JKYH Top 20 (65)

01. Qian Li Zhi Wai - Jay Chou ft Fei Yu Qing (2) 3

02. My Love - Justin Timberlake ft T.I. (2) 3
03. Ring The Alarm - Beyonce (+1) 4
04. So Excited - Janet (+9) 2
05. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake (-2) 12
06. Crystal Ball - Keane (+1) 5
07. Get Up - Ciara (-2) 8
08. Happiness - Orson (+2) 4
09. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (+3) 3
10. Long Way 2 Go - Cassie (+4) 2
11. Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have - Panic! At the Disco (-3) 5
12. Rooftops - Lost Prophets (-6) 7
13. Wei Wu Du Zun - Jolin Tsai (+4) 2
14. Maneater - Nelly Furtado (-5) 8
15. Something Kinda Ooh - Girls Aloud (2) 2
16. Nothing In This World - Paris Hilton (NEW)
17. Catching and Killing - Youth Group (-1) 2
18. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (-7) 6
19. Be In Tokyo - Teriyaki Boyz (-1) 2
20. Lose Control - Kevin Federline (2) 2

#1 and still holding up is Jay Chou. Set to debut is Ting Ma Ma De Hua. I'd like to know which ballad that he's going to send flying up the charts with this album. I'm kind of unsure, because there are a couple of rather good ones, but it'd be interesting to see which one will hit the big time, like Shan Hu Hai or Qing Tian. I'll be doing a review of the album in the coming week.

At #4 is the biggest jumper of the week, up 9 notches. Janet's So Excited is a brilliant dance track as I've already mentioned last week, but she seemed to also be doing what she does best - dancing. This track's in the league of Son of a Gun, and All Nite (Don't Stop). She's one of the best body shakers in the industry, just check out her performance on Oprah, as well as the interview where she talks about the Superbowl incident and Michael Jackson.

This week also reveals the videoof Paris Hilton's new single, Nothing In This World, which is the only new entry of the week at #16. The person who thought of the storyline for the is brilliant - not because it's creative - because we've seen the it all before. The move's brilliant because it has a story, and thus makes it much better than the mere gyrating-fest that was Stars Are Blind. Paris is definitely not pretentious about who she is and what she's good at - her being sexy throughout the video is the main event.

New tracks this week include The Pussycat Dolls - I Don't Need A Man, Lily Allen - LDN, Jet - Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, Bowling for Soup - High School Never Ends, KT Tunstall - Other Side of the World, Hinder - Lips of an Angel, Sugarland - Want To, Fergie - Fergalicious, Mary J Blige - Take Me As I Am, Nickelback - Rockstar and Cherish - Unappreciated.

Ooh, and after the surprise that is All Saints reforming, 5ive, who brought us We Will Rock You are back! I don't know how I feel about it!

Amazing

Aside from not getting any off this week, the three gatherings I have with friends consecutively from Thursday till tomorrow got cancelled one by one for various reasons.

When I told you I had problems - there you have it. So I can't take on anymore.

I'm despondent.

And for the meaning of that word, I'll have to use a story by my platoonmate Bryan to illustrate the meaning of the word. He is, if nothing else, a master storyteller.

"One day, you buy a goldfish and put it in a nice fishbowl. After you come back home from work, it dies.

You feel sad.

The next day, you get another goldfish, and after you come back home from work, it died too.

That's sad.

The day after that, and following that, you get a goldfish a day, only to see them floating belly-up in the water, dead. And then you've decided that you've had enough of this fuckshit.

You buy 50 goldfish at one shot, and a humungous tank. You return home happily after a hard day's work...

... just to see them dead.

You become despondent."

Show, don't tell.

JKYH Top 20 (64)

01. Qian Li Zhi Wai - Jay Chou ft Fei Yu Qing (+1) 5

02. My Love - Justin Timberlake ft T.I. (+1) 2
03. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake (-2) 11
04. Ring The Alarm - Beyonce (+7) 3
05. Get Up - Ciara (+1) 7
06. Rooftops - Lost Prophets (-2) 6
07. Crystal Ball - Keane (2) 4
08. Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off - Panic! At the Disco (+1) 4
09. Maneater - Nelly Furtado (+1) 7
10. Happiness - Orson (+5) 3
11. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (-6) 5
12. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (+6) 2
13. So Excited - Janet (NEW)
14. Long Way 2 Go - Cassie (NEW)
15. Something Kinda Ooh - Girls Aloud (NEW)
16. Catching and Killing - Youth Group (NEW)
17. Wei Wu Du Zun - Jolin Tsai (NEW)
18. Be In Tokyo - Teriyaki Boyz (NEW)
19. Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence (-11) 6
20. Lose Control - Kevin Federline (NEW)

I can see everyone sighing in relief that this week's #1 is no longer Justin Timberlake. Is anyone even disappointed that he's knocked off? #1 goes to the current King of Mandopop, Jay Chou who sold 1.8 million copies of his album in the past week or so. And I think there'd be about another 1 million other people who downloaded his album, and know the songs better than me. Gosh, if they like the album so much, why don't they buy it! Anyway, the spectacular duet between Fei Yu Qing and Jay Chou gives the track the novelty and selling point to make the first track off every Jay CD such a highly anticipated event in the Chinese Pop scene.



At #2 and #3 is My Love and Sexyback respectively. Is Justin Timberlake the new Usher? Sexyback is #1 on Billboard for a fourth week, #2 in the UK after having peaked at #1, and also holds firm at #2 after peaking at #1 on the Australian singles chart. Before I can wonder if he's even begun to make the video for the song, My Love has already taken a 60 notch leap from #89 to #29 on Billboard. It's further proof that I'm not biased and the track's fast gaining popularity elsewhere! I also need to mention that his album has sold 684,000 in its first week in the US, while it took Aguiler'a album is in its 5th week and has sold 694,000, and Beyonce has sold 702,000 in 2 weeks. JT will trump both of them next week for sure!



At #4 is Beyonce with Ring The Alarm. The track shows her back in form with plenty of screaming and Destiny's-Child-lyrics. I love it! It's far more interesting than the snooze-fest of Deja Vu, which gives me deja vu of her previous glorious tracks (Crazy In Love) but never actually hits the spot. I'd like to see her retain the essence that is Destiny's Child, because let's face it - no one else could've written and outperformed Bootylicious. The video is not as good though - it seems that every video for the songs from B'Day are destined to be rubbish. I love Beyonce but she really needs to work out some of her issues. Photos are self-explanatory.



If I have to beg, I will do it now. Please give Janet a freaking chance! At #13 this week, and being honoured with the title of highest new entry, is Ms Jackson with So Excited. Sure, the world's watching after she slimmed down about a 100kg to her current lovely figure, but if she's going to release such NON-EVENTS like Call On Me, no one's going to care! I've already heard a lot of bad stuff about her new CD, and I'm just too scared to listen to it. I read on a forum that someone had this to say, "Forget the pedophilia charges, booby incidents, LaToya's Playboy spread, and the abusive father... 20 Y.O. is the worst thing the Jackson name has been associated with." Harsh. The video for So Excited is fucking hot though, starring her boobs who are playing hide-and-seek just behind her hands. However, So Excited is a brilliant dance track that needs some love. So GIVE IT.

At #14 is a track to watch out for. We all know that spoken verses are all the rage nowadays. You can hardly call them singing (nor rapping!)- the things you hear in Promiscuous, London Bridge, Sexyback, maybe Rudebox - which was probably pioneered by I'm A Slave 4 U. Long Way 2 Go is Cassie telling you that it ain't easy to get into her pants, and she's not tempted despite your "skills in the bedroom", and you've got a long way to go before you'll get her.



You should never listen to a sexy, innovative dance track by Madonna or Justin Timberlake before you hear Wei Wu Du Zun(#17). As long as you don't commit that mistake (like I did), you'll like the track! It's cool in its own way, with a thundering bassline and Jolin's sugar-coated voice singing the melody - cliche, standard Jolin, but I can never get enough of it.

At #18 is a track that will only get you on a high if you've watched Fast and Furious - Tokyo Drift. Despite the lack of a music video, anyone who's watched that movie will conjure images of sexy Japanese girls, hot cars and cool dudes in a carpark revving their engines and pumping their egos for an adrenaline-pumping race. It's so powerful that it gives this track purpose and has moved it's reputation from underground rap-track to constant rotation on the airwaves of 987. Amazing.

I have to add that the Perfect 10 chart sucks big time.

New tracks to introduce this week are The Wreckers - Leave The Pieces, John Mayer - Waiting On The World To Change, Jessica Simpson - I Belong To Me, Josh Groban - You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) and All Saints - Rock Steady. The All Saints are back ya'll!

Post Ikea

I forgot to bring my camera out yesterday, but then again I didn't look too good (but the food did, and you won't get to see it!) so I guess it's a good thing afterall! Both of us met at Redhill and took a bus to Ikea. I love going there because it reminds me of the times that I was studying with Jie Yu and then there's always the fantastic, affordable furniture. You get weird ideas about sprucing your living environment, and then tempted to get a few affordable bits of furniture.

Anyway, the first thing we got down to was lunch. Zhenhui had this Ikea friends card (which you can only get if you spend 300 bucks in one purchase, boo!) and so there was a discount on the meal of the day which happened to be the meatballs! I can't believe that although I've been there a couple of times already, I don't ever remember guzzling the meatballs. While I was eating, Edmund messaged me to remind me to try them, to which I replied that I already gotten a couple of those delicious things down my throat! The sauce is just fantastic. And I never knew you could eat potatoes with jam - a fantastic combination.

After that the both of us spent almost two hours shopping. My mom called and as usual, whenever she realised I was in Ikea, she'd ask me to buy a few things back for her. This time it wasn't so bad, only about 4 tea towels! Zhenhui got a chill-out table lamp, and a the bulb, and a lot of cupboard boxes. I didn't get anything much, just batteries (which are really cheap there and come in tens in this sunflower-yellow box) for 3 bucks and 15 hangers! I've decided to start doing something to my wardrobe and what better way than to start standardising the hangers, rather than using those random hangers which sometimes have pointy ends and spoil my shirts!

Anyway, I've got a tonne of furnishing ideas after the checking the place out, but even though I don't mind spending money on them, it makes me wonder about the permanence of my living space. I think I'll be staying in hall in NTU, and then I don't know what age I will be when I move out of my house. It made me realise how old I am already, and that I'd be facing plenty of turning points in my life faster than I can adapt to the changes that they bring.

After that, I pigged out on the curry chicken, which was the dish of the day or something! It didn't taste that good, but then again, there isn't much there that's comparable to the meatballs! Zhenhui and I chatted about our lives and a lot of other stuff. I realised that I'm very comfortable with him and it's amazing how we were only in the same class for 3 mere months, yet he's one of the people I'm in contact with outside an institution. He's a really cool dude. I think we'll be meeting up next week along with Shuming, provided the busy woman can spare some time for us!

I fell asleep on the train ride home because I was exhausted. I'm glad I was good company in the short time I was together with Zhenhui because I was getting by on 4 hours of sleep. Mock me but I'm a guy who needs my minimum number of hours of sleep, but I don't go on after 7-8 hours. Because of that, I'm not really a party animal! Anyway, I came online for awhile before deciding to satisfy that burning desire to exericise and thus, went for a swim. For the first time in my life, swimming was a good cardio workout for me (probably because the guy swimming beside me was swimming twice my speed) and I finished the swim panting and aching all over. Satisfying.

And I had a bit of alcohol with my dinner when I got back. That's how happy I was with my day. Today I'll probably be rotting till I book in tomorrow! I was damn bored too, so I took a photo (alright, 3!) with my new purchases. They come in bundles of 5 for $1.50! As for the classy wooden ones which Zhenhui got, they're 8 for $4.90 or something. I can't wait to see the new Ikea at Tampines, although it's bloody far from my place. Argh. Such a cam whore.

End of IMF

Imagine my surprise (and the hot blush you get when you know you've been overly flattered) when I saw his friendster testimonial:

His face... Handsome...
His body... Sex...
His voice... SEX...
His butt... TIGHT.

He's none other than... Mr JASON KHOR.

LIVE LIFE TO THE MAX
-max :P

It's written so hilariously that I can't even begin to take it seriously! But I appreciate it all the same! It's been some time since I've got a shoutout on friendster. So I paid him back:

Everyone knows I'm cool with celebs and this is what I heard them say about Max:

J.Lo - "You got, you got, you got
What it takes to make me leave my man!"

Britney - "Boom Boom, boy you look so sexy!"

Rihanna - "Just your presence and I second guess my sanity!"

Nelly F - "I can see you with nothing on,
feeling on me before you bring that on!"

Justin T - "Don't be so quick to walk away, Dance with me, I wanna rock your body, Please stay!!!"

Shakira - "Oh boy, I can see your body moving, Half-animal, half-man, I don't, don't really know what I'm doing!"

Xtina - "You got soul, you got class.
You got style ya bad ass - oh yeah!

Beyonce - "Baby boy you stay on my mind, fulfill my fantasies!"

Janet - "Work it like you're working a pole, Shake it 'til you're shaking the floor, Pop it like you're poppin' a cork, Don't Stop, Don't Stop!"

Mariah - "We belong togetheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeer!"

I've got nothing more to add. Rock on Max! ;)

With regard to all the dancing compliments, you've got to see him shake his hips (and no, they don't lie either) on his friendster profile. He's managed to youtube it. And my bunkmates were saying we get a performance like this in bunk, whenever we want to, and even when we don't want to. Only with much lesser clothes. It sort of reminded me of the time after the Formation 15km run where he shook those hips when they played Ricky Martin's Shake Your Bon Bon or Livin' La Vida Loca. People from different units stopped to stare. Shamelessly. (Note that it wasn't Max being shameless, he was being himself.)

Anyway, it's the end of IMF for me and so there's only one thing else left to look forward to - ORD! I cannot believe that I'm so close to the date already! One month and two weeks? Unlike everybody else, we haven't exactly started the long holiday to ORD yet, but who cares? With each passing day I spend doing whatever I have left to do for the army, the closer I get to being free. IMF was really cool for me in terms of driving, bonding with my platoonmates, and yesterday when we were doing the Esplanade - Taffy and Chee Wee, both whom I got to know during the driving course 7 months ago. They're fantastic people. I suppose the cool thing about our ops, as oppose to sending us into the wilderness, take us behind the scenes of buildings like hotels and the Esplanade and we actually see what's going on. How there really is a computer in charge of all the water and air going in and out of the building, security locks, how the temperature of the place is being maintained, how there are cameras everywhere in the building that can zoom in on the tiniest details... It's amazing.

I need to exercise.

I'm going out with Zhenhui to Ikea later. I'm so apologetic to Sequeena that Ash and I haven't been able to celebrate her birthday with her yet. I'm enthused about mine which is coming in 2 weeks. Justin Timberlake's new album is on repeat and I don't think I'll get sick of it as I mine it for more intricate details. I'm delighted with the comments I got on the previous entry - it means the world to me. Britney Spears gave birth to another boy, and I know I haven't been talking much about her lately (except sneaking in an opinion about Toxic every now and then when commenting on music!), but I've been hearing that her new album would be incredible. I think it's only fair to celebrate her past with this video. So she's not much of a singer, but a dancer? And a performer? Definitely. Can you see the flame of passion in her eyes at a mere age of 16?

I love writing and I think I've improved from all this practise I got from blogging. But what actually inspires me to write well is reading good writing. So if you've been doing that, you've been my light when I write. (Ooh, it rhymes!)

My good friends know I have a secret addiction to one arcade game. And that is none other than... DDR. I know maybe it's passe and all but it's still a hell lot of fun to me and I get a kick out impressing my friends who don't play (as well as awe-struck by those who do - Alan and Zhi Wei my BMT sectionmates!). I got to play it once recently and the adrenaline rush was just amazing. Here's a video of some expert playing it. Cool stuff.

FutureSex / LoveSounds

01. FutureSex/LoveSound
This is a fantastic introduction to the album, where the first words you hear upon popping the album in and pressing play are, "Future.Sex.Love.Sound.". Justin said that he was inspired to name the album as such because most of the songs he made for it contained the words "Sex" and "Love". I think it's a very innovative, attention-grabbing title. It's very danceable, groovy, mid-tempo track. The best lyrical moment here is when he exclaims "Her body's whistled for me I think she's ready to blow!" It's good, but it feels more like a 4 minute long prelude to one of the gems of the album...

02. SexyBack
The tempo's contrast to the previous track becomes evident. The lyrics become a whole lot naughtier as well. What might have been tossed aside as repetitive and utterly lacking in creativity by detractors is lapped up by audiences when this song is performed, as they chant "Go ahead, be gone with it " with overwhelming enthusiasm. I haven't heard such a vocoderised voice in a hit song since Cher's Believe! Other than that, the highly computerised questioning of "You ready?" is replied by a sexed-up female voice saying "Yes.". It's just one of the unique things that can be found in a track full of ideas.

03. Sexy Ladies (Let Me Talk To You Prelude)
"All my other people that dance around/When they hear me rocking the groove/Now it might sound cocky/But is it really cocky if you know that it's true?" It makes me smile whenever I hear that line. However, there's no doubt that the man believes in the music he's making. This is one of those dance songs that tempt you to sing along with it. It doesn't stand out a lot in this album but is subtle to keep the flow of the album going along.

The interesting part is how the prelude is buried at the end of this track. It sounds like Justin's playing in the kitchen (remember Stomp using kitchen knives, forks and pans to make music?) with utensils and all as Timberland takes over the vocal duties with an unknown female voice chanting MYLOVEMYLOVEMYLOVE over and over again. And it continues on and on until it goes on to...



04. My Love
"Ain't no other woman that could take your spot..." startles the listner and signals the beginning of My Love. Images of blinding, flashing disco lights are what come to mind as the electronic music goes into a crescendo. The craziest thing about this song is how much the music sounds so processed, yet the lyrics bring you to a world of lovers chilling out on the beach and the countryside! The only spoken word amongest all the hair-raising falsetto is "because" which comes before the pre-chorus. That one word is filled with cheek! I can't explain the feeling it gives me. T.I. does a non-memorable rap here. As it comes to the end, the chorus contains this spooky soprano in the background. The many layers of music in this song impresses me to no end. My current favourite in the album.

05. LoveStoned (I Think She Knows Interlude)
I think this is the track that has reviewers comparing him to Prince or Michael Jackson. That'll give you a good idea how it sounds like. However, it makes me wonder that if these two great people made great music before my time, how did people come to make cheesy, non-exciting music like... Backstreets Back? Oops. There's plenty of vocal background in this track, plenty of "Dum dum dum...Ahhhh!". (So MJ-ish!) Anyway, I love this track a lot because it's the one that feels like sex - a great build up, explodes into climax and then - the "aftersex".

The "aftersex" in this case would be the interlude. Not content with letting you do a manual shifting of musical gears, Mr Timberlake and gang decided to add in the interlude, which sounds like Keane highjacking this vehicle and Timberlake doing his best Chris Martin impression. The result - delicious.

06. What Goes Around... (...Comes Around Interlude)
Not only is it delicious, it's the thing that makes this album seem so seamless! Hidden under all the electronic machinery and strings churning out the backdrop of this 7-and-a-half-minute musical sensation is a bitter story of JT being cheated on. It got me really emotional when I was singing along to it as I was coming home in the rain the other day. The closest song to Cry Me A River II, just much, much more bitter. A stellar track that'll wipe the memory of Alicia Key's "what goes around, comes around" melody in Karma if this one's made a single. Yet when it seems like the story is at its end, another twist is revealed in the unfaithful ex-lover's life.

In the interlude, the girl gets her karma, when her lover cheats on her. "You spend your nights alone, And he never comes home, And everytime you call him, all you get is a busy tone...You wish you had somebody, That could come and make it right, But girl, I ain't somebody I'm out of sympathy."

Brilliant.

07. Chop Me Up
I shall admit to blatantly hating this track the moment I heard it. Now it's just bearable. If this ever gets released in the USA, it'll do real well, considering their love for such hip-hop tracks. However, it seems that since Billboard made a change into this new era, airplay isn't such an issue any more (too many black radio stations), so this just might not get released. It's not that this track doesn't have its redeeming moments but Timbaland telling us his name is Thomas Crown again when he already did it in Promiscuous, is not one of them. If you like your hip-hop hard, this track's for you.

08. Damn Girl
I think this song is really cool. I'd like to see anyone be able to resist going, "Daaaayumn girl, Damn girl, Daaamn girl, Daaaamn!" along with Timberlake. The difference between the equally sexually-charged-dance-oriented In The Zone and this album must be the lyrics. "I said - Don't need no Maybelline, 'Cause you a beauty queen. Don't need no L'oreal, 'Cause bitch you're bad as hell. If I'm a Casanova? Then you're a supernova!" Will.I.Am kicks in with a really cool rap. It starts off as if he's stuttering, as he goes on to praise the girl to the skies. Ooh yeah... OH OH OH! (That's one of the most prominent sounds in the song... it kinda sounds like... something naughty.) Included is a Senorita moment where I bet he'll urge the crowd to sing along with him. "Something 'bout the way you do the things you do When you do the things you do It's got me Ohh Ohh Ohh!"



09. Summer Love (Set the Mood Prelude)
This is a hot favourite for many fans and if there's ever room for a fifth single or something, this might just be it. He can release it in Summer 2007. With an insistent pounding bass and Justin declaring, "I can't wait to fall in luuuurve with YOU!", it's another one of those tracks that have simple lyrics, but good enough for people to remember instantly without hurting their brains and singing it along to it, even if you've heard it for the first time. I think that touring has given him a lot of inspiration for this album and he knows how important it is to get audience participation when he's performing a song. Sidetracking a bit, he's really hardworking. He performs one big concert at night, and later in the AMs, he goes to a nice club and continues with a chill-out performance on a stool, with his songs stripped down to focus on his voice.

The prelude is much-needed to, as said in the title, "Set the Mood". It introduces the first real ballad on the album.

10. Until the End of Time
And the mood is set right with this slow groove. It reminds me a little bit of Usher, except with the difference in vocal techniques. It also urges the audience to sing along with him, " This one's for the lovers, let me hear you say Yeah yeah yeah!" The lyrics are really pretty in this one too. It makes a good listen and binds the album together, but I think it's quite forgettable.

11. Losing My Way
I think I need to get a grip on myself before I start jumping up and down on the chair shouting about how awesome this track is. The reviews I read picked at the song for its simple lyrics ("Hi my name is Bob, and I work at my job.") and say that Justin's trying too hard to be reflective. However I think the vague lyrics set out to do what it was supposed to - allow people to relate, no matter how diverse their problems may be. The part that really gets to me are the simple words in the chorus, " Can anybody out there hear me, cos I can't seem to hear myself?... There's got to be a heaven somewhere, can you save me from this hell?" The mood intensifies and the simple sorrow and self-doubt becomes overwhelming till the voices burst into gospel, not unlike Madonna's Like A Prayer.



12. (Another Song) All Over Again
Probably for the first time in the entire album, I hear an instrument I recognise - the piano. It's quietness is deafening in contrast to the rest of the album. It's a minimalistic ballad with Justin's voice taking centrestage. He once commented that he thought Christina Aguilera was probably the best vocalist of our generation, but he's not too far off the standard himself! This is a song that tugs at the heartstrings. If you remember my theory about this album being one huge orgasm, this track would be the aftersex. Bringing the mood down, the song's a perfect end to the album, especially with the lyrics "Cos I'll give you my heart, If you will let me start all over again."

It's just a subtle hint for you to play the album for another song over again. Again. And again. That sneaky fella.

Of A Rose

She would come by and look at the flower everytime she was free. She showered attention on it like nothing else in her posession. That was what gave the flower its value - its owner's attention. Bathed with love, the Rose blossomed from the thornful-stem. The brilliant red shone in contrast to its green leaves. Its gorgeous curves resembled the dangerously pouty lips on Angelina Jolie.

Yes, it was an undeniable beauty.

As much as I believe in fairy tales and that love might last forever, this isn't a story about that. Soon enough the girl became bored by the Rose's presence. If absence makes the heart grows fonder then presence makes the heart take things for granted. The Rose was probably as pretty as ever, but it stood there, unable to withstand the test of time.

It had became unloved.

Maybe the girl was trying to play a game with it. Man is cruel. Maybe it was a test, to see if beautiful things were fragile. Ahh... a popular misconception.

But contrary to expectation, the Rose didn't wilt. It stood there, brave and strong, because it could. Its duty was to put a smile on all who laid eyes on it, even if it didn't happen as frequently. It was determined to do its job well.

Because no one needs another to carry on with life.

JKYH Top 20 (63)

01. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake (2) 10

02. Qian Li Zhi Wai - Jay Chou ft Fei Yu Qing (2) 4
03. My Love - Justin Timberlake ft T.I. (NEW)
04. Rooftops - Lost Prophets (-1) 5
05. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (+2) 4
06. Get Up - Ciara (-1) 6
07. Crystal Ball - Keane (+5) 3
08. Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence (+1) 5
09. Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off - Panic! At the Disco (+4) 3
10. Maneater - Nelly Furtado (+4) 6
11. Ring The Alarm - Beyonce (+6) 2
12. Guai Guai Pai - Jolin (+4) 3
13. London Bridge - Fergie (-9) 7
14. Screwed/Turn It Up - Paris Hilton (-8) 5
15. Happiness - Orson (+3) 2
16. Olia - David Tao (-1) 3
17. Black Fingernails, Red Wine - Eskimo Joe (-6) 5
18. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (NEW)
19. No Tomorrow - Orson (-11) 9
20. Love Story - Fan Yi Chen (-1) 2

Surprise, or non-surprise, this week's #1 yet again, is Justin Timberlake. I suppose a bigger surprise would be that of his new song making a debut at #3. My Love ft T.I. is a song with a bit of techno combined an obligatory rap performance. You'd think you've heard it all before, but it's so refreshing and so good that a lot of people who have heard the track have told me that it's nothing short of brilliant. You should at least give it a chance. Multiple listens will have you hooked.

At #10 is Nelly Furtado's Maneater. It was on its way down the chart last week and I think the rebound can be accounted for by her fantastic performance at Fashion Rocks. I was impressed by how into the song she was. Her enthusiasm was overwhelming. Also the thing that she was wearing. Links to her performance as well as The Pussycat Dolls, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Beyonce can be found on esotism's LJ.

At #11 this week is Beyonce's Ring The Alarm. Her album sold a shocking 541 000 copies in the USA in its first week, trumping Aguilera's 346 000. Please don't tell me that the worth of an artist is not (at least partially) judged by album sales, I won't hear of it. Ring The Alarm also debuts high on the Hot 100, at #12 this week on the strength of digital sales.

If Toxic was bloody released in the Billboard era where digital sales were accounted for, it'd be #1 for weeks. Tuh.

At #12 is Jolin, who has a new song called Wei Wu Du Zhun. I've heard it, and I'm not very impressed. It was meant to be a bloody cool dance track, but I think I've been hearing a bit too much of innovation from Justin's album that I expect too much from every new (dance) track I hear now! Wei Wu Du Zhun needs a bit of a boost as it doesn't sound sexy, nasty, nor different from anything she's done before. She doesn't need a dance instructor from overseas - she needs a producer.

At #18 is the only new entry this week, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. There has been a lot of hype over the song for weeks, but I guess I'm pretty slow on the uptake. I think you guys probably know more about the song than I do! It moves up one notch to #6 on Billboard this week. I love how it starts quiet and then builds up to a great climax. Snow Patrol are from Nothern Ireland (all you Social Studies people should be familiar with the place!) and their lead singer and chief songwriter Gary Lightbody says this about the band, "There are swaggering bands, bands who are in your face. And then there are bands who get hold of you somewhere else. I think it’s a heart thing, an intimacy thing. Like you know them and they know you. I think we are one of those bands." Check out their website here.

New tracks that I'm introducing this week are Christina Aguilera - Hurt, Naomi Streimer - Cars, Lemar - It's Not That Easy, Muse - Starlight, Jamelia - Something About You, Rapture - Get Myself Into It, Lostprophets - A Town Called Hypocrisy, Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats, Good Charlotte - Keep Your Hands Off My Girl, My Chemical Romance - Welcome To The Black Parade and lastly, Roger Sanchez - Lost.

Need A Breather

It doesn't help that I'm doing IMF duty on Friday and Saturday. It means that the publishing of the chart will be postponed to probably Sunday night or so, and I've no time to go about doing my weekend kind of stuff. The schedule's been really crazy with all this booking in and out during this heavy-duty period, but I guess it could've been worse. I hope post-IMF there'd be a chance for a well-deserved break.

I just did one duty yesterday. Tiring stuff.

And I'm real touched that Mak called just now when he read about my grandma. Thanks man.

I need to go out and have one of those insane photo-whoring sessions. It's during those times that I have the most fun. Because at the beginning you might be faking a smile, but after all that, it just comes naturally and you just feel... happy.

The music world is really insane right now, with new singles from Girls Aloud and Sugababes, and Siobhan who left the Sugababes, Mutya (from the Sugababes) who has a duet with George Michael, Fergie's The Dutchess has leaked, Britney Spears giving birth, as well as Justin Timberlake and Jay Chou releasing their albums, Beyonce's 2nd single RTA debuting at #12 on Hot 100, Janet's new video So Excited is out... I can't even continue.

I'll full review of Justin Timberlake's new album soon. I bought it on Tuesday and it's orgasmic.

Stronger Than Yesterday

My grandma passed away on Friday, at about 0125 or so. I got received the news rather late - at about 9 or so, after I completed the run in camp. I didn't tell everyone because it's just kind of weird. I won't know how to deal with their reactions. Anyway, I got there just in time as her coffin was about to be sealed. So I guess that explains what I've been busy with these couple of days. The funeral ends tomorrow. Since then it's been a lot of travelling and waitering and stuff like that. I'm tired.

I'm not asking for sympathy and you don't have to give it.

The thing is that after all this pain and stuff my family has bonded stronger together. I guess that's the greatest thing we all gained these couple of days. Without the distractions of other things (computer, music, other people), and having to face the adversity, depending on one another became a natural thing. I've gotten to know my siblings better, and caught up with their lives - something I've been missing out on for a couple of years.

IMF starts today. I hope everyone's proud, and enjoys what they're doing. I'll be having duty on Wed, Fri, Sat and the following Tues. Although I'm afraid of screwing up, I can't wait to be in the thick of all the action with my platoon. One last time.

Celebrity Watch - Cristiano Ronaldo

JKYH Top 20 (62)

01. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake (+1) 9

02. Qian Li Zhi Wai - Jay Chou ft Fei Yu Qing (+4) 3
03. Rooftops - Lost Prophets (+5) 4
04. London Bridge - Fergie (-3) 6
05. Get Up - Ciara (+4) 5
06. Screwed/Turn It Up - Paris Hilton (-3) 4
07. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (+6) 3
08. No Tomorrow - Orson (-4) 8
09. Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence (+1) 4
10. This Boy - King Kong Jane (-5) 6
11. Black Fingernails, Red Wine - Eskimo Joe (+1) 4
12. Crystal Ball - Keane (+5) 2
13. Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off - Panic! At the Disco (+6) 2
14. Maneater - Nelly Furtado (-7) 5
15. Olia - David Tao (+3)
16. Guai Guai Pai - Jolin (+4) 2
17. Ring The Alarm - Beyonce (NEW)
18. Happiness - Orson (NEW)
19. Love Story - Fan Yi Chen (NEW)
20. Me & U - Cassie ft Ray J (-6) 11

#1 in the UK this week and maintaining his position on Billboard at #1, plus the fact that it has now begun to drive most people I know crazy makes me love the song even more, thus JT's Sexyback is atop the chart once more, with his album FutureSex/Lovesounds (how many times have you heard the title already!) due in Singapore on Monday, and worldwide on Tuesday.

My hand's still yellow from 10 hours of folding ghim zhua, so forgive me for the short entry. It's a hectic weekend.

Pleasant Surprises are Great

Well, it wasn't exactly a surprise because I knew that he was going to be around the area, but he didn't sound like he was going to come up. So it was kind of cool that Jie Yu came over to my house and surprised me for the second time since we've known each other, to have a great chat about life and such. It's cool that he knows I'm broke and I don't really want to get out of the house because I'm not really feeling up to it right now, and he understands all that.

And the amazing thing is that he looks thinner! Gosh, he'll be back to his extra handsome (now it's just handsome) self in months to come! His dimples look more prominent already!

He's one of my best friends ever, one I know who will accept me for who I am no matter what. And I appreciate that.

Everything's Made To Be Broken

I don't want the world to see me
Cos I don't think that they understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

It's the kind of helplessness I feel that makes me so vulnerable. I don't know where to draw strength from. I don't want to visit her not because I don't care; it's because I care to much. Staying beside her and not being able to do anything hurts. She's gone into coma two days ago and the doctors have given up. It's just a matter of time.

I just want to hide at home and forget everything. In fact, for some crazy reason, I'm looking forward to working for the World Bank next week. And I don't want to screw up the thing.

And I'm driving.

Can't help that I'm writing about such things, just because it's what is on my mind now. Dark thoughts. That'll become darker in time to come.

Celebrity Watch - Nick Lachey

Escape

Sentosa was a hell lot of fun yesterday. Despite the huge crowd (there was some event which I'm totally oblivious to!) and a lot of queing up, I had a great time. Ryan and I bought mats to lie on the sand. Listened to mp3. And the most fun part of it all was probably doing dance moves inspired by Justin Timberlake's recent VMA performance. Needless to say that I looked retarded but it was a good laugh.



Dinner at Delifrance was great too. The view was amazing, and I could hear a bit of the Pussycat Dolls playing from this bar. It was cool. Took almost 2 and a half hours to get back home though. Tired.

JKYH Top 20 (61)

01. London Bridge - Fergie (2) 5

02. SexyBack - Justin Timberlake (+1) 8
03. Screwed/Turn It Up - Paris Hilton (+2) 3
04. No Tomorrow - Orson (-2) 7
05. This Boy - King Kong Jane (+1) 5
06. Qian Li Zhi Wai - Jay Chou ft Fei Yu Qing (+4) 2
07. Maneater - Nelly Furtado (-3) 4
08. Rooftops - Lost Prophets (+1) 3
09. Get Up - Ciara (-1) 4
10. Call Me When You're Sober - Evanescence (+1) 3
11. Me & U - Cassie ft Ray J (-4) 10
12. Black Fingernails, Red Wine - Eskimo Joe (+5) 3
13. Supermassive Black Hole - Muse (+7) 2
14. Jump - Madonna (-1) 5
15. Ring Ring Ring - S.H.E.(-1) 4
16. Voodoo Child - Rogue Traders (-4) 6
17. Crystal Ball - Keane (NEW)
18. Olia - David Tao (NEW)
19. Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off - Panic! At the Disco (NEW)
20. Guai Guai Pai - Jolin (NEW)



At #1 is Fergie who once again reigns the Top 20 this week for a second consecutive week. At #2 is arguably the most exciting artist to release an album this year. As much as I like Christina, I'm not a fan of serious music. I love Beyonce too, but her recent releases aren't up to expectations. So we have Justin Timberlake, one of the few male pop stars to actually make a Tsunami. I've had it with the guitar-grabbing-serious-songwriters-singer types - Cue John Mayer, Teddy Geiger and James Blunt. The only other Pop guy I can think of is Nick Lachey... but no. I want a performance like this. It is FUCKING HAWT. I'm not exaggerating. From dancing, to singing to beatboxing and basically just being sexy (along with Timbaland!), it's the performance I've been waiting for all year! JT will be remembered for his first solo VMAs where he did Like I Love You with a touch of Michael Jackson and fab dance steps. This one is just as good. The album drops 11th September. AND it appears that the USA has finally GOT IT. The groove has infected them and this week, it makes a leap from 31-1 on Billboard Hot 100, to topple Fergie to #2. This is the reason that JT has managed to reclaim a #2 on my chart. With all the hot stuff going on with him, who can resist his fantastic efforts to bring sexy back?

At #5 this week is KKJ, who've just completed another performance last Saturday. The quality of the vids aren't as good as previous times I think, but check out their blog to see performances of new covers like Chasing Cars. Cool stuff.


At #6 is Jay Chou's duet with Fei Yu Qing. I think the first singles from the album are getting weaker with each release. It doesn't help that I like the less popular, hard-hitting tracks like Lan Se Feng Bao from the previous album. (All time fav is still Shuang Jie Gun!) However, I think the rest of the album will still be of high standards. He's echoing the past with this one, and along with that comes the baring of his torso, as well as Ting Ma Ma De Hua, sort of like a followup to Ba Wo Hui Lai Le. That track is pretty interesting, with its addicitive piano accompaniment. I will go pre-order his album today if I can! I don't care if it means becoming broke. The Prince of Mandopop is back in full force, you can bet on it!



At #9 is Ciara. Following her explosive debut album Goodies (with the smash hit of the same title) comes her sophomore hit Get Up. It's a slowburner, but it's getting there. The music video isn't anything new but it sure does feature some really good dancing. The self-styled First Lady of Crunk performed at So You Think You Can Dance recently, which you can see here. She's cool on stage, dances well, and sings live. I've heard worse from her! But an entertaining performer nonetheless. The track made a huge leap a couple of weeks ago on Billboard, and is now residing at #13.

The last song that I'd like to make a shoutout to is Lying Is The Most Fun A Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off by Panic! At the Disco, who are new at #19. I must admit I don't know much about their lead single I Write Sins Not Tragedies but this second one is bloody good! I like this rather unique and driven sound - it doesn't leave you with a second to breathe. And it's addicitive and fun - just like Ecstasy but legal.

It's a hot week for music, and new tracks that you should keep your ears peeled for include Sarah McLachlan - River, Basement Jaxx - Hush Boy, Sandi Thom - What If I'm Right, Justin Timberlake - My Love.

Oh and you should just youtube the entire VMAs if you're free. There's real good stuff in there from the hottest acts this year. However, billboard.com has an article that starts with, "There were no snakes, lesbian kisses or bizarre appearances by Michael Jackson." Of course, snakes from Britney's IAS4U performance, lesbian kisses from Britney's kiss with Madonna (Xtina's one wasn't on TV), and if I'm not wrong (feel free to correct me) the one where Britney handed an award to MJ. Of course Britney did make a (recorded) appearance to give out an award. But watch out. When she's back, she'll take this award show by storm. Even though the motherfuckers have yet to give her EVEN ONE award.