1. Keith Richards- Life
2. Haruki Murakami- Norwegian Wood
3. Jeffrey Eugenides- The Marriage Plot

And new albums from the past 1 or 2 months:

1. Pink Floyd- Wish You Were Here (LP)
2. La Dispute- Wildlife (CD)
3. The Smiths- Louder Than Bombs (CD)
4. The Black Keys- El Camino (CD)
5. Yuck- s/t (RE LP)
6. Smashing Pumpkins- Gish and Siamese Dream (deluxe RE CD box sets)

Other stuff that’ve been happening in my life:

1. Got a jaw surgery last month for my jaw, as apparently I’ve got Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD or TMD) :(
2. Turned 21; more responsiblities and shit :(
3. It’s now 2012!

I’ve been looking for Chris Jericho’s first autobiography too, after reading his latest book, Undisputed. He has always been my favourite wrestler… Just too hilarious when he’s on the mic! Check this out!

I also re-watched Wrestlemania X8. Probably best remembered for having The Rock against Hogan, I watched it mainly for Jericho’s title defense against HHH, and although he lost it, it was a good match.

Next up I’m gonna re-watch Wrestlemania XIX!

And check this! A fucking damn awesome cover! I’ve been following this user for some time and she posts some really superb covers, and many of them are of artists that I like.

And I can’t wait for Liverpool’s game against City on tuesday. It’ll be tough…

Gotta love Mark Hoppus!

on the stuff I’ve been listening to for the past week or so.

1. Thrice – Major/Minor

I’ve been a fan of Thrice since around late 2005. I must say I still love their older stuff more, such as The Illusion Of Safety, which will always remain one of my favourite works. Nevertheless, I still love their newer music such as this and Beggars. The new album contains some very strong tracks too, such as Listen Through Me and Words In The Water.

2. Blink 182 – Dude Ranch

Hands down my favourite pop-punk album of all time. Wait, I forgot about Rufio’s Perharps I suppose… Well, I guess its a tie between the 2 then. I loved Tom’s vocals in the older albums but not the newer ones. Songs such as Waggy, Dammit, Josie and Untitled are just gems.

3. Blink 182- s/t

Blink’s 2003 s/t album was a major departure from their previous albums but for me, it was still a good album. Feeling This has become one of my favourite Blink songs, and I remember listening to this a lot when I was a kid. I still haven’t got my physical copy of their latest album Neighborhoods because I haven’t got the chance, but I’ll be getting it later. Nice.

4. The Dillinger Escape Plan – Calculating Infinity

A mathcore/metalcore staple. The only album by them to be released with original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis. This is just a brutal onslaught of noise and very impressive technical guitarwork. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves hardcore, and bands like Converge, Botch or even Protest The Hero. Also, the album artwork is awesome.

5. Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

A new album from my favourite band, of course I’m gonna listen to it again and again! A very solid record. ‘Nuff said.

6. Nirvana – Nevermind (20th anniversary deluxe edition)

Reissued in deluxe edition, the remastered album sounds better and the bonus 2nd disc offered interesting live takes and rehearsals. Good stuff.

7. Propagandhi – How To Clean Everything

Such a good record. This is essential listening for anyone who considers yourself a fan of punk rock. Released in 1993, I think Propagandhi’s debut album is still their best effort to date. They need to increase their productivity rate though.

8. Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left

I went back and listened to this album after reading a topic on a message board asking for albums that best represented autumn. This was one of the suggestions, and how true it was. From the name of the album to the lyrics, to the guitarwork. I’m not a huge fan of folk music, but I can appreciate this album for its simplicity.

I’ve been listening to the new RHCP album non-stop! Ever since it came out, I think I’ve listened to the whole album at least once a day, for the first 10 days, except for maybe one day… Every song is good and worth a listen, its like John’s absence isn’t felt at all, especially when you consider how good Josh fits in.

I’ve been especially in love with Goodbye Hooray, Police Station and Even You Brutus. The usage of pianos and the african influences are a good welcome to the band’s sound. Monarchy Of Roses and Factory Of Faith are also good solid songs that I like a lot.

I am, however, very interested to find out how the songs would have been like if John was playing on the album instead of Josh; because it seems like Josh isn’t very interested in being in the limelight of the songs. He’s more content with just staying on the sidelines and coming in with textural and atmospheric lines.

Anyway, if you’re a big fan, you probably know that on the release day of the album, they played the whole album (except for Even You Brutus) live in Cologne, Germany. And you probably have searched for it on youtube already, like me. But for those who haven’t, you can watch the entire show here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB6FD8D3A6656453B

There are soooooo many releases from bands I love these few months. RHCP, Thrice (which I’m listening to now), Blink 182, Megadeth, Anthrax, Noel Gallagher, Nirvana’s Nevermind reissue….etc. Fucking awesome!

Also, I watched Inglourious Basterds in the past week. Has become one of my favourite films. I don’t know what took me so long to watch it, but it really is an awesome show. Love Melanie Laurent’s character in the film. Love how Tarantino tells his stories. All you people watch it now!

In about 10 or 15 minutes I’ll be heading out for dinner with my family. Been long since I’ve spent any real time with them since both my parents have been really busy with work lately.

Anyway, today has been such a relaxing day. Surfing the web, playing Fifa 11, and I also watched Beautiful Girls.

Its a pretty nice film. Catch it if you can! Hahaha.

This is Natalie Portman in the film, with Timothy Hutton. She is too pretty!

STARK RAVING SICK SAD LITTLE WORLD!

Just some stuff that I’ve been listening to lately.

This has always been a top 10 RHCP tune for me. Hope you guys love it too.

Of course I downloaded it and you can too, right here >> http://www.spin.com/articles/free-album-spin-tribute-nirvanas-nevermind

My favourite cover has to be Foxy Shazam’s Drain You. Different and classy! Also found out then that Nevermind will get a 20 year anniversary deluxe edition re-release in september! Yet another something to look forward to later this year.

From SPIN’s website, I also saw an interesting link to a page, http://www.cracked.com/article_18896_10-mind-blowing-easter-eggs-hidden-in-famous-albums.html about ’10 Mind-Blowing Easter Eggs Hidden in Famous Albums’, including stuff about Pink Floyd’s The Wall amongst others.

Interesting what they say of mashing up Ok Computer and In Rainbows; definitely gonna try it. Here’s the playlist for the mega album that was supposed to be. Basically just alternate tracks from OkC and InR starting with Airbag.

1. Airbag (OK Computer)
2. 15 Step (In Rainbows)
3. Paranoid Android (OK Computer)
4. Bodysnatchers (In Rainbows)
5. Subterranean Homesick Alien (OK Computer)
6. Nude (In Rainbows)
7. Exit Music (For A Film) (OK Computer)
8. Weird Fishes/Arpeggi (In Rainbows)
9. Let Down (OK Computer)
10. All I Need (In Rainbows)
11. Karma Police (OK Computer)
12. Fitter Happier (OK Computer)
13. Faust Arp (In Rainbows)
14. Electioneering (OK Computer)
15. Reckoner (In Rainbows)
16. Climbing Up The Walls (OK Computer)
17. House Of Cards (In Rainbows)
18. No Surprises (OK Computer)
19. Jigsaw Falling Into Place (In Rainbows)
20. Lucky (OK Computer)
21. Videotape (In Rainbows)
22. The Tourist (OK Computer)

They recommend setting a 10 second crossfade in between tracks too. Also pointed out in the article is the continued 10 conspiracy. Go click on this link to read more about it, http://puddlegum.net/radiohead-01-and-10/.

Anyway, if you know me well, you’d know that I’m a big fan of Football Manager. Now, I’d usually use Liverpool first, and then once I outplayed that game, I’d maybe start a new game with a lesser team. This time however, I was really tempted to use Barcelona and really just aim to win every game. I just had the sudden urge to use the best team and totally blow off all opposition.

Here’s my current side, just finishing off my 2nd season in the game. I usually play a 4-2-3-1 formation, with 2 central midfielders and 3 central attacking midfielders to accomodate all my best players.

Valdes; Dani Alves, Puyol/Milito, Pique, Lahm; Mascherano, Xavi; Iniesta, Messi, Paulo Henrique/Hazard; Villa

My bench would most likely be Pinto, Puyol/Milito, Busquets, Paulo Henrique/Hazard, Lucas, Pedro, Bojan.

I just beat Manchester United in the Champions League final in penalties after a 2-2 full time draw :)

I’ve been buying lots of new albums lately. New cds, new records. I love it when I walk into a store not planning to get anything, but walking away with stuff that I love but didn’t expect to find, or stuff that I buy on a whim and then end up loving.

New Slayer, Stooges, Radiohead, The Vines etc. Makes me happy :D

Anyway, last sunday I was planning to go out for a movie. It was no ordinary sunday though. Liverpool FC were visiting singapore for a quick training session… And I didn’t have tickets for either the meet and greet or the training session at bishan stadium. Anyone who knows me well would know that I’m a massive fan of LFC. Definitely, I was really disappointed. I was just thinking to myself in the morning as I read the papers, what kind of a fuck fan am I? Thankfully, I have friends who have extra tickets and thankfully, they remembered me and offered me to join them! Thus, I am really grateful to Sheryl and Reuben.

Great to see my heroes in action, although King Luis, Stevie, Glen Johnson, Skrtel and King Kenny were absent amongst others. :(

Its weird why they would buy both Adam and Henderson actually, given their main problems lie on the flanks. He’d probably play Henderson on the right maybe. I’d imagine Carroll and Suarez to be starting up front, and Stevie and Dirk to be regular first-teamers. Which means there’s 2 more spots left in midfield, and as things stand currently, we’ve got Meireles, Lucas, Adam, Henderson, Downing, Spearing, Shelvey, Maxi, Poulsen and Joe Cole fighting for them… Sheesh… That’s gotta be fierce competition, but if it were up to me, I’d be playing Lucas and Downing.

A pity I didn’t have dinner with them because they were having japanese :S

Oh, the new RHCP single is out! And the new Blink-182 single as well!

Not too thrilled with it tbh. I don’t like Ant’s vocals and its a bit too radio friendly. But I still can’t wait for I’m With You!

Sometimes I get people asking me how big is my music collection, probably because I’m always off buying records, or maybe because I talk about it. Its kinda hard to describe it really, so I thought I’d just show it in photos.

Stacks of cds in front of my stereo system.

The 3 cd racks on my desk contain mostly punk albums I bought in 2006, the likes of A Wilhelm Scream and Tsunami Bomb.

A box of vinyl records on the floor. That’s Alkaline Trio’s Maybe I’ll Catch Fire.

The above 2 photos are of my drawers. The first one has stuff I bought earlier, mostly 2006 and before. On the right hand of the photo you can see my entire collection of Red Hot Chili Peppers albums and singles etc. The second drawer is mostly stuff I bought from 2007 and 2008, when I ventured more into alternative rock.

The above 2 photos are of my cupboard, which I use to hold some of my books and cds. The cds here are all bought from 2009 to today. And yes, that book in the first photo is Chris Jericho’s autobiography :)

And last but not least, cds from a converse shoe box on the floor. These are bought during the first half of 2009. Sonic Youth – Daydream Nation, Blur – Parklife, Manic Street Preachers – The Holy Bible etc.

And there you have it! I can’t be bothered to do a one-by-one count because it’d take too long!

Been on top of the world since about six months ago
Marking the first time I laid eyes on you
I lost all train of thought as I entered the room
Saw what looked like really good food then I saw you
And so did you

I want to wake up naked next to you
Kissing the curve in your clavicle
Kissing your clavicle

Been on top of the world since about 1 week ago
Marking a time when I was drunk enough to talk to you
I lost all train of thought as your eyes met mine
Told you I thought you were gorgeous
You gave me your phone number, I gave you mine
Before you left I said that you can bet
I’ll be bothering you soon
You said “No bother, please do”

I’ve called you twice
It’s been a hellish fight
To not think about you all the time
Sitting around waiting for your call

I want to wake up naked next to you
Kissing the curve in your clavicle
Kissing your clavicle

I want to wake up naked next to you
Kissing the curve in your clavicle

Shaking like a dog shittin’ razorblades,
waking up next to nothing after dreaming of you and me
I’m waking up all alone, waking up so relieved
while you’re taking your time with apologies,
I’m making my plans for revenge
Red eyes on orange horizons
If Columbus was wrong I’d drive straight off the edge
I’d drive straight off the edge

Taking your own life with boredom,
I’m taking my own life with wine -
it helps you to rule out the sorrow,
it helps me to empty my mind
Making the most of a bad time
I’m smoking the brains from my head
Leaving the coal calling the kettle black and orange and red
This kettle is seeing red

I’ve got a big fat fuckin’ bone to pick with you my darling
In case you haven’t heard I’m sick and tired of trying
I wish you would take my radio to bathe with you,
plugged in and ready to fall

Shaking like a dog shittin’ razorblades,
waking up next to nothing after dreaming of you and me
I’m waking up all alone, waking up so relieved
while you’re taking your time with apologies,
I’m planning out my revenge
Red eyes on orange horizons
If Columbus was wrong I’d drive straight off the edge
I’m seeing red

I’ve got a big fat fuckin’ bone to pick with you my darling
In case you haven’t heard I’m sick and tired of trying
I wish you would take my radio to bathe with you,
plugged in and ready to fall

Plugged in and ready to fall

Anyway, tonight I’ll be seeing Mono live at Zouk! I really like going to see live shows, and I really think that one of the best feelings in the world is when you get to see your favourite band play live! Anyway, apparently Mono put on a really good live show that destroys their studio material, hahahah. Hope I have a good time tonight.

And this guy is really fast becoming one of my favourite Liverpool players evar!!