Pa'an Murtabak said:
aku bukan nak cakap apa
Pa'an Murtabak said:
tapi Puteri Angkasa ni macam jambatan
Pa'an Murtabak said:
jambatan yang mewaraskan ruang antara kekacauan dan ketenangan yang melanda iklim music indie tempatan
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tak phm
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sehingga kelmarin
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku melihat dunia yang kita bergelumang ini
Pa'an Murtabak says:
di pecah belahkan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
di puak puakkan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
di dalam setiap belahan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
di isi dengan kata kata, perasaan dengki
Pa'an Murtabak says:
perasaan keji
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
knapa dow
Pa'an Murtabak says:
bila kau sedar tentang kewujudan pengisi ruang ni
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kau mula hilang arah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kau mula benci dengan keadaan kau yang bergantung harap dan menumpang
lalu di dunia yang kau sendiri bersama sama orang orang puak lain,
belahan lain wujudkan
En. Phillipa Monica says:
alahaiii
En. Phillipa Monica says:
sedih nyaaa
En. Phillipa Monica says:
knapa ko ni tetiba camni bro ?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kau bagai berada di gaung yang tiada penghujung. seolah olah di humban di dalam mesin basuh yang tiada hentinya
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
si Puteri Angkasa
Pa'an Murtabak says:
memberi ingatan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
memberi amaran
Pa'an Murtabak says:
ada sebab kenapa gaung tiada penghujung
Pa'an Murtabak says:
ada alasan kenapa mesin basuh tidak berhenti
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dan ada alasan kenapa aku seakan akan berputus harap
En. Phillipa Monica says:
halus nya kau mlm ni
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kerana nyawa ini, anugerah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
nyawa ini, istimewa
Pa'an Murtabak says:
nyawa yang mengajar kita merasa, mengajar kita erti nurani
Pa'an Murtabak says:
mengajar erti sayang
Pa'an Murtabak says:
terima kaseh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
Sang Puteri
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ehehe
En. Phillipa Monica says:
trima kasih kt apai la bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
dia penulis lilik
En. Phillipa Monica says:
dan jazmi penulis lagu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kita bersyukur kerana Allah memberi kurnia, Allah menentukan segalanya
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tapi Allah juga sayang akan mereka yang menurut perintahNya
En. Phillipa Monica says:
betol
Pa'an Murtabak says:
jadi bukan jazmi dan apai sahaja yang patut menerima kasih
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi aku rasa aku tak memberi apa2 pon dlm lagu tu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kau sendiri bilang
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kau tarik apai
Pa'an Murtabak says:
jadi di mana akarnya punca luahan hati ini sebenarnya?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
engkau lah akar, engkaulah belukar
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
belukar tu betol
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ehehe
En. Phillipa Monica says:
bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aku nk tanya ni
En. Phillipa Monica says:
knapa mlm ni ko begini ?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
entah la
En. Phillipa Monica says:
pasti ada tapi dia
En. Phillipa Monica says:
apa tapi dia ?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tapi kenapa ada dia?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kenapa tanpa dia, tidak boleh ada apa apa?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
apalah dia sekadar apa apa yang ada apa
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ko ni beroo
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kenapa sihh
En. Phillipa Monica says:
apa yg ko gusar ni ?
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ckp je
Pa'an Murtabak says:
bukan gusar
Pa'an Murtabak says:
cuma perlu perubahan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dalam pencarian
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kadang kadang kita berhenti
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ouhh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tengok kiri
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tengok kanan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kita tengok diri sendiri sebenarnya
Pa'an Murtabak says:
cuma kita takut nak tengok kat mirror
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sebab kita sedar. kita semakin hampir dengan apa yang kita cari
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dan kita sedar itulah sebenarnya yang kita benci
En. Phillipa Monica says:
haaa
En. Phillipa Monica says:
btol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku sudah tidak larat. tapi nak buat macam mana, aku suka berlari
En. Phillipa Monica says:
jln la slow
En. Phillipa Monica says:
byk benda leh kutip
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kalau lari terlepas
Pa'an Murtabak says:
cuba kau bayangkan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
setiap bende yang kita kutip itu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
menjadi sebati bagaikan susu pekat di dalam kopi
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aduhaiii
En. Phillipa Monica says:
sakit
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dengan pantas sahaja kopi itu diminum
Pa'an Murtabak says:
hidup ini singkat
En. Phillipa Monica says:
chill la beb
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku sedang chill
Pa'an Murtabak says:
cuma
En. Phillipa Monica says:
cuma ?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
mungkin cara aku chill agak lari dari norma persepsi
En. Phillipa Monica says:
btol
Pa'an Murtabak says:
chill yang sering digunakan pada hemah aku
Pa'an Murtabak says:
satu proses yang memenatkan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tidak menggunakan akal walau untuk perkara remeh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
satu pembaziran yang memenatkan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
apa guna mengampil protien dan nutrien
Pa'an Murtabak says:
apa logiknya mengambil vitamin dan buah kismis
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
makin dalam ko niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
En. Phillipa Monica says:
wehh p tulis lagu dan lirik
En. Phillipa Monica says:
pasti meletop !
Pa'an Murtabak says:
haha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
seryes ni
En. Phillipa Monica says:
terapi la
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku tak cukup rapi untuk ke arah itu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku mungkin mahir membuat benang
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tapi aku kalut di dalam menjahit
En. Phillipa Monica says:
takpa
En. Phillipa Monica says:
slow jahit
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku tak pernah kenal erti perlahan, slow, mahupun pelan pelan kayuh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sepanjang hidup ini kita bagaikan di paksa paksa untuk lekas ke sana, lekas ke mari
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tanpa kita paham apa sebenarnya yang menanti di sana, apa sebenarnya yang di tinggal kan disini
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ha kan
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kejar sana sini
En. Phillipa Monica says:
penat
Pa'an Murtabak says:
baiklah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku rasa aku ingin kembali
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kembali kepada ketidakendahan
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kembali ke mana bro ?
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ahahaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
yes
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi kau takleh camtu
En. Phillipa Monica says:
sbb kau dah biasa amik endah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
walau sudah cuba
Pa'an Murtabak says:
walau sudah tahu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku masih ada insan insan yang berada di dunia yang akan aku kembali
Pa'an Murtabak says:
insan insan yang menjadi penyegar hati
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ehehehe
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi kadang2 perlu penyegar tu
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kadang2 kau sendri segar sendiri
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kadang kadang aku fikir
Pa'an Murtabak says:
mungkin ada sebab kenapa kadangkala aku cemburu melihat pasangan berkasih
Pa'an Murtabak says:
bukan kerana aku cemburu tiada orang untuk aku berkongsi kasih
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi ?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku cemburu kerana aku sangsi aku boleh berikan kasih sedemikian
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku terlalu takut untuk mengecewakan sepertimana aku takut dikecewakan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dan belum lagi sepanjang 21 tahun aku bernafas
Pa'an Murtabak says:
belum aku temui insan yang aku sanggup lupakan segala kesakitan yang bakal tiba, segala kepayahan yang akan datang
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ala bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kau pikir kau camtu ke
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aku pon la
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aku tade komitmen
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi aku cuba
En. Phillipa Monica says:
benda ni cam main musik gak bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kene cuba baru rasa
Pa'an Murtabak says:
apa kau pikir aku tak pernah mencuba?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tak pernah mengambil setapak langkah ke hadapan?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku sudah cukup melangkah untuk kenal erti 'berundur'
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sudah cukup paham dengan erti yang tersirat
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
jgn sampai mengalah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku cuba mengalah untuk jadi pengalah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
masih mencuba
En. Phillipa Monica says:
knapa mesti kau mengalah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
dan aku rasa cubaan aku hampir berjaya
En. Phillipa Monica says:
knapa weh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku sudah berusaha
En. Phillipa Monica says:
kau kena ada sifat pentingkan diri weh
En. Phillipa Monica says:
seriusss
En. Phillipa Monica says:
jgn la ko pikir nk jaga hati org
En. Phillipa Monica says:
sedang hati kau kau buang jauh
En. Phillipa Monica says:
serius
En. Phillipa Monica says:
pentingkan diri
En. Phillipa Monica says:
fuck ah apa org nk ckp
En. Phillipa Monica says:
yg penting kau puas
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sejak kehilangan ayahanda, aku mendidik diri untuk memuaskan diri dengan melihat kepuasan orang lain. terutama
adik-adik aku
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tak sangka
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sekarang barangkali menjadi pemakan diri
Pa'an Murtabak says:
tapi aku tak mengeluh
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku tak pasrah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
aku malah berterima kasih. bersyukur
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sebab secara tidak langsung, aku menjadi dewasa di dalam kekalutan mencari diri
En. Phillipa Monica says:
btol bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
tapi
En. Phillipa Monica says:
sampai bila
En. Phillipa Monica says:
?
Pa'an Murtabak says:
barangkali sampai sudah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sampai habis
Pa'an Murtabak says:
bila itu, perrkataan yang kejam
En. Phillipa Monica says:
jgn la bro
Pa'an Murtabak says:
empat huruf tersusun itu
Pa'an Murtabak says:
semudah itu menjadi penyentap jiwa
Pa'an Murtabak says:
semudah itu mendiamkan suara
Pa'an Murtabak says:
b i l a
Pa'an Murtabak says:
allahuakbar
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aduhaii
En. Phillipa Monica says:
terok kes ko ni bro
En. Phillipa Monica says:
jgn la
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kalau kau rasa situasi ini teruk
Pa'an Murtabak says:
usah bimbang
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kerana aku, sepertimana semua umat manusia di bumi ini
Pa'an Murtabak says:
pandai berlakon
Pa'an Murtabak says:
lakonan aku tidak mahu tidak, memang akan berterusan
Pa'an Murtabak says:
hanya seorang pelakon yang tahu bahawa dia sedang berlakon atau sebaliknya
Pa'an Murtabak says:
jangan risau
Pa'an Murtabak says:
lakonan kau tak akan terbongkar
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sepertimana lakonan orang lain, dan orang lain selain nya
En. Phillipa Monica says:
ehehe
En. Phillipa Monica says:
aku tak tau apa lagi ayat nk aku susun
Pa'an Murtabak says:
sudahlah
Pa'an Murtabak says:
kita semua penat
Pa'an Murtabak says:
biar sahaja ia tergantung
That was my MSN chat with Efry. I never knew a song could get me all nonsensical. Well, maybe some of it made sense. Forgive me if you'r reading it and not knowing a single thing. It's entirely in Malay or as it is formally known, Bahasa Malaysia. If, if, if you're someeeehow intrigued, ask me and I'll explain in a language we mutually understand.
Bye.
What's on your holiday wish list?
I know I just went on a spending splurge, but this is a scheduled buy for another 6 months
I've seen this around at gigs. Never gave that much thought to it. But
Syamil's suggestion became the turning point. It's simple yet lush,
clean yet sultry. Saw a Youtube demo and fell in love with it. Could
money-growing trees be a reality?
Yeah, I spent RM1400++ on a single day for these babies.
Well actually, those only costed me approximately RM1100++. So what was the extra RM300 for?
This:
So, I know I've been lazy lately. I'll be even careless about this space once I start tweaking my new toys. Heh. See ya soon.
I have been neglecting this space for a long while now. Well, I have been neglecting a lOt of things lately.
So December's finally here. It's been a wonderful November. So where was I ever since the fated car crash? Allow me to regale...
(Click photos for further descriptions)
The moment I came home from Sg. Buloh, the only thought that ran in my
head was, "could we pull this job?". Oh, for those who's just tuning
in, Hafeez requested a song
from us to be used in his short film entry for RTM's Anugerah Filem
Pendek. He gave us the assignment way more than a month before the
deadline but given my previous state (exams!) we were forced to put
works on hold for a while longer. What made me ponder even more is that
what we're asked to do is something the band isn't used to; "short,
brooding and magical".
So the following day after my 'unscheduled' crash we had a practice session at my place. I somehow came up with a riff suitable for a piano rhythm section back in campus so that was pretty much the starting ground. And not forgetting the faux percussive riff I stumbled upon when playing around with Azhar's Triton somewhere during Ramadhan. Safe to say that we can basically picture the song from start to finish. Typically, I already have the song title in my head prior to practice. Simply, Mubarak. I was told that the short is about a defunct father - son relationship with the son having a monologue wondering what went wrong and how he wished that they're on speaking terms again. I read the script, tried consuming the whole theme but I guess what made the process easier is Hafeez himself. I've known him long enough to get the point he's trying to get across. I think.
Day 1 of Mubarak went pretty breezy. It took Azhar a little over 5
minutes to translate the whole tablature onto the keyboard. Yeah, the
riff is that simple. We did discussed a while back about the gears we
used. Like how the KAOSS Pad is becoming a monotonous staple to our
sound, the limitations we imposed on the EMX and how the microKORG is
clearly untouched. I personally was kinda bored with guitars so this
soundtrack is a perfect test run for both EMX and microKORG, and a good
window to throw the guitar away out of the picture.
We spent the day literally looking for the right beats to suit the mood. This is where Shah's EMX unleashed its wrath. Rummaging the many patterns it has to offer might take more than a year if it falls in uncapable hands. We settled for desert-ish whooshesh and cymbal chimings which we thought back then, was minimal enough. Ended the session with the customary drinks at Pelita.
Adib's been busy with his job at the design firm so he was left out from practice sessions. Day 3 of Mubarak saw us hitting the studio for the first time with hope that somehow his drumming will whip up something inspiring. But fate has it that a day before, Shah's home was struck by lightning and all his gears was electrocuted so yeah, we hit the wall pretty hard that night. We spent the studio time locking thedrums for the faux percussive part -another frustrating episode- and left with yet another dissapointment in our minds. We braced for the worst as the electrocution might cause the whole project to cease.
We took a brief break from the whole process. Some perspective outlook
was needed. Day 4 of Mubarak started on a high note. Shah's rig was
done in a day since the lightning only caused damage to the power
supplies. But that alone costed him RM400. Ouch. But everyone was
relieved nonetheless. As we were taking a breather from figuring out
the song's arrangement, I accidently played something. Something
sensible.
Spending the next half hour frantically figuring out chords for the progression proved to be an exciting series of events. Shah consequently came up with gorgeous ambient bleeps to replace the previous unimaginative patterns and I finally prevail with the microKORG after spending a couple of nights with it. We recorded the proposed arrangements of the song and ended the day thinking 'we might just make it'.
Day 5 of Mubarak was our 2nd studio practice. We were the last patrons to use the space so we pretty much have all the time in the world. But that seemed too much as it only took us an hour to finish up the song. We switched off most of the lights in the studio so the atmosphere was kinda serene with flickering LEDs from our instruments guiding the night away. We were so uplifted that night that we even played a new rocky tune (tentatively titled Instant-Teriyaki Romance) to wrap up our session. Had a blast at Mango afterwards. My banana shake was surprisingly Slushee-ish. Yummy.
As the deadline for submisson was dawning upon us, we decided that the song's ready to be recorded. After a few phone calls, Meng's studio (officially known as StandingWave Productions) was the place to get it done since Mokh's filled to the brim with metal noiseniks. Another session at Azhar's was no more than just finalizing details. But it went pretty dready with the weather and all.
Then came Thursday.
We initially booked a 10:30 p.m slot but since Meng was somewhat late, and Lied's Adlin and Wan were still laying down drum tracks, we loafed at the lounge talking crap and making fun of Shah and his neverending quest for the perfect body. Bono decided to tag along since her band didn't record that night. Meng summoned us when the watch flashed 12:30 a.m.
Adib was in a rush since he had to session for ElmKids gig the next day so we had to make it quick without rushing it. The one-all approach suggested by Meng complimented the whole process greatly as it saved us a lot of time (and money). But that wasn't such a smooth sail. We were kinda lost with the proposed tempo that it took us almost 5 minutes to get back on track. Come recording time, Adib majestically took just one take and it was good for keeps.
Will the song make it for the soundtrack? I have my own opinions on that. But I do hope the short film make its way to its deserving spot.
I'll be back here regularly. Watch out this space.
What's your favorite music for a Sunday morning?
Submitted by Nick.
Well not exactly favourite, but I did discover it on Sunday morning. I had no idea how this happened. My brother missmatched the inputs and outputs, the ipod was plugged in and all I did was twist the volume knob and BZKZTKSJZTTZKZKZTTZKZKZKKKTTTT!!!!!!!! Brilliant. See and hear it for yourself.
All done, and now I'm home.
I had a blast answering the paper. MAF310 (Management Accounting) was
like riding a bike with triple tripod wheels. My leisure revision
technique paid off handsomely I reckon. The last time I had the same
feeling was way back in high school. Prinsip Akaun for SPM. Stuff of
legends.
After lunch with Shaf, I pulled at Petronas to fill up the tank before heading to USJ. My head was full of exciting, relaxing thoughts back home. Like how I miss my bed for instance. Or how I enjoy watching cars passing from the window of my workspace to the wee hours of the morning. Gas filled, cap locked, latch slammed, and I was off. Well, driving was never a problem. It's second nature. Like breathing if it should be compared so. I find it nothing extraordinary having to drive back to USJ alone on a breezy afternoon. So I did my usual stretch, 100 - 140, sometimes exerting myself to 160, but it's all under great caution. Then it poured quite heavily. Slippery roads are managable when you're doing an average 120 on a tarmac. But on concrete?
I believe you guys are really familiar with Malaysian roads right? Ok, the famous potholes are a given fact but what I'm getting to is how easily 'bendy' it can be. Heavy vehicles running on it over a period leaves a great impact on the surface causing the road to be puddle-y overnight. Admiteddly I find it a joy at times since the 'pudd bends' give a rather exciting bumpy twist to your ride. As if you're on a rocky boat but without all the seasickness. But today, I got to know it's ugly side better than I thought I knew.
I collided with a big, old Mercedes 6-wheeler.
I wasn't speeding. I barely did a 100 when it happened. No, I wasn't
sleepy either. No pressure from the traffic since Plus Highway's not
that jamm packed. I just lost control of the Wira, all thanks to the
pudd bends. I felt the warning signs a good 5 KM from the crash site so
I was already prepared by then, slowed down (albeit being in the fast
lane) and kept my focus. Then suddenly, the car swerved slowly to the
left without notice before I realized it was too late when I tried
turning right but to no avail.
Those were my exact words when I was 2 inches away from the lorry's right rear. The last time I screamed that loud was when I was circumcised. Well not those exact words, but the intensity was uncanny.
You know in movies where there's a dead silence just before something crashes with something else or how suspenseful a quiet environment is before the shit hits the fan? I had that silence. Nah, my life wasn't flashing right in front of me. I just had that milisecond of dead, muted silence. And no, nothing was a blur. I still remember precisely the chain of events after making contact with the lorry's rear. I heard windows smashing, metals tearing and the Wira was somehow momentarily airborned before touching ground and skidded leftwards before halting. The car was in between both lanes, obstructing traffic, facing a hill on the opposite direction heading North. It took me just 3 seconds to gather myself and get out of the wreck. Oh yeah, it was somewhere in Lembah Beringin.
A posse of call mens came to my rescue. Their quick thinking saved a lot of time and the next thing I knew I was in Ulu Bernam's Police Station lodging my report. There I met the lorry driver and his son. The bear-like Indian man was all smiles with me. I mean, I know the only damaged his lorry sustained was a bent mudguard but he acted like we just came out from watching the latest Bollywood comedy flick. Ok. No pressing charges. Good. But I got a compound ticket for 'wreckless driving'. Nice.
I called the parents after my report. They we're already on their way to LCCT en route to Dungun. They're glad I'm ok and that they trust me to handle things accordingly but it was tiring convincing them that I'd manage myself a transport home. The call guys were kind enough to give me a lift all the way to Rawang so I could catch the Komuter. Then Adam called and said that I should drop off in Sg. Buloh since he's there and heading home as well.
So what's the connection with the pudd bends you ask? See, when the pudds are filled with rain, passing through it will create somesort of an aquabed that separates your wheels and the road for a certain stretch. When things go wrong, you lose control of your vehicle since there's no grip whatsoever hence, my crashing of the Wira.
What's waiting for me in the coming days are trivial matters. Insurance, insurance and more insurance. What a way to start your semester break huh? I'd like to thank all the incoming SMSes and phone calls. Thanks a zillion for your concerns. Even my relatives in KL and Johor was all panicky on the phone. I felt bad being slightly amused. They're bloody relieved that I escaped the whole ordeal unscathed.
So am I.
What song best describes your current mood?
Submitted by Section31.
I'm not usually inspired or let alone associate myself with the kind of noise barrage Alexisonfire are capable of. But their latest album is the right dose of heavy metal that is relevant to my being. One song off that album embodies my current mood. Rough Hands:
Someone tell me, tell me I survived
And don't look so surprised
that I'm home, but just for tonight
With rough hands and sore eyes
So don't speak, I am tired
Let's just live through this lie..."
Dallas delivered that verse so well that I almost fell head over heels with the band. But then George kicked in with his typical yet powerful war cry and that turned me off. The song's almost perfect, but that verse is a brilliant summation of my current mood.
Three down, ONE to go.
My hand is aching. You see, we Accountancy students only use pens and
pencils to jot down calculated numbers and to state whether it is
profitable or not to invest in certain stocks and bonds. So it's safe
to say that we keep our jotting minds to a minimum. But when it comes
to subjects as IPK 211 (Islamic Professional Knowledge), it is very
much; a bitch.
I never have problems with writing. My problem is always with the subject. I mean, how do you expect someone to write at least 3 pages on ways of obtaining wealth in lieu of a batil (haram , illegal) will affect you as a muslim without repeating mentioned points? Oh you can? Good for you.
Oh boy. I think the reason why I miss home is that I could make entries
like this while seating on a proper chair. At my bachelor pad it's all
about taking it to the mat. Legs folded, side-parted or lying down.
None of which is a comfort. Even this cyber cafe I'm at echoes the
'bersila' sentiment. My poor back. I think it'll be crooked by the time
I'm 25.
Ok. I'm hungry. Lunch time. Laters!
The world was recently bombarded with new releases from reputable acts across the globe. Alexisonfire proved they can mean 'serious business' with Crisis, Deftones once again reign the throne of 'most intelligent heavy meta band with Saturday Night Wrists, The Black Parade showed that My Chemical Romance are worthy of pulling a Queen theatric and Sparta's back in the fold with a much-welcomed maturity showcased in Three.
Flipping the other side of the coin, the singer/songwriter realm isn't enjoying much of the mentioned optimism. Association with such tags as 'sef-indulgement', 'woe-is-me', and the likes of it can't do much good to the whole genre. Unless you're playing in a band, represented by a logo of a bleeding heart. That'll sell like condoms on spring break.
Few in recent times have avoided the cliched potholes. The likes of Damon Gough, Sondre Lerche, Rufus Wainwright, Tim Kasher and Conor Oberst are genuinely blessed with a sense of vision that set them apart from their contemporary peers. Damon's penchant for evoking the child-like innocence in us is impeccably charming that beneath all the sweetest surrenders, lies a complicated foundation of instrumentation and gadget wizardry as a common feature in most of his beautific ditties. While most singer/songwriter greats are somewhat sounding alike , Kasher and Oberst paved a way for restless indie kids who just can't sit still in bored silence to appreciate this undermined genre by incorporating fresh electronic bleeps and angular arrangements in their compositions. Still for those with acquired taste, a hero is yet to emerge.
Then sometime ago, an Irish lad dropped the bomb and stole the hearts of many with his debut offering. It was plainly titled O.
Taking the music scene by storm, Damien Rice was
already a household name by the time his poignant love ballad,
Cannonball hit airwaves the world over. No one was prepared for his
blend of soft/loud folk-rock. It's the kind that sweeps you off your
feet when you're not looking, the kind that melts your heart without
you even knowing. The debut received rave reviews and critics were left
standing on their feet that this was finally, the arrival of the next
best thing.
If O can be safely claimed as the sort of music to croon to while shacked up in an igloo, then 9 is the bible for up-and-coming stalwarts of this genre. There's a lot to offer at the table with Rice expanding his palette even to the extent of the swirling strings of the 50's evidently on The Animals Were Gone. Honestly, yours truly to this very day, fails to grasp the whole hype behind The Blower's Daughter. It was plainly plain with formulaic melodies and lines that made it rather uninspiring if not ambitiously weak. As if a shrewd marketeer, he drops another Blower's Daughter in the form of Elephant. Instead of repeating himself, Elephant's a far more superior beast than its predecessor with Rice pulling all the right stops by shifting the song from smoky pub hymn to stadium arena anthem at a drop of a dime to glorious effect.
Well then, is he still the lauded phenom he was once claimed as? That's for you to judge and for us to ponder.
If you're familiar with the man, than Rootless Tree, Dogs, Me, My Yoke And I quaifies as instant highlights of this album. New fans? This might be something easy to consume even, but bask yourself in this and you'll be amazed at what the magic number 9 can do to you.
What's your favorite radio station, past or present?
Hands down, WOWFM. Well, those who know me will testify to it. I was pretty much hooked to Hitz.fm eversince puberty hit me and I'm not ashamed to admit the fact that I memorized every BSB, N'Sync, Moffats or Hanson song played in the airwaves. And in some cases, I even danced to it. Local music? Well, KRU anyone? I even won a lil' school contest in conjunction with the AEDES Awareness Week for my revamped version of the lyrics to 'Awas'. I sooooo wanna grow up and be a rapper back then.
Then came the revelation. Rock music hit me hard, harder than the loaf of bread that killed the duck in About A Boy. I wasn't a rebellious school boy, but somehow the angst associated with the music appealed to me. It was fresh and abrasive, cool and cocky at the same time. Then like every other 80's kid, I got hooked on Nirvana religiously. That was my calling card. Started a semi-grunge band without knowing two hoots about playing instruments at the first place, disbanded as SPM's over, and now here I am back with a vengeance.
Something happened in between all that. I got fixated with my passion for the whole 'rock' thingie. Exploring every branch, every avenue it has to offer. It led me to the discovery of my lifelong affair with post-rock. Sigur Ros and Damn Dirty Apes were like love at first sights.
So how does the now-defunct WOWFM fits into the whole picture? It was the only local radio station that played My Bloody Valentine.
I owe it a lot to WOW. It was my mentor in educating myself the finer
points of life filling in the auditory spaces our ears could muster.
Here's a toast to the one I miss most. Kudos.