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I
RECENTLY spent time at a music store. Yes, boys and
girls, they’re still alive. I know most of you “buy”
your tunes by downloading them. There’s nothing wrong
with that. But call me old-school, I still prefer going
to a music store.
Going
inside a music store is still an experience for me. I
check out what CD is playing, which is normally a new
release, and if it catches my fancy, I ask about it and
most likely end up buying it. I’ve also been a sucker
for fabulous cover art and intriguing band names. On
occasion, I end up buying CDs based on those things, and
that’s how I discovered great bands like Architecture in
Helsinki, Cold War Kids, Gnarls Barkley and the Pigeon
Detectives.
From my
last music store invasion, I came home with a number of
CDs and so I’m giving you my unsolicited reviews of
them.
GV 25
Various
Artists (Star Records)
Gather
the big names in music to record the songs of another
big name in music. It’s a tired and tested formula that
emerged back in the ’90s, where different singers give
their interpretations of iconic artists such as Led
Zeppelin, Madonna, Carole King, The Carpenters...the
list goes on. And, of course, we Pinoys just have to
come up with our own version and such acts as
Eraserheads, Hotdog, Rey Valera and many more have been
given tribute albums.
Now,
it’s Gary Valenciano’s turn to celebrate his 25th
anniversary. Twenty-five artists join in the foray from
Gary V’s son Paolo to recently established names like
Sarah Geronimo, Kyla and Erik Santos, to veterans like
Kuh Ledesma, Randy Santiago and even his ’80s rival
Martin Nievera.
What
totally raised my “always raised” eyebrow was the
inclusion of Jericho Rosales. Sigh, some people just
don’t give up.
But, all
in all, I thought the album was pretty good. I’m sure
Gary V would be touched by the fantastic effort put into
it, from the artist lineup to the cover art. A worthy
buy and a great way to introduce Gary V to a younger
generation.
Viva La
Vida
Coldplay
THE boys
are back. Not bigger or better sounding than before but,
at least, Coldplay has amped up their latest album.
The
album is full of experimentations, much of them
successful. Producer Brian Eno probably encouraged the
guys to push their sound further, and the result is a
familiar sound that, nonetheless, comes across as fresh.
Chris Martin’s signature romantic lyrics are still there
but with the newer, cranked-up sound, the album is a
solid effort that proves the band isn’t stuck in a rut
but this without alienating long-time fans.
This is
Not the World
The
Futureheads
Perhaps
the edgiest of the dance-rock bands after the Arctic
Monkeys (the genre I have been so obsessed with since
2006), The Futureheads always churns blunt rhythms and
the lead singer, Andy Partridge, always seems to be
angry. But the new album may be tamer but it’s their
catchiest album to date. It is highly energized but
still smooth—a weird combination but a good one.
The Age
of the Understatement
The Last
Shadow Prophets
Alex
Turner of the Arctic Monkeys has a side project? Sorry
for the White Stripes comparison again, but that’s what
Jack White did and it was a daring leap. For Alex
Turner, it falls a little flat.
Imagine
Arctic Monkeys arranged to make them sound like ’60s
Bond theme songs using a full orchestra. Sounds
promising but, sorry, the effort just doesn’t soar.
All I
can advise Alex Turner is for him go back to his day
job, churning out songs for the first great band to come
out of the millennium.
We
Started Nothing
The Ting
Tings
THE Ting
Tings are a coed duo with one taking the vocals and the
other doing the percussions. Think the White Stripes in
a bizzaro world since their sound is so pop (others
would contend it’s “rock” but I staunchly disagree).
The
album is full of irresistible upbeat songs, from the
hits “That’s Not My Name” and “Great DJ,” to what I
predict will become the next anthemic song, “Shut Up and
Let Me Go.” We Started Nothing is packed with a poppy
parade of songs—and who knew that nothing can sound so
fun? |
