Superman

White flashes.

I met the invisible man today, and I thought to myself, "how ironic!". He read my thoughts, and told me that there was a limitless possibility there, because where we were, was not the world, and therefore, we did not need constraints, or rules, or definitions, or standards, or sanity, or logic. Things were as they were, without any connotations attached to them. I agreed with his view, and asked if he was sad being invisible. He replied, "when you are like me, you have no hopes, no dreams, and no expectations, and that is not necessarily a bad thing." He continued, "your world calls me apathetic, but I am happy. I get to protect, to watch over, and love the ones I love without them ever knowing I'm there."

I did not understand what the invisible man said.

White flashes.

I found myself in a moat. The sun was blocked by an object, and as I arose from the watery divide, I found that object to be a knight. He was silent, and spoke not. His horse grew a face of anxiety, as if waiting for some event to unfold, or as a distress call to his master. I could sense some sort of frustration and exasperation in the air, but still, all was calm and silent. I called out to him, but the gaze from his helmet stayed fixed on one of the higher towers of the castle. He spoke,

"I cannot cross the moat."

At this, I saw the moat become an ocean.

White flashes.

The alleyway was dark and damp, with moss and gangrene lining up the walls and cobbled stone. Alone in the corner sat a figure. As I drew closer, shock overcame me as I came face to face with a leper. What I saw disturbed me so much that I am unable to go through the experience of describing him again. He bid me come forward, and as if in a trance, I did. Feeling some need to show sympathy, I told him how I pitied him, and asked if there was anything I could do. He smiled, and said,

"My boy, my son. Please do not pity me, for I have a wonderful gift. I am a leper, and from my physical monstrosity, people are able to develop kindness and goodness. Their hearts can form, and perhaps, they would know what being a human really is all about."

Just then, I saw the woman in black. A overwhelming rush of respect filled me, and I smiled at her rotting face.

White flashes.
Then nothing.

Dakota

At the start of the year, I told Alvyn I predicted that 2008 would be a trying year. Indeed it has been. There have been many transitions and changes, and in the process, raw emotions come in the way, each leaving a lasting scar that is etched in my memory permanently. That being said, this year has been a year of blessings. Here they are:











Of course, the pictures do not include some people, namely:
1) Emily and Angela
2) Mark, Lucas and Kenneth
3) Xue Mei, even though she did attend my party, but I haven't got her pictures yet
4) More of the Secret people and NUS friends
5) Jon Lai, who called me from Australia to wish me, as did Sarah
6) The people who smsed me
7) The people who facebooked me
8) My Kids

I know I don't say this often enough, but I love you all deeply, and you mean the world to me.

"We're not 21, but the sooner we are the sooner the fun will begin. Get out your fake eyelashes and fake IDs, the real disasters ensue. It's cool to take these chances. It's cool to fake romances. And grow up fast."

The Escapist

The results are out! After careful consideration from the panel, we have hence decided on the following winners.

Song Of The Year
Lights Out For Darker Skies - British Sea Power
Lovers In Japan - Coldplay
This Conversation - The Submarines
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
Closer - Travis

Winner: Lights Out For Darker Skies - British Sea Power
(Find us another song this year that can keep the hairs on our hands standing for 6 and a half minutes)

Album Of The Year
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie
We Started Nothing - The Ting Tings
Nux Vomica - The Veils

Winner: Viva La Vida - Coldplay
(We decided to give this one not just for consistency of sound, but for invoking a revolution, just like the cover of the album suggests)

Band Of The Year
British Sea Power
Travis
The Ting Tings
Coldplay
Death Cab For Cutie

Winner: British Sea Power
(In our books, if you sound like The Arcade Fire, you've got it)

Solo Act Of The Year
Jason Mraz
Justin Timberlake
Madonna
Jack White
Britney Spears

Winner: Jason Mraz
(For being the only one who bothered to come down here. Special mention goes out to Britney, we all want her to be fine again)

Local Band Of The Year
EIC
53A
Plain Sunset
Electrico
The Great Spy Experiment

Winner: Plain Sunset
(For releasing an album! Although yes, Electrico did too as well. We felt that on the year, as a whole, Plain Sunset was more dedicated to the indie scene. Also, they didn't go on a 'hiatus')

Feel Good Act Of 2008
The Ting Tings
Norwegian Recycling
Travis
Starsailor
Michael Cera and Ellen Page

Winner: Norwegian Recycling
(They sent a strong message arcoss: many mainstream bands sound the same and can be concluded as trash. Whether they meant it or not, they get our vote)

Act That Should Come Down To Singapore
Taking Back Sunday
The Arcade Fire
Anberlin
Dashboard Confessional
Coldplay

Winner: The Arcade Fire
(Actually, we felt that all of the above should come down)

Let Down Of The Year
The Kills
(More noise than anything else)

Special Award For An Inspirational Band
The Arcade Fire
(There comes only once so rarely, when a band reaches the status of a voice, and their songs become anthems)

The organisers would like to thank all who have participated in one way or another, whether by nominating or voting, or simply providing destructive criticism. You have been an invaluable part of the 2nd Annual Chips and Shit Awards. Till next year, keep the music flowing!

(:

Intervention

Hey everyone! It's finally here, the list of nominations for the 2nd Annual Chips and Shit Music Awards! You are now able to vote for your favourite acts among the finalised nominees. Winners will be chosen by an independent panel of distinguished judges. Without further ado, "Hey Ho! Let's Go!"

Song Of The Year
Lights Out For Darker Skies - British Sea Power
Lovers In Japan - Coldplay
This Conversation - The Submarines
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
Closer - Travis

Album Of The Year
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Do You Like Rock Music? - British Sea Power
Narrow Stairs - Death Cab For Cutie
We Started Nothing - The Ting Tings
Nux Vomica - The Veils

Band Of The Year
British Sea Power
Travis
The Ting Tings
Coldplay
Death Cab For Cutie

Solo Act Of The Year
Jason Mraz
Justin Timberlake
Madonna
Jack White
Britney Spears

Local Band Of The Year
EIC
53A
Plain Sunset
Electrico
The Great Spy Experiment

Feel Good Act Of 2008
The Ting Tings
Norwegian Recycling
Travis
Starsailor
Michael Cera and Ellen Page

Act That Should Come Down To Singapore
Taking Back Sunday
The Arcade Fire
Anberlin
Dashboard Confessional
Coldplay

Let Down Of The Year
The Kills

Special Award For An Inspirational Band
The Arcade Fire

Alright folks, that's it for now! Stay tuned for the results which will be out this Sunday!

Cheers!

Ocean of Noise

White flashes.

The mad scientist stood in front of me, deep in a sea of thoughts. I was afraid of disturbing him, so I kept silent, and waited. He had a face of confusion, but shifted rapidly into a contorted expression of insanity and perfect calm. And as if a trance broken, his pearly, hollow eyes shifted towards me. In a perfect baritone, he asked me why I was there. I replied that I did not know. There was silence, and then, a rumble of thunder in the distance. I asked him what he was thinking about. He replied that he was thinking about suicide.

At this, I gasped and had a look of horror splash across my face. I grew worried, and it showed in my actions. In a soft, low voice, he told me to calm down. At this, I did not know what to feel, because serenity was coming from a monster. He explained that he was not dwelling upon the act, but of the theory. He reasoned that people took their lives because they had limitless ambitions, but their practical human natures and limitations prevented them from reaching these goals. Disillusionment would set in, and darkness enfold.

A bolt of lightning... creeping closer.
White flashes.

The time traveller called out to me, and I walked over, still dazed. He had a warm, cheerful spirit, and I felt refreshed as he commented how nice it was to see me again. He noticed I dragged a heavy heart, and asked what my problems were. I asked him if he was a happy man. He replied a simple yes. I asked him why. He said he was in love with his wife, and that meant all the happiness in the world to him.

At this, I grew puzzled. I argued that if he unwillingly and unconsciously time travelled at any given time of the day, how could that make him happy? Surely, he must have felt insecure and dread at this curse? He replied gently, telling me that it was not a curse, but a blessing.

I did not understand this.
White flashes.

I was petrified at the sight of the woman in black. Her face was as pale as death, and in her hand was a parchment. On that parchment stood a terrifying sight - a single, bold letter 'R'. It was determined, it was a conqueror, it stroke terror in my heart, and I wished that death itself had taken me. She drifted closer, as with the wind that howled away the night.

She spoke in slithering silence.

I smiled.
White flashes.

Then, nothing.

Come On

Yes, we back for the second year running! The annual Chips and Shit Music Awards is back again, slightly ahead of schedule this year, but nonetheless awesome as always. This year, we will include a new category, "Band/Singer that should get their butts down to Singapore". Nominations are now open (you can leave your nominated bands/singers on the tagboard on this page, or on my facebook wall) till the 19th of September. Nominated bands/singers should preferably be those who have released an album/single in the past year, as of 21st Sept 2007. Winners will be chosen from a highly esteemed panel of judges who really have too much time on their hands. Results will be out on the 21st of September. For a recap, please look below for the winners of the inaugural CSMA, held last year.

***********************
Song of the year
Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
Reckoner - Radiohead
Disintegration - Jimmy Eat World
*Fin - Anberlin
Rag and Bone - The White Stripes

Winner : *Fin - Anberlin

Album of the year
Cities - Anberlin
Neon Bible - Arcade Fire
Black Holes ad Revelations - Muse
In Rainbows - Radiohead
Icky Thump - The White Stripes

Winner : In Rainbows - Radiohead

Band of the year
The Veils
Jimmy Eat World
Muse
Radiohead
The White Stripes

Winner : The Veils

Solo Act of the year
Timbaland
Justin Timberlake
Nelly Furtado
Amy Winehouse
Gwen Stefani

Winner : Nelly Furtado

Generation Y Band of the year
Go Betty Go
Motion City Soundtrack
Melee
Weezer
Youth Group

Winner : Motion City Soundtrack

Local Band of the year
Allura
Typewriter
Ugly In The Morning
West Grand Boulevard
Plain Sunset

Winner : Plain Sunset

Feel Good band of 2007
Travis

Let Down of the year
Linkin Park
Snow Patrol
My Chemical Romance
Jet
Thursday

Loser : Snow Patrol

Special Award for the destruction of alternative indie
98.7FM
**************************

Have a blast!
(:

Cadence

She wondered at the colour, what colour in itself even meant at all. All her life, she knew a portrait of black and white, and it made it easy for her to fall into extremes. In the day, she was the girl with candy in one hand, and a balloon in the other. To the outsiders, they saw the balloon as red. She did not understand red. She saw all its beauty in sinister black. When night came, and all comfort of colour ran away, there she lived in bliss, there she lived as the mad scientist, who did not seem so mad at all to her dog.

She would experiment, to find out what the meaning of life was, what the meaning of her existence was. Still, night after night, disconcerted portions after chemicals, she would find no answer. It was an orchestra that floated naught on angel's wings, but crashed with the ferocity of the stigmatic wall against her. She concluded that she had a role in this world, and that was, to show the world what monochrome was, what it meant to be mad, and what it meant to be innocent.

The world neglected her, cast her against one side, and she cried. She cried, not because of the loneliness or segregation, not because of the prejudicial eyes that slit her, not because people saw her as different, but because, simply because, she had failed the world.

And possibly, it was at that point, she knew she would never be a part of them.

Adia

Adia, I do believe I failed you.

Creep

You ask me how I feel, and I give you the following reply.

I am terrified.