#5. Strike Anywhere- Iron Front

After the mediocre effort of their last release Dead FM, STRIKE ANYWHERE has move on from FatWreckChords to full-fledge hardcore indie Bridge Nine Records.

This new release finds Thomas Barnett & Co combining their trademark socio-political insight with their most infectious hooks yet...'The Crossing' and 'Summerpunks' are goat-damned awesome songs that would bleed the ear

#4. Anti-Flag- The People or The Gun
Sincerely i was quite suprised with this release, considering the dud previous effort of over-produced 'Bright Lights of America' (not their fault really, maybe major label RCA try to sell 'em out)
Now at SideOneDummy, ANTI-FLAG has written their best record since 2001's 'Underground Network' for my money... "Sodom, Gomorrah, Washington D.C. (Sheep in Shepherd's Clothing)" ,"The Gre(A)t Depression" and "You're Fired" are gritty, furious, and poppy (in the good way) punkrock tunes #3. Teenage Bottlerocket- They Came from the Shadows
Best described by FatWreck on their website:
"The most rocking thing to come out of Wyoming since, well… ever, TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET has taken pleasure in showing everyone just how potent and exhilarating that fresh, gimmick-free punk rock can be. The release of their third full-length, They Came From the Shadows, marks their first FatWreckChords release, and easily their most anticipated offering to date. Comprised of 14 straight forward punk rock gems, laced with the unforgettable melodies that have become the calling card of TBR"

where i am concerned, this is the pop-punk album of the year!

#2. Propagandhi- Supporting Caste
What more i could say about PROPAGANDHI? the Canucks are among the biggest institution in punkrock since i'm in high skool, and i always respected their views and activsm in anarchist causes, human rights violation. animal liberation etc
With 'Supporting Caste', Chris Hannah & Co has created a hugely significant full-length from a band that have proven, yet again, that they are still the crème de la crème of punkrock, with their usual brash of punk/hardcore/progressive trash all moulded into one...definititely a welcome addition to their already super-impressive discography

my 2nd consecutive year celebrating eid in the adopted UAEland. millions of metres away from family and old friends, but alhamdulillah new friends and colleagues help to make this year's hari raye quite an eventful affair.

on the menu was the custamory eid prayer, a morning breeze at the Creek, open house, open house, and more open house; the office eid mubarak nite + duit raye :), and then my housemates sadly decided to organise our own open house (right pic)

I have to say I am a little biased towards Quentin Tarantino, I grew up admiring what a phenomenon 'Pulp Fiction' was.I watched it when I was in post hi-skool and it is still written in my top 3 film of all time.

So naturally every subsequent QT flick was met with high expectations.  Unfortunately, From Dusk Till Dawn, Jackie Brown, Kill Bill Vol 1&2 and Grindhouse has not really lived up to the billing. Then i heard all the good vibe about his latest project Inglourious Basterds which tell the tale of a group of Jewish-American soldiers chosen specifically to kill Nazis (read my stoked post back in May here).

I watched it twice. A dark historical fantasy, brave, unique and just sheer brilliant. Easily Mr Tarantino's best work since Pulp Fiction.

The film makes no apologies, asks for no forgiveness, it's a no holds barred assault on the senses. Tarantino doesn't care if he offends, if he steps all over stereotypes and clichés, this is film making at it purest.

and btw, for my money Christian Waltz deserves an oscar nomination for his potrayal as the Nazi "Jew Hunter" SS Colonel Hans Landa

double-dosage of punkrock remedy in my backyard? smells delicious...but too bad i cant make it :(

first, San Jose,California-based pop-punkers No Use for a Name will hit Ruums next weekend. One of many bands on FatWreck roster that I grew up listening to...'Dumb Reminders'  is literally one of my favourite anthemic song, period

then,come Dec 11, MxPx will perform at No1 cafe, Jln TAR (err..never heard of this venue before). The trio from Bremerton, Washington has been championing skatepunk since 1992.  Their latest album 'Secret Weapon' is a return to form after a series of mediocre effort. But 1996's 'Life in General; is still their classic

wish i was there in the sweaty pit