Thursday, April 7, 2011
British Sea Power conquering our shores finally?
Then I saw the picture above.
Believe people, believe.
British Sea Power - Stunde Null (from Valhalla Dancehall)
Gig-gles: Jimmy Eat World, Singapore, 1 April 2011
So anyways, after careful, delicate consultation with Peter my pet parakeet, I managed to get him to confess what it actually means, and so I would like to finally share with the world exactly what he wrote down. It is:
Hmmm, that does seem like a strange thing that Jimmy wants us to sing back. But I trust Peter. And he trusts me. See? Right now he's pointing that fork at me. He must be wanting to feed me! Such a good parakeet. Now just poke that piece of fried chicken won't you, and then bring the fork back up to my mou... stabbbb... thudddd.... squawkkk you, you dunce!
Set list:
1. Bleed American
2. A Praise Chorus
3. My Best Theory
4. Coffee And Cigarettes
5. Your New Aesthetic
6. Let It Happen
7. Futures
8. Big Casino
9. Dizzy
10. Action Needs An Audience
11. Pain
12. Get It Faster
13. 23
14. Evidence
15. For Me This Is Heaven
16. Hear You Me
17. Work
18. Blister
19. Goodbye Sky Harbor
Encore:
20. Invented
21. The Middle
22. Sweetness
Jimmy Eat World - Hear You Me (from Bleed American)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Strokes live in Indonesia sometime in 2011?
a) Amber Heard
b) Conan the Barbarian
c) Diana Agron
What do you think? Obvious huh? Of course it would be him.
The Strokes - Under Cover of Darkness (from Angles)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Friday Fartwork: Radiohead's The King of Limbs
Radiohead
The King of Limbs
(Self-released)
Today, we'll take a look at the very simple, yet deceptively complex, fartwork of Radiohead's new album The King of Limbs.
A few thoughts will hit you when you first come into contact with this piece of art - and they are, by-and-large, mundane observations: What are these things? Why does one appear to have three arms (possibly just on one side) and the other doesn't? Is one a reflection of the other? Where are they and what are they feeling? And if at all, which one between these two creatures is the implied king of limbs?
And thus we move on to the more complicated, even abstract, probings: What do the contrasting colours of these two creatures say about the colours of Thom Yorke's chakras? What's the significance of the juxtaposition between the tree details at the top of the album cover and the abstract vertical paint lines at the bottom? Is the "The King Of Limbs" typography acting as a separator to the fragmented psyche of Mr Yorke, and if so, are there any clues suggesting how this king will hold both extremes in tension?
The key to really understanding this fartwork, however, lies not in any of the above questions but in this: Where is the band name "Radiohead" and what have these two ghouls to do with it?
It should now become much clearer to you that the green ghoul in the background has just eaten the word "Radiohead" and has choked while trying to swallow it. That explains why he has turned green and that his eyes are wide with terror - nay, desperation! The white diagonal lines above the green ghoul's head indicates its surprise and alarm at having choked so badly.
The other ghoul, the one in yellow, is clearly seen running away from the scene (to the left - the two brown ovals above "The" are its eyes) to get help for his friend. Look closely and you will see the urgency in his eyes, expressed through the horizontal paint daubs under each of the brown ovals. It doesn't take much to feel his determination to seek medical treatment and seek it fast. His fleeing from the scene now lends new meaning to the expression on his choking friend's face - he now fears the thought of being alone in this forest at night.
Would Thom Yorke himself show up - much like in the video for There There - and exact vengeance on this ghoul for its bandname binge? A truly chilling thought, left unanswered.
Radiohead - Feral (from the album The King of Limbs)
Thursday, March 17, 2011
This Week's Track 9: Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - Bavarian Fruit Bread
Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions - Bavarian Fruit Bread (from Bavarian Fruit Bread)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Bob Dylan Live in Singapore: Timbre: Rock & Roots on April 15 & 16
But, I can more or less guarantee that Bob Dylan no longer looks like the picture above. It's probably been awhile since he looked like the picture above. In fact, when Bob Dylan last looked like the picture above, I was still a chicken and on my way to evolving into a ferret. It would be a good 6,000 years before I started walking on two legs.
For more info, go here
Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone (live) (from The Very Best of MTV Unplugged)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Look what I found in the bargain bin
Empire Records soundtrack
(A&M)
Price: RM9
Oh, the pleasures of reliving those lost days vicariously through a bargain bin. As I rummaged through this particular bargain bin, countless items brought back all those memories from my youth: fragments of pigeon intestines, worn out nunchucks wwrapped in barb wire, Autobots and GI Joes glued together and making out, a bloody fan blade, and strands of Mr Ricardo's chest hair. And yes, this soundtrack. I miss those days. Oh Hi, Mr Ricardo! Long time no see! My, you've lost weight. Neat! Ooo, nice chest hair...
The Innocence Mission - Bright As Yellow (from Empire Records Soundtrack)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
In the papers today...
This story reminds me of: Lady Lazarus - The Eye In The Eye Of The Storm (from Mantic)
An American soldier who went AWOL has turned himself in, and has been ordered to complete his one-year tour of duty. Jeff Hanks cited mental health problems as his reason for going AWOL, and returned to North Carolina in the middle of his stint in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, he turned himself in on Veterans Day, even though he insists his mental health has not been cured. When reporters visited his home to find out why, they discovered that actually he decided to return because his version of Football Manager didn't have Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's manager, which totally bummed him out.
This story reminds me of: Hujan - Lonely Soldier Boy (from Lonely Soldier Boy)
American police in Idaho are investigating the case of a stalker who has been leaving severed animal heads on the front porch of a family. The unidentified man has so far left the heads of an elk and a mule, as well as the remains of a bunny. The police have cited this as being fairly reminiscent of scenes from The Godfather and Fatal Attraction. However, a reporter who met with the stalker said that actually, the stalker is trying to recreate the characters from Shrek, except that he can't find a cat, so he's replacing it with a bunny and naming it Hops 'n Clops. He also said to tell him if anyone spots a sexy dragon he can behead.
This story reminds me of: Conquering Animal Sound - Bear (from Kammerspiel)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
This Week's Track 9: The Polyphonic Spree - Light to Follow
When I grow up, I want to be a responsible person, a light to follow, just like you. Never mind that I am not following much of your light, instead I am following another light, namely this:
It's mainly because of those Japanese words at the side, which translates to 'Luke, I'm your father'. I know, my name may not be Luke but somehow, the sign speaks to me, I don't know why. Anyways, here's to being a light to follow someday.
Yours truly
The Geek
The Polyphonic Spree - Light to Follow (from The Fragile Army)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Look what I found in the bargain bin
Tori Amos
Under The Pink
(Atlantic)
Price: RM9
I would like to counter Tori's advice and say that if you want to be a real man this year, you shouldn't get under the pink. but get under the blue and black. I'm telling you, every real man this world should endeavour to colour his whole life blue and black. Look at me: my grenades are blue and black. My venus flytrap garden is blue and black. Even my Backstreet Boys wallpaper is blue and bla... whoa, did I say wallpaper? Oh. Err yes, pink. So sissy.
Tori Amos - Pretty Good Year (from Under the Pink)
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Sick Sick Six: how to journey through new year illness
Stage 1: realising you are sick
As all good AA groups tell us, the first step comes in admitting you have a problem. So go ahead, join us and say those three important words: I... am... sycamore tree! Eh err, sorry. Not sure what came over us there. Let's try again. I... am... sincerely not sick I'm as fit as a finch, thank you! Oh teehee. What happened? Ah yes, those three words. Let's go: I... am... shooting fireworks outta yo wimpy rumpface, yo wuss and a half! Neh neh nehneh neh neh, weak'n'turdy teh teh!
Le Vice - Hard To Be Ill (from Le Vice)
Stage 2: coughing
So you've done the confession? (So did we.) Well done. It will definitely help you to cope with the first clear symptoms, which is the hacking cough. In other cases, you might also catch the slashing cough, or the chainsawing cough, or the rattatat on yo fatfatcat cough. But most times, the cough just hacks. Let it hack.
Menomena - Cough Coughing (from I Am The Fun Blame Monster)
Stage 3: catching the cold
Soon, the cold sets in. Some people say that the best way to counter the cold is to drink green tea. We say press B to block, then left + A to counter uppercut. Works 43.2% of the time.
Inch Chua - Cold, Conned & Conquered (from Wallflower)
Stage 4: catching the flu
Catching the flu is a very important step in your journey through new year illness. It will prevent the flu from becoming the fly. It's harder to catch the fly.
M.I.A. - Bird Flu (from Kala)
Stage 5: the fever
Eventually, your head feels hot. We know how that feels. There was one time Genusfrog complained that his head felt hot, so we instantly recognised that he was developing a fever, and we quickly shoved 4 Panadols down this throat. He kept insisting that it was because he had a bag of dynamite tied around his neck, but you see, that's another sign of fever: giving weak excuses for not wanting any medicine. Don't accept it.
Them:Youth - Fever Rising (from Fever Rising)
Stage 6: playing games
We have arrived at the most important of this six-stage process: taking full advantage of your sickness to develop yourself. Yes, we're talking about maximising potential and achieving goals even in the downest of times. So please follow our model for growth, and catch up on Mad Men, throw chicken bones at your neighbour's poodle and pee on your house plants. It's time to become the better you.
Guided by Voices - Game of Pricks (from The Best of Guided By Voices: Human Amusements At Hourly Rates)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Look what I found in the bargain bin
Have You Fed The Fish?
(Twisted Nerve)
Price: RM9
I love my pets. I try my best to take care of them. So one day, I'm hanging around this pawn shop, and I spot this album. And so I bring it to the counter, dig into my wallet, and suddenly something dawns upon me: I forgot to feed my fish!
Silly willy, me.
Good thing Kermit came over for tea a couple of minutes after that. He brought his nephews. And one of his nephews has always been the adventurous type, so I let him feed my fish:
Thanks, Kermit.
Badly Drawn Boy - 40 Days, 40 Fights (from Have You Fed The Fish?)
Friday, December 31, 2010
Best of 2010: Pantsy's Top 8 albums in order of the top 8 ways to cook an egg
1. Raw
Felili - The Moon
Hah, betcha weren't expecting that, huh?!? That's right, I like my brekkie au nauturale, yo. Like this album, which drops this way in January, and holds fort right through December. That's full on motha naycha for ya. It won't be beat. That's right, just like my raw eggs. I don't beat them. Just two a day, down the pipes, shell, hen, farmer and all. No wonder Tron thinks I'm such a buffbot.
2. Omelette
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
3. Sunny side up
Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
4. Baked
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Stars - The Five Ghosts
6. Steamed
Jonsi - Go
7. Poached
8. Hard boiled
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - I Learned The Hard Way
Best of 2010: The Geek's Top 8 albums if they were Ultramen
1. Ultraman Zero
Bruce Springsteen - The Promise
Zero is top because he's is the baddest Ultra this side of the solar system. Why? Because he got his name from wearing one of Billy Corgan's shirts. The legend has it that Zero beat Corgan in a 'who is balder' contest. If that's not baldass I don't know what is. Eh, I mean badass.
Bruce Springsteen - Racing in the Street (from The Promise)
2. Ultraman Leo
The Arcade Fire - Suburbs
And coming in not too far away in the badass department is the man who trained Zero. And seriously, the only reason why Leo is not number 1 is because Zero has more colors on him, and more is always ... better. Yes. Like how more pork fat is better than ... yep, less pork fat.
The Arcade Fire - Half Light I (from Suburbs)
3. Ultraman Tiga
Magic Kids - Memphis
You know why 'Tiga' comes in at number 3? Do you seriously want to know why? Like isn't it obvious? Yeah, that's right, cause he's the only Ultraman with purple on him. Oh, that's not what you thought. Oh ... cause 'Tiga' is Bahasa for the number 3? What a nonsensical idea
Magic Kids - Superball (from Memphis)
4. Ultra Seven
The Drums - The Drums
Hah, I bet you thought that given my extremely powerful humor, that I would place Ultra Seven at the seventh spot, but you are wrong. I have placed him at the fourth. You want to know why? Because 4 + 3 = 7. And as my dad always said, it's the journey that counts more than the destination.
The Drums - Book of Stories (from The Drums)
5. Ultraman Dyna
The Radio Dept - Clinging to a Scheme
Ultraman Dyna surely has had to endure a lot of shit in his life. How can I know for sure? Cause he's got a chick's name. And back where the monsters are, they don't treat chick Ultragirls with much respect. Hmm ... yeah no respect.
The Radio Dept - David (from Clinging to a Scheme)
6. Ultraman Belial
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Only one person deserves spot number 6 and that's the 'devil' Ultraman himself, Belial. How can you tell Belial is evil by just looking at him? I can't honestly. Other than the fact that he walks with a hunch, which I presume is as a result of him having a bad father that never corrected his posture. And we all know all good villains have fathers who never corrected their posture.
Kanye West - Runaway (from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy)
7. Ultraman
The National - High Violet
The original dude, the one who started the red spandex craze. One has to pay him plenty of respect, even though his eyes look like eggs, and I feel like poaching them. Or sunny side up? Or ammunition in an egg fight. Sorry what was this post about again?
The National - Sorrow (from High Violet)
8. Ultraman Taro
Beach House - Teen Dream
Beach House music = horny. Ultraman Taro = horny. Peace
Beach House - Zebra (from Teen Dream)
Best of 2010: Genusfrog's Top 8 albums if they were members of Girls Generation
The one with the Farrah Fawcett hair
Dum Dum Girls - I Will Be
The ugliest one
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
If you're wondering what's the similarity between Arcade Fire and the ugliest member of Girls Generation, here's the link: The ugliest one's right armpit has a birthmark that reminds me of the map of the suburb where I grew up on my nanna's lawn and ran up and down the pavements with by buddy Sam, and then Sam got hit by a car, and nobody wanted to drive him to a hospital, so he died in my arms that day. It's incredible what memories an ugly Korean girl can jog back to life.
The one with the come-hither look
Black Keys – Brothers
I was jogging with The one with the come-hither look around the park one day when a lion approached us and asked for directions to the zoo. I said it's left, then straight, then take the u-turn and then the second right. She insisted that it was straight, then 3 o'clock at the roundabout, then left and left again. When the lion left, she turned to me and said she was carrying twins. Which makes them brothers.
The one that looks like a man
Vivian Girls - Everything Goes Wrong
Hah, so you thought the connection was simple: a girl looks like a man = everything goes wrong. But you are wrong. Yet you are not everything. The connection is that I once knew a man called Vivian. Yes, Vivian played rugby, ate his steaks alive, kept a polar bear in his bathroom and had a chainsaw surgically implanted into his left elbow. Vivian is still alive today, in the deep recesses of every girl who looks like a man.
The one with the mata juling
Magic Kids – Memphis
I was midway romancing The one with the mata juling on top of a photocopier when The Geek came in with his Top 8 list wearing Ultraman Dyna's suit. Just as me and my Girl Generation were about ignoring him, bloody Pantsy came in eating a half-boiled egg. And as those two children started bragging about their respective Top 8s, I impregnated The one with the mata juling and a litter of magic kids came flying out of the paper chute.
The one with gold stuff on the shoulders
The Drums by The Drums
See, the thing about having gold stuff on your shoulders is that it's not enough to just have it on your shoulders. You might start with your shoulders but then you'll also want gold stuff on your kneecaps, and at the back of your ears and in your armpits and just about everywhere where gold stuff shouldn't go. Which was the case with The one with gold stuff on the shoulders, such that when I say I romanced her, you should take it to mean more like I brought her to my neighbourhood bank and romanced her into a safe deposit box.
The one that looks like a sad boy
Starflyer 59 - Changing Of The Guard
I knew a sad boy once. He got a pony for his birthday, console games whenever he got Ds in his exams, a bevy of French maids for whenever he messed up his room and a jaguar when his pony started misbehaving. And he was sad because all he wanted to do was to romance Girls Generation - not all of them, just one: this one. The one that looks like a sad boy. I gave this one to him and didn't stay to watch. He's now a happ... Pardon, Thérèse! Have you not fed my jaguaar?
The one whose hat is falling off her head
She & Him - Volume 2
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Look what I found in the bargain bin but did not buy
Under the Radar
(Victory)
Price: RM 4.95
So once in awhile I see things that remind me of a time in the past, when I was someone different. Like this album for example. As soon as I caught sight of it, I was immediately transported back to 2001, back to a time when I loved going to the zoo and seeing the animals, loved painting (I would paint for days) and running shamelessly in open fields, basking in the sun and the smell of grass. Ah, that was indeed a good time ...
... ha ha, I'm just shitting you. It actually reminds me of this beautiful day when I tickled a zookeeper and a painter to death and torched their chest hairs in an open field next to a zoo.
No animals were harmed in the process though.
Grade - Stolen Bikes Ride Faster (from Under the Radar)
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
This Week's Track 9 - Black Tambourine - By Tomorrow
Idiot.
Black Tambourine - By Tomorrow (from Complete Recordings)