Saturday 28 September 2013

Tether by Chvrches (Track Review)


My friend Orion had high praises for this song and so I had pretty high expectations prior to listening to it. I'm not saying I'm disappointed but I'm not saying I'm jumping in my seat either. Sorry, dude. Friends with similar tastes in music is so boring anyway. We love each other because we got our own quirks right?
I am a sucker for great voices. It doesn't matter so much the melody or the lyrics, as long as the voice is stellar. It is what's stamped in my brain long after a song has finished playing, how the vocals accentuated or ruined the song. Voices are instruments. Like strings and drums they have to be tuned in to the spirit of the music too. Lauren Mayberry has the kind of voice that could sing the phone book to me and I would be blissfully happy. She sounds like a young, less grungy Hayley Williams and her voice has its own, approachable quality. Truly, the intro to this got me hooked immediately because by the first two seconds Lauren was singing.
This song didn't really have anything particularly wrong with it. I do like it even if I don't necessarily love it. It feels lacking somehow. Maybe I wanted more from Lauren's voice? More emotion. More conviction. That sounds so The Voice judge like somehow, I know. I suppose I was expecting the song to move my heart and soul, transport me somewhere, or some such nonsense. Thing is, I think she could do it or they could and that's why I feel so cheated. Think Florence and the Machines. A level higher and she could be that or it could be that epic. They could even be better! Regardless, my interest has been piqued and this is the kind of song that would definitely make me want to buy this band's album just to see what else they have up their sleeves. Or to find out if they have in fact already produced that epic song! And the fact that I care so much means that I--surprisingly--have become a fan. Fancy that!
It's a good teaser, but I want more, Chvrches!

Sunday 22 September 2013

Fake You Out by Twenty One Pilots (Track Review)


The Mario Brothers. That's what the intro reminded me of initially. It's a good thing. it's a bad thing. It's got synthesizers, baby, and it's not ashamed of it. It also has Tyler Joseph, who has the funkiest, sexiest and most alluring voice, which reaches peak performance while it teases that falsetto. It's those high notes that are indelibly lodged in my brain long after I've stopped listening to the song. I have to say I don't mind that one bit.

I don't love this song. I don't hate it either. I love parts of it. As a total musical experience, it's an acquired taste. And if your musical taste tends towards the adventurous then this is worth checking out. Synthesizers. Male falsetto. Rap. Screaming growl. They're all in this song! Do yourself a favor and listen to the whole thing before formulating an opinion about it or the band. As for me, high marks just for Tyler's voice! The rest is growing on me.

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Worlds Highest Bungee - Macau

I've never gone bungee jumping  but it's definitely one of the few things I'd wanna try at least before I turn 30.

It wasn't until we booked a flight  to Macau to chill,  that we thought of doing the bungee,  since the Highest Bungee is located there.

I felt excited and  nervous at the same time.  I   became sleepless for some nights just thinking about it and the more imagine myself jumping from that high tower, the more I became anxious. Few weeks before, I even  thought about canceling the booking for bungee. But heck!  I managed to get my guts back.


 After partying in Hong Kong,  took the ferry to Macau and scheduled for 4pm jump the next day.



OFF TO THE TOWER:

Macau tower measures 388 m ( 1,109 ft) in height from ground level to the highest point.


On the way to the tower my heart started beating fast, my knees started trembling but mind over matter worked.



AT THE TOWER:
  After the registration and paying  non refundable $$$, took to the elevator to 61st floor.  The jump off point is 233 meters high ( 764 ft)  S**  here we go !!

It was overwhelming!!!

After registration, the crew assisted us to wear the harness and was weighed a couple of times. We were then asked to sit down and wait for our turn. Some people were already jumping in the platform and i just wanted to be next so i can get it over and done with! I was just already too excited and scared!
 One crew handed  us can of beers. lol.   That helped a bit.


 AT THE PLATFORM:

We  were then asked to go to the platform for our turn.  Thanks to the background music being played, it made me feel upbeat. While waiting and chatting with the crew, they kept joking that it  may be the last time they'll see me.  Honestly, you will not think about dying, you're  just anxious about the process.

Then the guy before me did his jump. Whew! He screamed really good.  haha

 I was asked now to sit down so they can get me ready. I remember asking the crew, who's harnessing me up and how many times he has done it.  He said about 100.  Phew!  at least he knows what he's doing and I'm safe. :-)




ON THE LEDGE:

My turn!!

The crew asked me to move forward to the ledge and I was still joking with them. Laughing.

 Everything just sinked in my mind when they attached the rope to the harness on my feet. It felt heavy and I felt being pulled down.  That's when I started getting really scared.

My smile faded and my knees started trembling.  The crew asked me to waive here and there for the camera but my mind just totally blacked out of what's happening.  Darn what did I get myself into??! Clearly there's no turning back with the non-refundable $$$ and my pride commitment.  The crew told me not to think too much of the jump and think of something else and so I did. I was ready! Pfffffffff!!!




THE JUMP:

The crew started counting and I was about to jump then was stopped because their radio was not on. Pfff!

Finally the real counting began and  without hesitation I just let myself fall. It was the scariest thing I have  ever felt in my life. I screamed on the  top of my lungs as gravity pulled me down as soon as I jumped. The 6 seconds free fall  felt like forever!!! I was expecting a bit of a rush and I'm down there but  it was like falling in slow motion.


As the rope pulled me back  for the rebound, I knew that's the end of the jump. I just started laughing and shouting because I couldn't  believe I did  something like this shit. The excitement, sleepless nights, anxiety and adrenaline rush..  ahhh  it was an overwhelming, indescribable  amazing  feeling!

At the end of the jump I was left upside down. I had difficulty releasing the strap to put me upright  because I didn't have much energy left but finally I did.



 AFTER JUMP:

 This really scared the shit out of me!  My knees were still trembling  when I was on the ground.  I had to do go up again to the tower to get my stuffs and meet with others. We were all feeling great  as we chatted about our experience.

After the jump all I wanted to do was go to a bar and drink to celebrate my guts!!

 Headed to the pool  after, had  champagne  and went to a bar   to party then  Casino.

I'd say  just give it a try!






FYI:

* Visit   ajhackett.com/macau  for more info If you wanna do the jump. It is expensive but it's really worth your $$$.


Here's the video of the jump. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijM7tSuCqsA

I screamed like a dying pig!  hahahhha


Monday 16 September 2013

Fashionstyleology London Street Fashion Book Launch

Fashionstyleologer: London Street Fashion, the fashion book of the season is out and I'm in it. Yasss!  I attended the book launch last week and it was lovely meeting the amazing people who took part  in  the project. It was a display of London's finest street style photos at Gallery DIFFERENT, showcasing 50 exclusive photographers and 200 street fashionistas. The place was packed with bloggers, stylists, photographers, and fashion aficionados who were thrilled to see the book unveiled. It was a fashion night out! Cocktails were served while people revel in the exhibit of street style portraits hanging on the wall. Well done fashionstyleology.com, a successful event indeed! Don't forget to get a copy of the book and be inspired by the eclectic collection of London street style photos.
What I'm wearing: H&M shirt, Zara Jacket, River Island Jeans, Nike Air Max Trainers
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Here are the pics from the photo shoot for the book. Photographer: Silviu Doroftei.
What I'm wearing: Marni at H&M shirt, COS jumper, H&M denim jacket, Vesace for H&M printed jeans, Converse trainers, Ralph Lauren sunnies.

Monday 9 September 2013

Heart Out by The 1975 (Track Review)




I like this song. At least I did initially. Is it just me or does this song remind you of a certain Katy Perry song? Or does it remind you of Katy Perry period? That totally ruins it for me. There's a great acapella run near the end of the song that is pretty good and the song is really quite nice. But all throughout it I was so disturbed by the thought that I'd heard this song before that it just killed my total appreciation of it. I don't know who to blame it on to be quite honest. Katy Perry. The 1975. The radio and TV stations that keep playing Katy Perry songs. I suppose it's a testament to the fact that she has left an indelible mark on music that certain melodies and songs remind people of her. Surely other artists influenced her music as well but do we remember them? Is the fact that I remember her more of a reflection on me than on her? I want to be objective, but alas my musical background seems like a crutch at the moment. Thus, I leave you to formulate your own opinion about it.

iTunes classifies this song under the alternative genre. It sounds more like pop. Still, if you have never heard of Katy Perry (and I do not hold that against you, you rare species you) then you may appreciate this wonderful, upbeat, 80's-inspired sample from The 1975 for what it is.

"It's just you and I tonight. Why don't you figure my heart out?" If the song had a true saving grace, it's those lyrics. Delicious marriage of voice, words and melody. I take it back. I love it! I'm fickle. So, sue me! But you must listen to this song if only to find out why the initial hooha. Final verdict? Even on continuous replay I still don't hate it. What do you think?

Saturday 7 September 2013

No One's Here to Sleep feat. Bastille by Naughty Boy (Track Review)



I like a song that has something up its sleeve. No One's Here to Sleep starts out interestingly with an instrumental intro punctuated by something that sounds like an imitation of a dog's bark, albeit a really gentle one. The marriage of the two was lovely, although I can see it as one of those things that people might totally like or totally hate. iTunes categorizes it in the genre of pop. It has an R&B flavor and a heavy alternative undercurrent. It reminds me of One Republic actually and that aforementioned dog-bark-like sound is reminiscent of Timbaland in the song Apologize with his unforgettable vocal punctuations.


Despite the similarities to song or band, I liked this song. I had this on repeat to do the review and the flavor did not fade in the least after time went by. Songs are works of art, there are many different and new things you discover as you repeatedly listen to it. Initially you may be attracted by the instruments, then you find yourself internalizing the lyrics, loving the way the voice caresses the words and bring them to life. You wallow in the melody and allow yourself to get swayed by the rise and fall of the music. Finally, you find certain quirks that you find interesting, maybe even like. This song is kind of like that. I don't find it boring at all. It makes me want to hear more from the artist.

Friday 6 September 2013

The Fashion Eclair Team

Oh the pressure of blogging! So many doodah to write about but not having enough time to draft a blog post. Lets just say my life has been boring and uninteresting in the last couple of weeks. I know its no excuse but blogging is a creative process. It can't be rushed. I need to be excited and inspired to be in a blogging frame of mind. Of course, I can't just sit around and wait for the creativity to kick in so I decided to team up with my friends Ida Marie and Angel. They are my best buddies from my University years. Both are also Filipino expats like me.

Ida Marie @poxxie
Ida Marie who is based in Abu Dhabi is FashionEclair's resident music guru. I've always known her as someone with an eclectic taste in music. She's already started on the blog with her take on the iTunes single of the week. Discover sublime music through her witty and clever track reviews.

Angel @einjjj
Angel, the excursionist, will be blogging about travel and adventure from Singapore. She will show you around Asia backpackers style. A thrill seeker and a party animal, she's definitely the chick to hang with. Stay tuned for her thrilling escapades!

You will get to know them more when you read about their blog posts. There will also be some changes in the blog. Maybe a new layout and design, a blog makeover. It will be a group blog but the main focus will still be fashion, Yasss! Don't forget to show Angel and Ida some twitter love @poxxie and @einjjj.

Sunday 1 September 2013

Bloodsports by Drenge (Track Review)




It is a testament to my love for rock music that the first few notes of this song had me hooked. I like the kind of music I can head-bang to, which is probably a symptom of being born in the 80's and growing up in the 90's. That's good news for my older brother who despaired of me listening to boy bands as a child. And when I say listen I mean immersed and marinated in the music so much that it made my brother balk at the sight-and sound-of it. Good to know that despite that history, I developed a great appreciation for the occasional alternative rock music that got filtered through the boy band madness.

I love Bloodsports by Drenge and to be quite honest I couldn't care less what the lyrics were saying, although bloodsports sounds like a compelling title. Like many headbang-inducing music the lyrics to this song weren't particularly discernible anyway and the few lyrics that I did understand did not make sense anyway, which is just about as rock and alternative as you can get. I love that about it. I could listen to just the bass and drum interaction all day long. The beginning and final interludes were priceless. That is not to take away from Eoin Loveless, on vocals (and guitars), because he has a great voice. He and his brother (Rory Loveless) simply play those instruments and complement each other well. This is the first song since I started the weekly iTunes Single of the Week reviews that has moved me to learn more about the band and their songs. High praise indeed. Well-chosen iTunes and well-played Drenge.