1.Various Artists-Kami nAPO Muna (A Tribute to APO Hiking Society)
An all-star tribute to one of the most important acts
in OPM history. The 18- track album
features performances by Parokya ni
Edgar, Orange & Lemons, The Dawn, Kamikazee,
Sandwich, Itchyworms, Sugarfree, Sponge Cola, Imago, Kitchie Nadal, Barbie Almalbis, Moonstar 88,
Rocksteddy, Top Suzara, Sound, Shamrock, Drip and Boldstar. Most of the artists here are also featured in
last year’s tribute album to Eraserheads, Ultraelectromagneticjam.
Kami
nAPO Muna however is a better album than the Eheads tribute. I guess the album’s producer learned from the
Ultraelectromagneticjam’s lapses,
thus resulting in a more endearing and well-crafted renditions of APO’s
music. My personal favorites here include
Rocksteddy’s rockin’ n’ rollin’ version of Blue
Jeans, Itchyworms’ cheerful and lighthearted take of Awit ng Barkada, Moonstar 88’s refreshing Pananalangin and Sugarfree’s heartfelt singing of Batang -Bata Ka Pa. Also
noteworthy are PnE’s Pumapatak Na Naman
Ang Ulan (which already appeared on the band’s previous album Edgar, Edgar, Musikahan) and Kamikazee’s
wacky Doo Bidoo. Overall, this is a great album and definitely
a worthy addition to my OPM collection
2.Buckcherry-15
If
you’re still stuck somewhere between the 80s and early 90s, its time to gather
your high school friends, bring out those ice old beer and pop in this CD on
your player as this Los Angeles hard rock band will take you in a kind of
nostalgic rock & roll trip. With music heavily influenced by such great
acts as AC/DC, The Cult, The Rolling Stones and some Black Crowes, Buckcherry
pleasantly assault your senses with raw, rude and real rock music that will
keep you rollin’. Standout tracks are
the foot-stomping scorcher Crazy Bitch,
the glam and country-tinged, Carousel,
the blues-infused Brooklyn and the ballad Sorry. This album is so refreshing to listen to in
this time of lame rock acts pretending to be hardcore. With 11 great tracks, Buckcherry delivers
the three elements prevalent in the 80s bands but are definitely missing in most
of today’s acts—sex, drugs and rock & roll.
3.Edguy-Rocket Ride
Is
the 80s rock making a comeback? This
band from Germany takes you back to the time when rockstars were really
rockstars—long hair, leather pants and jackets, metal accessories and a whole
lot of attitude. But more than their
image, it is really their music that defined what Edguy is all about. With this album, the band unleashed the kind
of melodic power metal reminiscent of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest and glints
of glam /hardrock not unlike Steelheart and Skid Row. The spectacular opening track Sacrifice sets the tone for the whole
album with some crunchy guitar shredding and soaring vocals, the way power
metal should sound like. My favorite
track here is the metal ballad Save Me,
which reminds me so much of those rock ballads we used to sing in my high
school days. This is one of the best
albums I heard recently. And the title really says it all—it is one hell of a
rocket ride.
4.Cueshe’-Back To Me
Sure,
the band has a funny name, funny set up (the guitarist does most of the singing
while the soloist does mostly the backing vocals) and writes funny lyrics. They’re one of the most successful yet also
one of the most hated bands of last year. Say what you want to say about Cueshe’ but what can’t be denied is the
fact that this band has the ability to write radio-ready songs that slowly grow
in you. Their songs are played practically everywhere and before you realize
it, you’re already hit by the dreaded LSD (as in Last Song Syndrome) and in no
time you’re already humming the chorus of their tune. This made Cueshe’s debut album Half Empty, Half Full one of last year’s
best sellers. With this sophomore
outing, the band seems to mature a bit but still go for the safe style of
radio-friendly pop rock and requisite ballads like Borrowed Time and Back To Me. Some of the songs have the tendency to sound
alike and, yes, songwriting is still unexceptional. If you like Cueshe’s first album then you
won’t be disappointed with this second release. But if you want a Cebuano band that really rocks, then better check out
Urbandub.
5.Hinder-Extreme Measures
Grungy
guitars plus aggressive vocals and loads of emotions equals a tough-edged sound. With repeated listening you will notice that
the band almost sounds like Nickelback, Dishwalla and Seven Mary Three. The album contains only ten tracks but
there’s hardly any throwaway here. Most songs are catchy, with memorable
hooks and easy to sing along. The band’s sound is tight, solid and laced with enough
anger and “street” vibe all throughout. Lips of an Angel, a song about flirting
with infidelity, and How Long and Better Than Me, with their catchy
choruses are easy favorites.
