Brothers REACT to Band-Maid: Dice (OMV 2018)

[@greylocke100]

An info file about the song Dice by Band-Maid Seems like everyone freaks out about the doll... The song's basically about taking risks, seizing opportunities, putting in the work to get the rewards. Roll the dice. Take your shot. The doll is just a doll. It's harmless - in fact, that's kind of the point. The doll is a simulated person, it's safe. The girl is blindfolded, in the dark, holding the doll for comfort. She's sheltered. At the end of the video the girl abandons the doll, lifts up the blindfold, steps into a blinding light that represents the uncertainty and opportunity that she's been hiding from. This song is a call to arms. In Japan they have a sub-culture of shut-ins, people who are either unemployed or under employed who basically won't move out on their own. They stay in their parent/grandparent's home basically playing with dolls or video games, instead of getting out and living life and trying to better themselves. This song is calling them out. Challenging them, "Are you gonna stay in there playing with DOLLLLLLLLLS like a little kid? Or are you going to stand up take off the blindfold, leave the dolls and games behind and step out into the real world?" At the end of the video, the girl puts down the doll, takes off the blindfold and steps into the light. It's called Hikikomori in Japan and is defined as: "pulling inward, being confined", also known as severe social withdrawal, is total withdrawal from society and seeking extreme degrees of social isolation and confinement. Hikikomori refers to both the phenomenon in general and the recluses themselves. The concept is primarily recognized only in Japan, although similar concepts exist in other languages and cultures. Hikikomori have been described as loners or "modern-day hermits". Estimates suggest that half a million Japanese youths have become social recluses, as well as more than half a million middle-aged individuals. - Definition from Wikipedia And I have a special file about what I call "The Smile Trilogy", the three songs by the Ladies specifically for and about their interactions with their fans/audience. Those songs are "Smile" (no official MV but the song is available on their channel under their Release tab in the "Bubble" playlist), About US (Does have an official OLV on their channel), and Memorable (written while the Ladies were on their 2022 US tour after feeling all of the emotions of their fans. Both their emotions and the fans emotions. If you don't mind, I would suggest you get the full impact by watching all three one after the other.

[@bandmaidfanATL]

No, actually, Miku loves to work in double entendres. The "die is cast" and "the dice are cast" are both meant. In the former, it means "I have made up my mind. This is my goal. There is no turning back now." The latter means "I have decided to take the chance, take the gamble and chosen a fork to travel." Both are meant. Pigeons are poets too, Po! 🕊️🖋️ And gamblers. 🎲🎲🃏🏇 There are no mistakes.

[@PaulEngineer]

Excellent way to put the explanation! Would just add that dice is simpy the plural of die, but Japanese usually doesn't make the the distinction between singular and plural! And Dice just sounds a better title than Die ;) Miku making the most of the dual languages yet again.

[@uffdad8211]

Miku Kobato is truly a master lyricist.

[@superflylee003]

BOOM💥💣 A rocker indeed.👍 I think 'BUBBLE' official music video is right up your guy's alley🤟

[@SDsailor7]

​@@uffdad8211Are you bilingual?

[@uffdad8211]

@@SDsailor7 Unfortunately not, except for some Latin I learned very long ago. I write a lot, so the proper use of words and sentence structure is important to me. There are many who are bilingual in both Japanese and English who have commented in detail regarding the nuances of the two languages and the complexities of proper translations since many of the Japanese words have multiple meanings according to the context of the conversation. It is with these experts who discuss Band-Maid's lyrics that I am slowly getting a greater appreciation of Miku's brilliant lyrics and the skill and care that she uses to construct them. For example, she carries a notebook in which she writes down unusual English words or phrases that she encounters which she may potentially include into a song, like the 'hunky dory day' phrase used in 'Influencer'. I knew that phrase from very long ago (I am 75) and was startled to hear that almost extinct English phrase again in the middle of a Japanese based song. That entire song is written brilliantly and demonstrates that Miku is an exceptionally great lyrist, in my humble opinion.

[@k3w1b3an5]

Their pop/punk songs are so good. I think that's where Saiki the lead singer shines most.

[@davidgilman3230]

This song has my favorite line from MIku, "Tears will also make a rainbow, For sure this dreary day will too."

[@glenkelley6799]

DICE, the gateway drug for a lot of the fans, first listen is jaw dropping. Typical react is "why didn't I know about this band". Great reaction and thanks again for reacting to Band-Maid.

[@hammerhiem75]

This is the song that got me hooked. The Skipped note in the riff is done so rarely and works so well. Much like Iron Maiden, Band Maid understand that the music needs room to breathe if it is to land correctly.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

Dice is just quintessential, hard rock Band-Maid at its finest. Thx, Glenn & Adrian!

[@lonniekramlich6241]

Miku's lyrics are often vague and open to interpretation. She likes to hint at emotions & situations. I like to refer to her lyrics as impressionistic. I read an article where Miku was nominated for a prestigious literary award. She didn't win, but the fact she was nominated for her lyrics....is special !! 😏♥️🎙🎸🥁😎🤘

[@shirato39]

Dice are a staple of gambling in Japan, where you use two dice, place them in a cup, turn them face down, and bet on whether the number is even or odd. Therefore, in Japan, the very phrase ``The die has been cast'' includes the meaning of being in a state of gambling.

[@zinoviylubman5553]

This amazing band has only 2 speeds: fast and faster!!! BAND MAID!!!!!

[@zer0tzer0]

"The die is cast", or ""Alea Jacta Est", was originally attributed to Julius Caesar on January the 10th 49 BC as he was crossing the Rubicon as his army had past beyond the point of no return. He was actually quoting Menander, the Greek comedy writer's line, "Το ζάρι πετάχτηκε". Nowadays we use two die, so it would be, "Let the dice be cast", or the more common parlance, "Let the chips fall where they may". Miku is a big gambler. Not only does she love to play the horses, she came in second in a celebrity Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament on Japanese television.

[@jkkansasband7056]

This was my first BAND-MAID song and I only viewed it because of the title DICE. Any other title and I probably would never know BAND-MAID. So I'm gonna say it was fate that led me to this Awesome band. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥Peace. 2.73

[@MusicMike747]

I love to recommend “DICE” as a follow up to “Thrill.” Both riff-dependent hard rock songs with similar structure (bass solo to guitar solo) but “DICE” shows how much they put into songwriting. Verses are never copied. The dynamic downshift and build up before launching the final chorus. And an unexpected ending. In honor of Adrian’s Motörhead shirt, I would like to offer you the Maids’ live performance of “No god” If he’s an actual fan, it won’t take long before he notices something fun 🤘🏽

[@superflylee003]

BOOM 💥💣 A rocker indeed🤟 I believe OMV 'BUBBLE' is right up your guys's alley (A Queen/Freddie Mercury dedication, video references to scenes from the last Queen movie)

[@Charles-ce7ev]

"Why don't you give it a shot?".

[@waynebenedict5785]

Throw the dice and take a gamble is my take from Miku's lyrics. The girl in the video is being exposed to the real world and is gambling on the future, my take. As for the song in general, it's a masterful rocking song!

[@claymore2of9]

ALEA IACTA EST "the die is cast (thrown)"credits Julius Caesar as having said it on January 10, 49 B.C when he led his army across the Rubicon river in Northern Italy a point of no return. It means things have happened that can't be changed back. you are taking a chance a risk and you cannot take the dice back once they are rolled Miku the lyricist is a very clever thoughtful small pigeon

[@tibornogradi3432]

It's damn simple though. The song is about not cocooning yourself in a cocoon, stepping out into the light. Even if it's dangerous for you. What do you need? Sweets? And will you rot in your solitude? Or a whip, but you can beat that and LIVE! Error reserved! :D

[@TomRussell-cy6ll]

Again, I think you guys would really enjoy Wonderland and Day Dreaming.....two of their most popular tracks that are a little slower paced but are packed with unbelievable performances. I would do the live on Wonderland and the MV on Day Dreaming. As far as lyrics.....Im not a huge lyric guy and I know the sub titles are often incorrect.....if you just ask the Maidiacs for help....you will get it !!!!!!

[@philproffitt8363]

Just caught up with this reaction. I see the Motorhead T-Shirt...you need the ACE OF MAIDS...'No God' Live...the earlier of the two live videos on their channel is a great close-up and a banging song!!

[@reesereese2524]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@onieljohnson5153]

Dice is the plural of Die (some dictionaries will say that dice is both singular & plural) so the saying the die is cast is the same as the dice is cast.

[@surfingasongwave]

Here's a vote for *"The Dragon Cries."*

[@agdtec]

I am from Chicago native English speaker, and while I have heard the die is cast I have also heard the dice are cast. But then I hear differences between US lingo and British lingo and I am sure there are different lingo in the many other English speaking countries. Also There Japanese with a limited command of english and the difficulty translating directly from japanese and english. So if your looking for perfect you're unlikely to get it. Just look at the difference between the north and the south in the words one chooses to express the same thought.

[@glennandadriansrocktalk]

Yep, we know about language differences - one of our favorite bands is The Warning from Mexico. We're not looking for perfect, we're just looking to understand what the point of the song is via the lyrics. :) We do this with the majority of bands that we cover.

[@barrycounts490]

Dice was my introduction to Band-Maid =) I'm proud to be a Maidiac for 3 years !

[@Blanzalot]

I think Miku should have named it "Candy or whip, which do you like?" it's in the lyrics

[@daaaaaave]

Band Maid lyrics are generally fairly inscrutable. Their English is imperfect, and they’re full of obscure references, allusions, are poetic, etc. Native Japanese speakers struggle to understand them, also. Any serious translation effort would need a ton of footnotes. Subtitles or straight literal translations will always fail you. Until you’re ready for a deep dive, I recommend just ignoring the lyrics.

[@falconsooner]

I just make up my own meanings of their songs lol. I'm not a big lyrics guy

[@trex9263]

Sorry brothers. I couldn't get beyond 30 seconds. This just isn't for me. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

[@Willywin]

Wish I had your chalkboard - and scrape away - I loved it.

[@TomClark-Futoura]

You might want to get a new set of ears. Chalkboard scratching sounds like scraping a knife across a plate. Music is an art form that uses sound organized in time to express ideas and emotions through rhythm, melody, harmony, and color. 🤘😂

[@superflylee003]

Can I ask what you listen to?

[@hammerhiem75]

I can only summise that you don't like rock then. The first thirty Seconds consists of a Drum and Bass intro playing pretty standard stuff, admittedly you don't usually get just those two. Then it breaks into a fairly common chord strucure with teh two guitars, the only unusual part is the missing 3rd note in the second 4, which is innovative if nothing else then just before the 30 seconds are up you get a clean opening verse with palm muted riff. basically nothing you wouldn't hear of any of 20000 rock songs but with a an innovative twist or two to make it stand out. so either you hate rock or you hate anything outside of 4/4 basic bitch rock in which case by all means stick to Coldplay and Nickleback and get a blankie to put over your knees.

[@Willywin]

@@hammerhiem75 WOW - would love to listen to your recomendations if you consider the first 30 seconds pretty standard stuff. Wonder how much would be literally dragging nails down a chalkboard... Wonder if you're one of those who believes if a band or a song is commercially succesful it isnt Rock lol.