Oct 31st, 2008 - Chairlift / Does You Inspire You
My buddies in NYC recently sent me some tracks from Chairlift, a Brooklyn based trio pushing music like MGMT, but more along electro-quirky-pop lines. Their album Does You Inspire You is out now. It's worth a listen if you can find it. And don't discount their sound even though everything seems to exude a retro revival. Bruises is such a great song. That's why Apple uses it on IPod ads.

Oct 29th, 2008 - Otomedius e-Amusement End
Further confirming that "nobody plays shooters theses days anymore", Virtualand is ceasing e-Amusement connectivity for Otomedius on Nov 1. Offline play is still available I assume, but what's the point when you can't level up or play versus mode. So all you SG Otomedius fans out there, let's get in our last credits. On a side note, the XBox 360 version comes out on Nov 20.

Oct 27th, 2008
Here's wishing all Indian visitors a Happy Deepavali!

Oct 26th, 2008 - The Cure / 4:13 Dream
This totally caught me off guard. I have not been following The Cure ever since their 1996 release of Wild Mood Swings. And now 4:13 Dream pops up, indulging in all things that make Pornography a great listen. This has goth post-rock, flanger lullabies, psychedelic pop and even electro-metal. They have the entire album on their myspace. So go.

Oct 24th, 2008 - X08 @ Marina Square
Microsoft's X08 XBox Experience just started today at Marina Square and it runs through Sunday (26th). Apparently, Lara Croft will make an appearance this evening, together with Electrico doing some Guitar Hero World Tour antics. I went this morning and got some flyers from some XBox lians. Sadly, all the games I want for the 360 are not games that show up at these events.

Oct 23rdth, 2008 - Chinese Democracy Akan Datang!
Guns N' Roses (aka Axl Rose) will release Chinese Democracy in exactly one month's time, the album that took more than $13 million and 14 years to complete. There are already haters out there that denounce the band. The title track on their site is indeed different. But I kinda like it. Wouldn't it be awesome if the album is actually decent? I'm eagerly waiting for it, shit or not.

Oct 19th, 2008 - 怒首領蜂 大往生 ブラックレーベル EXTRA
Do Don Pachi Dai Ou Jou Black Label Extra has been announced for the XBox 360. It comes out on Christmas Day in Japan. The previous incarnation of the regular non-Black Label version showed up on PS2 five years ago. This time a new X-mode for beginners is introduced featuring a new Doll, probably a full weapon strength type for shot and laser plus full bombs. I'm closer to that XBox...

Oct 16th, 2008 - ZoukOut 2008
Alrighty. I'm gonna start the ball rolling. ZoukOut is on Dec 13th this year. I want to try doing the whole thing. Lineup has Sasha, The Teenagers (!!!!!!!!!), Erol Alkan and Above & Beyond!!! Anybody wanna join up, email me or post on the board. If the world is gonna end coz of this financial meltdown nonsense, then we might as well end it as Tourists at Siloso Beach.

Oct 14th, 2008 - Keane / Perfect Symmetry
A lot of people are saying how Keane's third studio album is 80s sounding and unlike Keane. They're probably basing their entire opinion on Spiralling. Yes, they've changed a bit in terms of instrumentation (more guitars and some synth sounds here and there), but they're still Keane as the title track shows. This may or may not be a good thing, depending on whether you're a fan.

Oct 13th, 2008 - Rambo
The ultimate hero is back. Yup. Sega's Rambo is here. Running on a similar cabinet as The House of the Dead 4 (the Uzis are not motion sensitive), this gun game is rather bland in terms of graphics and missions, but those live action scenes from Rambo III somehow make up for it. There are quick time events to mix things up and a rage gauge that acts as a power up. Try it with 2 guns!

Oct 11th, 2008 - Oasis / Dig Out Your Soul
When was the last time you were excited about Oasis? For me, it was in 2000 with "Giants", which I listened to for a week and chucked it somewhere. Well, Dig Out Your Soul is out and it's as good as they can get these days. Without their bullshit, Oasis can still make a great rock & roll album. Really digging The Shock Of The Lightning, Bag It Up, I'm Outta Time and Falling Down.

Oct 9th, 2008 - Liquid City Contest
Come, let me do my part to shamelessly promote this upcoming release. Sonny Liew's anthology of SE Asian artists, Liquid City, is coming out in about a month and I have a little 10 page story in it. In the run up to its launch, there's a contest that allows you to win a copy of the book. Up to 3 will be given away. All you gotta do is to draw a robot. Details can be found here.

Oct 7th, 2008 - 旋光の輪舞 DUO
Found this brief page on G.Rev's website. Looks like their shooter/fighter 旋光の輪舞 (Senko No Ronde) is getting an upgrade with DUO (Dis-United Order). It doesn't run on NAOMI anymore but on the popular Taito Type X2 board. Seems like there is a partner system like Progear No Arashi. We'll see what further developments come out.

Oct 4th, 2008 - Melty Blood: Actress Again
I saw this at Zone X Dhoby Ghaut yesterday. It slipped in under the radar as well. The original Melty Blood: AC was kinda neat because it was a doujin game by Type-Moon ported to arcades by Ecole. Actress Again may have additions like three styles per character, guard crush and 2 new characters, but the doujin/PC nature of the series is starting to show, especially when you just saw SF4.

Oct 3rd, 2008 - Street Fighter 4
Wow. I totally missed the release of Street Fighter 4 at Bugis last week. F1 weekend put a blackout on all other activities. So anyway, I take back all my doubts about the game. It looks great in motion. Characters are big and the new saving attacks (MP+MK) that replaces SF3's "parry" creates deep possiblities for chains. The Asian version doesn't seem to have the online card system though.

Oct 1st, 2008
DrearyWeary.com wishes all Muslim visitors Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!