I bought Hale's cd for my best friend who wants to sulk on melancholoneliness over some guy. SOME guy! I never understood why she adores these kids other than the cheesy video, its poster boy lead and the fact that SOME guy played/sang their hit song to her when they were on the phone once. But it's all good business. Their carrier "The Day you said Goodbye" is my theme song everyday when I go to work for the past 4 months. It's literally the 1st song I hear on MYX when I get up and the last song on the FX before it pulls over. Damn. Their song is even a ringtone! These kids are BIG!
Surprisingly, it's the kind of song that grows in you. I usually know that I hate a song or group the 1st time I hear it. And no one can change that. I HATED them in the beginning. Who are these kids anyway? Some Rivermaya spin-off? For me my band/alternative days were long gone when grunge and Seattle bands were the thing. When the boys in my high school were listening to Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Green Day and were never ashamed to collect posters of Axl Rose. Even our Catholic teachers proclaimed that LIVE is EVIL. Get that? LIVE is EVIL spelled backwards! And yes, backmasking became cool again featuring the Eraserheads. Get that? They're the new Beatles! We got Beatles in our shores before UK's Oasis were ever formed!
Going back, Hale's repertoire are pure melancholic Coldplayish sentimental songs indeed. What's even more pathetic are their sulken faces. Seems like Champ (lead/vocalist) is the lone member who was taught to do PR. I guess the others just haven't realized yet that they're faces are in every freaking music video channel, song books, magazines, even my 80-something grandmother probably knows them. Frankly, these guys should get used to fame or maybe responding to the questions at least. I've seen some of their interviews in MTV and MYX seems like Champ's kinda embarassed that their other members can't answer a simple question as "Who's your biggest musical influence?" (In the Philippines this only translates to "Sino idol mo?" It doesn't mean anything more than that, believe me!)
The album has a pretty neat packaging though. Interesting cover, no lame dedication and shout-outs of sorts. The opening bars are catchy. It's too radio-friendly to the point of being easy listening or pop. No doubt, if they play their cards right they'll get very wide acceptance. Not just in album sales and but musically as an artist and with the critics as well. The lyrics are still amateurish though. Reminds me of High school when you just discovered prose, metaphors, analogies and freestyle poetry. Their words give you that youthful girlish feeling all over again. I guess their songwriter whoever it is in the group still needs a bit of maturity and realize that simplicity and being profound is not a crime. He's very promising though, like a teenage Rico Blanco. And another thing I may ask, are the lyrics really meant to be in a handwritten font? The tracing paper could be cutting edge this side of town. But if it's a girl's handwriting there, it looks like a wedding invitation good thing it's not pink and scented!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Put some Reggae in your Jeggae...Yeah!!!
There's nothing extraordinary with this place-Xymaca. In fact its way too ordinary only its just blessed with its very 'happenin' location on a strip called Timog. This bar reminds me of our good ol Marlone's in UP. It's the dormer's haven, a very big part in every any UPV memorabilia. Where most kids profoundly get their ultimate UP experience. First drink, first puff Miagao style! Clearly it's the best tambayan/carinderia/inuman/classroom/internet cafe and god-knows-what-else! Again, nothing too special but just ask around and u get it...it' where all the cool people hang out!
We went there to see Brownman Revival on a rainy friday night. We got there way too early at 9pm so guess what its just a hollow matchbox of a pit trying hard to create a boracay 'pawasak', 'pawala' appeal minus the sand and the bikinis. Booze and cool music i'm pretty sure of that. But cool crowd and cooler vibe i dunno...(Only later to find out that the damn place lacks COOL AIR too! The ventilation just sucks i felt that my lungs and the nipa hut cum bar area could blow up anytime because of the kids filthy thick smoke!)
There's a mezzanine level by the way for all I care. We were ushered there coz all 6 table were reserved in advance. (On one table it says _ Reserved for ex presidential son Jinggoy Estrada. Who are we kidding?) Must be the VIP lounge I thought. It's nothing more than a dressing room and one big lamesa to hold more booze and the bands' equipment. Again, so dark and narrow it screams-UPV Little Theater dressing room! (last time i heard the place was already renovated thank God!)
Anyways, we went outside for a while to have dinner some place coz it's pretty clear that there's nothing particularly edible on this place that seats about 50 but can accomodate 300 on a big night (proven very true!) We got back around 10 thirtyish and just decided to let the band come on and probably leave before the 1st set is over. After an hour of looking around, a beer, some smoke and some more smoke...the Messiahs finaly arrived! Hey, we were there to see them so yeah forget the shitty thoughts and let's get it on!
The first song was a reggae rendition of Dr. Hook's classic Sharing the Night Together. No wonder everyone just swooned. These guys definitely know how to flatter! Dino, yes the supa hunky vocalist can carry a tune alright but no one yes NO ONE can just pull off this dorky song as an opening if either #1 you're not cute and #2 wala kang appeal #3 hindi ka sexy and #4 hindi ka guapo! I admit I'm a fan. In fairness, that goes to all members of the group. The set ended after about 6 numbers including some songs from their album. By this time the crowd quadripled and everyone standing about a square inch from each other. This is one place where guys are not ashamed to groove and sing mushy love songs. And the hell everyone cares!..."reggae to pre...adik...one beat one love..." Hahahhaha LOL!!!! Anyways, the vibe was goddamn good to hell with Wannabes and Bimbos and our lungs already protruding, but beer was so accessible in our spot so we decided to stay.
Brownman Revival caught my attention when their video Maling Akala was came on. A true blue Eraserheads wit and flavor it's a perfect launching for any newly signed group. For one it is a revival so there's obviously the BIG recall factor and technically fans of the defunked band will immediately be their immediate followers. But this is not asking too much though since the group also hailed from UP about the same time Eraserheads dropped out but still very strong on campus and they already have a cult following with their numerous gigs and ex-bands. I can just cringe and swear at the sight of very pubescent Paris Hilton clad groupies at the back. It was a tennis court by the way. Who would ever thought that a tennis court will be so convenient at the back of this place. I'd be more thankful if its the Fire Brigade!
We went there to see Brownman Revival on a rainy friday night. We got there way too early at 9pm so guess what its just a hollow matchbox of a pit trying hard to create a boracay 'pawasak', 'pawala' appeal minus the sand and the bikinis. Booze and cool music i'm pretty sure of that. But cool crowd and cooler vibe i dunno...(Only later to find out that the damn place lacks COOL AIR too! The ventilation just sucks i felt that my lungs and the nipa hut cum bar area could blow up anytime because of the kids filthy thick smoke!)
There's a mezzanine level by the way for all I care. We were ushered there coz all 6 table were reserved in advance. (On one table it says _ Reserved for ex presidential son Jinggoy Estrada. Who are we kidding?) Must be the VIP lounge I thought. It's nothing more than a dressing room and one big lamesa to hold more booze and the bands' equipment. Again, so dark and narrow it screams-UPV Little Theater dressing room! (last time i heard the place was already renovated thank God!)
Anyways, we went outside for a while to have dinner some place coz it's pretty clear that there's nothing particularly edible on this place that seats about 50 but can accomodate 300 on a big night (proven very true!) We got back around 10 thirtyish and just decided to let the band come on and probably leave before the 1st set is over. After an hour of looking around, a beer, some smoke and some more smoke...the Messiahs finaly arrived! Hey, we were there to see them so yeah forget the shitty thoughts and let's get it on!
The first song was a reggae rendition of Dr. Hook's classic Sharing the Night Together. No wonder everyone just swooned. These guys definitely know how to flatter! Dino, yes the supa hunky vocalist can carry a tune alright but no one yes NO ONE can just pull off this dorky song as an opening if either #1 you're not cute and #2 wala kang appeal #3 hindi ka sexy and #4 hindi ka guapo! I admit I'm a fan. In fairness, that goes to all members of the group. The set ended after about 6 numbers including some songs from their album. By this time the crowd quadripled and everyone standing about a square inch from each other. This is one place where guys are not ashamed to groove and sing mushy love songs. And the hell everyone cares!..."reggae to pre...adik...one beat one love..." Hahahhaha LOL!!!! Anyways, the vibe was goddamn good to hell with Wannabes and Bimbos and our lungs already protruding, but beer was so accessible in our spot so we decided to stay.
Brownman Revival caught my attention when their video Maling Akala was came on. A true blue Eraserheads wit and flavor it's a perfect launching for any newly signed group. For one it is a revival so there's obviously the BIG recall factor and technically fans of the defunked band will immediately be their immediate followers. But this is not asking too much though since the group also hailed from UP about the same time Eraserheads dropped out but still very strong on campus and they already have a cult following with their numerous gigs and ex-bands. I can just cringe and swear at the sight of very pubescent Paris Hilton clad groupies at the back. It was a tennis court by the way. Who would ever thought that a tennis court will be so convenient at the back of this place. I'd be more thankful if its the Fire Brigade!
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Sunday, September 04, 2005
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