow lingered on
A bad seed would surely have sprouted
So I guess this is goodbye
I guess
Goodbye, that's enough
You can cope anywhere
Goodbye, I'll manage somehow too
Goodbye, that's what I'll do
From the lyrics one assumes it to be a "Farewell song" to a loved one, as Meiko initially thought. But she soon realises that Taneda meant for it to be a farewell song written to his past self.
.
.
.
.
How many of us can say goodbye to our old selves and start anew?
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Alright, now that I've gotten it off my chest, back to mugging. Can't say goodbye to the old mugger in me, at least for now.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
And I know I know I know...
And so the significant other has left for Germany on exchange. Guess it'll be a quiet 5 months while she's away. All the best over in currywurst land! Can't wait to fly over - it seems so far, what with exams standing in my way. Sigh...
On the bright side, it means more time for me to study... If it even resembles a bright side.
Still, its amazing what technology can do. Email used to be considered the cutting edge tool to keep in touch, now Skype can do that, complete with live video and audio! And for free too! If you discount the cost of the equipment that is. The 7 hour time difference is a killer though; more often than not email would be the only option.
Coincidentally, the song "Ain't No Sunshine" was kept on constant loop in my head today, ever since I bought Olivia Ong's latest album from HMV today.
Simply titled "Olivia", its her first album under her new record label HIM. The packaging is unique as well, with the standard jewel CD case enclosed within an envelope-like package, sealed with stitching.
Containing 2 new original songs and 8 covers, this all-English album would fit nicely in a quiet eatery or lounge. Without much deviation from her previous works, this latest album doesn't really break new ground nor does it aim to impress. Instead, it builds upon Olivia's soothing and crystal clear vocals, giving a new and refreshing take on old songs that were once radio hits of their time.
Notable tracks on the album:
"You and Me" - An original song that's lighthearted, simple and sweet. Sounds better each time I play it!
"I Feel The Earth Move" - Slightly more upbeat, with a playful bounce to it. An interesting, jazzy reinterpretation of the original song.
"Bittersweet" - The 2nd original song on the album. I first heard it live on TV during this show which showcased local bands (I forgot the title of the show already :x) and was quite impressed by it. The album version is a different take on the same song, but somehow I prefer the live version (maybe due to the groovier feel)
"Ain't No Sunshine" - The best song on this album to me. I don't know why, but it just sticks in my head for some reason.
"Luka" and "Stars" - Both are simple covers of the 2 hits of the 80's - 90's and yet she does them flawlessly, her clear vocals standing out in both renditions. I must say she does Simply Red songs very well, first "For Your Babies" in the previous album and now "Stars".
Overall? The novelty of covering popular songs may have lost its shine slightly after 3 albums, but it still is a tried and tested formula, and one which Olivia does wonderfully. Throw in a couple of new songs to freshen up the mix and you have an easy to listen album that would appeal to anyone.
It's a pity "Ru Yan" wasn't included as a bonus track or something. Its the song that brought her to local fame after all.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone....."
On the bright side, it means more time for me to study... If it even resembles a bright side.
Still, its amazing what technology can do. Email used to be considered the cutting edge tool to keep in touch, now Skype can do that, complete with live video and audio! And for free too! If you discount the cost of the equipment that is. The 7 hour time difference is a killer though; more often than not email would be the only option.
Coincidentally, the song "Ain't No Sunshine" was kept on constant loop in my head today, ever since I bought Olivia Ong's latest album from HMV today.
Simply titled "Olivia", its her first album under her new record label HIM. The packaging is unique as well, with the standard jewel CD case enclosed within an envelope-like package, sealed with stitching.
Containing 2 new original songs and 8 covers, this all-English album would fit nicely in a quiet eatery or lounge. Without much deviation from her previous works, this latest album doesn't really break new ground nor does it aim to impress. Instead, it builds upon Olivia's soothing and crystal clear vocals, giving a new and refreshing take on old songs that were once radio hits of their time.
Notable tracks on the album:
"You and Me" - An original song that's lighthearted, simple and sweet. Sounds better each time I play it!
"I Feel The Earth Move" - Slightly more upbeat, with a playful bounce to it. An interesting, jazzy reinterpretation of the original song.
"Bittersweet" - The 2nd original song on the album. I first heard it live on TV during this show which showcased local bands (I forgot the title of the show already :x) and was quite impressed by it. The album version is a different take on the same song, but somehow I prefer the live version (maybe due to the groovier feel)
"Ain't No Sunshine" - The best song on this album to me. I don't know why, but it just sticks in my head for some reason.
"Luka" and "Stars" - Both are simple covers of the 2 hits of the 80's - 90's and yet she does them flawlessly, her clear vocals standing out in both renditions. I must say she does Simply Red songs very well, first "For Your Babies" in the previous album and now "Stars".
Overall? The novelty of covering popular songs may have lost its shine slightly after 3 albums, but it still is a tried and tested formula, and one which Olivia does wonderfully. Throw in a couple of new songs to freshen up the mix and you have an easy to listen album that would appeal to anyone.
It's a pity "Ru Yan" wasn't included as a bonus track or something. Its the song that brought her to local fame after all.
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"Ain't no sunshine when she's gone....."
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