Photo: sixeyes

Something in the air must have put him in a good mood. The air is crisp but not chilly. He woke up early even though it is his day off today. He was actually planning to laze around but it’s just too beautiful outside. Whistling a tune, he put the kettle on. He knew his routine well enough to know that he has enough time for a quick shower while the water boils. Later, while sipping a cup of tea, he wondered what to do with his day. It’s still early — not even 10— he could do with a spot of breakfast, he thought. He went about his everyday routine, got dressed and headed out.

It’s a weekday so he’s just missed the madness of the morning crowd. The world sure seems to be rousing itself into a good mood. Everyone’s smiling and it’s a beautiful day out, full of hope and promise. Even his ipod is cooperative, playing all the right songs. He couldn’t help humming along. While waiting for the lights to change, he starts to belt out the chorus, such is the infectiousness of the song he’s listening to. He suddenly felt someone’s eyes on him and saw a girl smiling at him from a tour bus. She’s Asian as far as he can tell, with big sunglasses covering most of her face. The bus jolts when the lights change and as it rounds the corner, the girl flashes him a thumbs up and waves goodbye.

Neither could have known that each has just saved the other’s life today.

So I’m late again. Flying through the house I grabbed a tshirt and struggled on a pair of jeans, hurrying through the little routine tasks required to get me out of the house. I ran half the distance to the train station, trying not to trip over myself and muttering to myself whenever I do.

It never used to be like this: I used to be calm and collected, at least more so compared to now. Somehow along the years, something must have unraveled, leaving pieces of me everywhere. I really need to gather all my shit and start again.

It’s cooler in the trains; I hadn’t realised I was perspiring on my way to the station. I settled into a seat and began to catch my breath and put on my do-not-disturb face. Everyone’s got one on in the train — the self-absorbed, slightly annoyed but otherwise completely blank face. I’m on my way to meet some friends for dinner. Usual place, nothing special. An old café that’s been there since forever. It’s just somewhere to be. The scenery outside begin to fly past, all the familiar buildings merge together in a blur; I’ve been taking this train almost daily for as long as I can remember.

It’s different today though. The buildings are still the same, as is the dark tunnel that the train has just entered. A feeling, indistinguishable between anticipation and dread begins to travel from my throat and settle at that pit of of my stomach. Something’s gonna happen. I know it.

Photo: sixeyes

The day has just begun; I can hear it through the window. Groaning, I searched for my mobile and squinted at the tiny display: “Fuck, it’s not even 7a.m! Why is it so noisy outside!?” I tossed and turned a little trying to get comfortable but the noise is just too overwhelming. I guess this is the price you pay to get a hotel room in the centre of town. I sighed and slowly sat up in bed; there’s no sleep to be had now.

I got up slowly trying not to wake the others but I figured they were probably dead to the world if the noise hadn’t woke them already. After a quick shower, I paced around the room for the water to boil. What is there to do at 7 in the morning? Breakfast is not for another 2 hours. The whistling broke my reverie and I absentmindedly made a cup of tea and climbed onto the window ledge overlooking the street, all the time balancing the cup of tea and a cigarette. It’s still early but there’s plenty of activities in the streets. Throngs of people are briskly walking in the drizzle that’s just started. From where I sit, I can see the cobbled streets from afar as trucks come in to deliver their goods, stores are opened and wares are displayed. A line is beginning to form outside the bakery takeout window right opposite my hotel. People sure look weird when you can only see the tops of brightly-coloured umbrellas from a window ledge on the third floor. As sudden as it had began, the rain stopped as the sun begins to peek out of the clouds, no doubt awoken by all the ruckus. And I knew, at the moment, that it’s going to be a great day ahead.

Really, who could have known!? Who would have even suspected that the great Radiohead could have come up with such a gem after Hail To The Thief? I remember waiting breathlessly for the shipment of the limited edition of the 2003 release (perks of working in a record store) and then taking the rest of the day off to soak in its greatness. 4 long years later and nothing’s changed. Except that instead of anxiously waiting for the physical shipment to arrive, I was tapping my fingers impatiently for the magic email with the link to the download (and yes, I paid) and hoping that the broadband connection in the office will not fuck up.

Radiohead – 15 Step (In Rainbows)

Ah, the Arcade Fire. After the crazy success of Funeral, one might well expect AF to fall flat on their faces with their sophomore effort. But not only do they seem more exuberant (It’s hard to believe that it’s even possible in the first place), they just fucking rock! It would have been really high on my list if not for, well, the remaining 4 coming up…

The Arcade Fire – Keep The Car Running (Neon Bible)

Releasing an album so early in the year means that people may well forget all about it as the end of the year draws close. Not so for Bloc Party though. As much as I like the first album, I thought the latest effort seems more focused and well, more rocking. Just try and get past “Song For Clay”!

Bloc Party – Song For Clay (Disappear Here) (A Weekend In The City)

I got this album the minute it came out but I forgot to load it into my ipod before I left for my trip to London. I was so upset with myself and remembered being aghast at the £11 sticker at Virgin in London. It would have been a perfect accompaniment to my trip as it felt so sunny, so blue the whole time I was there (it did not rain a single drop!). It’s not as powerful as Yankee Hotel Foxtrot though that would be in itself hard to beat but Wilco is smart enough not to even try and surpass YHF anyways.

Wilco – What Light (Sky Blue Sky)

This is Voxtrot’s first full-length after releasing several very highly-regarded —and good!— EPs. Hailing from Austin, Texas, the boys did well on many blog-dars with their mix of sweet vocals and dancey vibes. You simply can’t help but punch the air when “Firecracker” is on. That said, I feel that the earlier EPs are much better than the full-length but this #8 slot is for the promise that Voxtrot represents.

Voxtrot – Firecracker (S/T)

Indie rock’s most literate wordsmith is back. John K. Samson, formerly from punk band, Propagandi, proves that he can make the switch from heavily-political statements to glorious glorious sensitive and thoughtful music. Not to say that he’s no longer politically-minded —he still is— but he says them with such sweetness and such perspicacity that you can’t help but be  don’t even know you are seduced. If this had been released earlier, it could be way higher on my list.

The Weakerthans – Night Windows (Reunion Tour)

Dreamy pop that transports you to a nice room where the rain is coming down hard outside and you are watching it make trails down your window pane, and ecstatic that you get to spend that alone curled up in bed with a good book and a nice mug of tea.

The Clientele – Here Comes The Phantom (God Save The Clientele)