www.seipokai.com

This is to all the sh*t that’s going on around me and to all the people that I give a damn, a big fat F**k You. Onwards to the real deal.

The Shins - Wincing The Night Away

1. Sleeping Lessons
2. Australia
3. Pam Berry
4. Phantom Limb
5. Sea Legs
6. Red Rabbits
7. Turn Me On
8. Black Wave
9. Split Needles
10. Girl Sailor
11. A Comet Appears

Apparently Natalie Portman describes The Shins as a “life changing” band. So I picked up their latest album to sample their flavour of indie pop/folk rock sound, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised as I was expecting a commercial sound to the folk genre and yet I was presented with a soothing approach to their outlook of what music could be. Soothing is the right word. Sleeping lessons is one of those rare introductory tracks that you would remember very very well, with dreamy notes from synthesizers acting as a backdrop and slowly becomes a well orchestrated crescendo of synthesizer, bass, drums and guitar. The vocalist James Russell Mercer serenates clever lyrics which you will be humming for quite a while.
Australia is another very memorable track, albeit heavy Beach Boys influenced.

I’ll keep this review short. The Shins - Wincing The Night Away gets 3-1/2 stars from me. They’ve got great lyrics and a few tracks show experimentalism which always gets a nod from me. A great album to accompany you whilst reading a good book or whilst relaxing after a tiring day.

Kicking off my return to www.seipokai.com I’d like to share a few things that’s been keeping me within the realms of sanity.

Being engrossed in my faith is very rewarding and a rather eye opening experience, finding out weaknesses within my character and actually finding answers rather than swimming in a vast ocean of confusion.

My pair of KOSS UR-20’s. RM298.00 very well invested indeed. Yes, some would find purchasing a pair of ear deafening equipment at such ridiculous prices rather insane, however, I’d beg you to differ once you had a go at them!

Puffing on cancer sticks as usual while contemplating topics of interest to further bloat www.seipokai.com

Sadly I won’t be going back to Brunei for Chinese New Year holidays which is rather depressing as I’d love to see all my mates again. Parents seem to think that coming over to Kuching would be a good idea. Arguing with them would lead to nowhere so, I’ve decided to accept the fact and adapt to the situation when they come over rather than being all anal about it.