1. Daugthry-Daughtry
Daugthry is an American alternative rock band fronted by American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry. Chris was once offered to front the band Fuel but declined, saying he wants to carve his own identity. Their self-titled debut, released in November 2006, eventually reached double-platinum and outsold AI winner Taylor Hick’s debut. Daughtry’s album is a complete mix of scorching rockers, mid-tempo grungy tunes and some slow songs though there’s nothing here that you haven’t heard before. The first single “Its Not Over” could fit well in any Nickelback album. The song shoot up to # 4 in Billboard Hot 100 and current single “Home” is fast climbing the charts. Velvet Revolver (and ex-Guns N’ Roses) guitarist Slash lent his virtuosity in the somewhat heavy “What I Want”. If you love Nickelback, Dishwalla and Hinder, chances are you’ll gonna dig Daughtry as their music does not stray much away from the three aforementioned bands.
2. Sugarfree-Tala-Arawan
The third outing from this admirable trio of Ebe Dancel (vocals, guitars), Jalton Taguibao (bass) and new drummer Kaka Quisumbing does not sound much different from their previous two outings, Produced by Robin Rivera (who produced the albums of the Eraserheads), Tala-Arawan is chock-full of melodic, hook-laden and catchy alternative/pop rock tunes with strength that lies in the songwriting of Ebe Dancel who wrote the songs as if he is letting us peek into his personal journal. Like the previous two albums, songs about love, family and friendship abound. I have to admit though that I enjoyed Sugarfree’s first two albums better. Tala-Arawan will definitely please Sugarfree’s long-time fans but I guess it will not win them new ones.
3. Sponge Cola-Transit
Shrugging off the so-called sophomore jinx, the pogi rock boys of Sponge Cola unleashed an album that is far better than their debut “Palabas.” Here we see (or more appropriately, hear) them maturing from Pinoy Rock’s poster boys to more serious musicians. First single “Bitiw” is a power-driven rock song that has an almost anthemic feel while “Tuliro” is another pontential hit that has a sing-along chorus. A marked improvement in the band’s songwriting is showcased in the two brilliant sentimental tagalong tracks “Gunita” and “Sa Bingit Ng Isang Paalam”. In the ocean of pogi rock scene where more bands prefer to play safe (hello Cueshe’), Sponge Cola would rise, gain respect and be recognized as more than just the band that revived Madonna’s “Crazy For You.”
