  I've been naughty last weekend. Went to Tower Records KL and found this wonderful bargain bin full of Tower Singapore "write-off" CDs for RM9.90 each. Haven't been this excited since I rummaged through Notting Hill Gate's Music Exchange bargain basements practically every day of the week when I was studying in London. Bought a few CDs too. I found some long-desired CDs that I simply couldn't afford (or couldn't find) when they first came out.
Bought the album Sparking Ray Gun by MARS NEEDS WOMEN. Always read about them in power pop 'zines but have never seen their CD before. Now I got it, for RM9.90!!! Not really a big deal. Pretty good Enuff Znuff & Cheap Trick inspired power pop, which means it rocks and kicks your ass big time. Maybe I need more time to get acquainted with them. Also got Mock Heroic by ADMIRAL TWIN. Now this I like. Reminds me of people like Brian Leach, Weird Summer, Sugarbuzz and maybe some Swirl 360. Adult power pop, if you want to call it that. It maybe is a little bit over-produced, since it is on a major label, but there are some totally irresistible songs on it that I keep on playing like mad, like "Better Than Nothing At All". Keeps me smiling even though I've been rather glum lately cause I miss my baby.... Then there's WESTON and their major label debut. They were from this time when the American punk underground were charmed by a select group of bands like Discount and Sicko, who merged pop-punk with a little bit of indie-rock a la Superchunk. I expected more of the same at first. But when I put this CD on I was absolutely stunned, because this CD strongly reminds me of Jimmy Eat World's masterwork, their album titled "Clarity".
It's truly a wonder why this album, or this band for that matter, are rarely mentioned by emo fans today. They're not as musically proficient as J.E.W but they're pretty close!!! I've always had a soft spot for pop punk and emo, so I'm sure this CD will be popped into the CD player quite often. And last but not least, the gold mine, the holy grail, is the self titled CD by THE WAKING HOURS. When this came out, people in the power pop fraternity were raving and drooling all over this band. But their CD was only available on Import, and cost about GBP18.99 so I really couldn't afford it. What a fool I've been for this CD is almost EXACTLY what I currently want to achieve with my band, 'couple'.
It is the most perfect, awesome and jaw dropping blend of American power pop and Britpop I've ever heard. Just imagine The Shazam, The Heartdrops and Phantom Planet all rolled into one perfect combination. It kicks ass, it makes you smile, it makes you go all gooey, it has everything for every mood. They just released a new CD independently and you can bet my ass I'm gonna get it. Hallelujah!!! What a fool, huh? What a fool... You may probably be wondering by now, when the hell will this smart-ass write about the cinema, like he said he would.
Well, my wonderful flock of sheep, all I can say is, patience.... Have some patience. Teacher's not in the mood yet to talk about the cinema. But worry not, teacher will.... 
