There are two types of seasons in a tropical country like the Philippines: rainy and dry. Last May 31, Kuya Kim the Weather-weather man announced that the rainy season has begun in the PH. Goodbye beaches and pools, shades and swimsuits, the white sand and hot sun. Goodbye summer.

And just like that, we're already half-way done in 2012!

Since most of the time we'll experience a heavy downpour and cold outdoors, this is a perfect time to get bummed out and cuddle up in your blanket with a good cup of hot chocolate while reading a favorite book, watching a movie or listening to relaxing music.

I was born with lazy bones but today wasn't any different. Who wouldn't feel any lazier and perhaps sleepier at a time like this? I woke up today and it was raining pretty hard that it made me want to stay in bed and sleep all day.

So today I've decided to create my first ever impromptu 13-track mixtape which I think best suits the rainy and gloomy mood, and I'd also like it to share to everyone. Hope you guys will enjoy!
Relax, listen here.
Image: odciody

Edit:
While some of the songs randomly popped in my head so I included them in the mixtape, there are also songs which have a story behind my approval. For an instance, "This Modern Love" by Bloc Party was featured in HIMYM S1 finale scene where Ted made it rain so Robin wouldn't leave the town and they shared a kiss. MJ's cover of "If This Was A Movie" originally sung by Taylor Swift was included since in the last part of the video it was raining as well. I added three of the most popular rain-related songs in the OPM industry. Aside from Rivermaya and PNE, Neocolors' "Sukob Na", a well-known ABS-CBN's station ID was the best version for me that captures the chillax vibe of the season. :)

Labels: indie rock, mixtape, music, OPM, rainy days, random

In relation to my previous entry, one of the songs I've been addicted to since I started listening to indie music was "Hard To Be You" by The 88.

RF: Hard To Be You was featured on The OC. Wink wink. ;)

The first time I heard it, it magically brought me back to my distant childhood past like a time warp. It was amazing, really. There are few songs that bring you back to a specific memory or time in your life and for me, this song was it.

The song reminds me about the good old 90's. I was a kid then, coloring books, watching cartoons and anime, playing outside with childhood neighboring friends. 10PM was already past bedtime.

I remember how I lived my life in simplicity. Closing my eyes, I can picture what our living room used to look like. It was all neat and organized. The floor was always polished. Our aquarium, with the names of my sister and mine written on a masking tape, displayed perfectly on the side table in the corner of the room. Every Christmas, we used to put up a Christmas tree and decorate them and hang our socks by the window. On the 25th, we'll jump for joy as we open our gifts and see a peso bill inside our socks.

There was also a time when a power outage occurred and all we did was tell ghost stories, play with the shadows on the walls and ceilings, and if my father's friends were in our place, they'd be having a jam session by the candle light to kill some time. Then I would listen to them singing music from their time like The Beatles, E-heads and other acoustic ones they find in their songbooks. Pretty much the type of songs they love to sing to was like Hard To Be You. The soothing blending of the voices, the soft and delicate music they made from an acoustic guitar, bass, and drums. Such dreamy and nostalgic music.

After the song's last note, it would snap me back to reality. I would look up to our living room today, full of disgusting mess together with intolerable acrid smell, while both my grannies sleep on the dusty couch that we used to sit on and not worry having bitten by bugs. My father's friends? They all grew apart. Some of which he had never spoken to again due to some reasons and some.. just lost touch. Unlike before, there were no unresolved issues and family problems.

The 2-minute song made me realize how my life was completely different 10 years ago. I thought how lucky I was to actually have that kind of life setting and I will do almost anything to have it back. I try my best to look at the brighter side, but there are things here constantly remind me of broken dreams and relationships, life frustrations, and regrets.

"I know it's hard to be me
Drug from the line in the sea
Doesn't it offer the
Doesn't it offer the
I know everything's changed"

I am not to entertain such personal questions covered by this post, esp. what problems and issues something something. If it's about the song and childhood memories, I'm cool. :)

Labels: indie rock, nostalgia, rants, the 88, thoughts

My musical preferences were greatly influenced by external factors, such as family, friends, and media. Back in GS and HS, I was a rocker chick although I listen to some songs from other genres too. I love listening to Alt or Pop Rock music currently popular in that timeline (minus the growls and screams though). =)) My ears were mostly for MCR, Evanescence, TRJA, Boys Like Girls, FOB, Paramore, etc. Not long until I got in College and most of my friends, as well as the latest trends in the music industry, were usually Pop and RNB songs (based on my observation). But of course, there's still a room for drums and electric/bass/acoustic guitars. :)

This summer, I was busy marathoning HIMYM when I can't help noticing there are several great songs played in the background that bring out the emotions depending on the scenes. Curious enough, I looked for an OST list for the said sitcom and I found a good website with a compilation of all songs used in the whole series (Season 1-6). I listened to each and there were actually good ones, ones that I've been listening for the past few days already. Caught up in the LSS mode. ;)

So to list them, since I'm all bored and waiting for dinner and 2 more episodes to finish buffering:

1. This Modern Love - Bloc Party
2. Beautiful Beat - Nada Surf
3. Always Love - Nada Surf
4. Inside Of Love - Nada Surf
5. Sink To The Bottom - Fountains of Wayne
6. Quiet - Rachel Yagamata
7. No One Here - The 88
8. Boys Don't Cry - Grant Lee Philipps
9. Nothing That You Are - Mandy Moore
10. Ladies Choice - Mandy Moore

Listed above were songs I heard from HIMYM.
Listed below were songs randomly suggested by a good friend named YouTube. :P

1. *Hard To Be You - The 88 (The song reminds me of my childhood days. The Beatles.)
2. Hide Another Mistake - The 88
3. She Is Love - Parachute
4. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
5. She's Got You High - Mumm-ra  (500 Days of Summer)
6. Waiting For A Sign - Armi Millare (Nestle Sign Seeker OST) 
7. Suggestions - Orelia (Pretty Little Liars)

These were such underrated songs listed as Indie Rock or something and I find them fresh and new to my ears. Good thing they weren't as popular as Bieber's because that's when you really appreciate the music before they get into the mainstream. (Hispter hipster) :)

Labels: himym, indie rock, music, thoughts