Justin is the new Britney

Big Hits, Baby
Such a coincidence that their biggest hits have the word "baby" in them. For Bieber, then 16, Baby erupted all over radio as the song you could not escape from. Annoyingly catchy, distinctly bubblegum and possibly childish to the point of puke-worthy, it brought me back to '98, when Spears, then 17, released ...Baby One More Time. I remember feeling the same way - that it was pop at its most straight-forward, catchy and it was a track that was impossible to run away from. I also almost puked when Sometimes was released but radio refused to stop playing BOMT. Both tracks were monster hits and shot them to pop royalty with the music world waiting to see/hear what would happen next. Sonically, Bieber matured faster as the current album straddles between bubble-gum (Beauty and a Beat) and something slightly edgier (Boyfriend). Spears continued to pander to her teen audience with Oops! before hitting the big time with the adventurous Slave 4 U. I'd like to see Bieber find his Slave with the next album. It can only, like Britney's sound, go uphill from there.



Never Say Never...
... to lip-syncing. When you've become such an electrifying performer that the spectacle you put on stage surpasses the need for people to hear you sing live, you lip-syncing. There comes a point in time where you're on huge sold-out tours - the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts - and you've to put on a show! Thankfully Britney has never thrown up on stage with the backing track running (well at least not that I know of), so it was rather unfortunate when it happened to Bieber on the first night of his Believe world tour in late September this year. Regardless, I've seen his recent performances of As Long As You Love Me at the Teen Choice Awards 2012 and his energy, intensity and playful facial expressions reminded me of a young Spears. However Spears is clearly the more tantalising of the two - just look at this A+, take-notes-all-teen-stars performance from the VMAs  in 2000. With time, hopefully Bieber will be ready to have his carry-a-snake-around-his-neck or I-kissed-Madonna-and-I-liked-it moment very soon at award shows to come.



Slave
As Bieber makes teen ovaries explode worldwide, Britney did the same to her fans, with many proclaiming "I'm a Slave 4 U Britney!" as she did her rounds in countless magazines, TV appearances, concerts and music videos. Ahh, music videos! They've got that genre under their belts! Also, both teen stars have the media fixated on their every move. Following in Britney's footsteps, Justin's been dating fellow teen-star Selena Gomez. When she had her belly-button pierced, Bieber got tattoos. Growing up in the media spotlight as the biggest teen star of the moment will inevitably give way to The Breakdown. With great success comes pundits taking bets on their big fall and the bigger the fall, the bigger the comeback. (The breakdown is only possible when you've attained an incredible amount of fame and are perched at the top of your game.) I wait with bated breath for Bieber's head-shaving, grabs-umbrella-and-attacks-a-car, Gimme-More-at-the-VMAs moment.

In my crystal ball, Justin looks like he'd be able to capture the world's imagination with the good-kid-gone-bad-gone-good story. Neither of them are Adele, but Bieber has what it takes to be the next Britney. Or he could become a boring, try-too-hard like Christina but I hope that never happens.

Music in the UK

I cannot describe the thrill from downloading my favourite songs from iTunes.

I've been digging out a couple of old songs from memory. In the early '00s I was obsessed with the music that was coming out of the UK. There were cheesy #1s (yes the stations were forced to play Bob The Builder when Can We Fix It? became #1) and there were epic chart battles (S Club's Reach lost to Sonique's Feels So Good, which went on to stay #1 for 3 weeks). Those were the songs of my life and truth be told, not many of my friends were in sync with the music I was in to.

I loved the distinctly British sound and character, always quirky, fun, never taking itself too seriously, yet producing some of the most wonderful voices (Gabrielle and Simply Red spring to mind). There were the amazing dance-tracks that ruled the chart, those days were DJs could be number one with epic dance tracks that spun and gained fame in the underground before exploding into mainstream consciousness (Roger Sanchez's Another Chance, Rui Da Silva's Touch Me). There were the already mainstream acts like Atomic Kitten, Blue, Kylie and Daniel Bedingfield, S Club 7, who relentless notched up hits every couple of months. The Spice Girls broke up and found #1s - Geri Halliwell's Bag It Up, Mel C's I Turn To You, Emma Bunton's What Took You So Long?. Victoria Beckham bagged a huge, huge #2 with Out Of Your Mind (I bought the physical, CD single), losing out by a small margin to Sophie Ellis-Baxtor's Groovejet!

To me there's always a bit of magic in British music. Something unexpected, something surprising. The songs on the chart don't sound much like each other - it's hard to capture in a single adjective (except those Westlife singles, for which the word would be "bleargh!").

My favourite artistes (except Britney Spears) have all come from the UK. However it took a relatively young, unknown, dramatic songstress (not you Cheryl) to blow everyone worldwide out of the water with her amazing vocals very very recently. It's about time, you know, for British music to surface to English-speaking territories far and wide instead of rolling in the deep.

Whitney Houston

Whitney's body of work goes back to before I was born. Needless to say, I'm not that familiar with her, except for the most important of songs - I Will Always Love You and I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

I started listening to music late in '97 and it was only in '98 that I witnessed the triumph of the massive single taken off The Prince of Egypt soundtrack - When You Believe. I liked the song but I was 11 then and I was even more unappreciative of ballads than I am now. Although given that it was more of an anthem than a ballad, I did enjoy it a hell lot.

Then came Heartbreak Hotel, It's Not Right But It's Okay and My Love Is Your Love - smooth, rich RnB. The Greatest Hits was released in 2000, which brought about the release of Could I Have This Kiss Forever with Enrique Iglesias, which I thought was nice but bland; and If I Told You That. IITYT, produced by Darkchild, was modern and sexier with its beats. Combined with the constant playful tinkering of ivories, George Michael and Whitney had great chemistry in the duet - harmonising, teasing, playing off each other, going at each other... It was beautiful, beautiful piece of work.

According to wikipedia, there were releases from the Just Whitney era but I have no recollection of any of the singles. Fast forward to 2009, I Look To You and Million Dollar Bill were released. I remember being glad that she was back, even discussing with friends on facebook and hoping that she'd get on track. I was at the clubs and they were playing her songs. We partied and sang.

When I found out about her death this morning, I didn't feel anything. I don't think anybody could have said they were surprised. She's been on a downward spiral for quite awhile now. So when night fell, I went on youtube and listened to the songs that were familiar to me. I was shocked at what I felt next - the beautiful, beautiful voice came through my earphones and my heart sank with the realisation that she... was gone.

Such Brilliance: The Prelude Pathétique

“When I look back on my life, it’s not that I don’t want to see things exactly as they happened, it’s just that I prefer to remember them in an artistic way. And truthfully, the lie of it all is much more honest because I invented it. Clinical psychology tells us arguably that trauma is the ultimate killer. Memories are not recycled like atoms and particles in quantum psychics, they can be lost forever. It’s sort of like my past is an unfinished painting and as the artist of that painting, I must fill in all the ugly holes and make it beautiful again. It’s not that I’ve been dishonest, it’s just that I loathe reality."

-Lady Gaga – ‘Marry The Night: The Prelude Pathétique'

This is what art represents. Couldn't have said it better.

Come On

He's like a magician. I can't pinpoint his charm. But it's magic. I bought his first album and then followed the rest of his singles with interest. He brought it all back with the latest album, Echoes. (Also thanks to shifu of course!)

There's something about his voice. It's mystical and breezy and slightly hollow. He uses it well and never tries too hard. Always emotional, often pleading. Sometimes hopeful. Comforting. There's a style in his music that he keeps to, such that he doesn't work excessively to vary the sound on each album. They are slightly different, held together as one with his voice.

With Echoes, it's a little less happy than the previous ones. If you really get into it, it's a lot heart-wrenching. Sometimes it feels good not to dwell in the sadness of the lyrics. Sonically, it's gorgeous. Still with plenty of piano, but a lot more hard hitting. Contrasted with his wispy voice... it's just perfect. Perfect for every occasion: for a sunny Cafe del Mar, emo rainy nights, ridiculous 80s dancing, hour-long foreplay...

Taking the time to find a new smile on my face. Wondering how, I'm back here now again...

What Kylie Means

I first got acquainted with Kylie in 2000, with Spinning Around. Since then it's been hit after hit and she has built her reputation with her touring and more often than not, interesting music videos!

I bought her first tour DVD, Showgirl: The Greatest Hits Tour (2005) in which she performed songs that I was unfamiliar with. They went on to become my absolute favourites - Je Ne Sais Pas Pourquoi (1988), Hand On Your Heart (1989), Shocked (1991), What Do I Have To Do (1991), Confide In Me (1994). She brought them all to life on that tour... along with some indisputable global sensations like Can't Get You Out Of My Head (2001).

And so armed with slightly more than 10 years of anticipation and knowledge of Kylie's work that spanned almost 24 years, I was finally able to witness her, live, on her Aphrodite World Tour at the Singapore Stadium last night.

Indeed, she was incredible. And incredibly enough, she could possibly have pulled off an acoustic set if she wanted. No doubt, she's no Adele, but she more than competent with her singing. She had an ah lian part where she came out with her feather boa and mini-shorts for a rousing I Should Be So Lucky during the request segment. She also did a ballad where she sang, "if you don't love me anymore..." and the audience kept screaming "we love you Kylie!". Having seen other videos of this on youtube I feel that the Singapore crowd was really disruptive and warm and enthusiastic... it was amazing!


But the highlight for me was a slow-jammed / jazz remix of the already slow, delicious and tantalising, Slow. It got slower, nastier with her vocals positively dripping with sensuality, purring, growling... and then it went down, down, down, down, down and burst into its pulsating, massive, electro sound of the original.

My mind could not handle such wonderfulness in musicality.

Needless to say, the set design and costumes were extravagant and the feast for the eyes. So were the dancers. I will leave you with more photos, here, courtesy of Weetz. Can't wait for the DVD of this tour, which is slated for release later this year.

One of the few artistes to have hits spanning the 80s, 90s, 00s, and now 2011... She was really magnificent and seasoned. I hope I get the chance to see her live again!

Glad You Came

This is my summer anthem.

It starts off with a rather heart-felt declaration of "my universe, will never be the same" and then the beats kick in and it's a non-stop party till the end.

I love the lyrics and the way they rhyme. I like how it's simple and the mood's just fine. I mimic their accents everytime the song hits the pre-chorus bit:

Turn the lights out now
Now I'll take you by the hand
Hand you another drink
Drink it if you can
Can you spend a little time
Time is slipping away
Away from us so stay
Stay with me I can make
Make you Glad You Came.

The track has a bit of Ibiza vibe and their video? Fantastically summer-y, messing about in the sun and the sea.

Watch The Wanted's video for Glad You Came here.



The current brit-pop group to listen to, alongside the legendary Take That.

Glam Nation

The weekend has come and gone. Singapore's certainly exciting this week. It taught me that the best things are the spontaneous ones. I learned to go with my instincts. I learned to be a bit more spontaneous. I also acquired a Taiwan-English accent and improved my Chinese a little! Such are the joys of going with the flow.

Mahjong on Friday was unplanned. It was one of our most exciting games to date and I had fun hanging out with them. Even got my Spreedom stuff from Louis, amongst them a pair of Wayfarers to replace the one that broke in Phuket.

Slept at 7 and woke up at 10 for tuition. Taught two lessons and then got news that another Louis managed to get tickets for F1 and so his brother queued for passes and bought one for me. Rushed down from Woodlands at 5, chomped down a Big Mac and entered Zone 3 with sauce still on the side of my mouth. The place was buzzing with excitement and the crowd was international.

Daughtry was singing the moment we got there. He wore a batman T-shirt and looked like a superhero on stage. He was passionate and bursting with energy. It was wonderful to see him perform. And so we sang along. Yeah it feels like tonight, I'm going home to a place where I belong, IT'S NOT OVER.

Then for four hours we waited. I went to the toilet. On the way to the toilet a white maxi cab drove by this road which had restricted access. Possibly because there were portable toilets. And then I saw this pale faced woman staring out, smiling. Then she did a little wave and in that moment, the light bulb came on and I went "OMYFUCKLAMBERT!?".

When he finally took the stage, a bruise had developed on my ankle from my Timberland boots. For Your Entertainment played and we screamed and as he took the stage, my mind as blown. Song after song he sang, with effortless vocal gymnastics and this mad presence. He didn't walk, he strutted. He didn't sing, he belted. Every move was so energetic, so flamboyant, so hiao! Even when I had no voice I was screaming. Even when my feet hurt I was jumping. The crowd never let up, especially during Wataya Want From Me and If I Had You.

I was thankful that nobody snapped a photo of my because I might have looked rather deranged.

He looked positively delighted to be on stage, possibly at the fact that he kissed his bassist on stage and thus turning Singapore into a glam nation.

And that, was my wonderful weekend spent making conversation that was drowned by roaring engines and rock music. I say the weekdays are meant to be spent resting so we can party during the weekends. And I'm looking forward to the next one already!

No Mistakes

"If you're wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn't love you anymore."

Confessions of a Rudebox Soldier

The era of the Compact Disc is slowly dying. As much as I would like it to stay, digital has taken the world by storm. The physical copy, the thrill of going into a shop and getting one, smelling the new plastic case and eventually popping the disc into the player before it provides an hour of aural stimulation... I'm holding on to a tradition that's gradually disappearing and relishing every moment.

Gramaphone was having a sale. I think it is on permanent sale mode. I went in today with Qiqi and Nessie, two people who probably have the least control when it comes to shopping. I searched and these three were going for a dollar each and they were too good to pass up.

One was of a trio who conquered the world but is now remembered for producing the world's most formidable female artistes. One was a teen superstar and now a party-wreck. Lastly, the singer who was the most famous male singer from the UK but has now seems to have lost his footing.

Destiny Fulfilled (2004), A Little More Personal (2005), Rudebox (2006).

I love the music from those years. Listening to them makes it feel like I've gone back in time, a time where life wasn't so complicated and possibly, a little more relaxed.

Undertow

I don't wanna talk now

I don't wanna hear you scream no more

Want somebody to save me

Everything I do feels like its wrong

All we do is fall down

Even though we try to stay afloat

I swear its gonna kill me

Even though you think it won't

Why am I confused if you love me

Thought this would be smooth sailing

And I don't wanna let you go

But we're caught in the undertow

谢谢你我尝过爱的好

快乐是我的 不是你给的
寂寞要自己负责

Spaceman

Star-maker says it ain't so bad
Dream-maker's gonna make you mad
Spaceman says everybody look down

It's all in your mind.

Sunday Afternoon

You have blood on your hands
And I'm feeling faint

You poured blood in my heart
And I can't get enough

There is blood on my feet
As I walk away

My New Hero

Black and Gold

Circus

Britney's Spears' new single Womanizer,off her sixth studio album Circus, will debut on US airwaves tomorrow.

Haters to the left.

Make You Laugh Like You Never Did

After Colin pointed in the right direction yesterday, I had the youtube performance on standby all day just so I could see it again and have a right laugh!

Mariah I'm-the-diva Carey made an appearance on Good Morning America. She strut her stuff (showing off her body, the dress, that attitude and oh, her singing) and performed tracks off E=MC2. There was a technical screw-up (I won't call it a glitch and neither would M) that left her trying to save the performance by herself. She did admirably well. I put myself in her shoes and I could never imagine singing "Stop singing my part baby" when the second cock-up happened.

It was even better when she, immediately after belting that line, belted out the part that was just played by the recording, pitting herself against it and showing that she could sing almost as well as her records any day, any time.

She wrapped things up by saying that she was creative and bringing something new to the moment everytime. Check it out here, Mariah's I-don't-know-how-manieth-Billboard-#1, Touch My Body

Shame on you Mimi if you didn't mean to sing live, but good save nonetheless.

School, Britney, CL

I wanted to start this entry talking about cheerleading but I thought that would be very predictable, so, maybe I'll move on to something less predictable, like school.

I hate talking about school. It's been a nasty piece of work recently, and it gets worse when you're struggling to understand how what you're learning relates to you. I'm really quite lost during Info Lit & Interpretation as well as Fundamentals of Research. In fact, after last sem's Fundamentals of Maths, I feel a strong sense of repulsion when I see modules that begin with the word "Fundamental". However the tutor is rather good, so that's something to be thankful for. I'm quite sianified by the assignments because I have no idea what I'm supposed to do exactly (and most of my school mates concur). I don't feel that I have enough time to do it so... yeah I'm so screwed. The only thing I did right was taking Visual Literacy & Comm because that is a hell lot of fun. Although it does seem like a lot of work, I guess it'll be a lot of fun too. We spent our 2 hour tutorial today fiddling with videocameras. Ooh yeah and they don't seem to be plagued by endless readings too.

During that tutorial today I was also asked to introduce myself and then tell the class something interesting to remember me by. The only thing that I could think of was that I liked Britney, but being a wreck as she is (I'm still proud of her) I didn't think she'd do wonders for my first impression (which obviously doesn't matter because your first impression of her was dancing in sexy school uniform in ...Baby One More Time than Gimme More at VMAs), so I ended up revealing the fact that I got my name Jason from the Power Rangers. The Red Ranger, anybody? It's something that never fails to amaze.

Speaking of Britney Spears, the other song that have playing everyday other than Janet's Feedback, is Piece of Me. James Masterton of http://www.launch.co.uk/ accurately points out the singer's current situation as her current single slams itself into #2 on the UK Singles Charts this week.

By way of no small coincidence, it is a team of Swedish songwriters who are behind the success of the surprise Number 2 single of the week, a single which just so happens to feature Robyn on backing vocals. The track in question is 'Piece Of Me' from Britney Spears for whom it seems there is no such publicity as bad publicity. The followup to Top 3 hit 'Gimmie More', the ability of Britney Spears to sell pop records in the face of what is becoming an increasingly disturbing tabloid-fuelled meltdown is something at which we can only marvel. Whereas once she was feted for her looks, her personality and her talent as a performer, virtually all her media coverage at the present time is focused on her declining health, her fractured personal life and her deteriorating state of mind. Her promotional work for her music is precisely zero, yet for all of this her records are selling in such a way that chart books of the future will record this period as one of her most artistically fruitful ever whilst the newspapers tell a story that is quite the reverse. 'Piece Of Me' is now her biggest hit since 'Everytime' topped the singles chart in 2004 and at this point I'd normally make some comment about how the track compares musically to past endeavours. On the face of it however, it hardly seems to matter.

Britters went out for shopping at 2:20AM yesterday in torn fishnet stockings and no underwear.

I went to JB to get my hair cut yesterday. I like how it is now, although I guess everyone else has to get used to it. I've always had my hair short, and last semester was probably the only time in my life I had my fringe covering my forehead! Well, you certainly can't please everyone and it's definitely easier to deal with so... no regrets! Oh, and it was only 12 bucks cos I had 30% off. I was quite disappointed that my stylist didn't work there anymore and they got someone else to cut my hair. It's good, but the other guy was much, much better. Going to JB was also therapeutic. It's been some time since I've been there and the atmosphere is just different there. It's like a great escape from hectic studying schedules and all!

I've received my cheerleading uniform and I think it looks a bit big on me. Not that it's going to affect my performance. I'm now confident of most of the stunts that I have to do except the cartwheel which I've got to do in front of everybody! I'm just not consistent with it - sometimes it looks passable and sometimes it sucks. I have just 3 more trainings to get it right though, and I'm sure that's more than enough time. It's also kinda sian that people are getting injured because aside from the fact that we can't do the stunts (which basically relies on teamwork), it's kind of painful to see your teammates in pain. All of us have our little injuries here and there so we don't feel wonderful and perfectly alright, but for those who are injured that badly, I think we've got a pretty good picture of what they must be undergoing to keep them out of action. Whatever it is, we're going down to have an on-site rehearsal this Saturday morning, and Wednesday is the day that we'll be having our competition.

I still cannot get over the fact that there's only 3 more trainings! Ahh!

Blake Lewis - Audio Day Dream

Blake Lewis is definitely one of the most exciting artists I've come across in a long time. I haven't been a fan of American Idol. I think the last time I watched it was the season with Fantastia. Despite not following the lastest season, I've heard a lot about the contestant who has had the guts to break out from mere singing and incorporated beat-boxing. One thing I thought was great was that he had a unique character, he stood out and he already had an idea of what his signature sound would be.

Sorta reminds me of Daniel Bedingfield.

This album is all over the place, with all sorts of different sounds and genres mixed into it. I like the spontaneity and the fact that it sounds like him. This is, of course, in contrast to Britney who probably roped in all the producers she wanted asked them to write for her and just pick out those that sound like what she wanted. She has musical vision, but its not the same as what Blake has, which would probably sound tighter and more focused with a couple more albums.

I think he freaked record execs out with the album he was trying to make but thanks to recent successes with the electronic sound from producers like Timbaland, this album kind of sounds like Justin Timberlake-lite.

There are a couple of stand out tracks including the lead single Break Anotha, Gots to Get Her and How Many Words. I might get this album before I get Blackout. Yeah, I haven't bought it yet!

Ella ella ella

I love pop culture because people can relate to it. It's popular. You could argue with popularity, but you'd be wrong! Anyway, MadTV has decided to add a sprinkle of politics to Rihanna's Umbrella and the result is hilarious! I've watched it thrice already, and I'm usually not fan of parodies but this one had me laughing till the cows came. Home.

Hilary & Obama - Obama (MadTv Umbrella Parody)
Uploaded by yardie4life

The polls have me in the lead, but your pole's the only thing I need!