2013 - 1/2

Skiing in Japan was amazing. My father has a lodge up Mt. Hotham, so I have done my fair share of skiing in Australia. But the mountain there was at LEAST 3 times as tall, cafes as rest stops right on the side of the mountain. 

Unfortunately, whilst traversing a particularly troublesome double-black run, I managed to break my leg; both my tibia and fibula. When I got back to Melbourne, I had surgery. A titanium rod inserted through my tibia and a few screws. I am walking again already. Broken legs can be much worse and more complicated, I consider myself lucky. Besides, I have titanium through the middle of a bone in my leg now, indestructible. Just a few more surgeries short of being Wolverine.

I graduated with my bachelors. I bought a car. I need to get a better job using my degree. I've played a few secret gigs unbeknownst to those that know me. I need to go bigger, I'll start a new career now post-university, but I know I've got to play music for a living.

The National's latest album. Noone does deadpan, average-man melodrama like The National. This album flows together so well. It's dark, downbeat, it certainly won't cheer you up, but it really is a work of art. Baritone vocals reflect the older soul in you that feels like its been observing the world through a window-pane for a long time; concerned and touched, but apathetic and lonely. Technically, I love the muted but oddly lush guitar tones and the sparkly production. Hi-fi done well. Favourite tracks are undoubtably Conversation 16 and Terrible Love.

So after their promising first album, Foals releases their sophomore, Total Life Forever. I already decided I liked the album aesthetically and superficially, the title, the cover and the band. The first single 'Spanish Sahara' is the best song I've heard in a long time, I cannot stop listening to it. To be honest, I'm listening to it right now. The rest of the album, in my opinion, completely falls short. A part from bits and pieces of genius, the middle of 'Alabaster,' the end of '2 Trees' and the beginning of the opening track 'Blue Blood.' Blue blood is growing on me, I alternate between it and Spanish Sahara. The second single This Orient is listenable, but like most of the songs isn't immediately catchy. Yannis' vocals are improved, as are his lyrics. Focused, yet ambiguous, but not to the extent of being nonsense much like the first album. Like the last few new albums I've listened to, Total Life Forever doesn't amaze me, and it serves as good background noise whilst studying or computer-ing, but it doesn't grab me. Although I'd get Total Life Forever again, just on the strength of Spanish Sahara. My god it's a good song.

The anticipation of a sequel to the critically acclaimed Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 has finally taken form, in a trailer for and the announcement of Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, due in spring 2011. It seems Capcom Vs. Tatsunoko was successful enough to encourage the company to develop a sequel to the famed 2D fighter game, which will serve as a suitable appetizer for the main course. Roll on 2011.