You probably didn't expect this to show up in your feed . . . but yes, I've moved blogs! It may have come as a surprise, but I actually didn't decide to do this just out of the blue.
So if you wanna find out why I made the switch and what today's Music Monday song is, you can head on over to my new corner of the internet.
Will I keep this blog live? Yes, it'll be up and running for the foreseeable future! I want to maximize the time I give people who followed me here to see the announcement. There's always the possibility that I may take this down one day. But I don't think that'll happen any time soon--and that's subject to change, of course.
But anyway, I won't take up any more of your time here. I appreciate the support you've given me on The Steadfast Pen for these last four years. And I hope you'll enjoy my new blog just as much . . . if not more!
Well, well, well. If it isn't time for another Music Monday post!
Our special song of the day just so happens to be . . .
"Red October" from the Audiomachine album Magnus
Composed by Danail Getz
Over the past week or so, I've had a sudden, huge burst of inspiration for writing one of my stories. It's called Maelstrom (stylized as ₼ÆⱠςƬⱤΩӍ), and I honestly have no idea why this story in particular has been like, "HEY! YOU SHOULD WRITE ME!" That's not to say that I didn't want to write it. I've got a lot of great ideas for it. It simply seemed very random, since I'd started it back in late 2016 and hadn't worked on it since early to mid-2017.
Of course, I had to act on this inspiration while it was fresh. I can't recall the last time I've really wanted to work on one of my stories (and trust me, I've got plenty of projects to choose from). So to keep the fire lit and stoke its flames, I did what any writer would've done: I looked at what I already had. I'd written only a few chapters so far, but I was pleasantly surprised by their quality. I also looked at what kind of worldbuilding info I'd gathered. It's not a lot, but it also helped put me on the path of, "I've gotta do this!"
There is, however, one thing that always pumps up my story inspiration to the max, and it boils down to a single, simple word: playlist. I'd already begun gathering songs to use/potentially use for my story. In fact, I've added to the document of music possibilities for the story, and it's become eight full pages of song ideas. I know, it's crazy and over-the-top. But better to have too many ideas than too few, especially since I'm still figuring out what overall direction I want the playlist to take. (Yes, I actually try my best to keep my playlists--especially the more recent ones--consistent in tone and instrumentation.)
Now, while it's all fine and good to add songs to a doc of potential playlist additions, I have no clue where most of them will be used in the story. Here's an insight into how my writer brain works. I'll find several songs ahead of time, usually randomly, and get ideas for certain scenes and how they'll play out based on the music. These tend to be for the beginning and the end of a story, with some middle stuff--but the plot points that get the story from that beginning to that ending are often fuzzy. I generally figure them out as I'm actually writing the story, although it can sometimes change depending on the project.
Enter this song (yes, we're finally getting to the point of this post). It's one of those that I stumbled upon in the beginning. It shot some kind of amazing idea right into my brain, and I was like, "Yes, this is perfect!" I knew that this would make the perfect villain theme. You see, the big bad of this particular story is actually two separate entities that are connected. There's the wild, raging Maelstrom that threatens to wipe out the entire kingdom/empire/still-settling-on-the-best-word-here. Then there's its master, Maalen. He's the captain of a cursed ship and its crew (very Pirates of the Caribbean-like, y'know?).
His first scene involves his ship rising from the depths of the ocean as a storm brews overhead, and he begins making his way toward the capital. I think the track does a lot to show that ominous progression of a ship surrounded by a storm slowly sailing toward the heart of the land, unleashing chaos in its approach and leaving destruction in its wake. The strings, percussion, and electronic elements all add to the sense that what's coming is to be feared. I also love how it ends so quietly, as if the malice in the villain's theme still hangs in the air among the ruins . . . and the dead.
So I know this ended up being me talking more about my story than the actual song, but seriously, I'm just so hyped for this. Yes, I know the story will have some challenges in writing it, from simply using the right sailing terminology to creating a main character who has to start off being a mix of unlikable and likeable before progressing more toward the unlikeable side while the reader still holds on to hope that he'll become more likeable again. But! Those potential concerns are outweighed by my passion for this project, which is partially fueled by songs like this one. It also helps to talk and rave and ramble with you, so thanks for allowing me to do that! I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I love that Music Monday is not only a time to share great music, but it's also a free space to chat about whatever's on my heart and mind.
What did you think of the song? Do you have songs that you go to when you need story inspiration? Do you want to see updates on my journey of writing Maelstrom? What about character art that I draw?
It's already time to do another one of these? Dang, it feels like I just wrote one. (I also realized that I never wrote one for February . . . whoops.)
Life stuff, life stuff . . . what kind of interesting stuff happened in my life this last month? Well, we celebrated Mother's Day, so I suppose that's something. On one Saturday, my sisters and I went out to the nearby city for lunch at a very delicious burger place. Since restaurants were take-out only at the time, we found a school park in a very quaint and quiet neighborhood to have a picnic. Then we did some shopping--I picked up a mini sketchbook, some drawing pens, and a few books. We concluded our day out with some milkshakes and a walk in the park. Made for a pretty great day.
I also mentioned last month that I'd had a job interview. Well, I ended up landing the job and started it a couple of weeks ago! I now do copyrighting for work, and that's been great so far. I work with some wonderful people (including my oldest sister), and I am enjoying it a lot so far. Still adjusting to a job where I sit all day, as well as finding my rhythm in the work flow, but that'll come with time. I'm just very thankful that I got a better job where I can use my skills and abilities more. It was definitely a Godsend.
Bookish HapPENings
Well, uh . . . guess I psyched myself up last month for nothing. I have started another book, at least. That's something, right? Maybe?
HapPENings on the Screen
I have now finished watching EXO's Ladder. Very different from anything I've really seen, but super entertaining with a lot of funny moments. I know I mentioned this a while back, but watching EXO interact with one another is a lot like watching a group of close-knit brothers. They may tease and poke and prod each other, but you definitely know that they love each other a lot. And though I saw for the better chunk of a year, it still felt a little sad to wrap things up. Gonna have to see it again several years down the road!
I finally got around to watching Psycho-Pass: The Movie, and it was very interesting! The plot and its themes were super intriguing, as always, and seemed to fit current world situations in some aspects as well--something that Psycho-Pass has done time and time again as I've been going through it. (I did find a little amusing how a certain voice actor showed up, and I was like, "Oh, he's played villains in both Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia. I wonder if he's going to turn out to be bad in here?" My guess ended up being correct.) Now I have to see if there's someplace where I can watch the other three (shorter) movies, as well as S3.
So! Jujutsu Kaisen! I was very eager to start this show, because the trailer looked epic and because Preston and I were going to watch it for the first time together. That's something we've never done before--normally one of us is showing the other an anime they haven't seen yet. I've seen only a few episodes of this one so far, but MAN. Is it ever good! If it keeps going the way it is, I would not be surprised in the slightest if it ends up being one of my top favorite anime. It's just so fantastic in every way.
AGH. I HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST HALF OF SEASON 4. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THIS WINTER BEFORE I CAN SEE HOW THIS STORY ENDS. AND I CAN'T SAY ANYTHING TO PRACTICALLY ANYONE. Seriously, you need--and I mean NEED--to see this if you haven't! You're missing out on what I would consider one of the greatest stories of all time.
Gaming HapPENings
So my youngest two sisters and I have just started playing Miitopia on the Switch. Most of that time was spent just making characters, but that was to be expected, especially at the beginning of the game. We've made some pretty hilarious choices for who should be the main hero, the Dark Lord, the villagers, etc. I can tell it's only getting to become more amusing for us. If you have a Switch and missed out on this game back when it released on the 3DS, now's the perfect time to pick it up!
We also recently finished Planet Alpha on the Switch. That was a very pretty, very interesting game. You have to piece the story together yourself by paying attention to what's going on throughout the whole game, while solving puzzles and avoiding enemies. Even at the end, I'm not sure I totally understood what was all going on--but not in a bad way. It's one of those games that lends itself to a lot of interesting theories. On top of that. it had some gorgeous scenery that was only enhanced by the game's unique art style. I'll have to replay it sometime and see if I can figure everything out then!
Writerly HapPENings
Recall how I mentioned last month that I was working on a story for a newsletter at my old job. Well, with the announcement of my new job, I had to buckle down and try to finish up the story as quickly as possible. I ended up succeeding with time to spare, somehow. It was an interesting challenge to limit the length of the story as much as I did, but I sincerely hope that the people there will enjoy reading it. If you'd like to read a 35-page mini story, I'll contact you and find a way to get it into your hands! I wouldn't say it's my best work, but it felt good to do some writing after such a long period without it.
And thus, that was my May! How was yours? What're you up to these days? Any stories of any kind--be it a book, movie/show, or game--that you'd recommend?
So May is one of those somewhat rare months where it ends up getting three Music Mondays instead of just two. How cool is that, eh???
Our track today is none other than . . .
"Confrontation ~ Presto 2011" from Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Prosecutor's Path
Composed by Noriyuki Iwadare
If there is one thing that never ceases to amaze me when it comes to Ace Attorney games, it's their soundtracks. They've each got their own unique spin on the same musical style, even as it changes from an older chiptune sort of style to full-blown orchestral. There are so, so many memorable songs for every mood. You've got happy ones, wacky ones, ones that are surprisingly sad . . . and every OST has at least a few foot-tappers or head-boppers. This is one of those songs.
From the moment that organ (it is an organ, right?) starts to play an upbeat melody, you know this is one song that you can't sit completely still through. Combined with the constant percussion and the electric guitar riffs and everything in between, this is one powerhouse theme--especially considering that one loop doesn't even last one full minute. It does what it needs to do in a short amount of time, and it does it exceptionally well.
Someone pointed out in the comments that they nailed what the difference is between the soundtracks for the defense attorneys' games and the prosecutor's games. Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice both are on the defensive, protecting their clients from accusations and turning the tables around to find the truth. Miles Edgeworth, on the other hand, relentlessly pursues the truth and is therefore always on the attack. That's why this particular piece is such a punchy one.
As the title suggests, this plays when you're in the middle of a confrontation. However, these are not mere confrontations. You most often hear this when going toe-to-toe with criminals and murderers at critical points in the arguments and rebuttals segments of cases. Thus, this track is far from overused, so I always get excited and jam out when it comes on. It's just that good.
Man . . . this makes me want to a) share more Ace Attorney songs and b) write more posts where I dissect the games or just rave about them. (Though I really should post more in general. Let's be honest, I haven't been the greatest at that for a while now.)
Anyway, there you have it! Your thoughts on the track? Was I correct in saying that was an organ playing at the beginning? (I have no idea what it could be if it's not.) Does this make you want to groove, too???
Well, it's everyone's favorite time of the week: Music Monday! (At least, I think it's everyone's favorite; if it's not, we need to chat.)
The song we're listening to today is . . .
"Stairs and Rooftops" from Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Composed by Lorne Balfe
I was recently raving about how good of a movie Fallout is, and how it surpassed Rogue Nation in my books. One way it does this is through its score. That's not to say that Rogue Nation's soundtrack wasn't good, but it's not as good of a soundtrack to listen to outside of the movie. It's not as memorable--at least, not consistently. Fallout, on the other hand, has an absolutely incredible score.
Lorne Balfe studied under Hans Zimmer and worked with him in a lot of projects, and I think that Zimmer's fingerprints have been left on Balfe's musical style. You can definitely hear the similarities in this piece. However, that's not a bad thing. On top of that, Lorne has also found his own identity, so he doesn't sound like a carbon copy of Hans.
Now, if you've seen Fallout, you should probably know the exact scene that this plays in by the track title alone. Just to give you an idea of what's happening if you haven't watched the movie, Ethan Hunt is chasing one of the villains, who's casually making his getaway. Hunt is pursuing him without knowing his exact location, so that means the hero is traversing--you got it--stairs and rooftops as he tries his hardest to catch up, while fleeing armed henchmen. It's one of the coolest chase sequences--then again, this movie had a lot of those.
I love how adaptive the music is to what's happening in the scene. For example, you know how there was a bit of choir closer to the beginning? Mission: Impossible movies rarely use choral parts, but Lorne included one in this case because for the duration of that part, Ethan Hunt is running through a church. When the music and the events onscreen work together like this, I think it makes both a lot more memorable.
Another part I love is the piano bits. Piano is an instrument that's rarely used during intense scenes. Lorne has done this before, in Assassin's Creed III. It makes for an incredible piece of music because heavy piano adds a new level of ominousness in action tracks. In this case, the piano is used for the antagonist's motif, and the fact that it's a mix of both lighter and darker notes just elevates the whole piece that much more. That on top of all the rest of the instrumentation and the way the track winds down to the conclusion of the chase makes "Stairs and Rooftops" one of my favorite songs from the Fallout OST.
What did you think of the song? Did you have a favorite part? Have you seen Fallout yet, and if not, why haven't you???
Okay, so it's May already. Let's all try not to panic. It's fine, it's cool, it's not like a third of the year is now over . . . except it actually is. F'real though, WHY IS IT MAY ALREADY???
Now to remember what kind of interesting life stuff happened. Oh wait, it's coming back to me. It's . . . nothing! Because we can't do anything these days!
. . . That's not entirely true. Interesting stuff did happen, and we can do some stuff. I just feel like I've had a lot less to say in this section for the past year. Here's to hoping that can change soon!
So what happened? My middle sister, my mom, one of my grandmas, and my "adopted" grandma all had a birthday, which meant there was a lot of celebrating going on. I also had a job interview that seems super promising, which I am ecstatic about. I've wanted to get a new job for a while now, but there's never been any opportunities that have jumped out at me. Maybe the reason for that was so that I could get this one. I'll definitely keep you all posted!
Oh yeah, my youngest two sisters and I also randomly decided to go out for supper one evening, and that was fun. You start to miss the simple pleasure of eating out now and then. We had two waitresses since one was in training, and we shared a lot of laughs. It was a very good time with delicious food.
Bookish HapPENings
I will finish a book this month. I will finish a book this month. I will finish a book this month. I will finish a book this month. I will, I will, I WILL!
(This is me psyching myself up to actually finish a book so that this section stops being boring.)
HapPENings on the Screen
Okay, so I've seen only one of the Mission: Impossible movies before this, and that was Rogue Nation. Its sequel, Fallout, not only builds off of it, but it does everything even better somehow. From the plot to the action sequences to the score, this film improves every moment while never forgetting the humanity in the characters in the midst of the crazy secret agent plot. I was blown away by it and am honestly already wanting to rewatch it. I haven't watch the first four movies in the series, but I can already say that they're worth seeing just to get to the latest two, especially this one.
I finished S2 of Psycho-Pass not long ago, and what an ending it was! It was different from how I thought it was going to go down, but that doesn't make it any less good. I did feel some parts of the last episode were a bit rushed; I wouldn't say it affected my overall opinion, though. I really don't know why people thought this season was worse than the first. To me, it was just as good, but in a different way. I'm curious how the movie is going to wrap things up with these characters, since S3 has entirely new ones.
I had added Noblesse to my queue on Crunchyroll quite some time ago, and now I'm finally getting around to it. Based off of a Webtoon, it's about a man named Rai who wields the power of the Noblesse and awakens after a 820 year slumber in the modern age. His servant Frankenstein enrolls him in a high school to hide him from his enemies, but soon they come knocking on his door. It's pretty good so far, but I wouldn't say it's great. Not yet, anyway. Also didn't help that I didn't realize you're supposed to watch a prologue episode that released four years before the main show, so I ended up watching EP1 and was confused about some stuff. I'll have to see where the show goes and report back as to whether it gets better or not!
Gaming HapPENings
I recently got this game called ShotgunFarmers after watching Markiplier play it and thinking it looked like a good time. I will say, it's surprisingly addictive. The gameplay is fairly simple: two teams of farmers duke it out, and their vegetable themed guns grow plants that give you more ammo or new guns if you miss a shot. There's a few different modes that get cycled through when you're playing online, and it's quite fun. I'm also not too shabby at it, which doesn't hurt. In one game, I even got six kills in a row, an achievement that only 11% of players have gotten. That makes me feel pretty confident in my skills as a fighting farmer.
So Preston and I decided to try out Zookeeper Simulator the other day, in which one person is a zookeeper trying to complete several tasks and the other person is an animal trying to kill them. You can have multiple animals, but not multiple zookeepers, which can get interesting. This game is . . . something else, I tell ya. It's got some very whacky physics and is broken as heck, but it is so, so hilarious. When I played with both Preston and Megan a couple of weeks ago, we were laughing pretty much the entire time. It was amazing, even if the game is not.
I've also been playing a translated version of Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth - Prosecutor's Path, and it's been a blast so far. A very worthy sequel to the first Investigations title, with some interesting cases. Then again, I expected nothing less from an Ace Attorney game. I'm waiting to see when the overarching plot is going to reveal itself, because from what has been shown so far, it's going to be amazing. Again, this is a staple when it comes to the Ace Attorney series. Have I ever mentioned how much I love these games?
Writerly HapPENings
Believe it or not, I have been doing a bit of writing recently. At my current work, in which we support individuals with mental and physical disabilities, we've been sending out a monthly newsletter to the people who can't come into work right now. I offered to write a serial story for it, which I started in April. It's called The Hunt for the Greatest Treasure, a story about a brother and sister (both adults) who end up stranded in the middle of nowhere when they go for a road trip. Fleeing people with unknown intentions, they wind up at a cabin where they find a map proclaiming it leads to a fantastic treasure. They grow closer along the way and end up realizing that their relationship is the greatest treasure.
The biggest challenge of this so far has been writing a story in a simpler language, which means I'm avoiding more complex words and expressions, while still keeping it adult. I haven't written much yet, but the first part seems to have gotten positive feedback, which is good. But if I wind up landing the new job, I'm going to have to pump out the rest of the story in the next two weeks. Wish me luck!
And that was my April! How did yours go? Anything noteworthy happen? What've you been reading/watching/playing/writing recently?
Hey, look at your calendar. Trust me, just go find the nearest one and look at it. (If you stand up to look for one instead of checking it out on your computer or phone, I'm going to be so embarrassed for you.) What day is it today? If you said May 3rd, you're correct! Now look at how many weeks there are in May. Do you see what I'm getting at? If not . . .
May is a very special month because there are going to be three Music Monday posts instead of just two!
Our song today is . . .
"Breezy Mushrise Park" from Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Composed by Yoko Shimomura
I know I already did one spring sort of song back in March, but it's finally feeling like spring where I live, so I figured, "Eh, why not?" Also Yoko Shimomura. She is one of the best game composers of all time, and one of my personal favorites. Love her work, and I won't tolerate any slander toward her!
Have I ever talked about how much I love the Mario & Luigi series? Because I love it--like, a LOT. It has some of the best RPGs in existence with some of the best humor and music. I've thoroughly enjoyed each game that I've played, and I recommend them to anyone I can. It's really such a shame that the developers, a company called AlphaDream, had to file for bankruptcy. I would've loved to see another entry. The series would be great on the Switch.
When it comes down to OSTs, they all excel. It's hard to pick which game has my favorite score. I'm thinking it might be Dream Team, though. This track in particular was one that made me fall very much in love with the soundtrack. It's hard to describe exactly what feelings it conveys. There's definitely a chipper happiness to it, but the instrumentation does so much more than that. It's really hard to explain. Maybe it's just the nostalgia I'm feeling.
Whatever the case, I think it has a certain springy sort of vibe to it. I honestly don't know how songs can sound like specific seasons and locations, but they can. I wonder if it's just the instrument choice? Like, you'll hear a few instruments frequently in winter locales, or desert worlds, or a multitude of other places. So is it just hearing those specific instruments that causes your brain to associate them with a season or whatever? What would happen if the associations didn't exist? Could a song used for a desert level in a video game suddenly make you think of exploring a sunken pirate ship? Right now, I'm not entirely sure, but that's because of the associations that have been established in my mind. It's weird to think of not having them.
Wow, that was a ramble. But that's the nice things about these posts, right? They allow me to not only share good music, but also whatever thoughts come to mind when I listen to said music. I think it makes for a decent variety of content on Music Monday.
So that's that! What did you think of the song? What impressions did it give you? Do you have any thoughts to add to my ramblings?
I never really thought that when I started my blog a few years back, I'd end up sharing 100 songs with you. Like, it's a super crazy thought . . . but also not, somehow? I wonder if I'll wind up reaching 200 Music Monday posts.
When I was trying to decide what song I should choose to commemorate this momentous occasion, I figured it had to be one that was special to me in some way. Well, extra special, perhaps. As I wracked my brain, one song came to mind, and it has a very special place in my heart. I give to you . . .
"Guren no Yumiya" from the album Jiyuu e no Shingeki
Performed by Linked Horizon
(Yes, I know I just did an anime song, but bear with me.)
When I thought about this particular song, I tried to recall just how I discovered it. It was one of two ways: I either first heard it in a meme video and ended up listening to the whole thing (which I'm 99% certain was how I found it), or I randomly wanted to check out anime music (which is definitely not sounding right the more I think about it). The important thing is that I found it and listened. It was in that moment that my life was changed.
You see, I liked the song so much that it made me want to watch the show. Who would've thought that hearing a single song would light such a strong interest in me? That interest was enough to buy the first two and a half seasons off of eBay without having watched a single episode. On the fateful day of September 15, 2019, I began my journey both into Attack on Titan and anime in general, and I haven't looked back.
I'm sure you're very well aware by this point that I absolutely love Attack on Titan and am maybe, kinda, just a little obsessed with it. But who knows what would've happened if I hadn't heard the song first? How much longer would it have taken me to watch the show? Would I have ever seen it? (The answer is yes, I think I would've gotten around to it eventually. But that's easy to say now, 'cuz I don't actually know.)
What is it about the song that I love so much? Well, there's that amazing choir that starts the song off with an angelic bang. Then the rest of the instruments kick in, with all the drums and strings and guitars and who-knows-what else. Honestly, "Guren no Yumiya" is a perfect example of just how well "regular" rock instruments can work with an orchestra and a choir. The combination is almost deadly. And let's not forget Revo's voice and how awesome it is too. There's something very . . . likeable about it. I couldn't tell you what exactly, but considering that this song got me into Japanese music, he obviously did something right.
Can I also say that it's cool to hear a Japanese person speak German? Works really well considering that the show is very European-based. Fun side note: the main character, Eren, has the last name Jaeger. In German, that translates to "hunter." So the very first line in the song approximately translates as, "We aren't the prey, we are the hunters!" It fits very well as one of the major themes of the show, not to mention the fact that the song is kind of considered to be Eren's theme.
Anyway, I'll stop rambling now. As you can tell, this song is one of my favorites (and is very popular with fans, as they often are referring to this one if they talk about the theme song for Attack on Titan), and it means a lot to me in a few different ways. Seemed like a very appropriate thing to share in celebration of 100 Mondays of music.
So what're your thoughts on "Guren no Yumiya?" Does it make you want to watch Attack on Titan as well? Any thoughts on the last 100 Music Monday posts? I say we raise a glass to the next 100--cheers and huzzah, I say!
Wow, it's time for another one of these? Maybe it just feels like that because of the all the Music Monday Awards posts I've written, especially since there was an extra round.
Our song for today is . . .
"Kiri" from the album Turbulence
Performed by Monoral
I realized that I had yet to showcase any anime opening or ending theme yet. In case you weren't aware, virtually every anime (that I know of) has a song that plays at the beginning of an episode and another for the end. They often have cool visuals that show off both aspects of the current plot and the characters therein without making it obvious that they're spoiling stuff. You tend to notice only after the fact.
Anyway, this one is a bit unusual because openings tend to be more upbeat or intense--at least, in the anime I'm watching--whereas this one is more mellow. That, however, doesn't make it any less good. Not only does it fit its show, Ergo Proxy, really well, but it's also just a nice song to listen to. If I didn't know better, I'd think I was listening to an early 2000s hit, or maybe even a bit of an older Christian song. But nope, it's a Japanese alternative rock band. I have to say, I'm impressed by the lead singer's English. Some Japanese singers have some difficulty pronouncing English words, but this guy doesn't seem to have that issue.
I decided to pick this because it was recently Easter, and this somehow felt like an appropriate song to choose? I dunno, some of the lyrics could be interpreted from a Christian perspective. The main chorus is simply crying out, "Come and save me." And then there's stuff like "You refill my place" and "Believe in me and drink the wine and take my hand and fill me up." It even ends by saying, "Take my hand and let me follow." Could just be me, but it felt like it has some Easter themes to it.
Anyway, I'm not sure what else to say. I'm pretty tired as of my writing this, so I apologize if it's not as interesting as usual. Seeing as the next one will be the 100th addition to this series, I'll have to do something really special for it!
What're your thoughts on the song? Do you agree that it could be seen from the viewpoint of a Christian? How do you feel about there being nearly 100 Music Monday posts?
Well, hel-LO there, April! How'd you get here so fast?
Seriously, where the heck did March end up going? It was here one minute and gone the next. And guess what? I didn't do squat! I know this is probably getting super boring at this point, but for real, there's nothing all that spectacular or noteworthy happening in my life right now--though I suppose that's the same for a lot of people, what with the lockdowns and restrictions and what-have-you. I did go to a local restaurant with my sisters for supper the other day. That was fun, since we haven't eaten out in quite some time. I just want things to get back to normal already.
Bookish HapPENings
Didn't really do any reading last month; in fact, I haven't even started my next book. But I want to get at least this one novel done before May, so . . . cross your fingers with me!
HapPENings on the Screen
I recently watched both Incredibles movies, and dang! I knew I absolutely loved the two films, but I think I had forgotten just how much. Like, I'm tempted to blog about them sometime, because they're actually some of the most mature Disney-Pixar movies to date. Plus they got really creative with their spins on the superhero genre, the first installment doing this even before the genre was popular. I need to get them for myself one of these days.
Just finished Joker Game several days ago. If you want a really interesting spy movie with more realism than Mission: Impossible despite being animated, you should watch it. The ending was very different from what I thought it would be, but I can certainly appreciate it. And while the whole show is very episodic, I think it does very well at telling the story and the messages that it wants to tell. I'd divulge into it more, but spoilers, am I right? (I really need to start a series of posts where I analyze anime.)
So I've been watching S4 of My Hero Academia for several weeks now--really loving the plot of the first arc. It's creepy, it's intense, and the fact that there's some dark realism to some of the plot points just makes everything hit that much harder. (Can't discuss those points, because, y'know, spoilers.) And then there's also the fact that I have no idea where the season is going to go afterward. Makes me very, very curious--and a tad worried.
While we're on the subject of hero shows, I've started watching S6 of The Flash. I'd say it's pretty solid so far! There was a time where the show was looking kind of meh, but I think it's found its stride again. The plot is pretty interesting, especially with how it was set up with stuff from the previous season. I also appreciate that it's only 19 episodes this time around. I've often felt like the other seasons have had a few "fluff and filler" episodes, so perhaps this will ensure that the plot is honed in on.
I was a bit nervous going into S2 of Psycho-Pass, as I'd seen people saying it wasn't as good as the first season. I needn't have bothered--I've found the second season to be just as good as its predecessor. Both are dark, violent tales that have very interesting commentary on society and free will. In fact, I'd say a lot of those messages and warnings hold true with everything going on these days. It makes it a very timely watch for me. I look forward to seeing how things conclude in this season!
Gaming HapPENings
Last week Saturday, I ended up playing Super Mario Odyssey for an hour or two. In that time, I reached Bowser's Kingdom, and was I not expecting it. First off, the architecture itself is unlike the usual for the Koopa King. He tends to have blockier, medieval-style castles. This one, as you can see, veers into the Japanese style--which I absolutely love. The backdrop of a moonlit sky with colorful clouds also helps make this final world a very memorable one. Did I mention the music, by the way? Because it is DOPE. I suspect I'll be finishing the main story in this game the next time I play, so I'm curious about that, as well as the endgame content.
Normally when I play my 2DS XL, I'll play a few different games at a time before I decide to change to a few other games. Not so in the month of March. During that time, I instead played 15-20 hours of just Tomodachi Life, and I loved every moment of it. Like, I really enjoyed the game before, but in the span of 31 days, I think it's become one of my top favorite 3DS titles of all time. It's so much fun and so nonsensical. For example, a character from The Flash show recently broke up with Tracey and was feeling super sad about it. My youngest two sisters and I hosted a pity party for him at the café, but the saddest part was that--while us other three had the most random and hilarious conversations--whenever we'd look at him for input, he'd stare unblinkingly at his cake. There are also the little things that make the game amusing, like how I gave my friend Preston a boxing suit, which he loved. He then proceeded to, whilst wearing his boxing gloves, type away furiously at his keyboard while someone sat there with him. If you have a 3DS or any of the other systems in its family, you need to buy this game.
Writerly HapPENings
And just like last month and the month before and so on and so forth, I have nothing to say in this section. I don't know how long it's been now since I last properly written, but . . . yeah. Maybe April will be different? Guess we'll see.
So that was my March! How was yours? Did it also fly by way too fast? What did you end up doing? Oh, and happy Good Friday/Easter to you and your family!
And thus, the curtain closes on what was undoubtedly the wildest Awards show yet. We all sit on the edge of our seats, wondering which song will come out on top.
Normally, this is where we mention the four songs that ended up duking each other for the victory, but if you recall the update from two weeks ago, there was an unprecedented twist of fate. Two songs were left in the dust--"Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" and "In Hushed Whispers"--while two other songs crossed the finish line with an equal number of votes--"Cherish" and "Attack on Titan." Thus, a round 3.5 was called to break that tie.
The weeks flew by, and 10 people voted. Once again, both songs were neck and neck with each other. I was prepared to once again do something that had never been done before; in this case, that would've been to have a joint victory for the two. But then, the balance was lost. One song received a single extra vote, and thus, a winner was determined. I'll get to that in a minute, though I first want to give the other song a moment of fame too.
When I originally talked about this song, I said that "cherish" was a word not oft used these days. But to me, it was one of the most fitting for 2020. I came to realize just how much I love and need my family and friends. I think the line "I'm gonna cherish you" has kind of become my silent motto now--though perhaps I should voice it more. I do indeed cherish those important people in my family and want do it even more.
And let's be honest: a peppy, upbeat love song with a heartfelt message is going to be liked a lot of people, as evidenced by how many votes it received along the way. I definitely understand why the competition was so close for the last four weeks. It's such an impressive feat, I couldn't not give it some recognition. The song and its achievements in the Awards deserve that much.
But don't just take it from me! Let's hear what some other people had to say about this one . . .
"It's such a peppy, summery song. Cotton candy sweet, yet with a heartfelt warmth to the lyrics of the chorus. It makes me happy every time I hear it. Plus, I love the blend of CBX's voices." -Tracey Dyck
"I love their energy and incredible talent!" -Mom
". . . EXO has had my heart for a long time and the song never ever fails to make me smile and feel good. The whole vibe of the song is very feel-good and I love it!" -lostfairyart (AKA Kaitlyn Dyck)
". . . it's a comfort song for me. I love the meaningful lyrics. The word cherish isn't used often enough. It means a lot to me." -chloegraceartist (AKA Chloe Dyck)
". . . I liked the sound better." -megandrawsportraits (AKA Megan Hiew)
Looks like everyone had some similar thoughts about that song! To me, that says the message came across right. Good show!
Those words are just a few subject matters that Attack on Titan, and honestly, that doesn't do it justice. The show epitomizes, in my mind, what a perfect story should be. It gives you well-developed characters that you love (or love to hate, in some cases), an intriguing and engaging storyline with shocking twists that foreshadowed extremely well, intense battle sequences as Titans converge on what remains of humanity, and raw emotions through the various means, including some heartbreaking deaths. And then when it's all said and done, you're left with some food for thought and messages that stick with you long after the story is over.
How does one convey this through the means of music? You might not think it's possible, but trust me, Hiroyuki Sawano's epic and stirring score for the anime more than does the job. He combines things you wouldn't necessarily expect go together: soaring choirs, German vocals, Zimmer-like orchestration, gritty electronic elements, intense electric guitar riffs, and Asian instrumentation to create a sweeping set of songs and leitmotifs. From the horror of the oncoming Titan scourge, to the wrenching dirges for the deceased, to the breathers and moments of quiet, he sets the mood for any scene perfectly.
This particular song is one of the first you hear in the show, as the enemy destroys the peace the people had for a hundred years and devours the fleeing humans. It really sets the mood of the show and makes you take the storyworld and the threat therein very seriously. And the vocals! I know I talked about this when I posted the song for the first time, but I just have to bring it up again. The main female vocalist, a lady by the name of Mika Kobayashi, is singing these lyrics:
Die Erde dröhnt und wird rot
Die Leute erinnern sich an diese Tragödie
Ist das der Zerstörer oder der Schöpfer?
Mit der Glut des Hasses schwenken wir die Schwerter
Ist das unser Schicksal oder unser Wille?
Wir werden kämpfen, bis dieser heiße Wind unsere Flügel nimmt
Was finden wir jenseits dieses Horizontes?
When translated from German to English, we find that she's saying this:
The earth roars and turns red
The people remember that tragedy
Is this the destroyer or the creator?
With the blaze of hate we swing the swords
Is that our fate or our will?
We will fight until this hot wind takes our wings
What will we find beyond this horizon?
This perfectly describes the overall tone and message of the show. When the show was being made, there are at least three individuals who worked very closely together: the writer of the manga, the director, and the composer. Attack on Titan's story is complex and detailed enough that if one thing was messed up, the whole plot could fall to pieces. That's why the key players were on the same page at all times, and I think it's also a huge reason why the show has been so successful. All of the music, both lyrical and instrumental, have added so much to the story and its impact on me.
And of course, we had people in the comments section letting us know why they voted for this song! Let's see what they had to say . . .
". . . the instrumentals in ["Attack on Titan"] are legendarily chilling." -angelarwattsauthor (AKA Angela R. Watts)
"It's just SUCH a good OST." -Nicole Dust
"Though I've yet to watch the show, the piece alone portrays such a BIGNESS to it. I love the drama of it and the wide array of emotions the song pulls you through. It has a sort of end-of-the-world vibe, but a sense of hope, as well--that the heroes will stand against all odds and never give up. It's a really good song and makes me want to watch the show that much more!" -Christine Smith
"Oh man... I guess I'm actually gonna have to think of a valid reason why I chose this song other that the simple fact that AoT is just that epic.
"Well, the song really captures the dark, intense, and sometimes scary theme of AoT. I love the complexity of the track but at the same time I also like the way the vocals that repeat themselves get stuck in your head (definitely isn't a bad thing in this case).
"I hoped at least some of you enjoyed reading my fake, I mean, totally honest and in-depth review of the 'Attack on Titan' song!
"I definitely did NOT choose this song just because AoT is awesome and you should totally watch it. Watch it tho. Please. Just watch it." -Preston Hiew
And there you have it! That finally concludes the 2020 Awards. Congratulations to the both the winner and the honorary winner for getting so far! And thank you to everyone who participated! Without you and your efforts, this wouldn't have been nearly as interesting as it was. What are your thoughts on the winners and the whole show? Any constructive feedback, or have we found our footing pretty good? My thanks go out to EXO-CBX and Hiroyuki Sawano for giving us music that helped get us through 2020!
I swear, every time I'm scheduled to do a Music Monday post, I'm like, "Oh, it's that time already!" Don't really know why.
Today's track just so happens to be . . .
"12PM" from Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Composed by Nintendo
Seeing as Saturday was the first day of spring--unless you live in the Southern Hemisphere, in which case it's now autumn--I decided that I should choose an appropriate song for the occasion. And let's be real, what fits that bill better than an Animal Crossing tune?
What's kind of funny about this particular choice is that I tend to just play New Horizons on Saturdays, and I'm often on at 12pm. So not only is this one of the few tracks I actually hear in-game, but it also works perfectly as a spring song. But it's so good! I love the folksy feel of it. The guitar and the percussion (I can't tell if it's someone using some kind of hand drum or if they're just tapping the body of the guitar with their hand for the beat) work really well together to create that quaint feeling that's a staple of the Animal Crossing series. I couldn't tell you what the other instruments (or is it just one?) is, but it adds a nice melody to the track.
What I love about this game is how you can just take it at your own pace. I know there are people who blazed through a lot of it because that's all they played when it came out, or because they used time traveling to speed stuff up. Meanwhile, I'm here and have only set up my campsite for visitors in one of my last play sessions. I've really appreciated just enjoying every moment and not moving things along too quickly. If you have a Switch, this game is a must-buy. While it's not my favorite AC title, it's still super fun and relaxing, and looks so pretty too.
And now that spring is here and it's starting to warm up, it's giving me more incentive to spend some time outside, especially with going on walks. That's always been one of my favorite physical activities for a few reasons. 1: walking consistently is apparently a good way to stay fit and healthy. 2: it gives me some time to listen to music and just think about stuff and spend one-on-one time with God. 3: it's also fun to go on walks with my sisters or friends and just chat about all sorts of stuff. So yeah, I'm looking forward to doing more of that!
So that's that! What'd you think of the song? Do you play New Horizons, and if you don't, what're you going to do to change that? (I kid . . . maybe.) What're some of your favorite outdoor activities?
I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, "Hey, wouldn't this post normally be titled 'The Music Monday 2020 Awards - Results Announcement?' This show is supposed to be over by now." Normally, you'd be correct, but it seems we've experienced an unprecedented event--ironically fitting for 2020, wouldn't you say?
Let's first go over what we know for certain. Four songs made it to the final round, and they are as follows:
"Cherish" by EXO-CBX
"Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan
"Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts" from A Hat in Time
"In Hushed Whispers" from Dragon Age: Inquisition
We had 11 people who voted in the last round, 6 on here and 5 on Instagram. 1 person voted for "Sand 'N Sails Heatgusts," and 2 people chose to give their votes to "In Hushed Whispers." While both songs are undoubtedly good, we see now that these votes had no bearing on the end result.
Here's where things took a twist. What we can't figure out is how "Cherish" and "Attack on Titan" received 4 votes each. Never before in the long and grand history of the Awards, spanning from this point in time all the way to its humble beginnings in 2018, with the '17 Awards. The obvious question here is simply this: how do we proceed?
In previous rounds, we've just used a random decision maker to see which song comes up 2 out of 3 times. But this is the conclusion, the grand finale, the endgame! After some deliberation, it was elected that using such methods this time would cheapen the experience and make the sweet victory a little more sour. That is why we must now do something we never thought we'd have to do. It's time for a tiebreaker, a round 3.5, if you will. It's time for . . .
The ULTIMATE Final Round
"Cherish" by EXO-CBX
versus "Attack on Titan" from Attack on Titan
The gripping climax to the 2020 Awards begins now! You have until Sunday, March 28th to vote, and no later. If you vote for a song that you already voted for in round 3, you are not required to restate your reasoning behind it. However, if you voted for neither one of these before, please give your new thoughts as to why you picked it. And please, try not to make this another tie, or we really will have to use a random decision maker.
We will see this legendary battle through to the very end!
All right, seems like it's time for another regular Music Monday post!
Our song for today just so happens to be . . .
"The Ronin of Forbidden Valley" from LEGO Universe
Composed by Brian Tyler
I don't know if you ever experienced the awesomeness that was LU, but man, that game was something else. Probably one of the best MMOGs--nay, one of the best video games--I've ever played. It was pretty short-lived due to a lack of enough financial gain, but it was very well-loved while it was around. Actually, there are fans who are recreating the game, and LEGO has basically told them it's okay. The company may have even "unofficially" helped out in some way? I don't recall all the details, but I'm very excited for its release!
This particular track has always been one of my favorites from the OST, and I'm sure you can see why. The instrumentation, the epicness, the intensity, and the use of the main theme about a minute in is nothing short of perfection. I think Brian put a lot of love into this soundtrack, and it really shows. (It might be his best work???) I don't exactly remember hearing the music in game, though I do recall fighting off the ronin on Cavalry Hill and that it was a fairly challenging the fight, so I'm sure the song did a lot to add to that atmosphere.
I think this song is also special to me because I used in my playlist for one of my LEGO Message Boards stories, An Old Face, a New Game. In this particular scene, one of the characters--a somewhat clumsy ninja--has to protect two of the others from an enchanted statue that's attacking them. It winds up being a chase to the top of a watchtower, where the guy tricks the statue into running off the edge. This particular fight, as well as the whole segment of the story with these character (the plot is very episodic), were some of my favorite things to write. I think that whole story holds a special place in my heart, and the music brings back some very fond memories of it too.
Before I close this post, just wanted to mention that, because it was LU's tenth anniversary the other day, the game's OST was officially released to celebrate. I'm not sure where you can all stream or buy it at the moment, but I know for sure you can listen to the whole thing on YouTube and buy it on Bandcamp. If nothing else, I highly recommend that you at least listen to the whole thing.
So that's that! What're your thoughts on the song? Did you play LEGO Universe back in the day? Do you have any fond memories of story scenes you've written?
Oh . . . it seems to be March already. Guess it's time for one of these.
I'm honestly blanking out on life stuff right now, but maybe that's because I didn't really do anything? Like, aside from my regularly scheduled stuff--working full-time, watching my shows on Monday evenings, watching shows with Chloe and Kaitlyn on Tuesday evenings, watching anime and gaming with Preston on Thursday evenings, gaming with Preston and/or Megan on Friday evenings, gaming with Chloe and Kaitlyn on Saturdays, and doing my usual Sunday stuff with my family--I didn't do much of anything. I suppose that's just life these days.
Bookish HapPENings
Wonder of wonders, I managed to finish a book last month. Although these novels are pretty short, so I'm not sure how much it actually counts for. I definitely enjoyed this one. It's hard to talk much about the plot, because a lot of it hinges on that of the first book, which has some interesting twists. I look forward to seeing how the last two books wrap up the story.
HapPENings on the Screen
I'd already seen this movie a couple of times, but it was just as good the third time around. I really dig this type of secret agent/spy/espionage/action-adventure/whatever-you-wanna-call-it film. It's got a good mix of thrilling fight scenes, chases, and general escapades. The characters are all interesting, and the villain was a unique one--which I think is largely due to his voice, believe it or not. It's kind of this high-pitched rasp, which gives him a very different vibe. And the music is killer too. Basically everything about the movie was great!
So Preston recommend an anime called Joker Game to me, which is about a special group of Japanese spies in World War II. That alone makes for a very interesting story, but what adds to that is the fact that each episode has its own contained plot with a separate spy. Things seem to be starting to connect together, though, so I'm anticipating where that will lead and how everything will go down. (I also love two of my more recent episodes and their spies because of how kindly they treated children. So wholesome!)
While we're on the subject of recommend anime, Preston also suggested this one to me. 91 Days is about a fellow named Angelo, who joins a family of gangsters during the Prohibition Era in order to exact his revenge for the murder of his own family. I'm super into it so far, but I'm worried about how it's all going to end. Part of me wonders if it's going to wind up being a tragedy . . . and the opening, I tell ya. It's so emotional and hits me in the feels every single time. So good!
I'm rewatching Tower of God with my sisters for our Sunday anime stuff, and I'm a bit conflicted about it. I still love it, don't get me wrong--but I'm also a little more critical of certain things this time. Like, if it would've had some shading as part of the art style, and if they rushed some things less, I think it would definitely solidify the show even more. As it stands, I still quite enjoy it, but it's not the highest title on my list of favorite anime.
I finished S2 of Arrow, and it was just as fantastic as the first season was! The final fight was pretty cool in how it was shot, as it seamlessly transitioned from the present battle to one that occurred between the two characters in the past. But it definitely didn't end off perfectly, and I'm highly anticipating where and how S3 will pick up the plot. Until then, I'll be watching S6 of The Flash!
Gaming HapPENings
So I'd played a bit of Wargroove beforehand, doing the occasional match against Preston. But now I've started the solo campaign, and I think I've fallen in love with the game. It's a strategy, turn-based combat where you move in grids to defeat the enemy. It's a bit like the fighting in Fire Emblem games, actually. The music is a total bop, which makes the title 100% accurate. Definitely a solid indie game if you're looking for more of those!
Ah, Terraria, how I've missed you. Preston and I ended up playing it again the other day for the first time in almost a year, and man, that was a nostalgia trip. We used to, back in the day, just play this together. At first we used only the text chat for talking, which is an impressive feat considering how often you need your hands free for other things. But eventually we started to voice chat, and our friendship grew as we gamed together. I think that's one reason why this game holds a special place in my heart. And now that I've dipped my toes back into it after so long, I really want to fully dive in one of these days and play it on a more regular basis.
Writerly HapPENings
Does writing blog posts count? I have been doing a lot more lately thanks to the Music Monday Awards, so that's gotta mean something. Other than that . . . nothing really. I need to get back into one of my stories sometime soon . . .
Anyway, that was February! How was it for you? Anything interesting or noteworthy happen? What have you been watching or playing lately?
