The Boredphucks (A Tribute to Music Made In Singapore)

Singapore's local music always has a place in my heart. I felt that the music made by our local bands/musicians is comparable to any made in the world, some even much better.

The Boredphucks were one such band. A three piece band which plays a mixture of pop-rock, they were famous for an incident in which they played an open air concert once and were arrested duly after they belt out songs filled with expletives. Their live version of a song called 'Ai Sio Kan Mai?' (in a local dialect translated into 'You Wanna Get FxxK?' is one of the greatest songs i have ever heard. Loud, brutal, no-holds barred, uninhibited - this is the true spirit of rock and roll.

Unfortunately, their drummer Wayne 'Thunder' Seah passed away in his sleep in 2007, thus ending the band.

'Na Beh Chee Bye,
Ai Sio Kan Mai?'

- Ai Sio Kan Mai (Live)

Africa

'Africa' is one of the most recognisable 80s song by US rock group TOTO and it is a very well written and crafted song.

Tomorrow, the World Cup kicks off in South Africa, promising soccer fans from all corners of the world a month filled with endless soccer entertainment.

Let the beautiful game begin

'I guess it rains down in Africa'

- Africa

Remembering 'Lucky'

Mother

Luna Sea is a japanese rock band. They belong to the era of 'visual rock', and producing great rock tracks. This slow burning ballad 'Mother' is one of their best, especially the middle section and outro of a violin solo played by guitarist Sugizo. Listen to it closely and it actually mimics the sound of seagulls. This great live version is so touching that it often brought my senses to another planet and my eyes close to tears each time.

This song is for my mother, who gives everything that she can possibly give in her lifetime to me.

'Mother of love
Bring a dawn Bring me salvation Where should I go? What should I do?
Bring a dawn Bring me salvation I want love I want to love'

- Mother (translated)

Chinese Democracy

Guns & Roses is one of the most iconic rock bands in my generation. Any self discerning rock fan will have heard of their classic hits from 'Sweet Child O' Mine' to 'November Rain'. It took them almost 16 years since 1992 to release a new album in late 2008 with 'Chinese Democracy'. While i don't really dig the whole album in its entirety, the title track is really a blast and i really enjoyed it till today.

Contrary to what the song title suggest, Democracy is a not something i agree totally, looking in the light of what is happening in Thailand at the moment from demonstrations escalating to bloodshed and violence, blowing into a civil war between the government and its people and bringing the country and its economy to its knees. When reading news of such situations happening around the war, i will always compare it side to side to the Tiananmen Square Massacre which happened on 14 April 1989 in Beijing, China, which i felt strongly should be the yardstick by which how governments should act in dire situations as this. Amidst days of continuing protests and demonstrations by mostly China students against the PRC government, the then Deng Xiaoping ordered military tanks to charge into the square and fire upon the demonstrators, sending them fleeing but also causing massive injuries and deaths. The protests came to a halt instantly, albeit causing worldwide condemnation of the Chinese government.

When i first read of the news of the massacre as a young kid then, i too reacted with much like most people do - to label the Chinese government barbaric and cruel. It was when i was much older and read deeper into the issues and become more aware of world affairs that i realize that what Deng Xiaoping did was the right thing, to end off the violence in the shortest and most effective way possible. Where there is people, there is bound to be divisions, divided opinions and ideas and that is exactly what makes democracy a dirty word most of the time. Give people too much freedom of speech, freedom of action and that's where trouble starts. A government or for that matter, any leader make decisions which will not satisfy everyone on the ground but if it is for the best of the situation and the future., then a bold one must be taken, even if it means unfavorable among some or in this instance, to cause bloodshed to let the people know who is in charge here, ,which is exactly how the Thai government should react at this moment of time. Pure democracy should have no place in this world.

Fields Of Gold

Sting is one of the most accomplished musicians in modern pop/rock music. After his music career with THE POLICE, he forged a strong solo music journey that is diverse in many genres and styles.

In 1993, the single 'Fields of Gold' was released. This calm and serene ballad evokes strong feelings of nostalgia as well as a feeling of hope for the future, each time i listened to it. That 'in the days still left, when we walked in fields of gold', that could well mean walking and living in better days ahead.

As i look through the sea of people today, i just can't help thinking you are somewhere in there...

'Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We'll forget the sun, in this jealous sky
As we walk in Fields Of Gold'

- Fields Of Gold

Personal Jesus

I started listening to Depeche Mode from as early as my ears and senses could pick up music. They are my favourite and top music band. The mysterious aura and dark overtones surrounding their songs was something i embrace and could identify with till today. In 1989, Depeche Mode released 'Personal Jesus' as a single preceding the release of 'Violator', one of their highest acclaimed album and inspiring countless music bands since. I believe this song is still banned in many radio stations around the world, it is not difficult to know why just by looking at the song title itself.

It is not a song about jesus but rather, Martin Gore chief music writer of the band, cleverly uses it as a metaphor to describe a lover as akin to a higher power - somewhere who is always there, someone who cares, someone who is 'your own personal jesus'. I like that. Intelligent lyrics married to a galloping guitar riff makes this a top Depeche Mode song.

Someday soon i hope to find her. I'll be her personal jesus and she'll be mine too.

'Lift up the receiver
I'll make you a believer
I will deliver
You know i am a forgiver' - Personal Jesus