Khushi - When You Start

Honestly, this past month has been a whirlpool. I haven't successfully fallen in love with any new musician, so I'm stuck listening to old stuff that I'm honestly becoming quite tired of. I guess I'm supposed to always be on the lookout for new shit or something...but I'm not sure what's happening. Lo-fi seems too banal, shoegazing is too noisy, typical alt is too typical, and electro is too expected.


But some positive news, check out Khushi. I'm not sure how long they've been around, but their music sounds like something that would be on the soundtrack of a sad coming-of-age movie about sad coming-of-age stuff - real nice. I definitely want them on the official soundtrack the My Life (20-whatever): Original Motion Picture. Of course, directed by Woody Allen and accompanying score written by Phillip Glass. Duh. Best movie ever.

Sorry for the crappy post. Here's a picture of the perfect family Halloween costume:

via tumblr

Tree - Demons (ft. Beat Culture & Lena Kuhn)

With unique experimental beats and erraticly haunting vocals in Tree's recent EP, 'Demons', I am entirely convinced that anyone and absolutely everyone will be mesmerized by Oliver Nickell's work. And the result of fantastic vocals and ambient beats? Musical balance that is indescribably diverse.

Quite honestly, Tree's tracks remind me of an early Toro Y Moi back in '09 crossed over with elements from Imagine Dragons's 'Radioactive'. Maybe it's just me, but I don't know, I kinda miss '09 Toro Y Moi. So yeah, Tree's EP definitely brought back some retrospective memories.

photo via google

Tracklisting to 'Demons' EP

1. Demons (ft. Beat Culture & Lena Kuhn)

2. Karma Police

3. Stuck Down the Wrong Rabbit Hole (ft. Beat Culture & Lena Kuhn)

The beats in all of his tracks are so freaking encompassing. You can feel it on the ground the same way you feel Flume's. The clarity of his vocals definitely make the tracks even more eerie. Personally for me, the true gem was his recreation of Radiohead's 'Karma Police', where Tree's vocals truly excel. Tree even co-directed the amazing music video for the cover himself! Watch it down below. 

Tree's EP was released recently and can be purchased here. He's also got a soundcloud where his other tracks are up for streaming. Check them out!

Border Line - King Krule

Okay, I know I've mentioned King Krule in nearly every single post this month, but I'm sorry...I can't help it. Ever since I discovered him a year ago, I have been completely infatuated with the music he has been making, old and new. 

2 days ago he revealed via facebook that his new album 6 Feet Beneath the Moon would be available for online streaming on his website. After some digging around, I realized that pitchfork has also revealed this Easter egg for KK fans. So guess what I've been doing non-stop for the past day.

After pre-ordering the album on amazon (which everyone can do from the link given on the webpage while watching the streets of London from a live CCTV feed and listening to 6FBTM), I have decided to review it. Is it too soon? It's not even released yet? But who cares, clash has already beaten me to it and I've already fallen completely in love with it. 

photo via google

6 Feet Beneath the Moon

1. Easy Easy

2. Border Line

3. Has this Hit?

4. Foreign 2

5. Ceiling

6. Baby Blue

7. Cementality

8. A Lizard State

9. Will I Come

10. Ocean Bed

11. Neptune Estate

12. The Krockadile

13. Out Getting Ribs

14. Bathed in Grey

Okay if you haven't seen the videos released on his youtube channel, go watch them and be completely mindfucked by the cover art madness. 

Them come back and read this. Or whatever. The order doesn't really matter anymore. First of all, 5 of the 14 tracks are old ones from his early album U.F.O.W.A.V.E. (kudos if you knew this). This includes the good ol Zoo Kid-dayz tracks like "Out Getting Ribs" and "Baby Blue". But he's taken those old tracks, reworked ALL OF THEM, and created a mass eargasm experience. The reworked tracks are obviously different from the original ones, incorporating his new beats and aesthetics into the static-ey originals. It's up to one's opinion as to whether they prefer an old track or the new reworked ones, but in all honesty they are all so enjoyable there's no choosing for me. Because you can hear his dog barking in "Has This Hit?" and that's so chill. 

I haven't even gotten to talking about the new tracks. The real gems. From the intro, "Easy Easy", to the outtro, "Bathed in Grey", there's a constant factor of coolness that is present in all the songs. The lyrics shouldn't be lyrics to songs, but compiled in a book of poetry. 

So yes, beats are still sick, lyrics are still good, and everything still completely authentic and cool. I give this album a 10/10 (yes, I am completely aware that my opinion probably doesn't matter in the music world but who gives a shit).

Have a great night.

Birds - Poor Moon

Ahh this isn't music related but I've been nominated for the Liebster Award by Sophie from Pretty Passions Fine Fashions! So thank you very much, Sophie!

Here's something to listen to while you're reading this/figuring out what to do.

THE RULES

• You must share 11 things about yourself.
• Answer the 11 questions that your tagger has given you.
• Choose 11 other blogs for the nomination. Nominees must have under 200 followers on Google Friend Connect.
• Leave 11 questions for your nominees.
• Lastly, thank the person that nominated you and link back to their blog.

11 THINGS ABOUT MYSELF

• I hate coming up with answers to vague prompts like "share 11 things about yourself".
• I like being completely anonymous on the internet (it gives me the opportunity to be completely honest!)
• I have an impeccable bullshit-detector. Impeccable. 
• I finished the entire 4 seasons of Arrested Development in two days.
• I was sleep deprived during those two days.
• Having nothing to do makes me so happy.
• Summer is incredibly boring at the moment due to the fact that all my friends are elsewhere. 
• I make most of my playlists during long, boring car rides. 
• I have trouble finishing things. My sketchbook is filled with half-drawn shit.
• I am a self-proclaimed music scavenger. I scavenge. 
• None of the people I know in real life are aware of the fact that I have a blog

11 QUESTIONS

1. What's your favourite band?

I don't have a favorite band, I've got twenty. To choose a favorite band for me is a life-and-death decision that could take days to come to a conclusive decision. 

2. If you had a time machine, where is the first place that you would go?

Start of freshman year - because it's now too late to mass murder all those motherfuckers. I would want to go back to the 80s' and be Carrie Bradshaw, but coming back to the present day would just set me off my feet a little.

3. Do you have any posters on your bedroom walls? What are they of?

Ok obvi really typical but a Smiths one, a Breakfast Club one, an Art Institute of Chicago one, and an Arrested Development one.

4. Who are your heroes?

All the women out there in the real world fighting for justice. You're all my heroes.

5. Who's your favourite writer/author?

Charles Fucking Bukowski.

6. What's your favourite magazine?

I don't read magazines. 

7. Do you like Rookiemag? Do you read it regularly? Do you have a favourite Rookie post?

Rookiemag is my inspiration to do and say the right (or wrong) thing in our present day society. I check it at least three times a day to see if any Easter eggs have cracked. My favorite post will forever be this one. Goddammit it's helped me get by since 2011.

8. Which film makes you laugh the most?

Dazed and Confused!

9. What's the best concert you've ever been to?

This Bluejuice and Cairos one where it was underground in the city and and some kids were so high they started dancing crazily during the interval and eventually got the whole crowd to dance to the elevator music playing in the background. They had iPhone strobe lights and everything. It was hilarious.

10. If you could be in any TV series, what series would it be and why?

How I Met Your Mother - because I NEED to know where MacLaren's is. 

11. (Copied from Mabel)Put the first picture you come across here when you refresh your tumblr or blog timeline.

Cute, via tumblr

11 NOMINATIONS (this was really hard)

xyzzyzzyzx

Seesusiebean

Sunshinesuperwoman

Theirfancies

Frankiesimone

Alien-She

Anaruizwriting

Harrymorsephd

limegreensunset

nomali-from-soweto

Bluejadepress
^^^check these guys out^^^

11 QUESTIONS
1. First of all, how are you?
2. Favorite album?
3. Describe your favorite pair of socks.
4. If you could permanently change (or fix) something, what would it be?
6. Least favorite book?
7. How much cash do you have on you right now?
8. How old are you?
9. Film or digital?
10. Have you ever taken a stand? If so, how was it?
11. Ever pulled a prank? If so, what was your best prank? If not, what prank would you consider pulling?


Ok this was time consuming bye. 

The Morning After ft. Anna Paul - LUUUL

Lately I've been spending a tremendous amount of time outdoors instead of being cooked up inside my bedroom in 90 degree heat. You guessed it, "spending time outside" = tanning. Everyone favorite summer past time is to go outside and somewhat attempt to tan (for those who burn, I apologize [Jergens is always an option]). Most choose to drown themselves in an interesting book, but although I do love reading, for me, tanning ≠ reading. So this is for all you folk who'd rather lie down and listen to tunes than risk having a book-shaped tan line on your legs.  This playlist has got your share of well known/i-guess-not-that-well-known tracks, enjoy. A little less lo-fi, a little more beats. And YES, two Flume mixes were et necesse. 

I Don't Burn I Tan

1. Keepitreal - FloFilz

2. Jacuzzi Floozies - Little Smoke

3. Tiny Tortures - Flying Lotus

4. Intuition - Cambio Sun

5. You & Me (Flume Remix) - Disclosure

6. Tomorrow - Future Islands

7. I Love You - Woodkid

8. Naked - Balue

9. Higher (Flume Remix) - Ta-ku

10. Milano - Summer Heart

11. Dawn - Voyager

12. Move On (Teen Daze Remix) - Garden City Movement

Cover art via tumblr

I've made this playlist available for download here. Enjoy, and don't burn. 

You Took Your Time (ft. King Krule) - Mount Kimbie

YESSS! I finally got the new Mount Kimbie album! But never fear, my friends, scattered tracks are also on their soundcloud to everyone's convenience. Ok fine, admitting that the only reason I got into Mount Kimbie was because of King Krule IS sort of painful, but seriously, who could resist their mesmerizing beats? Of course, King Krule's slurred "guuuuurl"s' are a surprisingly subtle addition to the usual Mount Kimbie aesthetics. 

photo via google

Tracklisting

1. Home Recording

2. You Took Your Time (ft. King Krule)

3. Break Well

4. Blood and Form

5. Made to Stray

6. So Many Times, So Many Ways

7. Lie Near

8. Meter, Pale, Tone (ft. King Krule)

9. Slow

10. Sullen Ground

11. Fall Out

I love the record so much I am so tempted to go out and hunt down a tangible version of the album. But just like every other album, I have favorites, which are in bold up above in the tracklisting. I am literally counting down the days until Krule's first full album's release in August (exact date yet to be confirmed). But yes, so psyched for Six Feet Beneath the Moon, so so psyched. 

Blue Eyes - Destroyer

I'm sorry I'm just going to update ya'll so you know that I am not yet dead.
Here's a picture of vintage Amy Poehler (A.K.A. my spirit animal) for my lovely readers to enjoy:

Photo via tumblr

And although I am currently listening to Destroyer, I've discovered a band from the deep depths of the internet that I literally cannot stop listening to. Check them out on their bandcamp: Vatican Dress.

And here's some Ron Swanson Ben & Jerry's. 

Photos via Tumblr

Okay I'm done. 

Homes - Orca Orca

Well isn't this a surprise - two posts in one week! Today's a Sunday so I spent the majority of my free time watching season what remains of Parks and Recreation. Today, I also watched the Stanford Prison Experiment documentary (the whole thing's on Youtube). This may seem oh-so-wrong in so many ways, but afterwards I ended up making a playlist about dancing. I'm not sure why, but the documentary kind of made me awfully calm. 

So here it is, my morally incorrect and inappropriately crafted playlist about dancing: 

DANCEDANCEDANCEDANCE

The Future - Teen Daze

Holdin' On - Flume

Hot River - Yes Nice

Sirens (Slow Magic Remix) - Satellite Stories

Gasoline - Alpine

Brooklyn Sunburn - Teen Daze

Sunny - Marvin Gaye

Trip (Teen Daze Remix) - Vacationer

Don't Save Me - Haim

Bombay - El Guincho

Coral (Teen Daze Remix) - GRMLN

Just to make things clear, the picture is a screenshot from the movie Party Girl (1995). Here's a clip to my favorite voguing sequences EVER. 

Front Porch - Gloss

Truth is, winter is not my favorite season. Some people persist to believe that winter is the most cherish-able season of the year - oh, but it's not. Also, another thing in which I have been avoiding saying lately: I got nothin'. I'm starting to second guess myself (time wise), and whether or not I should be awarded The Worst Blogger Ever. Despite my serious problem, I can still say this: music's still good, tea's still good, everything's still good. Here's a playlist dedicated to all of you who need something to listen to so that you'll know that everything's still good and well. 

Go On

This Is How We Walk On The Moon - Arthur Russell

Face It - Beach Fossils
Find My Name in the Sun - And the Giraffe
Twin Cabins - Laika

Westside - Bye Bye Bicycle
Green Jacket - Deerhunter
Opus Orange - Nothing But Time
One of Us Cannot Be Wrong - Leonard Cohen

Enjoy!

Sorry it's so short.

Scaly Eyes - Balue

Okay, I have to be honest here. I've been putting off writing a new post for a while, and my only excuse has remained the same. "You don't have enough new music". That statement has proved to be untrue. Within the past few months of rebuilding my iTunes library, I have discovered a preponderance of new bands and songs by bands and artists I already know. 

I can't spell, apparently. 

So to the point. First, there's Balue, whom I'm listening to now. Paradoxical Intention, which is also the title of their newest album, is a great song with backings of what sounds like Robin Williams. Not to mention all the other amazing songs on their 14-song album (wow!). After listening to their entire album, I wouldn't quite put them in the lo-fi category just yet. There's a certain psychedelic feel to their songs with the oh-so-perfect vocals of the lead singer, who I believe is the only member in this band! This reminds me of early Beach Fossils, with Dustin Payseur playing all the instruments needed for his album as well as providing great vocals for the tracks. 

Despite the bleak-ish, mellow, weather I have made a playlist of songs everyone needs to sit in your bed with a good book, tea, and relax. Perfect for a chilly Sunday afternoon. 

Smooth As Fuck

1. Today - Young Crooks

2. Broke (acoustic) - Zoo Kid

3. C'mon - Agent A & Omae

4. Octopus - King Krule

5. Alaska - Teen Daze

6. How Did I Get Here - ODESZA

7. Watching Over - DJJD SPORTS

8. Calm Rainy Day - Lean Sam

UPDATE: I made a playlist for this playlist (?) with a slightly altered tracklist.

Enjoy!

Sunlight - Yuno

I've been away for way too long and there's not even that much to say. Just checking in so everyone knows I'm still very much alive and well. And to also say that I've lost my entire iTunes library and have been trying to rebuild my empire step by step.

Even so, expect great playlists in the next month or so as I continue to expand my library. I must say, losing all your music isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I imagined it somewhat like losing your baby, but I obviously don't know what that's like. But as of now, I feel like Principal Skinner's yelling at me in his nasally voice saying something like this:

And despite Hurricane Sandy's departure from our town (thanks, Sandy), looking out the window makes me think of this amazing remix along with the sound of gushing wind and rustling leaves. 

Nevertheless the hurricane and the cancellation of school, I still have a shittonne of things to do today. That includes drinking more tea and checking out the sun outside. All is well, ciao. 

Cool Kids - Twin Cabins

I have been very busy lately - despite the fact that it's still technically summer. The school year's probably started for most of you guys (despite the preponderant amount of 'Advice for Highschool' videos featured on the youtube homepage). Well, after a summer-long movie marathon I have come up with an Ultimate List of some sort. These are the sorts of movies everyone should watch at least before they turn thirty. Or if you're already thirty, I hope you've seen at least half of these. I am aware of the fact that people have probably already seen most of these movies, but keep in mind that this is a sort of a reminder. A reminder to watch these every summer just for the sake of watching them every summer! I apologize but I can't be bothered writing a description for every movie for I'll just end up writing a thesis - so I've provided links. Also, take this as a substitute for a playlist - I didn't want to randomly make one up right now so this is what we've got!

Summer M.M.M (Movie Marathon Must)

Tip: Watch these in order

1. Lymelife (2008)

2. City Island (2009)

3. Party Girl (1995)

4. Igby Goes Down (2002)

5. Dazed and Confused (1993)

6. Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)

7. Empire Records (1995)

8. Mean Girls (2004)

Tumblr

Oh! And other than that The Perks of Being a Wallflower is coming out in less than a month! The soundtrack came out a few days ago and can be downloaded here. Look out for a playlist coming soon!

363n63 - King Krule

I've really been getting into different types of musicians these days (due to the lack of daytime activities, and well, good wi-fi). So, apart from the playlist-a-post thing I always do, an addition has been made to this post! Truth is, I am extremely bored. So here we go,

A screenshot from her "Oblivion" music video

Now I know that Grimes has been around for quite a while (this meaning, a few months in the lamestream), but there's just something about her music that's so mesmerizing yet meaningful, in a way. I think it's the pink hair and the pro-feminist way she infuses her lyrics with bubblegum pop beats. After stalking Grimes on youtube and several other websites, I have come to realization with many fun facts about this songstress. Those of you who have heard her music may be familiar with her lispy high-pitched singing voice. After watching an interview, I realized that she actually has a really deep, hoarse, talking voice! (Fun facts over). Despite the girl-power reverb-ness of her songs, her lyrics aren't as cute and lispy as we assume it to be (to those who actually listen to what the words are, let's be friends). That's one thing about music these days - the lyrics. One could be listening to a thrash-metal song and not realize that the lyrics are actually about eating rainbows and sharing a milkshake with your lover. That sentence was totally irrelevant, sorry. Her vocals sometimes reminds me of the female vocals in Gang Gang Dance songs. 

THE VERDICT: I would love to meet Grimes and discuss philosophical topics like why everyone isn't as awesome as she is. She's a one-woman artist, and she's fracking rocking it! So Grimes, even though your real name is Claire (and John Bender thinks it's a fat girl name), love your sick beats, your dreamy vocals, and your hair.

King Krule, tumblr

Zoo Kid a.k.a King Krule a.k.a Archy Marshall's deep vocals are often classified as "thuggish". I reckon he's got vocals of a baritone God. Honestly, my first impression of Archy was: "It's Tin Tin!". What I didn't know was I was so, so wrong. The guy's only seventeen, but has so much talent in him that I'm scared he will be soon part of the dreaded 27 club. I have been addicted to his raw, undeniably catchy music for the past few weeks, listening to "Out Getting Ribs" on repeat. I think I already have nearly 200 plays on that song. I'm sorry if this post seems a little drafty, but there's just so much to say about Archy Marshall that I'm not able to put it into readable sentences. His mad guitar skills are just to die for, and not only does he sing, he also raps! As multiple articles about Archy have said, he is going to blow up one day (and unfortunately, eventually travel down the lamestream journey Grimes is packing for *sighs*).

THE VERDICT: I fell in love with this guy's voice the moment I heard it, so just, thank you so much for making music for me to fall in love with every time I hear it. Even tracks that don't have vocals are beautiful. The reverby-ness is just so amazingly produced. I will one day watch Archy perform when he's famous and decides to tour around in obscure parts of the world. 

Okay, now a short little playlist I made especially for those who like getting pumped up for things like eating breakfast, brushing your teeth, having a late night stroll, nothinginparticular, etc. So pretty much great beats for daily use. 

Here's a photo of Fred Armisten from Portlandia that pretty much sums it up

100%

Loud Pipes - Ratatat

Shove It - Santigold

Oblivion - Grimes

Feel It All ARound - Washed Out

Talamak - Toro Y Moi

Time Go - Caught A Ghost

Also, we recently bought a new scanner so I might scan some cool clippings and make collages and other magical stuff and post them here!

Montana - Youth Lagoon

Don't get me wrong, I know I've been missing for a few months (primarily due to my lack of time and peace and quiet to write a decent blog post). I will be posting some more film reviews in the near future, since I have been excessively watching good old movies (and bad new movies). Sitting in my room watching Brat Pack films have been inexplicably satisfying. Meanwhile, reading Rookie has also automatically been added into my daily schedule. That is: wake up, check Rookie, re-watch Portlandia for the hundredth time, pointlessly waltz around my room for a few hours, visit my grandparents, etc., etc.

watching movies like this, lol. tumblr

tumblr

And just another playlist, even though it was made a while back, but a playlist is a playlist! Also, I was thinking about making mediafire downloadable files for my playlists. Hmm, something to ponder about for the next few weeks. 

Some Dreamy Stuff

1. Air - Snakadaktal

2. Icarus - White Hinterland

3. Open Eyes (Demo) - The xx

4. Song for Reinier Lucassen's Sphinx - Trouble Books & Mark McGuire

5. It Gets Dark - 1,2,3

6. Go Outside - Cults

7. Chimera - Snakadaktal

8. Caverns - Hundred Waters

9, Montana - Youth Lagoon

10. Intro - The xx

Daydream - Beach Fossils

It seems as if I've been away for a century or so, but I have come back from the land of Forevergoneandalone with good news. I'm back! With internet running again, I should be posting more frequently than I was before. This means, more playlists, more movie reviews, and more rants! I have compiled a playlist I hope everyone relates to at some point in their life. Do you know that nostalgic feeling you get when you're on your bicycle/scooter/vehicle with two wheels and you pretend you're in a movie? This playlist is more effective when near the beach.

from rookiemag.com

Bike Riding

1. Daydream - Beach Fossils

2. The Box - Johnny Flynn

3. The Purple Bottle - Animal Collective

4. Dreamy Eyes - Azure Blue

5. The Mountain Dogs - Stealing Sheep

6. Holiday - Capital Cities

7. All The Time - Lovett

8. Is This Love? - CYHSY

9. Where You Go - Elden Calder

10. New Daze - Cheerleader

Enjoy!

Got Something For You - Best Coast and Wavves

I have been on a very long break from everything. I have a fair amount of things to say in this post, so here we go:

First of all, it's Christmas. Even though I'm not a very Christmas-ey person, I've attempted to compile a list of songs about Christmas by searching in my iTunes the word "Christmas". I found nothing. The only song I could think about on the top of my head that was about Christmas but didn't have the word "Christmas" in the title was, this one - the one that now holds the title of this post. Yes, I didn't get a Christmas present because my parents are very Asian and very Buddhist. Yes, we pretended that a banana tree in our backyard was a Christmas tree. And yes, I sent out Christmas letters to my friends who live all over the globe.

Gremlin from Tumblr

Secondly, Google now sings to me. I've been on Google for the past hour or so, playing with the little colored buttons that I find extremely fascinating since I've always thought Google has been failing to become the least bit interesting (this has proven me wrong!).

Lastly, I have found new bands and new songs that are to be posted in the near future (I promise!!). So for now, Merry Christmas everyone, and have a lovely, lovely one.

This Charming Man - The Smiths

here's a picture of Bombay Bicycle Club from rosielord's photostream

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting much lately - just been a bit busy. You know when you have something really important to do, and you really really really need to do it? Well yes, that has been happening for a few weeks now (thus my horrible posting schedule).

And in these few weeks, I have been studying and trying to get things done while all my other friends are out partying and celebrating the end of the year. Of course, I'm the one left without a social life and kept indoors with all the books. I think I'm starting to become an anti-social bitch without a life or actual good grades. 

I've also been listening to an awful lot of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah! lately. I'm not a type of person who would listen to CYHSY! a lot, but I do have them on my iPod and I admire them. They're very cool with the vocals and the little guitar riffs here and there, but their music also seems to light up my mood. I feel as if I do make less and less playlists everyday, but I have to apologize - it's because of my lack of time.

I Don't Know How To Love - The Drums

the style rookie

gracemiceli

Each day I sit here wondering what I'm going to blog about. I often think of interesting topics to write about during the day, but when I actually get to the computer I just forget everything. I was planning to go out and develop all the film from my disposable cameras, but instead I ended up tramming to JB and getting the new Drums album.

Portamento was exactly what I expected it to be. A bit more upbeat, a bit more mature, and a bit less reverb. I may or may not have mentioned this before, but they have bass now! Before it was all drums and catchy guitar riff, but Portamento changed my view of The Drums.

I've been on a hiatus lately, just caught up with studying and having a life, but I think I'm going to get back to making playlists soon. So just count this as a quick update to let you all know I'm still alive, even though I've caught a cold. A few days of not going to school leaves me to endless days of watching Mean Girls and Mean Girls 2. Do not watch Mean Girls 2. I'm warning all Regina George fans out there who expect a similar Tina Fey-esque humor in Mean Girls 2.

ciao x

Haby Bay - Bye Bye Bicycle

google

I realized I should talk more about music since I've been contemplating a lot about actually writing about bands and different artists. You all know I have filled up that time with pointless rants, therefore making me Queen of Procrastination.

So yes, if you have not heard of the band Bye Bye Bicycle before, I suggest you stop reading this right now and just go to their page on Myspace. Once you have an idea of what they sound like, or if you can be bothered to read about me talking about them, stay.

Bands like Bye Bye Bicycle, The Young Friends, and French Films are bringing new wave back. These of course, aren't as known as other new wave bands like The Drums (that's all I can think of right now that have a similar sound). The beachy 60s' type sound, and the use of reverb just gives people that nostalgic feel that either makes you REALLY annoyed or REALLY nostalgic. Bye Bye Bicycle has a really dreamy sound in most of their songs, and really strong bass. Whereas, The Drums doesn't have much bass (up until their recent album, Portamento), and still have remained their signature sound.

I have only 4 songs by Bye Bye Bicycle, but have already fallen deeply in love with the band. They remind me of The Smiths in the song "Northpole", for some odd reason. Myself, a Smiths fan, knows and will always know that no band can replace Morrissey's dreamy vocals and their signature sound, but the first thing I thought of when I heard this song was The Smiths.

I hate bands who copy sounds from other bands, but I'm not trying to say that all bands have to sound different and as "individual" as they can because sometimes they just turn out sounding weird. Bands these days just start copying sounds off people, I won't name any just in case you readers like them and start to feel offended, but you know what I mean. That's why new wave is so awesome! It's because everyone can be whoever they want to be, but is still heard and has a relatively "sane" sound.

I haven't said much about Bye Bye Bicycle, but if you haven't checked them about because you can't be stuffed or if you just simply don't like them, thanks for sticking around.

ciao x

On A Train - Yuksek

a still from the film - which is still shooting

I think this blog has become somewhat of a failure to me. But that's just me being my pessimistic self that I am. I've been thinking of things to blog about, and it came to me - book reviews! I've never done a book review yet, so I guess I'll try one today. It might not seem like a typical professional critic's review because I have lots to say about this book, and I apologize if you readers were expecting a really expert-sounding, cool, review.

Okay, I'll get to the point. I've chosen The Perks of Being A Wallflower (1992) by Stephen Chbosky to review on, just because this book is so special to me. I read this book around three or four months ago when I was on holidays and I felt like it was important me to accomplish something (which is, to read a book). I remember looking up good reads online, and that didn't work out since I didn't find anything interesting enough for me to go out and buy. Prior to me buying the book, I had heard about it multiple times from friends and some sites on the net because of its popularity. At first, I wasn't really interested but I eventually got around to buying it anyways.

I actually downloaded it on my dad's kindle first, but I felt a bit empty since I prefer books to kindles. I went to around four or five book stores all around Bangkok, searching for it. Once I had bought it, I went home, re-read it, sat on my bed, and poured my eyes out. I was saved by the book. I have never been so head-over-heels in love with a book like this before.

Charlie's perspective of life, and how he feels "infinite" made me realize the true outlook into life (does that make sense?). Charlie is a 15 year old teenager who has just started high school. In the very beginning we find out that his best friend has committed suicide, and that Charlie doesn't actually have any friends. He meets Patrick and Sam, older kids who are into good music and cigarettes. He goes through so many phases in the book, and things us teenagers can definitely relate to. There's just this sadness and self pity in the way that Charlie writes to his anonymous friend - as the book's layout are in different letters. I won't say anything to spoil it for those of you who haven't read it (GO OUT AND BUY IT NOW), but the ending shocked me.

As you Harry Potter/Lightning Thief films fans know, they are making a movie out of this book. I've got to admit, I was a little angry when I found out they were turning it into a movie. I ignored all the harangue coming from my friends about how "Totally fricking awesome the movie is gonna be!!!". I thought it was one of those books that aren't meant to be movies, do you know what I mean? But after Longan Lerman was cast as Charlie, Emma Watson was cast as Sam, and Ezra Miller was Patrick, I realized that everything was going to be just fine. The promo pics have come out, and I'm more than glad to see the result of it - since Stephen Chbosky himself is directing the film.

This 213 page book was a gift, a true gift to me and other readers who feel the same way as I do. And I thank Stephen Chbosky for writing it, I really do.

Sorry for the short-ish post but I'll post a playlist I made to accompany the book a while back. Some of the songs were mentioned in the book, and I thought they were appropriate to add into. I never got to post it, so here it is.

Perks

1. Flightless Bird, American Mouth - Iron And Wine

2. Skinny Love - Bon Iver

3. Squealing Pigs - Admiral Fallow

6. Asleep - The Smiths

7. Brick - Ben Folds Five

7. Abandon - French Kicks

8. No Surprises - Radiohead

9. This Charming Man - The Smiths

10. Blackbird - The Beatles

11. Vapour Trail - Ride

12. MLK - U2

13. Nothing to Worry About - Peter Bjorn and John

14. Scarborough Fair - Simon & Garfunkel

15. Practice - Slow Loris
16. Landslide - Fleetwood Mac

Hope you enjoyed it, ciao x