you da man, big bad jam man!!!
Inquirer Entertainment / Entertainment
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20100608-274461/Possibly-Rivermayas-most-mature-album
REVIEW
REVIEW : Possibly Rivermaya’s most mature album
*By Manny Pagsuyuin*
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Posted date: June 08, 2010
*Rivermaya *
“Closest Thing To Heaven”
Warner Music Philippines
Why Rivermaya chose to name its new CD after a 2003 Tears for Fears album is
beyond us. But the production is crisp, the musical chops are admirable, and
the songs are not too preachy nor patronizing.
New vocalist Jayson Fernandez seems to have warmed up in his duties.
Bassist Japs Sergio has the lion’s share of the songwriting, notably the
opener “Mulat,” in which an attempt to get away from tough competition is
all for naught (“Kelangan bumalik sa mundong puno ng pasikatan ... paastigan
... palakasan ...”).
The rest of the band members have their own shining moments. Guitarist Mike
Elgar’s straight-ahead rockers (the steam-powered “Lokomoko” and the jaunty
“Save Your Soul”) have a lot of heart.
Big credit should be given to the album’s production. The tasty guitar solo
in “Here We Are Again” and the shimmering acoustic guitars in “The Sight Of
You” lend a pastoral XTC feel.
But the most stellar track would have to be “Remenis.”
The song, written by drummer Marc Escueta—whose indie-pop influence is none
the worse for wear—is part fable, part cautionary tale about looking back at
a lost love.
Rivermaya has survived the departure of original members Perf de Castro,
Bamboo Mañalac, Nathan Azarcon and Rico Blanco, including parting ways with
its long-time manager. Its music has changed with the times, constantly
evolving. “Closest Thing To Heaven” may not be the band’s greatest work, but
possibly its most mature.
*Franco*
“Franco”
MCA Universal Music
The eponymous debut album by the band hyped as a “supergroup” (front
man/main composer/guitarist Franco Reyes, Urbandub guitarist Gabby Alipe and
drummer JanJan Mendoza, Parokya ni Edgar bassist Buwi Meneses and Queso
guitarist Paolo “8” Toleran) starts off with enough punch to pummel any
young rocker into submission.
It has equal parts in-your-face ruckus and slabs of power chords reminiscent
of Urbandub. But while the latter takes a hard yet melodic approach, Franco
seems to lack dynamics and soul.
The first three tracks (“Seasons,” “Touch the Sky” and “Castaway”) sound
vampiric, at best; there’s real power in the music, but lamentably, it’s all
fangs but no soul.
Fortunately, a few numbers save the day, like the reggae-flavored “Song For
the Suspect,” with its spatial arrangement and Jah references. It’s a worthy
attempt at diversity, even as the lyrics are cryptic and riddle-like.
*Leona Lewis*
“Echo”
Sony Music
This second album of Britain’s “X-Factor” Season 3 winner is a contemporary
fare of generic mall pop. A sizable chunk of songwriting credits go to Lewis
herself, with able production from Ryan Tenner of OneRepublic.
Most of the songs have that American Idolesque sheen—full of anthemic pop
drama as in the opener “Happy.”
Lewis’ throaty singing style distinguishes her from other female pop
vocalists.
^ Back to
top<http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20100608-274461#>
©Copyright
2001-2010 INQUIRER.net, An Inquirer Company
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"gimik" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/gimik?hl=en.
