Faking Lion wk 2

Second trip was all public transport and my trusty number elevens. Going around alone turns on my explore mode, covering shopping complexes Novena Square, Raffles City, Marina Square & Suntec City, prior to múm @ Esplanade. Yes, that dome-shaped building which Armani wanted to jump off in Royston Tan's ‘15’. The 7-man experimental Icelandic group was down for Mosaic, I was real excited only to find out pre-show that they ran out of merchandise -_- It was apparent from the moment the band set foot on stage, that 80% of the full house have not heard of múm. Singapore Fail #4. I was abit pissed off that the girls beside me started talking, good thing I can block off noise easily. Starting out with stuff from Go Go Smear the Poison Ivy, the combination of unconventional instruments and high-pitch voices was beautiful. When they started playing the old stuff which I love, I just chilled + zoned out to blissful land. I left super-satisfied when they played Smell Memory as their encore, my song of 2007. Still, many in the crowd left scratching their heads, and for that, Singapore Fail #5.

Upon Aaron’s recommendation, I took a bus to Holland Village for more sounds. Being jakun, I asked the bus uncle if he had change, at which he looked at me with horror hahaha. Shirlyn Tan & the Unxpecteds @ walawala totally blew me away. Playing covers from the Beatles and other old school bands, my jaw was already on the table when they executed Led Zep’s Black Dog to perfection, complete with that off-beat. They opened their third set with a medley from Floyd’s The Wall tracks 3-5, ending with Another Brick in the Wall pt.2. I’ve never seen or heard anything like it. An immediate convert, I bought her solo album Newfound Jealousy, and still loving the self-titled track. Walking around after that at 1am, I realized what impressed me most in Singapore – safety. I just felt safe walking around, no need to put on that awareness that I develop after midnight everytime I drive. That, and the prospect of having beer + pizza, while enjoying bands and friends, seemed really inviting.

Sarapan besok was toast & coffee @ Ya Kun, they might as well change their name to Yuc Ky. Singapore Fail #6. Imbi market still the best ever. From the financial district, I walked SW to Chinatown, back N to Clarke Quay, then E to the heritage museum & merlion. To satisfy my craze for ramen, I actually considered walking another 3km W, but due to time constraints I had to settle for Ajisen ramen, which wasn’t too bad. From Raffles area, I trekked to Ngee Ann, and eventually caught a LRT south to the train station back to Johor. Heh that was a pretty long walk.

All in all, the perfectionist in me has to applaud their systematic success stories, the public transport network, world-class universities, clean roads, promotion of local artistes and culture… Still, the people are very much stressful city folk who speed and throw rubbish on Malaysian highways, hence, they will always remain the Faking Lion.






Unxpected rockin' powerhouse @ walawala; gay singha for country symbol? FAIL