Rak en Rol Diaries

Sa wakas…I finally have my own copy of the Eraserheads Reunion Concert CD.Though I already have downloaded my “advance copy” through isohunt during the album’s first week of release, I promised myself to buy the original CD as a sign of my support, loyalty and devotion to the ultraelectromagnetic band.

The CD cover is predominantly in black with the Pinoy fab four faces in small id sized pics.The inlay features a collage of pictures taken during that momentous night of August 30, 2008.If you’re one of those who missed the concert (like me) then, at least the pictures will give you glimpses of the events that transpired.Ely Buendia, looking visibly thin, wore white long sleeves while Buddy Zabala was on white jacket over a red shirt.Interestingly, Raymund Marasigan and and Marcus Adoro paid tribute to their 90s look. Raymund sported green-colored hair while Marcus was dressed on checkered long sleeves.Also in the inlay are pictures the mammoth crowd (is it Ara Mina in focus?), the giant screen that flashed vintage photos of the band and Itchyworms’ Jazz Nicolas, who became the “fifth Ehead” during the concert, doing the keyboard works.

The CD opens with the crowd screaming the countdown starting at number five.Then the bass intro of Alapaap follows, drawing out more cheers.It was a merry sing-along from thereon.The CD is digitally enhanced so it gives the listener the feeling of actually being there.The effects and back-up vocals are also clearly audible.Ely, Raymund, Buddy and Marcus, sharing the same stage for the first time in six years, were on their best elements that night.They breezed thorough their supposed-to-be first set, sounding better than ever.Alapaap was followed by Ligaya, Sembreak, Hey, Jay, Harana, Fruitcake, Toyang, Kama Supra, Kailan, Huwag Kang Matakot, Kaliwete, With A Smile, Shake Yer Head and Huwag Mo Nang Itanong.All through the night the audience gamely sang along to every word of the songs that were soundtrack to the years gone by (I suspect not a few were in tears that night).After the ninth song (Kailan), the crowd was screaming “group hug!”The band did not oblige and in fact, except for a few quips here and there, Ely hardly talked to the audience.This is quite understandable since even when they were still together, the band rarely addresses their audience during live performances.It has always been their music that matters most, and as Raymund aptly put it “It’s just rock n’ roll.No drama, just drums.”

Though Eraserheads did not intended Lightyears to be their last song of the show (there is still one more set then more effects, fireworks and an encore to go), I guess it was the perfect ender for that historic night. The song, my most favorite among all the least famous Eheads songs, is all about change, looking back and moving forward…how it feels so strange/to have grown and changed/now its not the same….Yes, it has been years since the Eraserheads gave us joy through their music.The places and faces may have changed now but the songs, just like memories, will always remain the same.

Long live Eraserheads!