K-Pop Mix: Spring 2013

Sure, it's not exactly March right now. Yet for a lot of people, it was still Winter during April (Myself included). It may be getting warmer, but I still think it's Spring personally. I didn't write this post as early as I had wanted to, so it's better late than never! There are so many great Spring themed songs in K-Pop, and a lot of them were released this year. These are songs that I picked out that best suited Spring for 2013, and reflected the kind of weather we have had. It reflects the past couple months, along with early May. So here is my K-Pop Mix for Spring this year!



Intro. Welcome to Our Dream by Infinite & Spring by 2AM

Although these aren't full length songs I still wanted to include them. Both of them suit the season, and make great, simple, introductions.
Welcome to Our Dream has a certain elegance to it, with the Ballroom Dance flair. I think of a beautifully decorated room and Women dressed in peach and pastel gowns. (Not to mention their dashing partners!)

Spring by 2AM is a bit slower and mellow. It reminds me of the time when flowers and grass begin to burst out of the snow, and the warm sunlight begins to melt away the ice. It's the beginning of Spring, and a great beginning to this playlist.

1. Cherry Blossom Ending by Busker Busker 

If you listen to Korean Music, you probably have heard this song at least once. It was one of the biggest songs in Korea when it came out, and months after. It's really a classic song for Spring so I had to include it! The music is relaxing, and mainly Acoustic, and the singer has a great high range. It's great music to sway to when walking, driving, or sitting out in the sunlight! 

The MV is really a bonus because it has Bunnies, cartoons, Cherry Blossoms (of course), and is really funny!

2. Bom Bom Bom by Roy Kim & Bom Bom Bom/Spring by Lucite Tokki

These songs have the same title, so I'm grouping them together. Is that cheating a bit? Maybe. I'm considering it more of an either-or situation.

Roy Kim's song just came out recently, and I am already in love with it! It is so easy to sing-along to that it's just addicting. This song is also mainly Acoustic, and have a very bouncy vibe. I'm a big fan of his from when he was on Superstar K4 (and his performance at MAMA 2012), so I may be biased, but I'm sure I'm not the only one! 

Lucite Tokki isn't as well known as other artists, but they are one of my personal favorites. I discovered their music with the release of their album "Grow to Glow", and started buying up their older releases. Their song Bom Bom Bom is older than Roy Kims, by more than a few years, and sounds very different. It's calming and drawn out, and even the singing is done with hushed tones. While the other song is good for skipping around, this one is good for winding down. 

3. Take a Walk by Clazziquai Project  

I may have an unhealthy obsession with this song... The first time I heard it, I believe I played it on loop the rest of the day. But I can't help it, because it's that good! This is another mellow song that I usually listen to when I'm having a rough day. It's encouraging and soothing at the same time. Plus, it's in English, so you don't need to understand Korean to understand the message. It's because it's so soothing that I like it in a Spring playlist. 

A. Taking a walk when the weather is nice makes sense! 

B. Spring means it's time for Finals, and everyone could use a little stress relief. 

I include this in my own Mix for those reasons. Also, it's not simply an Acoustic song but more of a tranquil Electronic song, so it just sounds really cool.

4. Lemon Pie by Standing Egg 

I recently reviewed the new album Ambler from Standing Egg, including this song, if you want to know more about them. The entire album is perfect for ambling around in Spring (see what I did there?). Even so, this had to be the song that I picked out of all of them. The song uses a Ukelele and has an Island flair. It starts off very simple and picks up at the Chorus, with harmonies and added instruments. I love this song because it sounds so sweet, is fun to sing, and because I love Lemon Pies.

5. Love Actually by Sunny Hill and Daybreak 

Regardless of how you feel about the music video, this song is great! First, let me say that I love the snaps in the background! I'm a sucker for snaps or whistles in a song. This is a wonderful duet between the two groups, and their voices/styles really suit each other. I'm a fan of both groups, so I think the song is stupendous! It has a really cheery sound that's sure to lighten your mood, even on an overcast day. 

6. Love Blossom by K.Will 

Once again, every song from the album has a Spring theme. This is the title song, and for good reasons! I didn't just pick it because it's the most popular song from the album. I picked it because it's the most Spring injected song off the album! His voice is so soothing and has a beautiful tone, and I could listen to it for hours. Even though the song is so complex, with several layers of music, it doesn't sound crowded or overwhelming. Everything is perfectly balanced and each instrument works together with the others. This song reminds me of the days I goofily skip-walk down the street smiling. Are people looking at me weird? Yes. Do I care? Not a bit, because I'm having fun! This song has that same lighthearted feeling. 

7. Brunch by Gain & Hyungwoo 

This is my breakfast song that I start off the day with (along with Americano and Cafe Latte). It's perfect for it because it's about breakfast, while still being a love song and duet. They sing about the drinks and food, and synchronize their voices perfectly, what more could you want? There are always new duets coming out but this one stood out among the rest. Spring is a season that makes me think of mornings and lazy afternoons more than anything else. So, this seemed perfect! (Plus is makes a great song for the love birds in Spring, catch my drift?) 

8. Delight by Yoo Ji Ae

While the first batch of songs for this Mix were from artists who have been around for a bit, this song is by a Rookie. While it has the same atmosphere as the other songs, the style is different. There should be a familiar sound to the music. This new artist is under the same label as Infinite, so the '80s throwback, electronic influence is also in her song.The song is titled correctly, because it really is a delight to listen to! It changes things up a bit while still keeping with the theme we've got going. 

9. Need to Talk by Vanilla Acoustic 

If you've never heard of Vanilla Acoustic, they are really worth listening to! From the name you can probably guess that they make simple acoustic music. (Side note: I personally like the alternate translation of "The Chatting is Necessary") I just recently heard their music, and I enjoyed it from the first listen. This one is good for when things are calming down, and the sun is setting. The way the Guitar is strummed is really interesting and instantly draws you in. The Male-Femal Duet dynamic reminds me a little of Clazziquai Project or Urban Zakapa, who are two of my favorite groups. Co-Ed groups like this are great because their voices contrast each other, and the lyrics can have more meaning when sang by two people. There's something familiar or friendly about their music that just makes you comfortable. I may have discovered this song recently, but I still think it's a must have!

10. SILLY by Daybreak 

Yes, I already mentioned them, but that song is more of a feature with Sunny Hill. And despite if I already used a song from an artist, I'm just picking the ones I thought were best. Since Spring is the season when "love is in the air", cute songs like this are just right. I love the type of scatting in the song, and the phrase, "My silly love messages for you". It's just an overall feel-good song! For some reason it makes me think of slow bike rides, if that makes any sense. I thought this was a nice, airy, and uplifting song to end things with.

I think music for Springtime should feel bright and warm, but at the same time gentle and soothing. I think of slightly overcast weather, occasional storms, and a nice breeze. Again, I think of it more in terms of morning and noon than evening, not sure why. So most of these songs sound a bit similar in ways, but each have their own take on something for the season. These are my picks for Spring. I didn't just list them either, I really did listen to each of these songs during Spring. (And still am!)

What were your picks for Spring this year? Let me know in the comments! Have a great end of Spring, and a great Summer too!

See you next time you jump down the Rabbit hole,
-C.A.M

Music Review: B1A4 "이게 무슨 일이야 / What's Going On?"

Nothing quite cheers me up like music from B1A4! Out of all the comebacks for 2013, B1A4's is one of my favorites! That energetic pop sound is just what I need to prepare for Summer, and the rest of the year. So, when I was trying to pick the next album to review, this was at the top of my list!

B1A4's 4th Mini Album What's Up, released May 6th 2013! 

This is the second time I have written about B1A4, but it's been a while since I reviewed something from them. They are a group under WM Entertainment, who first made an appearance through a Webtoon. They made their official debut in April 2011 and have been releasing super catchy Electronic Pop music ever since! The group name "B1A4" has two meanings. First, the blood types of the members. One member is Type B, and the others are Type A! The other meaning is, "Be the one, all for one." (And fans of Eatyourkimchi know them as "BILASA, conquerer of kitties and devourer of teenage girls' hearts!")

The members of the group are; The Leader Jinyoung/Jung Jin Young 1991, the Rapper CNU/Shin Dong Woo 1991, the Main Vocalist Sandeul/Lee Jung Hwan 1992, the Main Rapper and Type B Baro/Cha Sun Woo 1992, and the Maknae (youngest) of the group Gongchan/Gong Chan Shik 1993. Together they make a well rounded and talented group, with a really unique style. I don't mean just music-wise, but fashion style as well.

They released several teaser images before they revealed their newest Mini Album. After several promotions, it was released digitally online, and the next day the physical album was available as well. They also came out with a Music Video on May 7th, which I'll write more about later. The members wrote the lyrics for the songs on this album, and Jinyoung composed their title song. I also really like the album art for this one, I think it's as spunky and fun as their music! Speaking of which, let's move on to the songs individually.


- Starlight's Song (별빛의 노래) 

I would say the the Guitar is the most prominent instrument in this song. While there are a lot of layers, it stands out the most and the other instruments enhance its sound. From start to finish, it's my favorite part of the song. B1A4's music in this album has a Britt-Pop influence in it for sure, and that touch of Rock works really well for them. Also, the deeper "Hey-hey-hey" chorus in the background in the song sounds great, and works like another percussion sound. The lyrics are about singing a longing song to the night sky, wishing to be back together with the person they love. They had such great chemistry and they both miss and worry about them, even with a broken heart. It's beautifully written and even though it doesn't sound downcast, it really is a sad song. The music may have a purpose in sounding that way, because it's similar to the next song and makes a nice segue into the title track.

- What's Going On?/What's Happening? (이게 무슨 일이야) 

First, I want to talk about the Music Video. It's so bright, colorful, and fun! The Dollhouse theme was a very clever idea, and the transition between being the right size for the rooms and being more of a giant brought it to life. Sure, the Doll masks kind of freak me out, but that's my opinion on them. As the couple tries to be alone, the protective/jealous boys of B1A4 are stopping at nothing to see what's happening. The crazy patterned outfits and unique, energetic dance are what really make this video. Also, they did a great job of pairing the song and video together, which is what a MV is all about!
If you can't already tell, I've quite taken a fancy with this song. In fact, it's probably one of my favorite songs from May. While a lot of artists have made "Mash Up" type songs, with several different tempos and styles blended together, this is a really successful one. They go together in a way that I can't really explain, but it just feels right. The use of the different voice effects worked well, and I especially like the occasional Rap breakdowns. At the bridge everything sounds like it's going into slow motion, and it starts to pick up until you're thrown back into the chorus. The ending of the song also has a type of build up as they all sing together, yet it ends with the same kind of simple voice that it started with. Really well done, and I'm so glad that this is the highlighted song for the album.
(If you don't love the video, you can also check out their great live performance on M Countdown Here!)

- Yesterday 

The album takes a turn and changes to a more low tempo, ballad sound. This song reminds me a bit of music from Bruno Mars, it has that same type of Blues infused Pop sound. The Piano in the background is light and whimsical sounding, and is contrasted with a drum-line type percussion. It slows down even more and has a simple beat for the Bridge, as their voices overlay each other. I love the use of harmonies in the background, and how graceful they sound. The song is about reminiscing and remembering a kiss for the night before, and analyzing how it went, what to do it the future, and not being able to forget it. It's a very bittersweet song, and the lyrics and music go well together. Even though it's a ballad it still has B1A4 flair with the electronic effects that they use. They weren't out of place, instead there was just enough to give it a pinch of their distinct style.
(They also performed this song live for their comeback on M Countdown, you can watch it Here!)

- Good Love 

This is also a slower song, but the tone is very different. It has more of a alluring Jazz Lounge rhythm, and highlights the Piano and Brass Section. The music has more of a seductive melody and the singing is precise and leisurely. I really love the contrast of their voices, as well as the Baro's Rapping. In fact, out of all the songs on this album, this song highlights each member's vocals the most. Each person gets a chance to shine, and they also were able to flow into each others vocals seamlessly. It really shows the practice and teamwork that they put into the song. I wasn't really expecting a song like this, but it sounds fantastic! I think they were able to prove, with this song, that they can try out several different genres and succeed.

- How Many Times (몇 번을) 

This is the final track for the Mini Album. The song starts suddenly and slowly builds up to the Chorus. It has a kind of hypnotic and repetitive sound, which is perfect! It's a song about things happening over and over again (sleepless nights, being hurt, days passing), wondering how many times it will take, so it makes sense. It also makes the song easy to sing along with. I am so happy that they used their higher falsetto ranges for this song. Part of B1A4's sound is their higher voices, it's something that makes the band stand out for me. So, when that's prominent in a song it makes me really happy. There are also electronic effects in the background that are subtle at parts, but they add a lot to the track. The more I listen to it the more there is to notice, which is such an important feature of any song. It fades out slowly, and brings the album to a close.



That's it! Sadly, there were no Instrumentals for this album, probably since it's a Mini. I know not everyone like them but it's a great way to get to know the details in the music. Even though it's five songs there are different styles used and they explored a lot of sub-genres. Not to mention that their English is still as adorable, and has also improved a bit since Beautiful Target and Baby I'm Sorry. It's such a fun album to have around for the summer as the weather warms up. Personally, it's one of my favorite albums from the month (but that's another post), so I highly recommend it. You can buy the album on iTunes for around $6 digitally. You can also buy the physical album, which includes an 88 page Photobook and a random Sticker Sheet of one of the group members. If you're a fan, that really makes it worth it! You can buy it online at Yes Asia or Kpop Plus for around $20 , or a Music Store of your choice. Either way, I hope you're able to listen to it, and that you enjoy it as much as I did. If you've already heard this album, let me know what you thought in the comments! You already know what I think, so I'd love to hear your opinion!

See you next time you jump down the Rabbit hole,
-C.A.M

Favorites from April 2013!

I'm finally back! My Laptop looks good as new, and I'm catching up on everything that I've missed these past few weeks. It's a little challenging to get back into the rhythm of things but I'm hoping to get a lot done during this next month. There were so many great comebacks during April, including Music Videos and Albums. So here it goes, I'm talking about things from the Korean Scene, as well as Cosmetics!

~Favorite Korean Albums of the Month~

LUNAFLY - Fly to Love

Most of their music in the past was Acoustic, but Lunafly's latest album has a lighter, Pop-Rock feel. It's bright and fun, and has a few new songs. The album also has all of their old music, in both Korean and English, in case you never got a chance to purchase their past albums and singles. I've been a fan of theirs since they made their debut, and even though it's different from the usual music they've put out I still really like it. Also, their MV has the same colorful flair. If you haven't listened to Lunafly yet, check this album out! 

GAIN & Hyung Woo - Romantic Spring

If you love Brown Eyed Girls or Hyungwoo, or both, you are bound to be excited about this album! Ga In's music is usually very edgy, but this duet album shows off her softer side. While I enjoy both music styles from Ga In, this is especially great for spring. Their voices contrast each other really well and the concept is really warm and comforting. I especially love the cooking imagery used in the MV, even though it makes me hungry. I listen to this album in the morning as I get my day started. 

K.Will - Part 2: Love Blossom 

Speaking of Springtime albums, K.Will released Part 2 of his 3rd album! When I first heard K.Will I thought his voice was so powerful and unique. I'll be honest, I fell in love at that moment. When I found out about his new MV and Album, I was so excited! I wanted to get it as soon as possible, and I don't regret it at all. This album is also great for Spring, and helps warm me up in this unnecessary chilly weather. It's refreshing and different, so listen to it if you haven't yet. 

Zion.T - Red Light 

While I enjoy Indie and Acoustic albums, I also have a soft spot for any type of Rap or Hip Hop with Smooth Jazz influences. Zion. T's funky and cool sound is so unique and just outstanding. I've loved all of his collaborations in the past, and I am really happy to get a full solo album from him! I'll talk more about his title song later in the MV section, but I wanted to make sure that I mentioned the album as well. The album also features appearances from Crush, Gaeko, Dok2, Verbal Jint, and more! If you love Korean Hip Hop, I think this is a pretty essential album. (Note: While most of the music doesn't, some of the songs do have cussing in them, in case you're sensitive when it comes to language.) 

Cho Yong Pil - Hello 

This is his 19th Full Album, that should tell you something. It's my personal belief, that if you want to consider yourself a true "K-Popper, K-Pop Fan, Halyuu Fanatic" etc. you should at least be familiar with Cho Yong Pil. Phantom dedicated a song to him, and pretty much every Korean Artist was influenced by his music at some point. He is an influential figure in Korean Music, and that's because his music is fantastic! I haven't known about Cho Yong Pil forever, but I really wanted to listen to some of his music once I did hear about him. Then I found out that he was putting out another album, and man is it good! Make sure to at least listen to it once, there's bound to be at least one song you love. 

SHINee - Why So Serious? (Chapter 2. The Misconceptions of Me)

I was stoked about the SHINee comeback with Dream Girl, and I was just as excited about Part 2 of that album. (I was a bit sad when it came to the MV though, because Jonghyun wasn't able to film with everyone, but the styling and song are still great. I am happy that he is still featured for in album version and the other songs.) Anyways, this album has more of an edge than Part 1, and I love it! The Rock influence for the title song, and it sounds like they really enjoyed recording each song. Some of the tracks have a haunting, curious, and sometimes alluring sound. If you're looking for something new and unique, try out this album! 

There were so many other albums that came out, but I can't talk about them all. Since these were the ones I listened to the most I wanted to make sure that I included them. 

~Favorite Korean Music Videos of the Month~

K.Will - Love Blossom 

I know that I already mentioned the album, but I wanted to write about the MV specifically. This video is so funny, and has an almost dark humor element to it. In order to punish his superiors for making his life terrible, he takes out the ride operator so they'll be stuck on a deathly spinning ride! Meanwhile, he enjoys some ice cream and meets a pretty lady. The video suits the lighthearted atmosphere of the song really well. It's great for a life, and I'm happy to finally see K. Will in one of his videos! 

Sunny Hill & Daybreak - Love Actually 

This video is also hilarious! This is the type of Korean humor that I absolutely love (I say that because I mainly started seeing this kind of humor when I watched K-Dramas, Variety shows, and MVs) When I first watched this video I thought, "What the junk?" I know that Sunny Hill used to make videos like this too, but I started listening to them when their music had a serious message behind it in every video (Like Pray, Grasshopper Song, and Princess & Prince Charming) But I watched it again and I really liked it, and thought it was nice to see a little less serious side from them. Also, I am so happy that Daybreak sang with them because they do really well together. Watch this video with a sense of humor and you're sure to enjoy it! 

10cm - Earthman? 

Okay, this is probably my favorite video of the month. Period. From the theme of late night online shopping (which I can relate to), to the awesome hand drawn cartoons, this video is just fantastic! Especially the Dragon Ball Z reference that they sneaked in. 10cm is looking snazzy and this Folk-Pop song is so incredibly addicting that it's ridiculous. I seriously listened to it about 20 times in a row, and I'm still not sick of it! The video is cute, and the song is cherry, so make sure to watch this if you haven't already! 

Zion.T - Babay (Featuring Gaeko)

Again, I mentioned the album already but I had to talk about the video as well. The whole thing is trippy, with the costumes, sets, and camera angles. I love the sense of style in this video, it's retro with modern flair, and just looks like great high fashion. Not to mention that Zion. T fits the clothes perfectly. The plot is pretty fun, and I am so happy to hear and see Gaeko in this as well! It's not for everyone, but it's definitely for me! 

15& - Somebody 

I think the members of 15& are adorable, and I'm also a big fan of the show K-Pop Star. The video is cute and quirky in general, but it's especially funny if you watch the show. I love the way they dressed up like the judges, especially the one for JYP! Not to mention the cameo that he makes, as an aspiring performer. All the references are great, and the song is pretty fun too!

PSY - Gentleman 

You can't really mention videos from April without talking about PSY's comeback! The K-Pop and variety show references are great. The Abracadabra Dance, Infinity Challenge (With the Wet PSY nickname he got), and several others. It's pretty obvious what it's about and the humor in it, so I won't go into that too much. The first time I heard the song I wasn't in love with it, but I liked it more every time I listened to it. 

Lucia - This Kind of Season

The art in this video is beautiful. The splashes of color and rough sketch look are beautiful, and so is the kind of interpretive dance in it. Not to mention how gorgeous Lucia's voice is! It's such a nice ballad, and the video does a great job of enhancing the song. 

Sun Woo Jung Ah - Baepsae 

Those unique Jazzy vocals, the layers to the music, the simple piano riff mixed in with the other instruments, everything about this song is great! Never mind the obvious use of certain brands of phones and pallets, because this video is so creative. All the different outfits that she has on really suit her personality, and the different props and editing techniques used in this video really made it stand out for me. Although this isn't a extremely popular artist, that doesn't speak for her talent. So don't miss out on this video, or her past ones either! 

HISTORY - Dreamer 

This Rookie alternative group really caught my attention with their debut. The main thing I like about this video really is the song. There's a kind of Queen influenced sound (specifically Bohemian Rhapsody), and the drum line in the song sounds great! I haven't really heard Korean music like this before and it's really good! The video is also really sweet, I mean, talk about a glamorous way to confess to a girl! And the dance parts with the neon sign in the background look really classy! With so many debuts, History really stands out from the rest. 

Roy Kim - BOM BOM BOM 

I've already established that I watch Korean TV shows, and Super Star K is no exception! I was so happy for Roy Kim, especially when he performed at MAMA 2012, and this new song proves that he deserved it. (To me at least.) There's a little bit of a Folk Music sound that comes out more as the song progresses, but it's not overwhelming. The type of coffee shop, relaxing, feeling that comes from a simple song on a guitar, with whistling and the "Bom bom bom" Chorus, is right up my alley. The video looks really nice, and I love the constantly changing props and background! It's a great concept and was as cheerful as the song itself. 

CHEEZE - Mango 

A video like this is hard to beat. The bands name is Cheeze, the song title is Mango, and the video mixes the feeling of Saturday Morning Cartoons and Video Games. The different random objects that they repurposed in this video make it super distinct, and the song is a great representative of Electronic Indie music. Not to mention how fluffy those Kitties are, even if they are trying to kill the human-techno-mice! 

UBeat - Should Have Treated You Better

I'm a fan of U-Kiss and Sub-Units. So when Eli and AJ got together for UBeat, along with Kevin guest appearing on the album, I was really excited! Like most Sub-Groups, the music is different from the main groups usual style, this is more of a Hip-Hop album with darker themes. Even though this song may sound upbeat, the lyrics aren't very happy. In fact the theme of this video is about a girl that passed away, and the man wishes he would have treated her better when she was alive. The different artistic shots look great, as well as the dulled colors. This is a great showing from UBeat, and I can't wait for their next album!

~Favorite Cosmetic Review of the Month~

Oil Pulling - All Natural Teeth Whitener 

While I didn't get a chance to review any beauty products in April (since my computer died when I was about to write them), I was able to write about an all natural beauty treatment. I wrote a short article on Oil Pulling, how it worked for me and how you can do it yourself. I like to use it after a night when I eat sweets, when my teeth feel a bit more sensitive than usual, and just occasionally for maintenance. It's a simple and cheap at home treatment that anyone can try out. You can read more about it Here if you'd like!


That's it! All of my favorites from April 2013, more or less. It's so difficult to fit everything I want to mention on this post, especially when I try to keep things short. There really were so many great albums and videos this month, and just because I didn't list them doesn't mean they aren't as good as the ones I did. What were your favorites from the month? Were they the same as mine or completely different? Let me know in the comments! May is such an exciting month, and I can't wait to write about it next month! Hopefully I can get a lot done, even with being behind.

(I didn't get a chance to record the video of my current favorite K-Pop songs of the month. It's a little too late to make that (My mind is focused on songs released in May right now) so I'll have another video like that at the end of this month.)

See you next time you jump down the Rabbit hole,
-C.A.M

What happened?

In case you didn't know, I've been having Laptop problems. My computer broke sometime last week and I haven't been able to fix it yet. Living in the mountains means you can't go anywhere because its too icy, so I can't get the new part until it clears up. So I haven't been able to write posts (besides this short one), record or edit videos, or work on the 1 year anniversary project (and more). I have a lot to get done once I have my laptop back and I'm hoping that this week I can start posting things again! I've missed writing, reviewing, and talking about cosmetics an music for you guys more than you know. I'm sorry for this inconvenience, and hope you all can be patient with me a bit longer.

-C.A.M

Music Review: Standing Egg "Ambler"

I have been a fan of Standing Egg for a couple years now, yet I've never had a chance to write about them much! They've done a few Singles and Duets in the past couple months, and now they released a Mini Album! I'm so happy that they have some more music out, and didn't hesitate at all to start this review.
(Warning: I may "fangirl" a bit about the music because I love it so much, but it is all my honest opinion. I know I say a lot of great things about music in my reviews, but it comes from genuinely loving it, and not just "trying to be nice" to the artist. If I don't like something, trust me, I'll say it.)
Now that that's out of the way, onto the album!

Standing Egg's Mini Album "Ambler", released April 16th 2013!

As far as the group Standing Egg goes, there's not much to say! They focus a lot on the music, and so there isn't much known about the band members. The members consist of "Egg 1, Egg 2, and Egg 3", and they each do an equal amount of work for the music. But they do keep up in general with their fans via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Me2Day, and YouTube (where they upload their music to listen to for free!) They've worked with several other Indie artists, including Windy, Clover, Hana, Christina Love, 3rd Coast, and more! They started releasing music in 2010, and have over 10 Singles and 4 Albums. Their music has been labeled "Acoustic Pop" as well as "Folk Pop", and they experiment with several different instruments, styles, and influences. To me, the music just as a refreshing and seasonal sound. I love putting it on while I read or relax around the house, and they always help ease my mind a bit on busy afternoons. 

Their newest album uses the Ukulele a lot and really emanates the feeling of Spring Time! I also really like the simple artwork for this album, it reminds me of a picnic or lunch outdoors. Also, the word "Ambler" means to walk at a leisurely and relaxed pace, makes sense right? They even made Teaser Videos for their new album before it came out! (You can watch the latest one Here) Now, let's move on to the individual songs! 

- Miss Flower 

First up is the peppy and tropical sounding song, Miss Flower! I can't help but think of Leis made of hibiscus and various other colorful island flowers when I hear this. This song starts off the Ukulele theme that the album has, and has a very playful sound. I love the addition of the whistling throughout the song, and the singers voice is perfect for the sound of the music. There are a bunch of different acoustic instruments like the Djembe (or similar type of Drum), Acoustic Guitar, and a Tambourine. I also like the use of "Lie" instead of "La" in the song, I'l be honest that I've always preferred it to "Lalala". Overall it sounds really nice, and transports you to the sunny beach of your choice. 

- Due to Different Times (시간이 달라서)

The beginning of this song sounds a bit like "Know Your Name (Acoustic) by Jay Park. When I have my music on shuffle I can't tell which song it is at first, but after a few seconds the difference is obvious. (Just the general sound/vibe is similar is mainly what I mean.) Anyways, this is a bit softer and has the usual Standing Egg style. There's something very soothing about the simple combination of a guitar and the singers voice. I also love it when you can hear the guitarists fingers slide across the strings between bars, it gives it a homey and live feeling. The harmonies during the Chorus are really well done, and also the occasional use of the chimes. Even though it's so complex, it still has a simple sound to it. Overall it's a great song and works wonderfully with the rest of the album. 

- Lemon Pie

This is my favorite song from the album! It just exudes Spring and Summer (and helps warm me up a bit since it's still cold where I am). The chorus of, "Yellow Lemon Pie" is really catchy and I've started singing it around the house a lot lately. I think that it's mainly the lyrics, and the fact that I'm a big fan of Lemon Pie, that I like this song so much. It has a similar sound to Miss Flower and their song Aloha, with the main instruments being a Ukulele and a Maraca (Or at least something related to one). It's a great song to sing along with, and it feels like it was made to sing together with your friends. The ending is also really well done, with the way that the instruments fade out and you're only left with a voice to finish things up. It's very bright, fun, and breezy sounding and is definitely on my playlist for the next few months!

- Always (항상 난 그래)

You can't have an album without a sweet love song, and this definitely fills those shoes. The vocals sound softer and very emotional, just like a person in love. Of course, that's the best type of tone to have for a love song like this. The lyrics are written like a letter to the person, a confession that has never been given to the person. Part of the Chorus is, "My desire to everything for you is beyond myself. I have always loved you like this" The rest of the lyrics are similar, that they want to do different things even though they don't have the skills, but they still want to because it'll make the other person happy. It's very shy and genuine, and the singer did such a great job conveying that in his voice. The music sounds like a coffee shop set up, with an Acoustic Guitar and a Djembe, and a Tambourine, and that's pretty much it. It's simple and relaxing, and you feel like you're there with them. 

- Know You Could Hear (너는 알고 있을까)

The album ends with a slower song with a melancholy feeling. It's a bit like a lullaby in terms of the instrumentals, it sounds very gentle and calm. I like it when an album ends on a low tempo song, it's a bit like a fade out for everything you've heard so far. The song is about a past love that he can't forget, even though he's trying. Most of the lines begin with "Because", as he explains the reasons why he feels this way. It also has a line about Winter passing and it already being Spring. The song really does sound like the seasonal transition from Winter to Spring, and you already know how much I like the Spring theme! Overall it's a beautiful, simple, and soothing song, even with the sad lyrics. It's a great song by the group, and ending for the album. 

That's all folks! Standing Egg's latest album, Ambler! It's a great seasonal album and I've already been playing it daily. If you've never heard of the group, I'd suggest looking into some of their past albums. Most of their music is seasonal and perfect for your Morning Coffee/Tea. Especially look at the past albums because, unfortunately, their album is not on iTunes at the moment (at least while I'm publishing this). Also, make sure to go to their YouTube channel to listen to their music, since they put it up free for the fans. The Instrumental versions are especially good, I personally love listening to the pure instruments. You can also buy the physical album from Yes Asia for around $13 Here, or at your favorite music store if they have it. If you've already listened to it, feel free to tell me what you thought in the comments!

I hope you get a chance to enjoy this album, and your Spring! And that you like the music as much as I do! 

See you next time you jump down the Rabbit hole, 

-C.A.M. 

(p.s. I haven't been doing cosmetics reviews lately because my skin has been acting up, and I want to make sure I can get accurate results for the reviews. Hopefully I can continue soon!) 

Film Foods: Kiki's Delivery Service - Fish and Pumpkin Pot Pie

What's that? There's a new food segment for this blog? Yes there is!
After Noms4Noobs (which I haven't updated in a bit, sadly) and How to Cook, I wanted to add two new recipe segments, and this is one of them! I am a HUGE Ghibli addict! In fact, for my birthday the thing I wanted the most was the Ghibli Collection, with tons of classic films with original English Dubs and Japanese options. (Am I the only one who thought Disney ruined Totoro?) Since I was little Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli films have been quintessential, and I've always wanted to eat the food from the movies. I know I'm probably not the first (or last) person to do food from Ghibli films, but I wanted to do it anyways because it's fun! (Besides, this new segment isn't just going to be Ghibli.)
After food poisoning a few years ago, I still can't look at pot pies anymore, except for this one! It may sound a bit weird, but after a couple tries I got this recipe down and it's super delicious! It takes a while to make because there are a lot of parts to it, but once you get the hang of it (or someone to help) it's not that difficult. Let's get on to the food!

(Yields 6 Servings) 


You will need: 

- An Oven
- 8X8 Square Baking Pan/Dish (Approx.)
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Lage Pot (with Lid)
- 1 Medium Mixing Bowl
- Whisk
- Wooden Spoon
- Potato Masher (Or a Fork and some patience)
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Vegetable Peeler
- Rolling Pin
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl (And a mixer with a dough-hook if you have it)

Ingredients:

Pumpkin Filling (also good on it's own!) 

- 1/2 Kabucha Squash (Japanese Pumpkin)
- 2 Carrots
- 1/2 Teaspoon Soy Sauce & Pinch of Salt (For boiling water)
- Quarter of an Onion - Minced (Roughly 1/8-1/4 Cup)
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper
- 1/2 Teaspoon Parsley
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Black Pepper to Taste

White Sauce 

- 1 Cup Heavy Cream (or Half and Half for a lighter version)
- 1/8 Teaspoon White Pepper
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 Teaspoon AP Flour

Crust (From Allrecipes)

- 2 Cups AP Flour
- 2/3 Cup Shortening
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 8 Tablespoons ICE COLD water

Also

- 2-4 Fillets of White Fish. (You can use Herring, Flounder, Swai, etc. I've used several kinds, just get a white fish with a medium texture and flavor )
- Salt and Pepper to Season
- Non-Stick Baking Spray
- 3 Black Olives (Optional)


You can Pre-Heat the oven to 425˚F whenever you feel ready.
First, you need to prepare the fish. Thaw out your fish, if you're using frozen fillets like I did. If you're using fresh fish, make sure to clean it and check for pin bones.

Next, you need to make the Pumpkin Filling. Fill the large pot with water, add the Soy Sauce and Salt, and bring it to a boil.

Take the Kabucha and carefully cut it in half, and then into quarters. Use the Peeler to take the green skin off. It's alright if there are a few spots on it, but try to get a majority of it off.

Once you have it peeled, scoop out the seeds and clean it out. (Notice I didn't peel the stem/tips of the squash, because I'm cutting it off in the next step.)

Cut the Pumpkin into equal pieces so that they finish cooking at the same time. Make them roughly 1/2-1 Inch cubes. 

Peel the Carrots and cut them up into roughly the same size. It's not a lot of Carrot, because it's mainly to improve the color and add a bit of texture. 

Add the Carrots and Kabucha into the pan once it gets to a boil, cover it, and cook them for about 10 Minutes or until it's soft. (I put a toothpick under the lid to prevent it from boiling over.)

Once they finish cooking, drain the water and set them aside. Heat the Large Skillet to Med-High and add the Olive Oil. Next, add the Onion, Salt, and Pepper, and saute until the Onion starts to sweat. Add the boiled vegetables and the rest of the Spices, and cook them together in the pan for roughly 5 Minutes. 

Take the Vegetable Mixture out of the pan and put it into the Medium bowl. Mash everything together until the Pumpkin is smooth. The Carrots may be a little chunky, but that's alright. (Taste it and make any adjustments if needed.) Set it aside to cool. 

Next, it's time to start working on the Dough! Add the Shortening, Flour, and Salt into the mixing bowl. (You can mix with a wooden spoon and then move on to hand kneading as well, I used a Dough Hook on the mixer so I could multitask.) 

Gradually add the Ice Water one Tablespoon at a time, while continuing to mix everything together. It will still look a bit dry at first, but don't add any more water until you've finished kneading it and know it's too dry. I needed all 8, you may only need 6 or 7, just eyeball the dough and stop early if you feel like you need to. 

Knead it until it looks smooth and shiny, and set it aside to rest. It should be moist and pliable.

Now it's time to work on the Sauce! Add the Cream and Butter to the Skillet, and put it on Med-Low heat to melt the Butter. 

Bring it to a simmer and add the Salt and Spices, while whisking it all together. Let it simmer this way for about 2 Minutes. 

Next, slowly add in the Flour while quickly whisking it in to avoid clumps. Let it simmer for 5 Minutes or more while stirring it, you need to cook it until it gets to a thick consistency. You want it to be like a loose Alfredo Sauce. 

Turn off the heat and let it cool on the side while you assemble the pie. (No disassemble, Stephanie! Johnny 5 is alive! .....I don't know if anyone will get that reference...) 

Anyways! The first thing you need to do it divide the dough into quarters. 

Roll out 1/3 to the size of your Pan. Spray the bottom with the Non-Stick Spray, and spread out the dough. (This keeps everything from sticking to the bottom.) 

Next, spread out the Pumpkin on top and smooth it out. 

Take your Fish and season both sides generously with Salt and Pepper, and lay them on top.

Next, spread out the sauce on top of everything. 

Roll out another 1/3 of the Dough, and place it on top of everything, sealing the edges as best as you can. 

Take a 1/3 off of the last piece of Dough, and separate that into 3 pieces. Roll each piece out into a thin strip the length of the pan.

Line the up on top of the pie. 

Divide the rest of the dough in half. Shape one half into an oval and roll it out. Then, shape it into a fish by pulling the end out to form the tail. 

Place it on top of the pie. Use the rest of the dough to form the face and fins of your fish. I used a picture from the movie to shape mine, but you can make yours however you like! 

Optional: Slice the olives and place them at the end of each stripe. Finally, spread the Olive Oil on the top of everything to help it brown in the Oven. 

Bake at 425˚F for 40 Minutes, or until the top is brown and crispy. Take it out and allow it to cool, and you're done! 

Now that it's finished you can enjoy! Here's a picture of what it looks like on the inside as well!

That's all there is to it! There are a lot of steps, but it's worth it in the end! It's a kind of unique flavor, but it's also really good. It's definitely my favorite type of Pot Pie these days! I made it in a square pan, but you can make it in a Oval Dish around the same size, if you want to stick a bit more true to the film. I hope you can make it, and like it as much as I do! And why not make a night of it and watch Kiki's Delivery Service while you eat? I know I did! 

Enjoying the Noms of their labor,

-C.A.M