Monday 30 April 2007

MMMBop trio returns with...

After four years of 'growing up' break, the trio is back with their new album, The Walk. Hanson was great back then with their rocking boy-band hit, MMMBop. Well, not to be disappointed if they gave up their 'childhood' act this time, cos' i can assure you, the Hanson you knew back then are not the Hanson you listen today. Totally grown up, sounds more like music to me. Still good looking, but not that cute anymore. The voice has changed - no more chipmunk voices.


Their first single, Go was released last month on music video channels already. Go sounds awesome, but not too sure about the rest. The album is set to launch some time this week, so look out girls, and guys.

Kameda Court Force Low

Check this out! Some real slick kicks in tribute to one of Japan's most celebrated young boxers, the Kameda 3 Brothers.


photos courtesy of vancity's Livestock

A nice feature of this pair of sneakers is the patent crackled gold leather and silver foil medley.



Up and Rising: Pete Teo

Pete Teo is a singer/song-writer from Sabah, Malaysia. He's got already two studio albums on the line now, with the first one Rustic Living For Urbanities (2003) and Television (2006). Pete can be seen performing regularly in local gig spots including No Black Tie, Alexis and La Bodega. He can be seen performing in other countries including Japan and London occasionally (check his official site for tour dates).


Aside from being talented in composing melancholic love songs, he's renowned for being an actor for numerous local movies. Some of them includes Gubra, Rain Dogs and Before We Fall In Love Again.

Pete has won various awards for his hard work - bagging Best Album Cover, Best Music Video and Best English Album for his Television album in AIM 2007.

Find below the video for his single, Carnival Hall.

Smoke City's music video...

i have reported on Reza Salleh's EP previously. now, i present you the Smoke City video. The video was shot with the Nokia N-Series mobile phones. It's a low budget-constraint video. here it is....

Sunday 29 April 2007

10-in-a-post: Volume II

music is unstoppable. more fresh music are made every single second. potential ones. disgraceful ones. from genres to genres. and 10-in-a-post is here to provide some brief opinions on the albums that SGK had experienced so far. it might not be the best of the best recommendations, thus, there would be some really good ones, and some not so pleasant. but who am i to judge? here's the ten...

1) Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Montreal-based indie rock seven piece band has successfully released their second full-length album, Neon Bible after achieving great success of fan base with their first, Funeral. As usual, Arcade Fire's music are beat-driven and makes the feet goes 'stomp stomp stomp' at times. Some good listen from this album are Antichrist Television Blues, and The Well and The Lighthouse and Keep The Car Running.


2) Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Some Loud Thunder
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah's second album, Some Loud Thunder was released this January. They were voted "Hot New Band" in 2005 by music magazine Rolling Stone. Good vibes, melodic-guitar riffs and 60s rock-beats, each track from this album provides different feel. Some notable tracks include Five Easy Pieces, Satan Said Dance and Underwater.


3) Bloc Party - A Weekend In The City
English indie rock group Bloc Party's second album A Weekend in the City has seen hitting the UK charts, clinching the top 2 spot previously. The blend of R&B, DnB and punk rock drumbeats, sharp lead riffs, tender vocals, this could be just one of the best albums for 2007. Tracks to hunt for are The Prayer, Kreuzberg and Srxt.


4) Deerhoof - Friend Opportunity
Experimental rock band from San Francisco, Deerhoof is highly recognized with their unconventional song structures, lyrics and rhythms. Friend Opportunity are more radio-friendly compared to the other releases from them. Beats-shifting sequels from break beats to techno stripes, melodic piano keys to crunchy guitar riffs, it's one hell of an experience to discover. Some notable tracks include The Perfect Me and Whither The Invisible.


5) Ray LaMontagne - Til The Sun Turns Black
Folk singer Ray Lamontagne's latest album Til The Sun Turns Black is one of the greatest folk album in 2006. Ray bagged awards including 'Album of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' for his previous album Trouble. Some favorable listen from this album are Can I Stay, Barfly and Within You.


6) Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire
Sean Lennon might not be as famous as his late father, John Lennon, but he is capable in composing music of his own - piano and guitar driven rhythms, melancholic-pop tunes, somewhat could be one of the finest music made by a Lennon, after his late-dad. Notable tracks include Falling Out of Love, Friendly Fire and Tomorrow.


7) Supergrass - Road To Rouen
Some might know Supergrass by their wonder song Alright, Road To Rouen is their latest piece in 2005. This album received magnificent response from their fans, causing it to hit top 10 in the UK charts. They will be releasing a new album this year.


8) Apples in Stereo - New Magnetic Wonder
This is Apples in Stereo's new album after 5 years of absence. A great come-back, a strong one indeed. Indie-pop band's music has always been so 'pop', and easy to listen - it just made the feet got stomping non-stop, once again. slightly heavier drum beats, overdrive guitar cranks, pop-based keyboard rhythms. ah yes, it's what we call 'teenage music'.


9) Saxon Shore - Luck Will Not Save Us From A Jackpot Of Nothing (EP)
Saxon Shore is one instrumental post-rock band that you need to check out. Luck Will Not Save Us From A Jackpot Of Nothing is an EP released in 2005. Expect loads of shoegazing, climate distortions, melancholic rhythms, electro syncs and computer effects from Saxon Shore.


10) Avril Lavigne - The Best Damn Thing
Avril Lavigne's latest album, The Best Damn Thing have sold more than 286,000 copies over a week of its release, leading Nine Inch Nails Year Zero at 187,000. Her singles can be seen on all music channels worldwide. Let's see how many awards she gets for this. One confession to make! Avril's not the Avril i knew long ago. Her sluttish image just doesn't make her like Britney Spears though. It's just so not her.


SGK

are you the destroyer?

This is American indie pop outfit of Montreal with their new album released sometime early 2007, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?


Lo-fi disco pop experience. Somehow it made me reminiscing the greatness of music back in the days. The revival of 50s.


"Sonically it's solid, but not as fully realized as the band's prior albums. As with any 'growing pains' record, Destroyer might not make new fans, but old ones will be pleased." - Mike McGonigal.

SGK Verdict: let's put it this way. why not we try something new for the day? give yourself a break with your current playlist and try something 'out-of-the-box'. won't harm right?

SGK Rating: 3.8/10

Saturday 28 April 2007

balenciaga meet colour plastic

when Balenciaga x colour plastic = Balenciaga I.T. shoe
not as it's normal way, but it's cool by mixing somethg which colourful and yet new material. when i first see it, i tot it was some adidas new creation but when i found out...
hmm... interesting... hahaha...

the "original" Dinosaur Jr. reforms...

a band can be quite complicated sometimes when it comes to opinions. and a band will somehow have problems when opinions among members differ. it happened to Dinosaur Jr. back then, but god knows how they solved their problems, the dinosaurs are back with their brand new album with their 'original' line-up consisting Joseph Mascis, Lou Barlow (Sebadoh) and Emmett Murhpy (Lemonheads).

Beyond features 11 superb tracks by the trio. the video of their first single from the new album, Been There All The Time has already been released for viewing.



The album is set to release on May 1, 2007. Tour dates has already been lined-up and can be viewed on their official site. If by any chance the trio are performing somewhere near you, please take the chance to check them out because it's the 'original' trio that formed Dinosaur Jr. we're talking about here. it's a miracle that the trio reunited. "DINO! COME TO MALAYSIA!"

Call Bublé Irresponsible!

Jazz singer Michael Bublé will be releasing his new album, Call Me Irresponsible on May 1, 2007. The 15-track album features collaborations with numerous renowned artists including Boyz-II-Men and Ivan Lins.


SGK shouts: i'm actually expecting something similar to his last album It's Time (excluding those live albums and Best Ofs)...getting a big hit on the road and rising in charts, it was really a good moment though. let's wait and see what we get from mr. bublé...

Snow Patrol's Signal Fire video released

this is another hit single by Snow Patrol for the blockbuster film Spiderman 3. Signal Fire wasn't in any of their previous albums. it's a brand new one by them, and i'm totally looking forward to a new album from them pretty quite soon.

the Spiderman 3 soundtrack features numerous indie outfits including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Wolfmother, The Killers, Flaming Lips, Walkmen, Black Mountain and Jet. ***well, i guess indie is the next mainstream***

say no more! let's view the music video together...


Friday 27 April 2007

Marilyn "Eat Me, Drink Me" Manson

Marilyn Manson is set to release their new album Eat Me, Drink Me in June 6, 2007. The band has already seen releasing two tracks from their new album on their MySpace site, If I Was Your Vampire and Heart Shaped Glasses (When The Heart Guides The Hand).



And this video below is the sneak preview of their new video. A little gore, and depressed.


Smashing Pumpkins reunion with Zeitgeist

Chicago-based alternative rock outfit Smashing Pumpkins are reuniting to make a new album entitled Zeitgeist. The album is expected to be released sometime in July 2007. Shows have seen lined-up in conjunction with the album launch.

The band broke up right after recording their last album together, Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music in 2000, with the return of Jimmy Chamberlin from rehabilitation. After the break up, all members went on their own way with either a solo project or a side project with other bands. Some including Billy Corgan's Zwan, Jimmy Chamberlin's Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, and James Iha's A Perfect Circle.

The reunion did not see participations from guitarist James Iha and bassist D'arcy Wretzky. Rumors has been spreading they still hate each other. It's not a fact, but, it sure goes around the world.

So, hang on the remote to catch SP's new music video quite soon. Until then, go dig your old SP collection just in case you get addicted after listening to the 'new' Smashing Pumpkins.

Explosions on TV!

hey folks. this is one of the top favorites in the instrumental post rock scene so far. some might know them as the one who did Friday Night Lights soundtrack, or perhaps as stand alone with their awesome albums they've released since 1999. please welcome Explosions In The Sky being featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien two months back with their new single Welcome, Ghosts being taken from their new album All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone. Explosions!


Nike x Milk Lace Lock


in conjunction with the Nike Air Force 1 XXV Anniversary, Nike have collaborated with Hong Kong-based lifestyle magazine, Milk to produce this cool lace lock. what's amazing is that it can used not only as a lace lock, but to accessories like earring, keychain, ring, necklace and more.

Number (N)ine preview...



this design was highly inspired by late grunge musician Kurt Cobain. $160.


a simple piece of acoustic guitar and some wordings. great mix. $160.


this design is adapted from the map of Seattle on a Converse Jack Purcell shoe. $160.


another piece inspired by Cobain. this is him up in heaven i guess. $160.



Thursday 26 April 2007

Altimet's Sayang Sayang music video release...

you are watching a music video by one of the most talented emcee in Malaysia, Altimet. not only he's one of the Teh Tarik Crew members, he's also working on a solo project with his upcoming album, First Among Equals. this video is one of his few singles from the new album, Sayang Sayang featuring Mawar Berduri of Ahli Fiqir. here it is...


Travis is back...

Scottish band Travis is back with their fifth album, The Boy with No Name, is set to release sometime early next month.



here's their new single, Closer. enjoy!


Wemoto...

German streetwear label, Wemoto unveiled its Spring/Summer 2007 collection via online shop. they have a couple of awesome graphic tees, accompanied by some lightweight hoodies, causing it an unbeatable match...check out the line below.







how to make thom yorke?



Radiohead will be releasing their new album sometime this year. Check their official site for more updates...

Reindeer Section

Reindeer Section is a Scottish indie rock supergroup led by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody in 2001. According to sources, Reindeer Section was formed when a bunch of musicians were hanging out at a Lou Barlow gig in Glasgow, and challenged to make an album together. With majority positive replies, Lightbody went home and wrote some songs and convinced a mate to fund a recording session and released their first album, Y'all Get Scared Now, Ya Hear followed up with a mini tour. A follow-up album came after a year, Son of Evil Reindeer.


The supergroup consists of members from numerous indie rock bands including Arab Strap, Alfie, Belle & Sebastian, Astrid, Idlewild, Eva, Cadet, Mogwai, Mull Historical Society, Snow Patrol, Teenage Fanclub, Vaselines, among others. Reindeer Section consists of more than 24 members.


And you would be wondering what sort of music can 20 over members make aside from orchestra? hmm... listen to judge for yourself.


Lightbody mentioned earlier this year that Reindeer Section might work on their third album after releasing Snow Patrol's new album sometime this year. so, beware.

NIN : Year Zero

Nine Inch Nails is back with their sixth studio album, Year Zero. NIN has been around since the late 80's and still rocking hard. Led by Trent Reznor, a notable producer who produced Marilyn Manson albums.


check outere's what reznor gotta say about Year Zero...

***This record began as an experiment with noise on a laptop in a bus on tour somewhere. That sound led to a daydream about the end of the world. That daydream stuck with me and over time revealed itself to be much more. I believe sometimes you have a choice in what inspiration you choose to follow and other times you really don't. This record is the latter. Once I tuned into it, everything fell into place... as if it were meant to be. With a framework established, the songs were very easy to write. Things started happening in my "real" life that blurred the lines of what was fiction and what wasn't. The record turned out to be more than a just a record in scale, as you will see over time.

Part one is year zero. Concept record. Sixteen tracks. All written and performed by me, produced / programmed by me and Atticus Ross, mixed by Alan Moulder, mastered by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner. Release date: April 17, 2007.

What's it about? Well, it takes place about fifteen years in the future. Things are not good. If you imagine a world where greed and power continue to run their likely course, you'll have an idea of the backdrop. The world has reached the breaking point - politically, spiritually and ecologically. Written from various perspectives of people in this world, "year zero" examines various viewpoints set against an impending moment of truth. How does it sound? You will hear for yourself soon enough, but given the point of this document is to provide information...

This record is much more of a "sound collage" than recent efforts from me.

A lot of it was improvised. It is very tedious describing your own music. It's not just music. It's probably too long, but it felt like the right thing to do to paint the complete picture. It will sound different after a few listens. You can think about it and it will reveal more than you were expecting. You can dance to a lot of it. You can f*** to a lot of it (maybe all of it depending on what you're into).***

MHI x Futura = FHI

Here we have some new collection from Futura Heavy Industries (FHI), the collaboration between Futura and MHI/Maharishi. Futura is one of the most talented artists out there in the planet. His work has always been highly appreciated by people around. And here we present you FHI's upcoming collection which will soon be made available over at MHI.







tokujin yoshioka

this is an ordinary man with ordinary smiling face.
but once you get thru the history of him, you wont see him as an ordinary man, but a man who you will admire or respect him in everyway. Enjoy some of the creation by him. Please check him out, as he is too good and yet too much to post about him.
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Tokujin Yoshioka

tokujin yoshioka I - Pane Chair

Pane Chair

One of the process of making the Pane Chair
making of Pane Chair

what is so special about this chair? Pane Chair is inspired by the process of Bread making. Which mean this chair need to bake at certain degree in order to form the Pane Chair out.

it's a crazy but yet instersting creation by him. Smart!