What are Your Top 10 Songs?

I really2 like Brit bands (the big names like Beatles and U2), but I deeply appreciate American band like Dave Matthews Band and Dave Matthews's solo performance (have a major crush on Dave).

Dave Matthews Band

I also adore Rufus W, particularly his album Poses. He's just one gorgeous gay and I mean he truly relies on his music and never throws some popularity stunt the way Adam Lambert did at the AMA. We know you're gay Adam, get over yourself.

Rufus Wainwright

Or Adam Lambert? What a waste of talent.

A little pop couldn't hurt either, that is why I appreciate Robbie Williams and Stevie Wonder, with all their quirks.

Oh... and another last year discovery, Peter Bjorn & John... they're just so witty to pass.

Ok, here's the list.
1. Dodo by Dave Matthews
2. Ants Marching by Dave Matthews Band
3. Grace is Gone by Dave Matthews Band
4. Paris 2004 - Peter Bjorn & John
5. Advertising Space - Robbie Williams
6. From the Bottom of My Heart - Stevie Wonder
7. Grey Gardens by Rufus Wainwright
8. While My Guitar Gently Weeps by The Beatles
9. Across The Universe by The Beatles (and the Rufus Wainwright version)
10. Mysterious Ways - U2
11. Memories and Dust by Josh Pyke
12. Suddenly I see - KT Tunstall
13. Sleeps with Butterflies by Tori Amos
14.Tears for Affairs by Camera Obscura
15. If She Wants Me by Belle & Sebastian

I can't help posting number 11-15, here are why:

1. Currently liking Josh Pyke, an Australian by the way (the first Australian musician I really appreciate since Pete Murray).

Josh Pyke

2. Really2 like KT Tunstall & Tori Amos's vocal, music and style - They rock without being over the top like Amy Winehouse or that Lady Gaga (gasp!)

3. As I was saying, adore Brit bands. My latest discoveries are Belle & Sebastian and Camera Obscura. Can't get enough of them.

Belle & Sebastian

Camera Obscura

Voiceless Singer-Wannabes

I am no singer (and you must thank me for this).

I can't play musical instrument. Not one.

Yet, I love music, particularly the one referred to as "alternative music".


What the F is "alternative"? Who gave the term alternative anyway? Alternative music is the critics way of saying the new sounds are "unfit" to their established categories - rock, pop, country, jazz, keroncong (really?), classic (read: really really old and depressing stuff - sorry guys - I don't have to get myself used to this genre to be acknowledged as an intelligent person), folk, blues, rap, etc.

See? they even give constant foul mouthed complaints a specific category!

And they refer DMB, Pearl Jam, Peter Bjorn and John, The Decemberists and The Killers (I could go on and on here people) as "alternative"? To what? Music? That's pretty insulting guys!

The New Pornographers

Changchutters

This "new" category showed the critics incapability of finding new categories for these new found sounds (identified since early 90s) by these new talented singers and bands refuse to be dictated by the establishment. Music critics is a bunch of narrow-minded-self-declared-ancient-people (who by the way are not musicians, can't sing and can't play - just llike you and me) that make a living out of critisizing singers and bands (hello?!! Did you guys not see the irony here?).

Does that make me a musician or a singer? Thank GOD no, if yes, you'd have to buy my CD along with a set of ear plug or insurance for wanting to kill yourself while hearing me sing.

Same goes for the critics: you voiceless singer-wannabes!

Big Whiskey and The GrooGrux King

I've been listening for the first single (Funny The Way It Is) of the new Dave Matthews Band album (post title) since March this year (the band generously let their fans download the song in their official website). All I can say is: this song made me very much looking forward to the real deal.

The cover is designed by Dave himself and picturing the late LeRoi Moore (DMB saxophonist who passed away last year in an accident). Roi's death was actually in the middle of this album recording process. GrooGrux King is his nick name and the album art explain Roi and the band well.

This is their first studio album since 2005 and if you're a die hard fans like me and hoping for Dave's acoustic, don't get your hope high as he's shifting (at least for this album) to more electric. But somehow his move makes perfect sense without leaving his signature guitar play and quirky and brilliant lyricism.

(Listening to this album while writing this post) I'm catching similarities with 1998's Before These Crowded Streets.

DMB wind up returning to their roots and reviving the loose-limbed jams, a sound they've largely abandoned. Now, everything seem to be falling into places, their signature clean and elastic solos are back - on record. Since this is the band that is widely recognized for their outstanding and exhaustive live performances (which is better than their studio versions).

You can expect to find epic song ala "dont drink the water" (Squirm - the ref is perfection!), implicit messages that all love (Laying in the Hands of God) and loss (Why I Am) can be felt and shared through music. I can feel the band's loss of a very dear friend. Music creation itself is the reason they're here - and it's not just an album tribute to LeRoi Moore, it's a reason for the band to keep moving on. This album is the perfect interpretation of the new millennium DMB and I'm loving it to the core.

Verdict:

Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King is by far DMB's richest, most powerful and quite possibly best album.

25 (trivial) Things About Me

1. Having the word 'medina' as my name, I often being asked if I was born there, in Medina. I know it's a way of extending a conversation, but I dislike the question.

2. I'm terribly addicted to caffeine. I've tried to quit in the past, but when work pressure/stress increases, so does my caffeine intake. I'm always looking forward to my morning coffee at the office.

3. Gregory House fascinates me. I like 'broken' men.


4. I can tell when being lied to, I often asked questions to test if the person is lying.

5. I like the word 'zen' and would love to be a zen person, but don't think I'll ever be one, I'm not even 'zenish'.

6. I'm always suspicious of overly nice and sweet people, I'm afraid that they might gave me diabetes.


7. I can walk around the house (even climb the stairs) with my eyes closed.

8. I can crack open a pint of Ben & Jerry Magic Brownies and finish the whole thing at the same time.

9. My parents don't use their last name and so do I. Never know why, but doesn't mean that I'm not proud being an Alhadar.

10. The cruelest kind of torture? Listen to these songs around the clock: Power of Love, My Heart Will Go On, To Love You More (Celine Dion), I will do anything for you (Meatloaf), Boyz 2 Men songs, Mariah Carey songs, Firehouse songs.

11. I hardly ever (if not never) have runny nose (ew!), my great grandmother used to gave me ice cubes since I was 1 month old (bizarre but useful, huh?!).


12. I enjoy singing, even though I'm aware that my friends and family will go nuts listening to me.

13. I've had a major crush on Jordan Knight from NKOTB and Keanu Reeves, not anymore though.

14. I'm afraid of heights, a major weeper when it comes to playing outdoor games.

15. I've only been in love once in my life (I mean crazily-deeply-madly in love), the one that made you do stupid things.

16. Every time I got sick (even if it's only a common cold) I think of dying.

17. I like playing card games (especially troof).

18. I like to cook, even if sometimes they ended up not as I intended them to be.

19. I eat everything - from rice to fried bananas to crackers - with sambal.


20. I don't do mornings. I'm just not a morning person.

21. I like long holidays, but not for my pants. Holidays are bad for my pants.

22. It's hard for me to be close to someone, at first. But once they got to know me, they'll know that I'm not as arrogant as I look.

23. I wish I had Michael Knight's Car (KIT), since I secretly want to crash every motorcycles that got in my way every day on the road (without getting a single dent). They are really getting out of line, both in numbers AND behavior.


24. I know I'm not normal, and I've decided that I don't care. I listen to 'weird' music, watch 'quirky' films, I eat french fries with chocolate topping, I put pepper in my hot chocolate,

25. I treat my car as my home (you can find from CDs, magazines, DVDs, makeup kit, perfume, candies, clean clothes, boxes of shoes, everything....)

Is My Playlist Harming (the ears of) My Colleagues?

Where I work, we are juggled into a not so big room consist of 8 persons (including me). With the pint size room, we can hear others speak, or sometimes if we really concentrate to eavesdropped, we can even hear someone whispers. Neat right?!

Someone - or is it everyone? - once mentioned that there is no secret in that room. This can be beneficial AND damaging sometimes. Meaning we know our friend's personal conversation, personal argument, personal problem, even down to the romance department. But, let's discuss this some other time.

When arriving @ the office we used to race on who will be the first to play music on their computer. Most of the time that person is me. Music plays an important driver to my work, just like coffee.

When arrive at the office the first thing I do is turn on the computer, and while waiting for it to start I make myself a cup of coffee. A moment later, coffee is ready and so is the computer. Then I turn on my secretary (Ms. Outlook), to refresh my calendar and emails. While waiting for my emails to load, I click the music application and select songs that I would be playing for the rest of the day.


The Playlist

Selecting the playlist can be flattering (or harmful) to my colleagues ears. But you know how each person is different right? How each person is individualistic depending on their own nature and character, my playlist is probably a reflection of my character. Again... let's not discuss character. Let's play it safe by discussing what songs/artists are usually (and most of the time) IN my playlist.

1. Acoustic. I am a big fan of Jack Johnson (the complete albums), so I frequently play his songs. One friend comment that he never realize what a big fan of reggae I am until he hears Jack around the clock (I sometimes play the complete discography the whole day - all 80 songs). By the way, Jack's music is TOTALLY NOT REGGAE!! It's called acoustic, people. Let's not forget Ben Harper, Matt Costa and Mason Jennings... they are all part of this genre.


2. The Quirky Tree Girls. Tori (Amos), Fiona (Apple) and Joni (Mitchell). Also have the complete albums and even DVD collections. I've been a fan of the ladies for a long time. Actually I like Joni first and I find that Tori and Fiona has similar music so, naturally I adore them as well. Try to listen to them and you'll fall madly in love as well. Not sure my roomies (at the office) would though.



3. The Alternative Genre. Started listen to this at the same time Pearl Jam release its first album. Pearl Jam, DMB, Soundgarden, Green Day, Gin Blossoms, Collective Soul, etc. One more thing, Even though Soundgarden is officially dead, Chris (Cornell) is still productive (be it Audioslave or going solo).


4. The Brits. The Beatles, U2, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen, Mika and Mark Ronson. My friends used to comments every time I play Ronson's Version. They said his songs are like anthems of police movies (the scene where criminals being chased by police in a car race).



5. Indie. Peter Bjorn and John is my new thing here, along with The Decemberists and The Hush Sound. So yes, I play them around the clock also (occasionally). One friend comment that he can tolerate some of Peter Bjorn and John's songs.



6. Actually I am not into R & B, but I make an exception for John Legend. He is just awesome and keeps getting better and better, don't you think? You should listen to his new album Evolver.

7. The Locals. Recurring playlist members are: Benyamin Sueb. Been trying to transfer my Ebiet G. Ade Collection to my office computer. I also enjoy Dewa (before Dhani's big mouth happen). I don't really like current and happenning local music, except for Andra's Sempurna - which I played around the clock and drove my friends crazy.




8. The Obvious. Miscellaneous Genre. I still consider myself a jazz and pop fan. I can listen to music from Sarah Brightman to Christina Aguillera. From Andrea Bocelli to Jason Mraz. Call me tasteless. Fine with it, as I don't adore a specific genre.

There you go.... will your ears hurt if you're in the same office room as me?
Probably yes, or probably yours even quirkier than mine.