Artist Profile : Norman Tam, (NZ, HK,)

This is going to be an ongoing column about artists that I really liked. The first artist featured is Norman Tam, born in Hong Kong, grew up in New Zealand, his work is as interesting as his bi-cultural background. Currently a final year architecture student in reputable University of Auckland, he finds balance in practicality and his own artistic visions. I am very lucky to befriend the artist himself, and had been doing same studio for 3 years so I am quite familiar with his works. When asked who pulled his artistic trigger, he mentioned Rene something.

I am lucky enough to preview a few digital samples of his latest work. My thoughts on these drawings is that they are mind bogglingly disturbing, brutally honest, his views on reality and the virtual is shown through the simplistic minimalist scrambling drawing style intentionally sketchy, human figures, activities, are all represented in a rather grotesque form - avoiding any unnecessary distractions, is an honest expression on the ugly real life, stripped of all veils and excuses. Words are also used as a stance to convey a certain emotions, every stroke is evident of a certain emotional journey and state of mind at the time. Black on white, the medium used is carefully thought through - like truth versus lies, reality versus imagination, good versus evil, morning and night, sometimes added with a hint of bright red channels sense of anger, morbidness - the outcome drawings is striking both physically and metaphorically.

WARNING: VIEW IMAGES AT YOUR OWN RISK, NSFW


"POWER" - 6'X9', Black on White, 2007 & "ENERGY" - 6'X9', Black on White, 2007

"EMO" - 6'X9' Red on White, 2007 & "EJ Superstar" 6'x9' Black on White, 2007

"Harrow?" - 6'X9' Black on White, 2007 & "Day at the GH" 6'x9' Black on White, 2007

"The Artist" - 6'X9' Black on White, 2007 & "Burst" 6'x9' Red on White, 2007

"Kitchen Top" - 6'X9' Black on White, 2007 & "Penis Pillow" 6'x9' Black and Red on White, 2007

Norman Tam is the Moderator of L5AA Blog and will be posting regularly there.

D40

Yup.

You are looking at a Nikon dSLR D40.

Incredible little monster that is.

Finally saved enough to afford one with my hard earned cash!

You Chase I Run F.C. Stuns League as First Time Champion

First timer in The Last Guy Sucks Ass League, You Chase I Run FC (Y.C.I.R.F.C.) stuns other clubs in the competition as the club hailed their first title in their first league ever with a remarkable win over tight rival ............ with a spectacular 103 points difference by the end of the league.

"I am delighted" cheers club manager, Nigel Lim said in an telephone interview earlier today. "It was our first attempt, and my players took the chance and we won the league. It was simply fantastic. I know the lads are as delighted as I am to have won the title for the first time."

When asked about the key of YCIRFC's success in the league, the manager added "It was easy, I bought the right players, played by the rules. I think my players appreciate my trust in them so they played a great season for me."

Sir Nigel has also been asked about the controversy over a certain clubs that have paid unreasonable amount of money for players like Didier Drogba to secure the club's title chasing, he said "I mean it's their decision, but, obviously at the end of the day, my club won the title. A player like Drogba is too unpredictable because he is not great. Most of his goals were sheer luck, so, you know, money cannot buy you title, passion does."

At Hilltop, .............FC manager, who came in second place after a few close attempt at grabbing the title from YCIRFC did not attempt to hide his disappointment.

"Ask my mother." Bet, the club's manager told the reporters after being repeatedly asked about losing the title.

Finishing third is Jackiato who came close to the title chase as the season coming to an end.

Suck My Balls! FC which has been a controversy throughout the season only managed to hold the 4th place in the league despite all the help the club has been getting from top scorer Didier Drogba.

"Other clubs are trying to buy Drogba when he is in his fine form, I don't think it is fair. I saw him first, I thought he had potential, It was love at first sight" explains the club manager, Tiongba when asked about his relationship with Drogba.

He added "I trust him fully, he has been very good to me, and without him, the club wont be able to be in number 4 today."

The Team Below is Lousy FC and FUU-yoooHH!! FC, both clubs which have had a strong start in the season has fallen behind in the title chase when other clubs starts to make an impact on their line up. TTBiLFC fell to miserable number 8 in the league while FUU-yoooHH!! FC stood awkwardly in the middle of the league at number 6.

League Dark horse, Disappointed FC, which was one of the favorites to win the league also failed to make an impression, with only several mediocre wins throughout the season. Things got worst for the club when one of the players failed to turn up in week 26.

"I am very disappointed with the results, I thought the club would be in top 3" Said club manager Garret Loke.

"Champions League is what the club wants, and not being able to secure in the top 3, there would be no Champions League for us. I am disappointed, the club is upset, the fans weeps" he revealed further.

When asked about the real Dark Horse YCIRFC and ...........FC, Garret Loke insists that these two clubs are "heng nia."

Another league favorite, Like a Rocket thru ur ASS!!! FC failed to launch his rocket and apparently the rocket got stuck his his own ass. Manager FatUng has resigned in the mid season when his players failed to perform on pitch as he watch his own club fall to relegation zone together with GOgoGO and Dunhil.

Glory Manchester United

It's On! Manchester United sealed their first Premiership title in 4 years, with 7 points clear off Chelsea. Absolutely amazing. I personally think that Ferguson deserved all the credits, because I could only imagine how stressful it must have been being in his shoe, having to deal with the games, and that guy who would never shut up, what's his name?. Losing the Premiership would be the second blow for Chelsea, and I am just too excited to see them lose for the third time in FA Cup. It just doesn't matter what Mourinho say anymore, action speaks louder than words and know what, mind games are sooooooooooooo last year.

By the way, BBC.com has made a rather detailed summary , How The Title was Won, comparing the stats of Man. United and Chelsea, on a monthly interval. Here's a graph bar that I stole from the report.



An interesting quote from the report was something Michael Essien had said sometime in December. He said:

"We are much better than Manchester United," said the Ghana international.

"It is just a matter of days before we are the leaders. I have done the calculations and we will finish at least five points clear of United at the top of the table."

Apparently Michael Essien can't do calculations for shit.



And once again, man of the season is none other than Sir Alex Ferguson!

Oh, maybe I should thank Arsenal for being so resilient.

I LOVE M.U.

A Fleeting Beauty

And so I ran, I ran like rats, moving forward, maneuver into the darkness, falling down, getting up again. Slipping and sliding. Afraid to look back over my shoulder, fearing I’d see the past haunting me, grinning that grin, and watching me with those red eyes. The trick, I heard, is to move forward, swift and steady, just move forward, don't stop, don't stare. And this is what I believed.

I awoke abruptly from the noise of the blinds hitting the wall without mercy. I slowly crept out of the bed and closed the window. The ticking clock sitting on the nightstand told me it’s 4 in the morning. I have been out for almost 2 hours. I went back to bed but I could not fall asleep. My mind is calm and the room is silent except for the sound of vehicle rustling outside and the soothing noise of rainfalls hitting the solid ground. I closed my eyes but my mind wouldn’t shut. I stare into darkness, I listen to silence and my mind is calm, for the very first time since I got back, a few weeks earlier even. Things had happened so fast and so unsympathetically left me out of breath, left me with no time to ponder, no where to fall, no where to pick myself up, hard and firm, befuddled, almost unimaginable. Bad things happened, just like that, right in my face. And now, I wished this calmness would never have to end, but I knew I only had few hours before my fear rose like the burning sun that would wipe away the dream that I had stopped fighting for, like a kiss of death, a moment of solitude is the moment of my demise.

Exactly one year ago, today, 5th May, I got my first degree in Architectural field. It was a big day for me I supposed. Up until now, I still find it fascinating, the graduation, everything about it. People say it’s a milestone. The progression, was excruciatingly memorable, a journey of my life thus far, a shorted version, but action packed nevertheless, only the goods one got the cuts. It feels like, everything, in my 22 years of life just came rushing back at me with each step I took , almost too overwhelming for my head to register and beyond the grasp of my mind. Mostly, it was fear doing it’s trick, fear taking control of me, fear of doing the wrong thing, as much as I knew that it's the point where it ends, and indication of a something new to come, and I feared, knowing my curiosity is perking above my forehead, hoping to find the slightest clue to what is coming onto me. I realize, despite the sudden discontent, it was the first time, and the only time I am so willingly let my subconscious drives me, let my ego off guard. I was proud.

Walking the walk, as the crowd went dissembled to receive flowers and cheers from families and friends, as the progression got closer to it’s destination, I began to lose direction, bothered by the people who cheered on the streets, these cheers, were like those they gave the enemy. Everywhere, I see people who looked at me with my own eyes, who spoke to me with my own voice, who greeted me with the same mistrust with which I greeted them. I looked across my shoulder and found my family cheering for me. The smile on my aunt’s face that I have despised for years suddenly seemed strangely alienated. The smile, seemed like a devil’s grin and it haunts me. My gazed, however was fixed on my dad. He was the only person there that I cared; no matter how much I hated to admit this. I found myself subconsciously scrutinizing his every facial movement, hoping to find a sheer joy, and it was in his smile, subtly reassuring, and that’s the only thing that I needed. Reassurance. But his eyes hinted a sadder story, between the brief smiles, I could see little pieces of sadness. It was something that had not been there, something that I didn’t expect to find in those eyes that I have seen almost my entire life. It was then I realize just how much it had hurt him for not being able to put me thorough the five year course, It was at that moment I understood, and I realize just how much he cared.



I knew there were people who are genuinely happy for me, that I am moving onto something new, that I had chosen another path, instead of staying. These faces that I have seen literally on a daily basis, day and night, at worst, at best, through trials and tribulations, for 3 years are like a piece of immaculate carving, permanently marked onto my heart. Their eyes, when I look inside, I find warmth and comfort, I find a place I recognize, their words, were like beats of rhythm, again and again chanting in my mind, a soft whisper, life has its own rhythm, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and at other time, it’s just right. It’s all about stepping along the right beats.And, I probably had taken a step ahead of the rhythm, after all, the only regrets I had is knowing that I am unable to reach the other side with everyone who I have fought together. I crossed too early, fell too hard.

It was weird; the whole experience was mind bogglingly scary. This, was probably an opportunity of a lifetime, the only time where I could feel proud about myself alter all these years of reckless fighting, all these years of mishaps. A war I have brought upon myself, and had fought hard. I knew, at the back of my heart that I am able to walk out of the place and end the battle. But the battle would only be fought again. Again and again until the will to fight is vanished. The only way to end this completely was to realize that it wasn’t about winning or losing the war, it was reconciliation, with me, coming into terms with my own fears, and inevitably, I have.

As much as I’ve come to hate it, as much as I have spent my time dwelling in my regrets, it was a fleeting beauty – the first step to an endless road. An interlude to my life, followed by unknown future. Life in all it’s orderly dimensions, like the rhythm that beats. These beats, will scatter, and it will resonates, like the everlasting wish to discover the lamp what will light the path of my future.

And so I ran, I ran like rats, moving forward, maneuver into the darkness, falling down, getting up again. Slipping and sliding. Afraid to look back over my shoulder, fearing I’d see the past haunting me, grinning that grin, and watching me with those red eyes. The trick, I learnt, however, in order to look forward, I need to look back. The past contains traces of my existence, and it’s the only thing that could fuel my courage to move ahead. Without the past, it would be the bane of my existence.

A personal shout out to a dear friend of mine over at Auckland, Miss Diu who will be graduating in just a few days. Man, I am so excited for you. Congratulations and all the best in your future. I wish I could've been there to witness you don your cap but either way, best wishes from me and welcome to the real world, though I am pretty sure you've already met our new pal, Misery :).

UEFA Champions League Semifinals 2nd Leg Analysis.

Here's my in-depth illustrated analysis of what went wrong on the pitch.

Analysis 1: Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Final Result 4-1












Analysis 2: AC Milan vs. Manchester United

Final Result 3-0







I LOVE M.U.

I have been dealing with some serious issues with my sleeping time lately. It's all gone pretty fucked, 2 or 3 hours of sleep a day isn't something incredibly amusing, and sleepin' pills ain't really doing it's job.

But anyway, since I'm not getting any sleep 'till dawn, I'm off to watch Man United now.

But then I'm working in the morning.

Won't do me much harm eh? Since it's already fucked.

Ta.

Designer task.

" A designer does not invent new things because everything has been done before. A designer, like us, take a good design, copy 80% of it, study it, understand it, and put in another 20% , it became our own design. That is what a designer do." - The employer 2.

Gee, you think?

I'd send you a Pulitzer if I could. That was enlightening.

twen.ty. 3

For those who are truly aware, and those that who are kind of aware, and those who have no clue at all, your favorite blogger just turned twenty three today, unfortunately.

And y'all know what I think? Belated presents are sweet.

Anyways thanks to you guys who surprised me with the rather embarrassing celebration. It was um truly a memorable one for me. Thanks y'all.

And those who didn't even bother, sigh. Friends that is.

Win a date with Maraysia superstar : Oelegna Spears

Sing up now! she's hot, she's blonde, she can dance, she can sing, and her name is Oelegna Spears.

Good mannerism will save your sorry ass.

You seriously need to pimp your manners up a little you snobbish little twat because Uncle Lim is royally pissed at your shitfaced attitude, and trust me your getting yourself into a lot of trouble if you don't start doing something about it.

Sigh, didn't your mum taught you to be nice ?


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the other hand, when I was browsing news updates on the VT shootings 2 nights ago, I stumbled across an article title that read : Killer's race ID'd in which the news gave a brief description about his backgrounds and stuff like that. Then there's a news title from yahoo! that read: Asian shooter identified as (insert his name here). And it made me wonder, if this massacre was indeed done by a white man, would the news title be: White men responsible for Virginia Tech Shooting ? I doubt that. I mean, that guy is a psycho, end of the story Does anyone think by emphasizing the fact that the shooter is an asian, a korean specifically would justify the truth behind the shooting? Or am I just being overly sensitive?

Depression is the greatest source of creativity. no?

Give me a fucking Pulitzer.

Amazing Sheva

30 sum, one over-head kick, one word: amaaaaaaazing

*shivers*

Best. Ever.

While I am not exactly that content with me being back and all back here, my friend Jeff, over at Melbourne wants the world to know Miri is the best city, like ever.

As much as I’d want to be happy, I think happiness is depressing. I’d rather be constantly depressed for the rest of my life (or constantly happy, though at this point of my life, I don’t think that is going to happen), rather than dwelling in temporary happiness, because when it’s all gone, it felt worst than anything, and it fucks you up really bad.

It’s funny, for the past 5 years, I was one of the few who left town, carrying with me an almost unbearable feeling, that sort that holds you back, that made every step forward so heavy, but you know you had to fight it, and you know you had to because when it’s all over, everything is going to be fine, everything is going to sort itself out and go back to normal, perhaps, and I thought I’m going to be fine this time, because I’m not the one that’s leaving, I’ll be staying here, desperately hoping that time is going to fly and say “It’s going to be (insert time frame here) before you know it” to whoever that left

Honestly, I actually did thought I’m doing fine here. I really did.

I was wrong, Chinese New Year brought everyone (almost) back in town, but like I said, time flies, when I wish I’d stop, and last two days, they left again, and another one about to leave in two days – I don’t even know where to start, I’d admit, maybe I am a little jealous, maybe a little angry at myself when everyone is going out, I’m back here, back to the point where I start. But that’s not the worst part - I hate to admit this, but the past few days or even weeks were some of the happiest time of my life, which, is also the major problem because I knew it better than anything else, I’ve felt it before, and I’ve seen it before, and I know it’s going to be so hard this time. It’s like a strange feeling that creeps into me and swallow me, that made me lost my mind, that made me want to cry when I’m laughing, that made my heart swell when I am happy, and drives my mind to somewhere dark, when I thought the sun finally shine on me.

I can’t think straight anymore, my quest for happiness for the past few years have taken away the little I still had, and left me here, lost. All I know is I have no idea what to do with my life right now, and if I want to get out from all of this, I have to start doing something about it, although I am damn sure that I will regret doing whatever I am about to do.

To those of you who are leaving Miri, or those that left, or those I leave behind, or those who never left, wish y’all a great year ahead, and as usual, its going to soon before we see each other again, although I doubt the puzzle will be as close to completion as this year, but nevertheless, good luck for everything.

And really, just thanks for being there.

Ranting 101

I can't handle myself well when I'm surrounded by strangers.

MSN Prejudice

FOB: $%^&*@hotmail.com, This is my other email, you can send it here.

*sending FOB the email* 5 minutes later

Me: your email is not working, the mail keep bouncing back, have you got MSN?

FOB: I think it's the same

Me: No no, I mean do you use MSN messenger?

FOB: Yes, I know what MSN is, I mean you can add with the the address I just gave you.

Oops.

Oh well,

I mean whatever, it's shit anyway

Snake on Mount. Fuji

I've been having this dream about a black snake on the summit on Mount. Fuji for the past three nights.

It's starting to bug me.

It's something like this:

Oops I did it again.

Oh.My.God. I can't fucking believe I did it again this year. Totally forgotten about it.

I was actually going to write something extravaganza just for it, but since it's over now I don't see the point.

But anyway, your favorite blog Chronicles of Broken Beaker is officially 2 years old on 1st February 2007.

I am sure y'll will see a lot from me this year.



Your favorite blogger,

-Nigel

Look To Your Left

<<<---and you will find a brand new music player.

Currently on Playlist

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible album [2007]

Explosions In The Sky - Suddenly I Miss Everyone album [2007]

Bloc Party - Weekend In The City album [2007]

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away [2007]

My Morning Jacket - Okonokos [2006]

Official Top 20 Albums of 2006 [No. 10 - No. 1]

Formed back in 1992, Built To Spill is an American art-rockers lead by Doug Martsch and over the 13 years period of their career, they have released 6 studio album. Back in 2001 when they released Ancient Melodies of The Future, it became a big disappointment. Each track seemed blatant, and mechanical. Something wasn't right and it was confusing, for the band and the listener. Then in 2002 when Martsch released his own solo work, Now You Know, it went straight to the trash bin. And after five years of experimenting, stumbling around and contemplating, Martsch and his crew are back in perfect shape and it's perhaps one of their finest album to date, You in Reverse.

Built to Spill's earliest intention were to be a cast of musicians to serve as a reliable platform for Doug Martsch's brilliant song writing. However, in this album, it's no longer Doug Martsch's show. You in Reverse is a true collaborative effort, which each member contributing equally, creating a rather organic sound that casts off the usual meticulous guitar and studio polish in pursue of a more rugged, less refined and more spontaneous music that almost sounds like a live recording.

The album begin with the spectacular Goin’ Against Your Mind kicks off with the drum-propelled beats that gallops past the eight minute mark, delivered intuitively and effortlessly, welcomes the listener with a steady and driving rhythm, that kicks open the door and lay out the path for songs to follow. Second track, Traces is a spooky mid-tempo follow up to album opener with strong layering of brilliant guitar styling and Martsch’s warm blanket voice. Conventional Wisdom marks the point where You in Reverse starts to heat up. From it’s slick and dirty opening riff to it’s explosive guitar hook, Conventional Wisdom conveys an exuberance that graced and flourished this album. In contrast with their trademark layering of guitars, some offers a simple guitar chords that slowly builds up to a crescendo, then descends to a spooky sounding reggae beat, courtesy of Sam Coomes. The album finally peaks with Mess With Time, a fierce opening guitar that reverberate alongside Marstch’s voice that builds up the atmosphere for a mere three minutes before blasting into the shuffling ska jam session. You In Reverse end on a high notch with The Wait with country style accompanied by reversed guitar and outer space sounds. The last two minutes of melodic jamming is the most memorable, almost like an encore to their concert.

You In Reverse is easily my favorite records this year and perhaps one of the strongest non-mainstream album you’ll find this year. Five year in the making, after five years of contemplating and experimenting, You In Reverse delivers interesting and invigorating sounds that will haunt the listeners. From opening to the end, You In Reverse is skillfully produced and the sounds are flawlessly executed. Even after repeated listening, this album has not lost the surprise and the joy of first listen, and in fact this album will continue to grow on the listener.

Yes it might have taken Built to Spill 5 years with You In Reverse, but when it came, it was bigger than ever – as if Doug Martsch never left, his magical touch, his own style of guitar rock was as epic as ever.

Essential Listen: Goin’ Against Your Mind, Traces, Conventional Wisdom, Mess With Time, The Wait.



The Decemberists has always been a consistently “Good” band with several good records in their catalogue. But when they released The Crane Wife, this consistently good band is finally showing signs of true greatness. The Decemberists have achieved something rather ironic here, - indie band signing to major record labels is usually a very tricky matter – and most of the time leads to dramatic change in musical direction often to reach out a more mainstream market and resulting an potentially good album misfire, however, upon signing to Capitol, they not only manage to take control of the whole creative process, - producing their most ambitious, best album to date yet refusing to sacrifice an ounce of integrity. The Crane Wife is unlike anything out there – the incredible musicianship and its marvellous melodies throughout the duration of the album is a sign of a Masterpiece.

Essential Listen: Yankee Beyonet (I Will Be Home Then), The Perfect Crime, When The War Came, The Island, Come See, The Landlords Daughter, Summersong




A double album – recorded live. Amazing. Not many band can pull off a perfect live performance, certainly there are not a lot of bands that can put out a perfect live show, and release a full double disc album of the live recording as the unofficial best-of collection. My Morning Jacket seemed to have achieved both with Okonokos.

This album blew me away and it turned me into a fan. Honestly, I didn’t quite dig their last album ‘Z’ but after Okonokos, I started to listen to their earlier materials, and I was impressed. Apparently there’s a pre-Z My Morning Jacket and current Z My Morning Jacket. I have to say their earlier stuff is somewhat better than the current one, but no complaints, Okonokos is the perfect album to get into My Morning Jacket’s music – while it’s heavy with materials from album Z and that there might be a slight noticeable difference between Z and pre-Z tracks , the flow of the whole album is pretty good, with most of the tracks blending in seamlessly from one song to another.

Throughout the album, My Morning Jacket displays their ability to recreate the atmosphere of their studio albums in a live setting, in which something very few bands can seemed to achieve. All of the songs are just insane – the guitar and the vocals are simply amazing.

Essential Listen: One Big Holiday, Xmas Curtain



What’s the word to describe a band that has been around for 25 years and still manage to put up an amazing album while staying true to their roots – IMPRESSIVE! Sonic Youth has been around since the early eighties, and have released tons of great records from punk to hardcore to post-hardcore to new wave to alternative rock, whatever you want to call it, Sonic Youth is there to answer it and their latest studio album Rather Ripped is their most subtle and most mature record to date. In fact, over the 25 years, Sonic Youth have never put up 2 bad albums in a row. Rather Ripped resembles 2004’s brilliant Sonic Nurse sound, sophisticated and elegant, smothered with 2002’s explosive rock-arena style in Murray Street. Having said that, Rather Ripped is as good as 1984’s Daydream Nation, only mellower, more subtle and more refined.

Every few years Sonic Youth throws out a record, that’s part of the deal in their contract with Greffen Records and having one last album before the contract ends, Rather Ripped was speculated to have made just to finish up with Griffen. Whichever the case was, Rather Ripped certainly have become one of their best record ever in their catalogue. Now Rather Ripped might not have the social impact of Daydream Nation or Murray Street, it carries a rather personal and intimate statement of Sonic Youth. Rather Ripped is a graceful, elegant way to end the story. It seems to almost complete a circle, of little bit of something they have done. It’s an instant classic.

Essential Listen: Reena, Incinerate, Pink Stream



Stadium Arcadium is Red Hot Chili Peppers at their top of their game, at their state of total indulgement and freedom, almost like their California-dreams-came-true-moment. Out of 28 tracks of Stadium Arcadium, there are at least 14 stand-out singles, while more songs could possibly grow on the listener, Stadium Arcadium is the 21st century's answer to the period of Queen, Led Zeppelin and Guns 'n' Roses. Stadium Arcadium is an epic.

Essential Listen: Wet Sand, 21st Century, Charlie, Only In Michigan




This is what I call headphone music – the fact that this album has so many details that speakers, even an excellent one can’t do this justice as those aforementioned details can only be revealed upon close listen – with a decent pair of headphone of course.

Now having said that, Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Sun is indeed a very complex album – because there’s just way too much elements in it up to a point it could be rather infuriating. Upon first impression, this album is full of post-rock clichés; their ridiculously long track titles – a total of 198 words used I must say, and typical guitar reverbs that build up into gorgeously layered crescendos. But what truly sets them apart from any other post-rockers out there is their level of maturity and understanding on the musical direction they are going into.

Much like their debut, Every Red Heart Shines Towards The Sun contains plenty of mystifying melodies and mountains of crescendos, only that this album seemed to go a step further with more diversified layers in the songs – and it often change pace and covered a much broader range of beats and melodies. With pure instrumentation and no words sung or spoken at all, Red Sparowes seemed to possess an ability to vividly illustrate the stories they are trying to tell by creating heavenly soundscapes and with a little help from again, their ridiculously long track titles.

Having only emerged less than two years, Red Sparowes has already had two strong solid releases – and made themselves a reputation as a major component of the post-rock circle. Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Sun reflects Red Sparowes’ quest for instrumental perfection by creating wonderfully artistic instrumental music combined with intriguing storylines that leave the listener stunned. Having said that, Every Red Heart Shines Toward the Sun is an epic work of proportions looking boldly pass any restrictions and this is why it is so hard to find a word to describe the experience of this album.

Essential listen: Listen from start to finish, then you’ll know what I mean.




Just over a year and a few months after the release of the rather amazing Frances The Mute – I find it quite unbelievable that The Mars Volta is going to release yet another full-length record in such a short time span. Basically, Amputechture contain total of 8 songs – and is divided into 3 epic centrepieces - "Tetragrammaton", "Meccamputechture" and "Day of the Baphomets" with each of the songs exceeds 10 minutes mark –

Although Amputechture is not groundbreaking by any means, it is easily Mars Volta strongest release yet and is definitely one of 2006’s best. When De-loused in Comatorium was released, it was amazing, fresh and groundbreaking – a new height in guitar rock arena. It was an album that successfully showed how much potential Mars Volta have in terms of musical brilliance and creativity but then it lacks of variety in the songs. Follow up to De-loused in Comatorium was Frances The Mute that have received two very extreme kinds of reviews. That is not to say Frances The Mute was a bad album. Mars Volta has introduced several different elements in this album – one of more noticeable was the Jazz elements and a more prevalent Latin flavor. However Frances The Mute’s main problem was that Mars Volta seemed to take their prog-wank guitar a little to far – way too ambient and way too psychedelic with most of the songs just sprawl too far. And this is where Amputecture comes into the picture. Amputecture is consistent. By that, I mean from start to finish, Mars Volta delivers in Amputecture They have taken the surprise element from their debut and takes their crazy sprawling guitar works up one level with Amputechture. This, is incredibly textured music that contains a lot of different some new – music are dense and layered – utterly chaotic at the same time planned guitars particularly pulls the songs in dozens of fractured of directions but without ever really losing it.

With the release of Amputechture, Mars Volta have proved yet a again to be one of the most brilliant band in the current scene of music.

Essential Listen: Tetragrammaton, Meccamputechture, Day of the Baphomets



The only reason Justin Timberlake is always going to be lowly regarded as a mere male pop singer is the fact that he was a former N’sync. The problem with mainstream pop (keyword: mainstream) is that there isn’t really any rooms for perfection in terms of creativity and art, and other criterion for what constitutes a great record, because if you consider Britney’s album – I really can’t tell whether Baby One More Time is better of Oops I Did It Again, but I certainly think that Toxic was pretty clever. Having that said, reviewing a mainstream pop record is actually a pretty useless effort because a pop record will always be critically attacked regardless how poppy it is – and being a former boy band member won’t make things easier.

So when it comes to Futuresex/ Lovesound, I really don’t know what to make of it. All I know is this is a pretty damn good record. As silly as the title Futuresex/ Lovesound might suggest, the album itself is not at all silly. If Michael Jackson have Thriller and Dangerous under his belt as pop classic, Justin Timberlake have Futurelove / Sexsound because it is unarguably one of the pop classic in recent years. Futurelove/ Sexsound is JT’s statement – that he is more than boy band material, and that he could deliver giant pop singles and capable of defining exactly what a great pop record should sound like.

And no matter how much you hated Justin Timberlake, Sexyback and My Love will stuck in your head, although you are constantly trying to tell yourself that it sucks. And it just proved how incredibly infectious the songs could be. Nothing is to be too critically attacked on the music side, because this album is pretty consistent start to finish while some songs might stand out more than others. The only thing this album may fall short is JT’s ridiculously disposable and juvenile lyrics. But isn’t that what pop music is all about? The only reason this album stands out from any other pop albums is it’s slick production – and the timing, the packaging and even the theme. Everything about this album just seemed right for its time, and if any, Futuresex/ Lovesound sounded more 2006 than any other albums.

Essential Listen: Sexyback, My Love, What Goes Around…/Comes Around [Interlude]



It’s not often to come across material this neat; Return To Cookie Mountain, a sophomore release from TV On The Radio delivers a genre that is quite hard to file. It’s falling somewhere between tribal and post-punk, but then, it offers so much more than that. Return To Cookie Mountain is an album with soul and rhythm as well as musical beauty – but at the same time, it pushes boundaries and constantly keep the listener of the edge of their seat.

However, there is one thing this album may fall short – it is hardly accessible. While it may offer pretty rhythms, this album is dense, very dense instead. It may be a rewarding listen, but most of the time it’s disturbing. The lyrics are frequently indecipherable, up to a point where you can only enjoy the music more that the actual content of the songs. But then there is no argument here, difficult things are beautiful, and so you can say Return To Cookie Mountain is beautiful to a certain degree, just like a beautiful piece of artwork that the meaning remain mysteries.

In a nutshell, Return To Cookie Mountain is an album from a band that have grown from strength to strength, band with a combination of impressive musical talents so odd that you don’t often find in other bands. Unmistakably, Return To Cookie Mountain sounded more cohesive than their debut, they’ve pushed the boundaries a little, and sometimes it’s thought provoking.

Essential Listen: Playhouses, Province, Wolf Like Me, I Was A Lover



Any band that features classically-trained double bass player and Brazilian former death-metal guitarists, and whose frontman has the exotic name of Fyfe Dangerfield, might indeed reasonably have eccentricity expected out of them. And so it is with music quartet Guillemots. In fact, the theory of why Guillemots sounds so different is because of their multinational makeup – English, Scottish, Brazilian and Canadian.

Through The Windowpane is Guillemot’s debut album, although they have released tons of EP here and there and this album was one of the albums that has been short listed in 2006’s Mercury Prize although seriously they should’ve won instead of the God awful Arctic Who.

Back to the album, basically Through the Windowpane is a very atmospheric one with some of the most brilliantly written lyrics and amazing vocal performance (Fyfe Dangerfield ) I’ve heard in some time. Although that three aforementioned aspects are what Guillemots seemed to possess, the true greatness of this album is this marriage of interesting themes and fine execution. Through The Windowpane plays like a fairytale - each tracks intends to tell a different story, some inspired by true events some in response to true events – Train To Brazil is their finest example – written in response to the 7/7 bombings of London Underground and the innocent Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes who was shot dead in a train by police mistaken for a terrorist. Guillemots used an extensive varieties of musical instruments to go with their brilliant lyrics – forming landscapes for each songs while the record itself becomes an on-going story.

Second by second, Through The Windowpane is full of heart and craft, from incredible drumming, to the brilliant arrangements to powerful vocal works, this record shines from beginning to the end, glittering, moody and transcendent.

Essential Listen: Train To Brazil, Made Up Love Song #43, San Paolo

View bottom half of the list here

Year of 2006:
Total albums listened in 2006: 213
Released in 2006: 198
Released in 2005: 11
Released in 2004: 2
Released in 2001: 1
Released in 1996: 1

The God is Back.

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible will be here, 6th March 2007

Official Top 20 Albums of 2006 [No. 20 - No. 11]

No.11



Artist: Damien Rice
Album: 9
Released: 3 November 2006
Country: Ireland
Producers: Damien Rice

Consider this, you just broke up with your girlfriend, and you were really upset, and you know you decided you need a friend to talk to about it so you can at least ease some of the pains off your shoulder.

So Damien Rice’s O is this great friend that listens to you and tell you everything is going to be fine while 9 is the exact opposite rub-it-in-your face friend that told you your girlfriend is better off without you.

9 is in fact a very tricky album because at the right moments, this album sounds just right – tailor made by god’s hand just for your mood, at other times, you just wish Mr. Rice would just stop being so dramatic about everything. 9 in overall is edgier and less accessible, darker and more intense that it’s predecessor – both lyrically and the emotions in which Damien Rice delivered yet still one that shows a lot of heart – from start to finish, 9 continues to flow – switching between gorgeous mellower moments to some rather devastating songs then suddenly bursting into full out powerful performances.

In any case, 9 is everything you could want from a follow up to an album like O. It irons out the obvious faults from the debut and delivers a consistently strong moving sets of songs that is refreshing and experimental but yet not sprawling way too far off.

Forget about all those pretencious emo bands out there. 9 is the album that can really challenge your mood. It’s rare to find an album that delivers so much genuine emotions and honesty and 9 seemed to have it all. Even in it’s darkest, quietest moments, 9 is an album that sounds momentous.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.12



Artist: People In Planes
Album: As Far As The Eyes Can See
Released: 28 March 2006
Country: UK
Producers: Sam Williams

Originality these days is way too overrated. I mean which band isn’t ripping off each other’s music and styles. Some bands are really good at it that no one notices and call them oh.my.god. this band is so totally original, while some other band, who is tying to make a decent album without being too vein were accused of plagiarism. People in Planes is one of the latter, being compared from Radiohead to Rob Thomas then to Nirvana, and which I personally think it’s pretty impressive. Despite all that, As Far As The Eye Can See is one the most surprisingly good album that I have listened to in 2006, not because they covered ranges from post-rock to grunge but the fact that the band could pull out some really really great rock hooks while not sounding too desperate. Worth mentioning is lead singer’s unique vocal – crisp clear and captivating – the way he take control of every track is amazing, and it just didn’t matter how the band looked like, and who they sound like, you’ll be glad that you’ve listen to this album because it’s just simply amazing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.13

Artist: Asobi Seksu
Album: Citrus
Released: 30 May 2006
Country: USA
Producers: Chris Zane

Citrus is probably one of the best shoegazing album in recent year – the electric guitar overload, the minimalist noise landscape, the dizzying waves of sound and airy melodies – and captivating vocal works from front woman Yuki Chikudate made this album diverse and complicated as it is accessible. Despite it’s incredibly dense musical texture, it delivers a never-ending supply of incredibly catchy hooks that makes this album not only the best shoegaze album that came out in the last few years, but it also made Citrus great pop music.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.14



Artist: The Divine Comedy
Album: Victory For The Comic Muse
Released: 19 June 2006
Country: Ireland, UK

His vocal, oh.my.god. his vocals is just simply amazing. It captures the listener and let then dwell in his intelligent and literate, well crafted music. Yes, the 9th instalment from Neil Hannon and his band is incredibly enjoyable – orchestral-infused, theatrically tinged pop deliciousness, top to bottom – Victory For The Comic Muse is beautiful, tender, humorous and often witty.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.15



Artist: My Latest Novel
Album: Wolves
Released: 7 March 2006
Country: Scotland, UK

No bands can escape from being compared to their peers and their seniors. My Latest Novel has been dubbed the Scottish Arcade Fire and has been compared to Belle and Sebastian, which is slightly uncomforting. I do agree to a certain extent, maybe it’s the violin that happen to appear in every single song, maybe it’s their style as art-rockers, that draws the similarity with Arcade Fire. But, I mean you have to be good enough to pull this shit off, and I think My Latest Novel is fucking brilliant. There is something agonizing but beautiful at the same time about this album. It is intimate, and genuine, probably the most sincere record I’ve heard. Wolves is a very promising debut album.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.16


Artist: The Format
Album: Dog Problems
Released: 11 July 2006
Country: USA
Producers: Steven McDonald

This sophomore release by The Format will stuck in your head the first time you listen to it. It's hard to pin down this album to any genre; to say it's pop doesn't do it any justice because it's more than pop, it's a mere pop album with unique arrangements and perfectly executed tracks, that makes it enjoyable but unpretentious at the same time. If you're feeling emo, this song will brighten you up, because rarely, but once in a while, someone will make an album that makes you hear everything

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.17



Artist: Girl Talk a.k.a. Gregg Gillis
Album: Night Ripper
Released: 09 May 2006
Country: USA

I find it funny when I am choosing some of my favourite albums of 2006, this one came across my mind several times. This time, Girl Talk (Gregg Gillis) have taken mash-ups to the next level, using a total of 100++ pop songs, each of which last about 20 seconds mixing it into a rather enjoyable long play and insanely entertaining

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.18





Artist: Yo La Tengo
Album: I Am Not Afraid Of You And I Will Beat Your Ass
Released: 12 September 2006
Country: USA
Producers: Roger Moutenot

A fine balance between talent and creativity, this album is diverse and sprawling and sometimes maybe even a little bloated, but it is beautiful and genuine. Most importantly, after 20 years, Yo La Tengo still manages to put up a brilliant record without compromising their roots.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.19



Artist: The Pipettes
Album: We Are The Pipettes
Released: 17 July 2006
Country: UK
Producers:

Fifties revivalists, retro specialists and girl power, this debut album from The Pipettes has made pop music sound interesting, and credible once more. Just a little over have an hour length, almost all the 14 tracks are delicious pop songs.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

No.20

Artist: Billy Talent
Album: Billy Talent II
Released: 27 June 2006
Country: Canada
Producers: Gavin Brown & Ian D’Sa





It’s hard to file a certain band under one genre these days mainly because there are just way too many genres these day, everyone is trying to come out with a new word for a certain kind of music, but what sets Billy Talent apart from all this other band is that you could easily file them under punk genre. Maybe too ignorant but to pull off a pure punk album is not easy and II is definitely a great effort from Billy Talent. From start to finish, Billy Talent blaze through the 50 minutes with powerful and passionate tracks but yet doing it ever so effortlessly.

I never really got the chance to bid you a proper goodbye.

I have a millions thoughts running in my head but I can't seemed to utter a single word to describe how I feel.

The words still haunts me and I am still finding it hard to digest the fact that you are gone, just like that. It's just scary how incredibly fragile life could be.

All I can say at the moment is that I'm so sorry.

At least your at a better place now.

The World Doesn't Revolve Around You.

There are a few things I desperately need to get off my chest before I even let it slip.

People can hate me for many reasons, and in fact it’s not that hard to hate me, mainly because I am not a very approachable person, or maybe I have a very bad temper, or even maybe I have a rather serious mood swings, oh wait maybe because I hate you for being an inconsiderate, shallow and selfish dickhead. Or maybe people can hate me because I can blow it in your face if any of you annoyed me so bad – because I am not that kind of person that is easily annoyed unless you step on the right button. Damn, because my patience bomb just blew up and it’s not pretty.

Well, the thing is, you all know me, or should I put it this way, people who know me long enough will know what kind of person I am. I am the kind of person who likes to take control over every thing that goes on in MY life. No, I will not control your life; I am just protective of my own. You treat me well – You will have a place in my heart. You treat me bad – You’ll never be seen again. It’s just the way it is for me.

I am a very sensitive person, and with VERY, I mean I can be more sensitive than your optical mouse – and yes I let every little things that people do directly or indirectly get to me, but usually very little of these little things ever really bother me because I can get past it rather quickly. But there are a certain things that I cannot tolerate and once it’s done, - it’s done. I am not handling out flyers about how to be my friend but sometimes I just wished that they knew better - no matter how close we are as friends, there has to be a degree of tolerance one can handle, and I think it’s safe for me to say I can tolerate a lot of things but when it happen – again and again it just took me in and changes everything, my trust, my respect – everything. It’s just never going to be the same again.

Fact is, the world doesn’t revolve around me, and it shouldn’t revolve around any of you either. And for that, don’t ever for one second; think that you are superior than any other just because you think you are - out there in the real world, you are nothing more than a mere little soul with so much insecurity that you have to take it on other people.

I can’t be fucked to elaborate all the shitty things that happened to me. All I wanted to say is – if there’s anything I’ve learnt thus far, it’s this; I cannot control how I feel. I cannot control what is going happen to me, and I cannot control all the situations that arise. I cannot control the lurid thoughts and doubts that people had on me, I cannot control anything in situations imposed by other people on me. No, I cannot control my life – not matter how hard I try to take things into my own hands. It doesn’t work this way.

And yet – I can control my thoughts. I control what and who my life contains, although sometimes I misjudge, but often I don’t. I can control how I tolerate misgivings – to a certain degree, or what I can do to get past. I can decide what truly matters and let go of the rest.

It’s funny how I always manage to convince myself to ignore these things. Maybe because I cared too much, and it ended up hurting me the most – and that is why I could never go back like nothing happened, fearing that it’s going to repeat itself. Maybe I was protective of myself, or maybe I just didn’t want to lose a friend – but it just never stops – it happened over and over again – I tried to maneuver past this but I couldn’t, and I don’t know how many time I have done it – but at the end it swallowed me whole. And now I am sitting here, not trying to make a point, but reflecting on what has been hard and awful to me, just letting it all out.

This time, I’m for real.

And I feel good about it.

Because life is just too short to not hate.

The Night Time Parking Spot Incident

My New Years Eve is royally ruined. Yeah because some fuckwits, namely Mr.CRV and Mr. Land Cruiser decided that they should get on each others nerve over a parking spot, and left everyone present with awkwardness – sitting around the table with drinks and no one bother to start a conversation, starring into anything at all as long as no one made eye contacts – eventually like a bunch of retarded strangers sitting on the same table trying hardest to avoid any conversations.

Yes, then, the two subject matter decided that they still love each other and made up over a thrilling Counter-Strike game, satisfied with themselves after having killed some computer bots.

And so everyone went home happy and content, like nothing happened, and that we just had the greatest New Years Eve. Ever.

The problem is really not about the glitch and make-up moments, because that’s what they do best. The problem is why start it and make it hard for people who is just trying to have a decent night out celebrating new year?

Anyways, thanks for making my new year such a wonderful oblivious experience.

Happy 2007 to everyone!!!

Ranting 101

No, I don't have rich parents that give me whatever the fuck I want.

So it's not my fault when you, rich people fail to understand how I feel.



Herro guys, I'm back again. Hehe