Thursday, May 22, 2008

B-Side of the Week - Wrote For Luck

Manic Street Preachers
Wrote For Luck (from the Roses In The Hospital single)
(Epic)

Somebody once told me that there's no such thing as luck.

Well, there was once I walked to the mall and as I stepped onto the escalator, I found a vintage RM1000 note. Then I went to the food court and they were having lobster minute, where they give away RM88/kilo lobsters at 88 cents for 60 seconds. No one was there. I took twenty lobsters. Then I went to the designer store and the guy at the counter mistook me for an actor and told me that the suit from last Tuesday is ready for fitting. "And you left your hat, sir", he said. I walked out with everything in tow. And then I went to the supermarket and all these bells started ringing and they told me I was customer number 726 and that customer number 726 had 300 seconds of supermarket sweep action for me to reel the cart around like a frantic child and take things for free. So I was thinking, this must be my lucky day.

And then I fell into a hole and broke my leg. And then someone stole my vintage RM1000 note and i vomitted all the lobster onto my shiny suit and stetson hat. In a mad rush, shoppers swarmed around me and picked apart my supermarket sweep. It was horrible. All except for the lobster vomit. I swear, lobster vomit tastes just like lobster pre-vomit. No wonder they cost so much.

Manic Street Preachers - Wrote For Luck [BUY]

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

In the papers today...

WWE is well into the first month of its inaugural WWE Kids magazine, and apparently, feedback has been positive. The issue includes health tips, geography lessons and esteem building. And if you fold the back pages together, there's a hidden diagram on performing the definitive DDT.
This story reminds me of: Liars - Let's Not Wrestle Mt. Heart Attack (from Drum's Not Dead) [BUY]

The US TV season enters into its final weeks, with various series already beginning to hurtle towards their end. So far, biggies like The Office, One Tree Hill and How I Met Your Mother have wrapped up. You know, one day my grandma will be right about me watching too much TV. I'm so happy that day ain't today.
This story reminds me of: The Karl Maka - Season Finale (The Karl Maka Remix) (from While There's Time EP)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has quit his political party UMNO. He cites unresolvable disagreements with current party president and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the reason for him quitting. No word on whether his anti-aging cream sponsorship deal will be next to go, given their obvious incompetence as well.
This story reminds me of: Hey Mercedes - Quit (from Evernight Fire Works) [BUY]

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

This Week's Track 9 - Chick Lit by We Are Scientists

One time this chick lit a match and it burned all my books. And this other chick lit the gas stove and caused an explosion my kitchen. I remember when a chick lit some freshly cut grass and that razed down all of my dad's palm trees. And another chick lit a candle for peace, but that ended up burning down our garage. When I grew up, I met this stunning girl and this chick lit a cigarette which sent my car into flames. Then I grew up sommore and I met an even more stunning girl and that chick lit something inside me and then left me feeling like charcoal.

So when I tell you that I absolutely dispicably hate chick lit, you better damn believe it.

We Are Scientists - Chick Lit (track 9 from Brain Thrust Mastery) [BUY]

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Word of the Week: 100,000

Because...

We've reached a 100,000 hits. Yeah, that makes us utterly important. Excuse us while we finish our 20-foot bronze statue.

Magnetic Fields - 100,000 Fireflies (from Distant Plastic Trees) [BUY]
Like a whiff of ocean air after that Monday morning mayhem with the grumpy hubby and snot-dripping tots.

Tap Tap - 100,000 Thoughts (from Lanzafame) [BUY]
Thomas Sanders and his Brit buddies can't contain the claps and yaps. And, yes, the taps.

Jay-Jay Johanson - 100,000 Years (from Rush) [BUY]
Amazingly, not all Swedes think life is a bucket of lilies and flowing skirts; some, like Jay-Jay, still believe the androgynous malaise of Duran Duran is more worthy of homage.

Thursday, May 15, 2008

New Release: Alan Wilkis - Babies Dream Big

Doing a genre-hopping ode to a particular era of music is always going to be a difficult endeavour. So kudos to the chaps who actually succeed, like Alan Wilkis. The potential for aimlessness is massive, but Wilkis steers a steady ship, frequently conjuring up the spirits of yesteryear to inhabit his confluence of snaps, sizzles and croons. Imitatio Princei, if you must.

So what can we learn from Alan Wilkis? That it pays to grow up in Brooklyn. Take my good buddy Clarence, for example. He moved there 18 years ago, and immediately started a family with the cornershop guy's daughter. The day his first son was born, he got paid. Every year, when the boy celebrated his birthday, Clarence got a cheque mailed to his house. Eventually he got a hang of the system, and started throwing birthdays every six months, then every month, then eventually progressed to having one every 4 hours 29 minutes. It's tiring stuff, but he never stops getting paid. He just bought his third fighter jet, the lucky punk.

So yeah, once again listen up: It pays to grow up in Brooklyn. I think I'm finally getting a hang of this whole "figure of speech" business.

Track listing:

1. Burnin'
2. It's Been Great
3. I'm Famous [BUY]
4. Milk and Cookies
5. In My Dreams
6. Babyland at Dusk
7. I Wanna Know
8. I Love The Way
9. Stage Select
10. Girls On Bikes
11. Bad Mamma Jamma
12. Astronaut (Would You Be One?)

Updated: Gig-gles: Mono Live in Malaysia - July 5, Zouk KL

Do you know what it feel like to buy a Jazz toy only to be told that because you bought the 1000th toy, you win a free Optimus Prime with it? Do you know what it feels like to order beef ribs only to be told that they ran out of beef, so they have to give you pork ribs instead? Do you know what it feels like to ask Jennifer Morrison out on a date only to be told that she will be bringing her fellow cast member on House Olivia Wilde along as well?

Because if you don't, then you won't know how an Explosions in the Sky fan is likely to be feeling now. That, and you will be eating a tough ol' beef steak instead of a melting slab of porky heaven. What? Olivia Wilde? Why the heck would you want something like that when you got pork? Jeez.

Details:

Date: Saturday, 5th July 2008
Venue: Zouk KL
Time: 7pm
Price: RM90 (Presale) and RM110 (Door)

Mono - Halycon (Beautiful Days) (from Live on Peel Sessions)

Fad of the Land: Mixwit

I know why mixtapes are back in fashion. Because they go well with jockstraps, which are also back in fashion.

Huh? What do you mean, mixtapes aren't supposed to be worn? You mean dangling a cassette from the corner of my underwear isn't the way? Then why the heck does anyone say "back in fashion"? Figure of speech, you say? How the heck am I supposed to know that? What, you mean "figure of speech" isn't really a figure? Then how do you explain the 12 inch plastic model I just ordered yesterday from ToysforTwits.com, which promised that if I bought five models, I'd get the queen of the land of Speech?

My gosh, I'm stumped. Such a complicated world.

Link: www.mixwit.com

Spoon - Advance Cassette (from A Series Of Sneaks) [BUY]

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The Macarena-zation of hip-hop

Salon's Paul Kix laments the dorkifying process that hip-hop has undergone. In his words, "We are witnessing nothing less than the Macarena-zation of a genre". He goes on to blame Soulja Boy for pioneering the demise, which he attributes to the two-pronged attack of infantile lyrics and corny, music exec-driven dance moves that even politicians can imitate.

Unfortunately, Kix, in his impassioned indictment against his beloved's hideous state, forgot to mention one key factor in its degradation: the hair has become normal. It's truly depressing, if you think about it. I mean, my Busta Rhymes dreadlocks used to get the honeys honking before they rounded the corner. My Snoop horns once won me an audition to appear on the hit reality program "Body Implants You Should Never Let Your Child Know About" (check out UPN for reruns). But now? Heck, I'm starved for role models. I can't even get a spot as the backrow balcony audience of Last Comic Standing. And no one believes my crop top is a tribute to Fat Joe. So Paul Kix, word man. I feel ya. Damn you, hip-hop.

To read the article, click here.

Nas (featuring will.i.am) - Hip-Hop Is Dead (from Hip-Hop Is Dead) [BUY]

ROCKONRAVE: Throw them suckers off the roof

Yes, if you are wondering whether or not ROCKONRAVE features rock bands and rave DJs mixing it up in a single 2-day music fest on the rooftop of a popular residential mall, then yes, you are spot on. Brownie points should be given to the organizers for daring not only to be so darn silly but also to be so darn obvious, in this day and age where everyone's trying to not show their underwear or their boobs on TV. Oh wait, I got mixed up. That was another time.

Rooftop gigs are always fun. I once went to this show where the crowd would throw any band they did not like off the roof. The music got better as the night progressed. Good concept.

List of bands:

Saturday 7th June

Butterfingers . Republic of Brickfields . Furniture . Komplot . The Otherside Orchestra . Man Under Zero Effort . Avalon's Whisper . Par Avion . Scandel26 . Grape . Telephony Delivery . Ashes of Scarlet . Second Combat . Bunkface . 40Winks . Deserters . Twilight Actiongirl . Shaheed Naz

Visual Artist: PerezOldschool

Sunday 8th June

Oh Chentaku . Bittersweet . Couple . Nao . Lightcraft . Cassandra . A New Fall . Restraint . Dashown . Forsaken . They Will Kill Us All . Creamson . Funky Doryz . Killeur Calculateur . 41 .
Twilight Actiongirl . Unknown Device

Visual Artist: PerezOldschool

Details:

Date: 7th and 8th June
Venue: Rooftop of Cineleisure Damansara
Time 1pm - midnight
Price: 2 days pre-sale tickets - RM50, 1 day pre-sale ticket - RM30 and door tickets - RM35

For more, go here

Bittersweet - Burn Berlin Down (new single)
Butterfingers - Faculties of the Mind (from Transcendence)
Couple - She's Not Mine (from Turning Melancholy to Magic EP)
They Will Kill Us All - Running into Spaces (previously unreleased)

Monday, May 12, 2008

Monday Night RAW: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Vs Lucky Soul Vs Camera Obscura








There's been some serious buzz surrounding the possibility of not one, not two thousand but three top notch acts heading into the region, most probably Singapore. The rumored three are nasal-choked indie favorites Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, cute British retro pop act Lucky Soul and modern twee-heroes Camera Obscura. The rumor has it that the bands will only make the long lonely journey over here if there are more dates confirmed, which means Malaysia or possibly Thailand has to bite into the pie if not it's a no-go.

And while the fans of these bands grind their teeth, hoping that someone take up the offer, I am just interested in the 90-minute mud-wrestling match that's been supposedly thrown into the package.

Note: Do let us know who you would prefer as we can send your request up to the people that matter, namely the concert organizers and 'The Macho Man' Randy Savage.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Is This Love (from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) [BUY]
Lucky Soul - My Darling Anything (from The Great Unwanted) [BUY]
Camera Obscura - Super Trouper (ABBA) (from Tears for Affairs single) [BUY]

In the papers today...

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Fad of the land: myhab

So apparently it's music festival season. If you're the fanatic who considers a gap in the daily schedule as sacreligious as Obama becoming Republican, then you can stop reading (but if you do, I'll chop your balls). But if you're the type that was forced to accompany your ball-less fanatic to the fest but you had no idea why 65DaysofStatic were such a big deal (and why their keyboard was missing a space bar), well lad(d)y, we've got your salvation.

You see, all is hardly lost. For one, you can definitely enjoy the nap time, and the promise of napping with a random drugged-out festivalian. Which is where myhab comes in. This tent gets two thumbs up from Gaia, Mommy Nature and the rest of 'em earth-doting divines. It's fully recycable, has a double mattress, and a spot for muddy boots. Myhabbers rent a tent, then pick it up at the myvillage that has been set up at the fest of their choice. Once the music fades, and the condoms run out, myhab staffers recycle the tent, and set up for the next shindig.

So yup, you're covered. Now, back to you, oh ball-less fanatic who is not going to be doing any sleeping at that outback blast you've planned 19 millenniums for. Please accept my invitation to the first annual Bottomless Eunuch and Uncle Snip Fest. Ignore the name, and the promo flyer that shows a pair of scissors cutting a guitar neck in half. Seriously, the line up is a slice... I mean, slam dunk. It'll totally chop into your extens... sorry, expectations of fests. My neighbours can fully testicl—heck, there I go again. Testify. Testify. Testi.

Link: www.myhab.com

The Hold Steady - Chillout Tent (from Boys and Girls In America) [BUY]

Panic at the Disco to headline Franken errr ... SingFest?

SingFest is scheduled to happen again this year and the buzz at the local gym with 40-year old mother-types with huge biceps state that draggy emo boys Panic at the Disco is set to headline.
The rumor also states that to top the oddness of having drag queen idol Cyndi Lauper sharing the stage with punk legends The Stranglers last year, the organizers plan to have Barry Manilow to come on during Panic's set to do a duet with them on a smashing sentimental cover of 'You Light Up My Life'. There are also rumors Hulk Hogan may be thrown into the mix too.

Stay tuned for more exciting mash-ups.

Panic at the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies (from A Fever You Can't Sweat Out) [BUY

Underoath, weeping into our shores soon?

Yes ye lovers of weepy hardcore boys, Christian hardcore big boys Underoath are scheduled to hit our murky waters sometime in the next 3-months so look out for it. If you don't see anything, try and listen out for the sound of a grown-up 31-year old man in a tight Black Flag tee, studded belt and a beard crying? How does that sound? Like any other grown-up 31-year old man in a tight tee crying of course. You make it sound like they are rare. Even my Aunt Gertha listens to Black Flag.

Yes, the Underoath singer sometimes sounds like he is crying. I mean, I can understand how that feels. I used to cry when I was sad, these days I just cry when I want something. I know, you might say, 'you're 31-years old so you shouldn't be crying to get something any more', but hey, if it gets the job done, why not? It all started when I was 10. My sis took this toy car I had away from me. So I cried. And then I cried louder. So my mom put my sis in a figure four and spin kicked her out the window and gave me back my car. Yeah, I know, my mom is very lovable. I am so happy I am in a loving functional family. Love ya momma.

Underoath - Alone in December (from The Changing of Times) [BUY]

Thursday, May 8, 2008

B-Side of the Week - 20 Hours

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
20 Hours (from the Berlin 7" vinyl single)
(Island)

You see, while there's a certain predictable charm in seeing something till the end, there's definitely a lot more appeal in cutting things short.

Like chomping down three quarters of a kobe beef steak only to have it yanked from your teeth and thrown away. Or like downloading an exclusive vinyl-only Black Rebel b-side only to have it stop after 1:31, and never to continue. Or like travelling for 39 days around the world only to dock one day before going full circle, buying a house there and living on the same spot till you die. Or like holding Zhang

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - 20 Hours [BUY]

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Word for the Week: Record

Because...

There's been a recent resurgence on the topic of the death (or possible survival) of the independent record store. Like, America had National Record Store Day a month ago, which pledged to battle against death (or possible survival) of the independent record store. Then now, a documentary has just been released entitled I Need That Record: The Death (or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store, which will explore the death (or possible survival) of the independent record store. Gosh, sometimes my ability to perceive hidden messages totally blows me away.

Broken Records - Nearly Home (from upcoming album)
You know how Glasgow is the Tom Hanks of Scottish rock? Well, on the back of these seven chamber poppers, all hail Edinburgh, the country's Philip Seymour Hoffman BC (ie, Before Capote).

My Morning Jacket - Off the Record (from Z) [BUY]
Alt-twang momentarily gives way to a wash of beach pop.

armored frog - Blasted Record Effect (from Weasel on a Weathervane)
Brushes, whispers and a daydreaming piano make us wait for paradise with bated breath--and then allow us to suffocate ourselves away to a blissful demise.

Bull Moose Jackson - Big Ten Inch Record (from The R&B Hits of 1952)
Back in 1952, this was banned from radio airplay for being too risque. Here in 2008, my parakeets are still blushing. Silly boys.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

This Week's Track 9 - I Don't Like You Anymore by The Last Shadow Puppets

They say that diamonds are forever.

But I knew a diamond once. She was a sweetheart, that one. Platinum hair. Sparkling eyes. Shaped like half an hourglass. And what a fun girl to be with. So lively. So arresting. So multi-faceted.

We were in love. On many days, I believed she would be the one for me forever. I told her that once, that I wanted to be her man all her life. She winked at me in the sunlight and asked me if I was cutting edge enough.

And then it all went downhill. I found out she waa synthetically fashioned in a lab.

"Why didn't you tell me?", I asked.
"I was afraid you'd stop liking me!", she said.
"Yeah? Well guess what? I don't like you anymore".

She faded.

Today, I go out with real human girls, with hands and legs and all that. On most days, I believe I made the right decision.

The Last Shadow Puppets - I Don't Like You Anymore (track 9 from The Age Of The Understatement) [BUY]

Update: Look out people, Envy could be heading over here on August 9th

Update: Yes the date and venue is confirmed. Venue will be the Esplanade Concert Hall. For more ticketing info, head on here. And RM50 to the first person that pees on the spotless wooden walls in a fit of emotional rage.
Update: Yes, apparently a date has already been set for the band's appearance in this region. Singapore is touted as the most likely destination, with a Malaysian show highly possible as well. We've been trying to strangle more information out of our informer. He keeps saying he doesn't know anymore. I think he is lying. Oh wait, it's a she apparently. Hey wait a minute, isn't that the old lady from downstairs?


Our dependable paparazzi of the high seas has caught a buzz that a certain fairly known collective in Thailand are looking to bring Japanese hardcore band Envy for a show and are looking for people to hook them up here for a date or two as well.

They prefer slender and colorful 'kawai' girls but will be willing to make an exception for extremely good looking local women as well. The girls have to own at least one studded belt or an Embrace record. If you own both, the option for marriage is immediately activated. I myself have donated my sexy cashier girl for the cause. And yes, she owns an Embrace record. Damn stupid disposable Brit-pop band.

Although it goes without saying but I feel the need to point it out anyway - guys are strictly prohibited from applying.

Unless you smell like Ian MacKaye

Envy - A Far Off Reason (from Compiled Fragments 1997-2003) [BUY]

Look what I found in the bargain bin

The Gloria Record
The Gloria Record EP
(Crank)

Price: S$2.95

It's really nice to buy back something you lost.

Like this EP from The Gloria Record. It's not like I like it much to begin with but there's a sense of dignity that comes from reclaiming what you've lost.

Like the other day I was proud to reclaim back that sexy cashier from the supermarket I lost. Sure, she slapped me when I offered her money to 'be mine' again but I only see that as her effort to tease. So next time I go there, I will offer her a higher price, maybe RM10.00. Cause I am generous like that.

The Gloria Record - Grace the Snow is Here (from The Gloria Record EP) [BUY]

In the papers today...

The tiny Greek island of Lesbos is going to court to prevent a gay rights group from using the term "lesbian". Inhabitants of the land insist that only they should be called Lesbians. Sources say the gay rights group will be represented by Bert and Ernie.
This story reminds me of: Victor Bermon - View of the Islands (from Arriving At Night)

Jamacain sprinter Usain Bolt has run the second-fastest 100m sprint ever, clocking a time of 9.76 seconds at the Jamaica International Invitational. Now, Olympians have another thing to mull over, besides wondering if Tyson Gay's parents were disappointed when their son started sprinting instead of carrying on the family's boxing ring/strip club business.
This story reminds me of: Tortoise - A Simple Way to Go Faster Than Light That Does Not Work (from TNT)

WWE founder Vince McMahon is to be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 53rd annual Promax/BDA conference in New York. McMahon's win continues the award's recognition of those who carved an identity out of convincing people they actually existed, such as Santa Claus, Chinese Democracy and Paula Abdul's sanity.
This story reminds me of: The National - Fake Empire (from Boxer)

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Word for the Week: Work

Because...

It's Labour Day. In my part of the world at least. And since it's celebrated on other dates in different parts of the world, I've got a flight to Nassau in June, Ottawa in September, Canberra in October, and Wellington at the end of that same month. Can't leave the lazy arses partyin' alone, ya know.

Nellie McKay - Work Song (from Get Away From Me)
Nellie's trademark vocal canter takes a detour through St Petersburg. I think she and Regina Spektor even caught a movie.

Yo La Tengo - Barnaby, Hardly Working (from Fakebook)
Oscillating feedback drones never sounded so melodious.

SevenCollar T-Shirt - The Works (from Drones)
While Ham hunkers down at Pat Methany's neighbourhood, Duan summons the spirit of Deftones. Whatever makes 'em happy.

Murder Mystery - Cold, Hard Workin' Man (from Are You Ready for the Heartache Cause Here it Comes)
The most twang-centric track of the debut from these New Yorkers pledges undying, blue-collar loyalty to a significant other like only Vince Gill could.

Jimmy Eat World - Work (acoustic version, from Sessions @ AOL)
Jim Adkins compares work and play to him and his prom date. Me and mine can totally not empathise; we were like Forrest Gump and quotes.
 
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