Ouh

Wow. I have been away. I'll spill it all in in a day or two. This entry is merely a sign that I'm not dead from all the makan. Happy Raya yo.

"So this is the depth of your fraud heart?"

Okay. I'm still having hangovers.

Hafeez came today. It was a delight seeing him after a while. He saved my day. He brought over his entire CD collection. All 30+ of it. Yes, it's a measly amount but it does'nt matter. Every single piece of carbon plastic he owned is very, very essential. One of the most highly-acclaimed is Discomafia's debut (and sadly, swansong) Attaque The Megaphone which is arguably the best breakbeat/electronica record ever produced by a local outfit. They even got recognition from IDM giants in Germany. Crazy. Anyways, his visit was brief since something came up and he had to leave with his dad. He was kind enough to leave his entire collection with me until Raya so I could geedily rip all of 'em. Thanks again, bro. You really saved my day.

I'm kinda bitter at the moment. Happy holidays everyone.

"You Make It Or Break It"

Hmm. God granted me a rather weird series of events today. In rational chronological terms, by the way. Let me fill you.

Well, this time around the term 'Monday Blues' did apply to me quite appropriately. I was kinda 'emotionally down' the whole day. I keep having thoughts at the back of my head that something not so very pleasing is going to occur. Only a question of what and when. Being the 'me' I am, I held my head up high (Ouch! Too high..) and soldier on. Skipping a beat, shortly after terawikh Fuzzy buzzed an invitation for a night out. While waiting for her to swing by and pick me up, the cell buzzed again.

It was a text.

It was Alia.

She called off our tak-sempat-to-be-renamed-collaboration. Claiming that "I don't think your heart's in this collaboration" was the final straw. Maybe she's right. Somewhere along the way I honestly think that there was a communication breakdown. Maybe that sparked it off. But then again, my 'heart' is not in anything at all at the moment (And Ibu making noise about me 'going out' for any reason for that matter didn't help at all). Juggling two worlds at one time is never easy. I've learned and I'm still very much learning. Yes, I've seen better days but this is far from worse. Not that I am truly devastated but I was surely not pleased about the killing of the collabo. But as promised, it is after all, for the long run. She may have pulled the plug, but I'm merely switching off the power. Just waiting patiently for the right voltage to kick in.

Anyways, the night out (which was also, not without Ibu's before hand hesitation. I'm getting sick of this) with Fuzzy, Shak and her bubbly mates was perhaps the right amount of relief I needed. Played a handful games of Pool with Fuzzy. I lost (I'm rusty. Have'nt been playing 'actual' pool in years. But thankfully playing more than 2000 rounds of Flash-Pool paid off) by a few frames. But it was pure fun. Heh. Told her about 'the news' and without hesitation, she said that I was to be blame. Sorta. But she could be right. All in all, thanks again for the invite, Fuzzy. The timing was quite acute.



So let's review the whole thing shall we?

I was feeling 'down', then an invite for a fun-filled night out ensued, followed with 'the news' that came in later.

Yes, the order of sequence was jumbled up.

It should be 'the news', feeling 'down', then the invite.

Or should'nt it?

Well, there you go folks. A simple example of "God works in mysterious ways".


"Mistakes are what we're made of..."
Renaldo Moon - SevenCollar T-Shirt

Here Comes The Brand New SevenCollar T-Shirt

This is it. My second album review. The 'suspect' this time is none other than SevenCollar T-Shirt's latest LP (Thanks, Ham). Enjoy.


Suspect: SevenCollar T-Shirt
Exhibit: Drones
Price To Pay: RM 25.00
Crime Scene: -Classified- (Will be available throughout all major record stores on November 8th)


What do 'anthemic', 'majestic', 'dramatic' and 'distinctive' all have in common? Besides being expressive vocabularies, you can find these words safely tucked in Seven Collar T-Shirt's second offering, Drones which is without doubt 2004's highly-anticipated release by a local indie outfit.

To kick things off, it's a big relief that not only they've avoided the infectious 'sophomore slump' that often affects prominent bands throughout the decade; they've also reinvent themselves beyond any expectations. Long gone are their trademark jam-band material replaced with focused, meticulous songs that evokes many emotions all at the same time. It's safe to say that Drones is a far cry from Freeway, Dreaming & Broke. Think of the gap between Radiohead's Pablo Honey and OK Computer. You'll get what I mean.

The album's opener, "Renaldo Moon" is a killer. Thumping baselines, abrasive guitars and surreal dynamics seems to be the band's current forte as evident on this track. If this song hits major airwaves, it'll be goodbye bedroom dreams, hello Anugerah Industri Muzik (AIM) nomination. The drama gets murderous once you move on to the next track. Aptly titled, "Brand New Number One". It grows on you insanely upon first listen. "Faith" is arguably the strongest song in this album. Duan's singing is haunting, the guitars are incredibly crystal clear, Ham's multi-faceted guitar noodlings is as complimenting as ever and oh that anthemic sing-along section! It's like having your first orgasm on repeat every 5 minutes or so. The title-track is perhaps, the album's oddball. Built almost entirely on Duan's multi-pitched, orchestrated musings, it soon became clear that this is it. This is what the whole album is all about. A nursery rhyme lullaby sweetly delivered to remind us that it's okay to forgive and forget. It's okay to be afraid. We have each other and it's all that matters.

As mentioned earlier, this album has a lot to offer. There's anthemic ("The Boohoorah Theory", "In Hiding (Like A Child)"), complex ("The Works", "Summary"), brooding ("War Is Over"), intimate ("People Under The Pillow", "Chemicals") and...I'll leave it to you to figure out the rest. The band's emphasis on experimenting with song structures and angular dynamics explains the shortness of the song's duration. It's quite a clever strategy. It keeps you wanting to hit the "Repeat" button more than ever because you can just get enough of its wholesome goodness. I tried my best trying to pin down any downside, faults, flaws and whatnot about this release because it's just too good to be real. But in the end, I give up. Roslan Aziz did a fab job in mixing the album and he has proved yet again (more relevantly, to the urban scene) why he is one of the best record maker in the nation. New drummer Adil showcased that you don't have to be highly technical to be a good drummer and that age is nothing but a number (he's the youngest in the band at only 19 years of age). He handled things behind the drum kit very well. I've said this once, and I'm saying it again. As an avid fan myself, I'm not being biased. This album does deserve an AIM award. Bottom line is, this is not just a standout record. It's outstanding.


Reviewed by:
Farhan Fadzlishah

(This review is also available here)

It'll be in stores tomorrow folks. Go and bug your parents, ask them for an advance duit raya if you don't have the cash. Your Raya will be something meaningful this time around. Rest assured.

"You screamed and that made this a beautiful disaster...."

A realisation struck me the other night while I was waiting for Isyak in Al-Falah. While an Ustaz was preaching about the wrong-doing and deceit of modern Muslim, the power suddenly went out. The massive mosque suddenly went from shining bright to pitch black. It is then when I realized how insignificant I am to this world. How I have always neglected my duties as a born-Muslim. I mean, there I was in a mosque -where religiously, it's regarded as Allah's home- in a state where nothing was visible, only children squeals and adults mongering were heard. It was quite a scary moment. It kinda transcended the feeling of being lifeless. Of being dead.

But that somehow does'nt left me in remorse.....

Things began to slowly iron out these past few days. Maybe it's the fact that Raya is just around the bend (9 days and counting, folks). Maybe it's my sweaty palms excruciatingly anticipating for last semester's exam result. Maybe. Definitely maybe.

Last night Izham, me, Hafiq and Efry went to Starbucks Pyramid yet again for Latte@8. For a reason, of course. I'd rather dance with my Jagmaster back home than getting through all the trafic every week just so you could see Malaysia's TV celebs live up-close. Sheesh. Anyways, Elisabelle Tears was the reason last night. The crowd was more massive than last week when Telebury was under the spotlight. There were a lot of familiar faces to start with (Oh Alia, Irman was there too). It felt like it was just another weekend gig with all of them donning extreme indie/emo dress code like they're the lastest fashionistas in town. Elisebelle Tears is known famously for their emo/screamo/emocore leanings that landed them a slot in last year Singapore's Baybeats Festival. Their sound is often described as 'ethereal sonic cacaphony intertwined with heart-stirring howls' by music critics and close-knit peers alike. But last night showcased that they really went under a major surgery. They sounded more matured and refined. With Zamir (formerly from The Accused) now in tow as a backing vocalist, thumping bassist and the band's resident Fancy Pants (he belongs to the New York scene. Highly haute indie couture), they've never been this bolder. Neat. Their number, "Blood On A Wedding Dress" is a killer combo of slow-fast rock 'n roll. I guess it would'nt hurt if they were to be tagged as Malaysia's very own Alexisonfire.

Good news: Ham wants to meet me and Efry tonight so we could have 'Drones' before
hand before it strikes the stores nationwide this Monday. Whee.

(Not so) Good news: We're meeting at 11. So basically, transport is a problematic matter
at the moment. Bummer.

Slapstic Contortioned Plastic

Bummer. Yesterday's session didn't happen. My bad. Kak Ati was admitted to a hospital in JB. Serious shit I reckon. She was immediately sent to the operation theatre. Thinking that my babsitting days are over, I was told to be the man of the cave yet again for one day. Ibu & Ayah took a shuttle flight to JB the very next second they heard the news leaving me in despair that with a heavy heart, I had to tell Alia that yesterday's session had to be cancelled. She hasn't replied ever since. Sorry again, dear.


Two words summed up my Monday afternoon: Dead Bored

I was looking forward for the session but then this mishap came about, my hands are tied indefinitely. Tried to get myself in the mood of 'living life to the fullest' but sadly to no avail. Every attempt ended with me throwing myself on the couch staring blankly at whatever it is infront of me. And that lasted to 2 hours tops. The only thing that's left looking forward to is none other than break fast. I'm getting sick of this. Huh. I'm starting to feel that this break was a big mistake. A tragedy waiting to happen. The whole timing sucks like hell, the overall vibe screwed me up big time, I am drifting away from myself further than ever, and the worst part is, it's all about me, me, me & more me. Me is being a burden to me loved ones, me is being unbothered with being ungrateful, me is being 'comfortable' being a bum. See? With all this consideration taken, it's still very much everything-about-me. Piss off.


Despite arriving at home around 7:30, Ibu insisted that the whole family went for terawikh. For the first time ever terawikh was a bit breezy since it was raining cats & dogs. After that we went home and while I was having my daily dose of pippin' hot Milo, Aliaa and Adam rang the doorbell. It was totally a surprise visit but the 'agenda' did'nt shocked me at all. Her boyfriend was involved in a road accident as of late and she was told by her boyfriend's big sis to pay a certain sum of money for God knows what. I did told Adam (who always acts as the middle man for any situation) that financially, I'm the last person that you could ask for assistance. Not that money is a major problem for me but I don't own the cash. It's Ayah's. The last thing that I want to do is for my parents to get involved in problems such as this. Moreoever it has nothing to do with me. But as a friend, I will still help if there's anything that I could do within my power. Talk about timing, their's sucks way overboard. Ibu & Ayah was there and all we're left to do was none other than your typical parent-child-friends conversation (read: studies, folks, more studies).


-Happy 19th Adam-

It's a funny-wacky fact that he shares the same birthdate as Bollywood's favourite son, Shah Rukh Khan. Luckily, they're both nothing alike (except for the tendency of being overly romantic perhaps). But this fact, is nothing funny. He was once known as How Tuck Wai. A timid, friendly boy who moved from Kuantan to the urban 'viciousness' of USJ exactly 4 years ago. We've been long-time friends and close classmates ever since. It wasn't untill a year and a half ago that he decided to embrace the teachings of Islam, changing his name to Adam Muhammad. This wasn't that all surprising since he has shown deep interest in Islam way back when we were in high school. It's safe to say that his conversion was somewhat expected. He chose his Islam name himself. Sadly though, he's still living a double-life. He did ask his parents how would they react if he were to convert and the response wasn't pleasing at all. He did intend to tell them that he's now a Muslim but it depends on the timing. Maybe soon enough. Or maybe they've known since his parents are always very suspicious of his acts. For now, just focus on your upcoming STPM finals, bro. Best of luck.

Abg. Aidil came to pick up his portion of kuih belinjau and maruku that later will be distributed to his colleagues at work. Had a brief talk about our on-going going-on's and half of the time I had to hear him complaining about his non-working car air-conditioner. Too bad cuz', too bad. Trade the Honda Bullet for something more contemporary la. A Waja perhaps? Heh. Will have to form an allegiance with Kak Maz for that.



"Take me out, tonight..."
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - The Smiths