Browse Year

2012

INFINITE – ‘Infinitize’ album review: Great comeback, even greater success

Woo-hoo! My favourite K-pop boyband is back! After an amazing 2011, which I considered INFINITE’s monumental year, the seven-member group from Woolim Entertainment return to the Korean music scene with their third mini-album ‘Infinitize’.

Infinite Infinitize album group shot K-popAfter a string of good music, hit-after-hit and memorable victories, the rising stars of K-pop are set to continue their progress with a new album in Korean. But unlike some comebacks this year, will INFINITE’s comeback falter? Continue reading “INFINITE – ‘Infinitize’ album review: Great comeback, even greater success” »

Main entrance to Mysore Palace Karnataka

First trip to Mysore: The package day tour of Mysore’s popular attractions

Date: 23rd September 2006

This one is another old trip of mine. The first time I went to the famous city of Mysore was with my mother, when we opted for one of the (many) day tours by bus. After being picked up from our pick-up points, we set off by 7am. Leaving Bangalore, we were obviously taking Mysore Road and our first ‘stop’ was a quick one at Channapatna, a town famed for its traditional wooden toys.

After the stop at the toy store, we entered Srirangapatna, home to the scene of the last and decisive battle fought between the British and Tipu Sultan, the famed ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. The guide showed us Tipu Sultan’s damaged fortress and how he was sabotaged, as we drove around its now broken walls.

Ranganathaswamy temple Mysore Karnataka India
The tour bus stopped at Ranganathaswamy temple, which is quite famous in Srirangapatna

We reached Mysore city by lunch time and were dropped at a vegetarian restaurant. Post lunch, we were taken to Mysore’s most famous attraction – the grand Amba Vilas Palace – or Mysore Palace as it is more commonly known. Continue reading “First trip to Mysore: The package day tour of Mysore’s popular attractions” »

Keane – ‘Strangeland’ album review: Melancholy, glee and melody make their remarkable return

There are two British bands that I consider among my favourites from the 2000-era. First is Coldplay, the other is Keane. When I first Keane’s breakout hit “Somewhere I Only We Know” in early 2004, I decided to give their debut album Hopes and Fears a listen. The rest – as any Keane fan today will say – is history. I played the living crap out of that album! In office, I would play it for my co-workers. At home, I would have it on repeat. It was such a good album, from start to finish, I wouldn’t skip any of the tracks. It’s a modern-day classic, no doubt!

Keane members Strangeland promo photoKeane followed it up with the brilliant Under the Iron Sea (2006) which I loved just as much. The then three-piece band strayed away from the norm two year later with Perfect Symmetry. I’ll admit, although the album contained some favourites like “You Haven’t Told Me Anything” and “Again and Again,” for the first time I wasn’t hooked on repeat listening to a Keane album. The band continued their experimental journey with 2010’s Night Train, an EP containing songs that were a mix of styles and genres, but still somehow retained the Keane touch.

Looking back, Keane have released an album every two years. Meaning, a new album was only due in 2012. Continue reading “Keane – ‘Strangeland’ album review: Melancholy, glee and melody make their remarkable return” »