fading west

Ah, today is a good day, having someone remarking on my weight gain notwithstanding. I wasn't offended because it is the truth. :/ Still a good day, because today Switchfoot dropped their latest album, Fading West. Wheee! I've just downloaded it from iTunes (USD6.99 only!) so excusez-moi s'il vous plaît while I go off into the sun and surf with the boys.. I've missed them so much! They have a long list of touring dates ahead, but all venues are US-based. Still, I have hope that they will be back. ^_^

So, Leehom, this leaves only you whose album (from a list of albums whose arrival I actually do care about) is still baking in the oven. Should I hold my breath? ;)

Eminem's 8th studio album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, dropped today! He's said that this was a continuation and a revisit of his critically acclaimed album from 2000, in the sense that "...on the first Marshall Mathers LP there were some personal things that I addressed and on this record there are some chapters that I wanted to close. [..] It’s more about going back to the basics of hip-hop and some fundamentals in that sense." [via]

Perhaps to make it obvious, both albums share a similar cover, that of the house he grew up in in Detroit. But content- and sound-wise at first impression, they vary quite a bit, and I think that's just awesome! I'm all for artists taking different creative and sound directions in their new albums because the last thing I want is for them to give me the same thing over and over again. I mean, I'm all for comfort and familiarity but if you are going to repackage the same stuff, I might as well listen to the old albums right?

Four of the songs have been released as singles previously (Berzerk, Survival, Rap God and Monster feat. Rihanna), and I love them all! Brand me a die-hard fan, but I really do! :P  He's received a lot of criticism for the songs, but really, I think most of the haters are just complaining for the sake of complaining (on the other hand, it is I who probably should stop reading them). But I guess expectations are high because he named the album after his most well-received one, but I don't get why people want him to sound like and come off a replica of himself 13 years ago -- I prefer to see both albums as bookends of his life then and now, and when you listen to everything from then and now, you're elevated to a vantage point where you could see the story of his life panned out and see how far along he has come and understand him better (this goes the same when we evaluate any other artists' body of works).

Anyway, I've pre-ordered the album on iTunes a week ago (yup, while I was traveling in Taiwan -- photos here! =) and was counting down the days for its release, so yeah, am happy it's Nov 5! Well, it leaked onto the Internet on Halloween, but I resisted checking it out until today (I'm stubborn in the most unnecessary way, I know). I got the clean (of course haha!) deluxe version which came with 21 songs. Twenty one! For USD9.99. The prudent chinaman in me is well-pleased at the what a value-for-money this deal was hahah!

Anywayyyy, while I should be checking out all the songs (I really want to!), I haven't been able to because I'm stuck on listening to this one song: Headlights feat. Nate Ruess, a song Em wrote for his estranged mom, apologizing for the past. The two have a turbulent history and she was prominently targeted in many of his earlier songs when he was venting and ranting and screaming about everything in his life. He had said and rapped some really hurtful stuff, justified or not, against her, so I'm glad he's reached the point in his life where he could offer a song like this as a tribute and an apology. I'm really touched at the heartfelt words and I really wish he would be able say this to her face to face one day, and they would reconcile.. Btw Nate Ruess did a wonderful job on his part too. Everything came together so nicely..

So yeah, I'm getting back to the song. I'll probably write again when I get to #21. xoxo.

once you pulled up in our drive one night as we were leaving to get some hamburgers
me, her and Nate, we introduced you, hugged you
and as you left I had this overwhelming sadness come over me
as we pulled off to go our separate paths, and I saw your headlights as I looked back
and I'm mad I didn't get the chance to thank you for being my Mom and my Dad
so Mom, please accept this as a tribute I wrote this on the jet

eminem :: headlights

collapsible lung

This is a good, nay, GREAT year, and I say that because most of my favorite bands and singers have been or are releasing new albums! OH JOYYYYYYY!!!! :D

I've just downloaded Relient K's Collapsible Lung, which is my third full album purchase this year, after Khalil Fong's Back to Wonderland and David Tao's recent Hello Goodbye.

I don't really need to say that I love this album right? I'm a good if not die-hard fan.. so of course it's good hahaha! But really, I'm lovin' the upbeat melodies of Don't Blink, Lost Boy, Collapsible Lung and That's My Jam (all of which were previously released on youtube). And everything else are sounding good too. ^_^ I haven't checked the lyrics yet, so I could be wrong in saying that some of the witticism and word play they are known for aren't so prominent this time around (first impression). Mattie has always have a way with words which was how I got hooked with a punk rock band that has apparently gone pop (M has said that their next album will be rock if not punk rock :) I've also read that songs that reflect their Christian faith are not found, so I thought that's quite a bummer cos those that they have written have always been my favorites :(

With that too, I can't shake off the sadness for the departure of their drummer EL right before the album was released, and the news of the other two members (bassist JW and guitarist JS) not joining in the tour. I don't know what that's all about, and maybe in not knowing I tend to imagine the worst. M, this had better not be your doing! :(

anyways, after this, I'll be anticipating Switchfoot's Fading West which is coming out soon (there's an album AND a movie, omg so much awesomeness!) and Leehom's in the studio between his movie takes recording for a new album. this fangirl cannot ask for moar.. MOARRRRR!! hehehe.. sorry for my state of delirium.. wait, I'm not sorry. I'm soooo excited I can't sit still.

a good year indeed.


#update: love the pop rock tunes, but the lyrics quality leaves much to be desired. i think M could do so, so much better. because he has done it before. i am disappoint. i'm enjoying the album without listening to the words. which isn't cool in my book. not cool at all. :(

yippeedooday, DT's in the house!

I was so stoked to find out from David's weibo that he has just dropped his latest album Hello Goodbye three days back! WHEE!! He's been AWOL since his last album Opus 69 in 2008 (which I have not heard until last year, as I have been AWOL from Chinese music since.. 2001? :D)(I'd have to say that Opus was his best album yet and a tough act to follow--and of course, I totally enjoyed it!)..

So I've just downloaded Hello Goodbye 再見你好嗎 from iTunes as I was typing (for some reason, it costs USD9.99 from my iPhone's iTunes, but when I checked online from my laptop, the album costs USD16.99!) Anyway, I've already heard a few songs from his mini concert which was held in conjunction with the album launch, and most of what I heard sounded like old skool David, which isn't a bad thing at all :) There are a few collaborations with other singers, namely Crowd Lu, Tanya Chua and Sharon Kwan (unfortunately, I have very little idea of who they are, and a total blank as to their works)(sorry!)

And the best thing is, he's embarking on a (world?)(somehow that term is used pretty loosely when it comes to concerts) tour -- and I'm hoping very much that he would make it to Malaysia!! It's pretty likely that he would. Problem is, who would go with me to the concert?? :(

Anyway, it's so good to have you back, David. I've really missed you! :) Please stay a while longer this time k?

So sporting a new hairstyle and colour (love the blue!), this is David with the first single from his album, the song 勿忘我 Forget Me Not which grew on me pretty quickly. I think it's the trend these days to throw in a line or two of nostalgic catchy tune/hook in the chorus (like the song Live Your Live by T.I feat. Rihanna which takes from Chicken Little's Numa Numa song or Feel This Moment by Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera which took a leaf from Eiffel 65's Blue (Da Ba Dee))(Leehom has done it with too with 春雨里洗过的太阳 which has a modified line from The Cascades' 1963 song, Rhythm of the Falling Rain). And I think this strategy works, because the familiarity provides instant connection, and you also get something entirely new thrown in. I hope this would be used sparingly though (David also employed this technique in his Taiwanese song 上爱唱的歌 Songs From Yesterday, a poignant song dedicated to his late dad :( I could so feel his pain when he almost broke down before presenting this song at his mini concert! :(

Anyway... so far, I've liked what I've heard so I'm glad I bought the whole album :) His would be the second full-length album I purchased from iTunes -- the first being Khalil Fong's excellent Back to Wonderland, and when Leehom is ready with his new album (he's recording! :), I'm guessing that would be a full album purchase too (although I'm contemplating a physical album.. would love to have something tangible (like his two other albums which I've bought and are now sitting quietly on the shelf haha!)

勿忘我

作词：周启儿
作/编曲：陶喆

谢谢你曾陪我走过的路 今天只剩你一个人走
再好的故事终究(zhongjiu)要结束 我知道 yeah~
在我心中的你永远停在那天 倔强(juejiang)地微笑着的侧脸
忍住眼泪的你说不出的再见 却听见你轻轻地唱着
thank you for accompanying on my journey
today you are left to continue alone
no matter how good a story get it would eventually come to an end
in my heart you are paused at that very day
i could see a stubborn smile from your side profile
holding your tears, you couldn't say goodbye
but i heard you softly singing...

yo de lay lay yo 请不要忘了我
yo de lay lay yo 你不要忘了我 答应我
yo de lay lay yo please forget me not
yo de lay lay yo don't you forget me, promise me you won't

谢谢你从不计较的付出 那是多么单纯的幸福
遗憾的是幸福不能弥补(mibu) 最初的错误 yeah~
在你心中的我你要怎么记住 那些不再纪念的日子
你还是挥挥手(huihuishou)装作毫(zhuangzuohao)不在乎 却低着头轻轻地唱着
thank you for your willing sacrifice, what a pure blessing that was
my only regret is that the blessing cannot offset the mistake I've initially made
how do you want to remember me in your heart
those days that have been forgotten
you're waving and pretending not to care, but you lower your head and softly sing...

记得那时候 牵着你的手 什么都没说 多笨拙(benzhuo) yeah~
如果还能够 只想对你说 永远记得我 记得我 I say yeah~
remember that time, holding your hand, no words were said, how awkward
if i still could, i only want to say to you, remember me always, remember me,
and I say...

#TeamLeehom

Hello again, Brendan! (this is for your viewing pleasure, my dearest D and J hehehe..)



The awesome Brendan B. posted this pic on his Fb with a note thanking the Malaysian audience. Well, thank YOU, Brendan! And come back to our shore soon!

Brendan obviously isn't the only musician on Leehom's team. And I'm pleased to intro them: in his current band, he also has Grecco Burrato (left below) on the electric guitar, Eric Holden (right below) on the bass, and the keyboardist and band leader is long time collaborator, Kheng Long (middle below the below :P). Interestingly, Brendan, Eric and Grecco (a trio henceforth known as BEG even if I never refer to them as such again in this post hehe)(I know it's unfair that I left KL out from the acronym but BEGKL doesn't have the same ring to it)(fine, fine, the quartet BEGKL it is then)(where am I going with this?) have all played for Shakira (BEG, not BEGKL, in case you lost me there), so I'm guessing Leehom bao kah liao the team (perhaps he got a good buy-2-free-1 deal hahah.. I jest ;).

Naturally, they are all accomplished musicians in their own rights, who have played for big names worldwide (like Eric, he was in Josh Groban's band for a good few years---the band was affectionately known as Groband---I had to chuckle! :D). As for KL, I've only seen him mostly in the Chinese/Asian scene, and my favorite video where he was featured prominently would this one (actually it was the only vid where I could see him clearly that I've come across (then again, I haven't been googling him much :P) where he played for David Tao. ^_^ Ah it's quite mind blowing to think of the amount of talent that ooze out whenever they play together! So humbling... :)

Actually, the main point of this blog post is to say hello to Brendan and I've done that so imma end now.. but wait, there's more! (cheesy informercial reference)(thousand apologies)(there really is actually other stuff below this so don't go yet! :)

That dude on the left, the backup singer, has been w LH really long too. I'm sorry I don't know your name, good sir.  

On a not-so-random note, this happened lol!

This taught me to cross check my lyrics source when something doesn't add up! Hehe..

Btw if LH is not your cuppa, what about KF, as in Khalil Fong. The MV for his song Romeo is fresh off the oven today. It's one of my favorite tracks from his latest album Back to Wonderland.

Hey girls, look who's here again (taken from his website).. come to think of it, I didn't even post this many photos of Leehom -_-"