My
PC’s finally wired to the net. And that
means unlimited access to the world wide web. That means I can now regularly read and update my email, friendster
account and my friends’ blogs. That
means I can now tune in to internet radio for the latest and the classics. That means more mp3 downloads for my
iPod. And that means….everything really
for an audiophile like me. The first thing I did today? Download Def Leppard’s Rock of Ages-The
Definitive Collection. hooray!!!! I
love this life!!!!
I was fortunate to be among those who watch
the Grand Finale at Sir Edward’s Restaurant last Sunday. The place was jam-packed with boxing fanatics
(and non-fanatics as well) eager to witness the fight live via satellite with
no long and boring commercial breaks. It
was good that my father-in-law, my bilas and my friends from BCB were there
earlier ‘coz we were able to share tables with them in the front row and got a
“ringside” view of the fight while drinking some not-so-ice cold Red Horse Beer. Some
of my friendster 1st, 2nd and nth degree friends were
also there, folks I regularly see in Centro during Friday nights. I’m starting to believe that Malaybalay
indeed is one giant friendster network as everybody seems to know everybody. Anyways, wild cheers erupted every time
Pacman pummeled the poor El Terible. And
when the Mexican legend kissed the canvass for the third time that night, we
were all on our feet, screaming and jumping with fists clenched and up in the
air. Suddenly it was Christmas in
November as we joined the entire nation (and Filipinos everywhere in the world)
in celebrating the working class hero’s victory. On that day, Manny Pacquiao, whose fists
launched thousands of SMB, Alaxan, No Fear, Motolite, No Fear and Datu Puti,
was able to unite a country in strife. Even for just
a few hours.
My
all-time favorite Rivermaya has a new album out—Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo, their
first full-length studio release since 2003’s Between The Stars and Waves. The past three years saw the band releasing
independent singles which turned out to be among their biggest hits that
continue to put them in Pinoy Rock scene’s pedestal despite the absence of a
full-length album. Now the long drought
is finally over. But I guess I’ll just
have to say that this album is not for everybody. I mean everybody who expected an album
containing tunes that run in the same vein with Rivermaya’s previous hits. For starter, it only has one original
song-the carrier single Isang Bandila. This one’s a ferocious single, echoing the band’s penchant for creating
“arena” rock anthems, and will not be out of place if put side to side with
Posible, Alab ng Puso and Liwanag sa Dilim. Now as for the rest of the album, the songs sound nowhere near those
aforementioned hits. The rest are
actually remakes of classic pinoy rock from the 80s. Songs from bands like Deans December, Ethnic
Faces, Violent Playground, Wuds, Silos, The Jerks and Joey Ayala. Except for Wuds and Joey Ayala, I’ve come to
know these bands only in the pages of Rock & Rhythm in my high school
days. But I believe these are the bands
that the members of Rivermaya grew up listening to and probably among the
reasons why they want to be in a rock & roll band. Obviously, most of the songs are new wave-ish
in style but were given a fair share of distorted guitars instead of
keyboards. As with those previous
unreleased tracks from Rivermaya’s past albums, the songs will not hit you
instantly but slowly grow in you after repeated listening. And this is where the band’s magic is, the ability
to create music that is bound to become timeless instead of just being
flash-in-the-pan. My personal favorites
here are their covers of Joey Ayala’s Ilog and Padayon, Violent Playground’s
Never The Bright Lights and Identity Crisis’ Sumigaw, Umawit Ka. Some people may not like this album but I
believe this is Rivermaya’s tribute to the artists they grew up listening
to. Their way of going back to their
roots and bringing their idols’ music to a whole new generation of
listeners. And for that they will always
earn the respect of their peers. And I
will forever be a fan.
Melodrama band Hale also has
new album called Twilight. And it
contains songs that sound like Hale as we know them. Songs in somber, melancholic and pensive
mood. Some songs though tried to be a
bit (just a bit) heavy by employing more guitars but Champ’s voice always seems
to sound tired. I guess the band is
trying hard to duplicate the massive success of their debut album last year
that’s why they come up with almost exactly the same sound. After listening to the disc over and over
again, the band’s tired sounds seem to infect you and you’ll wonder how come
these emo kids are so sad-sounding when they’re actually living the rock star
life. I loved to death Hale’s first
album (especially the single The Day You Said Goodnight) that I started to
think they’re the new Rivermaya. Well, I
guess they should minimize their whining and start to inject more energy to
their songs. After all, rock & roll
is supposed to be fun, isn’t it?
