Videoke sessions overwhelm me. I go there not to sing solo but to enjoy the company. Here’s the scenario from my perspective:

1. Sit.
2. Grab a drink.
3. Chit chat.
4. Browse through the millions of songs listed in the song book.
5. Sing along with the crowd
6. Browse through the song book once again
7. Help people find their songs
8. Browse through the song book
9. Chit chat
10. Browse through the song book once again

And you know what’s next.

Yes, browse through the song book once again. Chit chat and browse through the songs again. You’re learning here. That’s what I do. I stand from time to time to answer phone calls. I never go to the toilet unless it is a private residence that we are having the party at. And I never seem to find songs that I am comfortable singing with. The irony is, I know most of the songs, but I don’t have enough guts to sing them. And whenever somebody chooses a particular song I am much more comfortable singing along with the crowd where nobody hears my pathetic singing voice.

I remember the last time that I sang multiple songs was when I was with a pop crowd. I chose pop-ish songs that are really very easy to sing where everybody gets to sing together and forget that I am there. Since pop songs in general does not have interesting melodies, just repetitive and pathetic lines that seems to appeal to people (e.g. Break out by SOS, Complicated by Avril Lavigne, Ironic by Alanis Morrisette etc), I played well with the game that time. With 6 songs, I think I did great.

With the recent Videoke party we had (Happy Birthday Arjay!), I wasn’t able to sing at all. Yeah, I’m a loser baby, so why don’t you kill me (that’s what Beck said to me). With a powerhouse line up, there’s no way I can make it through that day singing one of my songs because I can never match their prowess. I let them take the stage and be a wallflower that day. Here is the list of the songs that I came up with before the party:

1. Your Love- Alamid
- Sang in low key and there are no “birit” moments. So I can still be in my comfort zone. I just realize this wont work since the vibe was Paaaarrttehh! This will just be pathetic and kill the momentum.



2. Jaded- Aerosmith
- I am sure Steve Tyler will be proud of my female version of this. But I took note of the crowd’s behavior. They would not want to hear this in the mid-afternoon heat of the sun.

3. Drive- Incubus
- I already sang this song when I was with Arjay and the last time we had videoke sessions, Sergio was there also and I think they want to hear variety. I skipped this song for variety’s sake.


*Notice that the first 3 songs that I listed down are all from male vocalists. That just means that I am still in my comfy zone in choosing songs for this Videoke session.

4. Oo- Updharmadown
- After Drive, I thought of this song, and unfortunately, it is not in the song list. It’s just unfortunate. As I want to sing this so badly as a tribute to Pink-a-loo.

5. Pag-agos- Updharmadown
- Yes, this was not included in the list as well. Believe it or not, there is one Updharmadown song there and I am not even familiar with. That, I think, was part of the compilation they had with either APO or Hopiamanipopcorn.

6. Scientist- Coldplay
- Back to grassroots. I saw this listed, but I don’t think this song is a great “first and last” song for the day from me. So I thought of a better song.

7. Foolish Games- Jewel
- Believe me, I almost sang this song. What got me to skip this is that when the most of the pack are singing the classics and are really into the singing. My Jewel wont compete with their Chaka Khans or Celine Dion or even Earth, Wind and Fire. So I opted to delay my supposed “First and Last” song.

8. Pardon Me- Incubus
- I also see this song listed. I am comfortable with this song as I sing this all day, everyday. But I thought people around will not be able to relate to this. So I skipped my another Boyd favorite.

9. Tonight, tonight- Smashing Pumpkins
- This is also what I call “asa” song with the crowd that I am with. They wont be able to relate for sure. But I took note of this song so maybe next time I get to hang out with atchie or Patrick again, we can sing this wholeheartedly. (that’s if this will be listed)

10. Akap- Imago
- One of my options to be the first and last pick… but I thought, this song has too much drama and the vibe wont work in a very party-ish crowd. This reminds me of the extra-uncool part of my life. So case closed. No akap for the day.

11. Insensitve- Jan Arden
- I thought I would be able to pull this through hands down. But as the song starts to play in my mind, I find its tune very repetitive and it won’t showcase my range. Haha. (what range!?!) and it will bring the spectators to a boring mood when “and I really should have known by the time you brought me home…” part materializes.

12. More Today than Yesterday- Spiral Staircase
- too positive, I thought. This is a nice follow-up to songs like Wouldn’t it be nice by the Beach Boys or even Grow Old with you by Adam Sandler. And that day, none of those songs were played.

13. Kailan- Smokey Mountain
- My crush was not invited anyway. Hehe.


Before I get to decide to put the 5 peso coin in that machine, my ride was there to pick me up. Too late. But I will make sure the next time I get caught in the Videoke sessions once again, I will pay tribute to Freddie Mercury first and sing, “Mama, ooohh,didn’t mean to make you cry, if I’m not back again this time tomorrow, carry on, carry on. As if nothing really matters…” and maybe he can help me summon the Videoke Gods and send me wisdom to pick songs and strength to sing the songs on my list. Mama mia let me go! Magnifico!

Book worming with: George Orwell's 1984

*Silence*

*Lighter click*

*Keyboard typing*

Sure. I’m distracted. How can I not be? You almost knocked down my coffee for clumsily placing your ashtray on the table and you have just consumed 12 sticks of cigarette in just 30 minutes since you arrived. How dare you allow me to inhale the deadly white smoke that your muffler-like pipes are emitting! I just learned that you now smoke a huge number a day. Is it part of your ‘ideological’ stance when it comes to freedom? I thought you are with me in making our meetings nicotine and caffeine-free. Is it possible that you are getting even with me since we are now in a caffeine-infested environment and that I am addicted to it? Or you just want to irritate me? Well, if the latter’s your plan, you won the warfare. I am irritated. I wish I had enough guts to drag myself inside the non-smoking section of this coffee shop where air conditioning is generously in full blast and I can have a Bossa Nova-all-you-want listening spree. But I have this ball and chain shackled on my feet. I do believe you have the keys and you wont allow me to have it. Since when did I loose the courage to tell you something that I think is for your own good? Why can I not just imitate the PSA that once aired on local TV “Please, stop smoking.” Something’s holding me back... Okay, that’s it! It’s your 13th cancer stick! >Tap< >tap< >tap< I’m going cuckoo over this. I know I can’t make you stop! What am I thinking?

*Silence*

*Keyboard typing*

I’m glad you showed up. I did not expect that you would, though. That is why I readied my blissful abandonment. I apologize for having this pathetically fancy, green-labeled coffee shop as our meeting place. I might have called it ‘pathetic’ but this is my comfort zone now. This has been my sanctuary since you left me hanging in mid air eons ago. I spend more than 60 hours here every week (That is more than my day job overtime hours for the whole year). And in my opinion, I deserve the ‘customer or the year’ award. You have missed my 200th espresso milestone in this branch. It’s my 259th tonight. I’ll be running for 265 before this shop closes. I might get to my 300th in 1 week.

*Keyboard Typing*

So now, what’s with the ‘what-lured-you-to-the-green-labeled-coffee’ look you just gave me? It’s not as if I have forgotten how contented we were before in just sitting down the steps of an abandoned sari-sari store near my place while eating ice pops every night. It was a perfect hang out place and it bore witness to different milestones in our relationship. Like the first time I saw you cry over your first heartbreak and our nightlong singing sessions that honed your sense of rhythm and my mastering of Zappa’s lyrics. It was so simple, yet meaningful. We need not shell out money, but we are contented and fulfilled at the same time even if the mosquitoes are having their nightly feasts on us. This encounter with you tonight is so awkward. Is it because I have this trusty MacBook in front of me as I type this crap and I am making a no-nicotine-allowed bubble, which obviously you cannot enter, or is it coming from somewhere else?

“Do you have 5s?”

First statement of the night and it was asking me for loose change so you can buy that chocolate hazelnut biscotti that you love to dunk in my coffee.

“Sorry, I only have 20s.”

You get it anyway. You getting it do not surprise me. Getting more than what you need is so typical you. I am fed up with you being the king of ‘coolness’ and you thinking that people pleasing is so cool that it can move you up the pedestal of disasters and stereotypes. Okay, that’s too much drama. Emotional fit emergency! Call 1-800-MELODRAMA or visit www.emohangups.com.ph. How can I not have emotional convulsions? You did not dunk your Biscotti in my coffee! You can hang up the call now. That got me thinking.

*Silence*

*Keyboard typing*

We were never like this. We used to have fun together. Those joyrides we had to only-god-knows-where inspired me to be more of a traveler and not just be a regular tourist (Just like what Anthony Bourdain said). We did not mind people teasing us that we are having a more-than-platonics relationship. We just give them the finger and live our lives as we planned. We talked a lot, and I give you the credit for bringing down the walls that I have built from the normal society you belong. I have dreamed about a platonic relationship like this for so long. Not so smooth, but the differences that we had were the ones that glued us together. But now, we are like freshies of the situation. Your corny jokes will remain corny and it wont receive any acknowledgements, at least from me, ever. Do I have to introduce myself again? Do I have to spell out my surname and tell you the history of my nickname? I’m stuck.


*Silence*

*Keyboard Typing*

Wait… Petite, Dark haired, Morena approaching approximately 10 meters per hour at your 8 o’clock. Damn. Why is she here? I thought this is a private conversation of the nearly ex-best friends who are trying to make up with each other? A new girlfriend huh. How nice. Nice skin, cool techno watch, is that Pucci she’s wearing? Oh no, I recognize that pair of Manolo’s from an 8th avenue shop at Rodeo Drive. I didn’t know you got taste for standard, high maintenance belles. I thought simple, caring, longhaired girls who knows how to cook good food and knows how to play at least one musical instrument are the ones that are appealing to you. Hah, now you are making me laugh. First, you came here puffing those Sobrini fumes (because you were once a thrifty chap), flaunting your new “made-over-queer eye” haircut (You hated the quintet). And now, presenting me with this dolled up My Scene Barbie that is so deserving of a spot on a Toys R Us shelf!? Now, I want to ask, “What is up?”

*Silence*

*Keyboard typing*

I am having a hard time understanding your point of adding complications in this little situation that we have. You once again flimflammed me to this forked road, and now, I don’t know where to go and what to do. Well, how will I know! After you got into serious, romantic relationships, we communicated through our ‘common friends’ who apparently, are my friends who became your first-degree buddies. I just don’t find the logic of you and me having the same group of friends now. If you are Mr. Congeniality, then why can’t you just look for people out of my system? Sure, I am exuding the ‘jealous’ best friend aura. But how can I be able to move on if you and I have the same set of friends? Most of them became your first-degree friends who confided in you even about them PMSing. How cool is that added the situation we have here right now? Burr.

That affected me, I must admit. I had a couple of romantic relationships of my own, almost the same time you had yours. I cannot help but hold that responsible for this rift. Why would I not? Of course, replacing the time we used to spend together was the time we gave our significant others. Our ‘Best friend’ relationship has taken the backseat for so long and I thought it would be forever. The only reason you would show up at my doorstep is whenever there is a need to iron out creases in your relationship. That I did not mind, for I have set myself to my mantra of being there for people in times of emotional downpour.

*Silence*

>Aluminum Chairs Pulled Back<

*Silence*

*Keyboard Typing*

Now, you’re already saying your goodbyes? ‘Liz’s going to have her nails done.’ So you say. I thought it was something like ‘Liz’s having her boobs done, and I should be there to witness that momentous event of her life!’ I would have counted the latter as a valid excuse. But come on! Her acrylics are now much more important than a ‘friend’ who has been looking all over for you the past days and wishing to talk to you over coffee (or anything that can be talked on over)? You got to be kidding me! Okay, so you’re not kidding... And you’re pretty serious… You waved goodbye while the Pucci-wearing Barbie’s dragging you down the steps. Shush.

*Cuckoo Silence*

*Keyboard Typing*

Crap. This Mac is lagging again. As if it is affirming of its condolences to my once again battered conscience of not telling you, how important it is for us to talk tonight because I am just about to break up with you. I do not want to be carrying the label “Carlo’s Best Friend” anymore. I realized that this would not work between us the time you told me that Erap joke (that you have been telling me since auld lang syne) and just before the pick up line materialized, it bored me. It got me thinking how many times you have told that joke to an enormous number of people behind me. You have mastered every word, every second on when to drop the pick up line and how calculated every smile and laughter you gave out to your countless ‘best friends’, ‘bestest best friends’, ‘beshys’, ‘best buds’, ‘bestest beshys’ and god-knows-what other names you call them. I resign to the subconscious pact of us being best of friends. I am not your loss. You have a lot of ‘spare keys’ anyway.

I was supposed to tell you that you can keep everything conjugal that we owned (even the leather jacket we purchased over eBay that cost us a fortune). And you know what? I did not want any residue of your clothes’ musky scent on my couch that is why I donated it to charity and bought a new one, a wicker chair that you said you hated. I started up early so I wont be caught with the ‘backing-out flu’ that I always get. I would just want my life to sit in a cul-de-sac than be in the rapids with you around. I would have wanted to wake up tomorrow and be your so called “Ex best friend” so that there will be no more rantings and all those misunderstandings that we have over things that don’t even exist in the real world. That would be uplifting.

*Cellphone Message Alert Tone*

*Keypads click*

A text message from one of your newly found ‘Best friends’ … ‘Carlo’s sorry for not being able to talk to you tonight. He’ll see you soon.’ … Well, I should have heard of that from you. Not from a slushy individual that don’t even know how to spell my name correctly.

I guess I have to wait until we meet again.

But thanks anyway:

-For all the texts that kept me company during boring days and long nights.
-For all the secrets you shared and entrusted to me and my secrets that you kept.
-For all the videos we edited (actually you edited while I watched), projects we crammed, Good Time cookies we shared, songs we sang, movies we watched, CDs we borrowed and gave.
-For all the Cuenca doughnuts, crinkles, Snickers, nachos, dalandan juice, cheese logs, coffee, french fries, popcorn (Holy Kettle or Taters), Taquitos, and pizzas we've eaten.
-For all the code names for our crushes and all the times we stood by each other for support, buildings that could have been, stalker moments, Top30 revelations (is that why 30’s your favorite number?), and dark ages.
-For all the five to thirty minute laughing fits we've had.
-For all the moments we've cried together.
-For all the seats you gave up just so I could sit, the time you sacrificed to be with me, the credits you used up to check how I was, the coins you spent to talk to me, the trips to Leon Guinto you made to see me, the times you let me go first that reminded me that I am a lady, the choices you always provided me (although I never made a choice), the fights you put up just to be with me, the months you spent waiting, the nights you TRIED to stay up to talk to me.
-For making me laugh.
-For worrying. Not over worrying! Just worrying.
-For growing your dreads and getting rid of them after a few days when I told you it didn’t look good on you and for simply trusting me with tresses issues.
-For being a gentleman--not just to me, but to other girls, to older people.
-For having a great smile.
-For being such a techie and EcE smartie and having patience to teach me when I'm totally clueless about most things.
-For being, such a wonderful company all the time.
-For hugging me, pinching my arm, playing with my hair, tapping my nose, wrapping your arm around my shoulders, massaging my hand and my shoulders when they're stressed, holding my hand, stroking my cheek, kissing my forehead, holding my chin up.
-For texting me, calling me, YM-ing me, writing me letters, e-mailing me, and giving me giant Valentine's Day cards.
-For missing me when I'm in Leon Guinto and You’re in Diliman.
-For all the times you said ‘good luck’, ‘take care’, ‘i miss you’, ‘kuwento ka naman’, ‘how are you?’, ‘do you want to go out on Saturday?’, ‘are you gonna be okay?’, ‘you okay?’, and ‘i love you’.
-For all the times you were there for me.
-For loving me.
-For a trillion, billion, million other things.
Thank you.

And this is it for now.


>Mac Closes<

*Silence*

*silence*

*keyboard>

Music Trips for today: Across the Universe by The Beatles
Book worming with: (Re-reading) To Kill a Mocking Bird
I am basically...: touched

Chant Down Babylon

Entering music stores really does something to weaken my knees and take away my focus. I am like Augustus Gloop salivating for the yummy treats inside Wonkaâ??s chocolate factory every time I enter those establishments. Unless I have something pre-determined in my mind what to buy, I will go cuckoo in choosing what my good find will be for the week. I have not been to the likes of HMV but I would definitely be overwhelmed and I guess I need to eat more of that â??balutâ?? stuff.


INDIE PICK

Artist: Concrete Sam
Macky Clamor- Vocals
Glenn Hernandez- Bass
Don Santarinala- Drums
Choko Abejo- Guitar
Chris Porth- Guitar
Album: Same Old Game EP (2006)
6 Tracks

After I have purchased my â??Embraceâ?? album by Urbandub early this year, I swore to myself that every time I would go and have my â??Tower Adventures,â?? I should buy at least one Indie album for my listening spree and to support the Indie musicians who work so hard to share their mostly amazing music to the world. And with that, my recent find was this very interesting EP from the band Concrete Sam titled â??Same Old Game.â??

For starters, I have no idea what Concrete Samâ??s music is like. I havenâ??t been to any of their gigs, I havenâ??t heard any of their songs aired over the radio (because I seldom listen to FM stations these days, haha), I donâ??t know what they look like and what their fashion statement is. In short, I have no clue what kind of band created the album that was on my hands that time.

My attention was directed to this plainly packaged album that has a Family Computer joystick on red background as a cover. I flipped it over and read the minimal information at the back and saw the following details:

Produced by Paco Sta. Maria & Concrete Sam
Recorded, Mixed and mastered by Billy Reyes @ MMR studios
EP Layout & Design by Puto of Kamikazee

The last line struck my consciousness and made it blabber, â??I think I know what kind of music this concrete sammyâ??s playingâ?¦â?? tap, tap, tap. Yes. That got me thinking if this band is a descendant of kamikaze or some sort. Well, I am not a huge fan of the â??youngâ?? Kamikazee (and the like) but there is still something inside of me whispering, â??Buy Concrete Samâ?¦ Buy Concrete Samâ?¦â?? So, I shelled the benefit of the doubt and gave this EP a chance to be part of my colleczion (itâ??s only 150php anyway).

Upon opening the package, I got myself busy in reading the â??Thank you corner.â?? The band names that I expected to be there were actually there. The likes of greyhoundz, pentavia, typecast, monsterbot, humble sauce (one of my fave!), kiko machine, queso, maple syrup, etc. I kept my fingers crossed and took a deep breath as the Computer read the CD.

Hearing the first notes of the first track in the Album â??Hina ng Loob,â?? that got me elated and made me want to explore the rest of the album more. It was the music that I expected but Concrete Samâ??s songs definitely got a very diverse feel to it. As one of my acquaintances said, they do have the â??westernâ?? jive that can be compared to punk, emo-punk, punk rock sounds like The Starting Line, Senses Fail and Rufio but a little lighter than Saosin. Locally, they do resemble the formula of The Ambassadors from Cebu.

Unlike the â??Kengkoy Rockâ?? pattern, they do have heavy guitar riffs and busy rock rhythm and incorporated several â??westernâ?? styles in their tempo and in dealing with their vocals. I noticed that with one of their songs, â??Kandilaâ?? got the exact same intro with the song of Senses Fail â??Rhum is for drinking not for burning.â??

They will definitely sail through the indie music scene and will rake more support from the listening public. Especially those who are into exploring the world of the pinoy indie music and those aspiring musicians of today.

Music Trips for today: Across the Universe by The Beatles
Book worming with: (re-reading) To kill a mocking bird
I am basically...: quixotic

So Long and Good night

Things are so crazy these days. Having seen myself up in a lonely bell tower for almost my entire re-entry into single hood created a lot of imaginary friends and constant mirages blocking my reality vision. Now, my past has been haunting, I have no idea if it is part of the mirage that has blossomed to blur my vision or is it reality and the intentions are pure. I want to lay all these to rest and bid it good night but I just can't at this point. I want a friendship regained and everything ironed up. I just need some time.


AND THE ALBUM REVIEWS...



Artist: Up Dharma Down
Armi Millare: Vocals
Paul Yap: Bass
Carlos Tanada: Guitar
Ean Mayor: Drums/ Loops/ Samples
Album: Fragmented (2006)
15 cuts, 3 bonus tracks

Dharma, dharma, dharma Chameleon...

Despite of all the shitty politics, poverty, indifference, discrimination and everything intangibly evil in this world, the human race has been blessed with the music and existence of the best of all karmic encounters in the world, Up Dharma Down. The boom of their single "Pag-agos" is so timely. The band has been doing music for several years already and has been featured in music magazines and ruled the indie world of music. It's nice how humble beginnings and virtuous patience paid off with their album sales soars high and they are included in Tower Record's Top 25 best sellers.

There has been a music revolution going on and I don't know if people noticed that. The music has not turned full circle yet, but the Filipino listening public has been supportive of the Filipino music these past two years. Producers are giving us "sleazy novelties" no more. And the public is a more choosy in what songs to listen and what genres they are listening to (though I must admit, there are still a while lot of confusion going on in alternative listening and its sub categories). Different genres are coming out and a lot of support are sprouting to each of them.

Like Up dharma Down's ascent to the mainstream business. Their jazzy, avant-garde attack to their music has been warmly welcomed by the listening public. The sound quality is superb and the mixes are awesome. Armi Millare's melodious vocals complemented the bands easy-listening tunes. I say kudos to Paul Yap (together with Armi) who wrote most of the lyrics for the songs in the album. It is such a wonderful adventure in the lines and words with such a classy taste and a hint of local everyday humor ("kung alam ko lang ako'y iyong masasaktan ng ganito, sana nakinig nalang ako sa nanay ko..."). The whole album is so perfect for a coffee-hangout Sunday afternoon to wash away the week's hassles and will let you start the new week right and relaxed.

I was listening to the album while on the road the other day. Scenes were playing inside my head with the afternoon sun touching my face and the metro manila's bustling bumper to bumper traffic. I was like inside my very own music video. Few songs and artists made me slip into that extraordinary world I make whenever I listen to their songs while on the road or simply sitting quietly inside my room. This is one of my great album purchases this year 2006.

The album cover's simple but the design was intellectually put together. I actually liked the photos. And the lyrics sleeve! Oh the lyrics sleeve! Thank you so much for including it! I was wishing for one but not expecting that the album has it. But when I saw it hiding behind the CD, I was elated and immediately pulled it out and sang "Di mo lang alam ako'y iyong nasaktan..." briefly. My only concern was that the CD itself might be scratched with the album packaging material (Just like Radioactive Sago's Urban Gulaman).

Up Dharma Down's Fragmented is one album that is worth the money you will shell out. For those who are into alternative listening (especially the eclectics) I am definitely sure you will enjoy the whole hour of easy listening songs that will definitely captivate your mellow, alternative soul.

I gave Up Dharma Down's "Fragmented" album an over-all average of 4 out of 5 in my nano ratings.



Artist: Urbandub
Lalay Lim: Bass
John Mendoza: Drums
Gabby Alipe: Vocals/ Right Guitar
John Dinopol: Left Guitar
Album: Embrace (2005)
12 tracks


Huggables

It has been 3 months since I last bought this album and it is just now that I get the chance to listen to it seriously for whenever I play it in my ear, the environment I am into is not so conducive for listening. Well, now, after more than 70 play counts for the entire album, I embraced the album tighter, and I definitely think this piece of artwork is a different perspective of what Urbandub is about.

I liked the album design with ayeka sekong on it. She's cute and I think having her there is sort of creating ironies with the music and the band itself. It is also nice that they include lyrics to this album. I thank bands who place lyrics in their album sleeves because I, for one, loves to dive into their music by singing with it and I think that they are one of the best songwriters in the industry, so why shy away and keep the lyrics while they can spread the word with that too. They did a favor for me (and the people like me) by putting their lovely lyrics for my singing spree. Thanks Urbandub!

The tracks in this album are much lighter compared to their 2003 album "Influence" Though tracks are still guitar riff-heavy, impeccable softer melodies are coming out and that's a good sign that the band has reached its maturity. It's a semi-departure to their music's very dark nature. Embarking on a different light attests that they really are indeed talented musicians whose works are praise-worthy and worth listening to.

Hearing the band perform "Alert the Armory" for the first time at the MTV music summit back in December, I was overwhelmed and said to myself that the single will be greatly embraced by the public. And indeed, it got rave reviews and a wider support from the fans (and the newer ones too) who waited so long to get hold of their new album. Their live performances are awesome and always fully charged. Gaby Alipe knows how to please the crowd. He need not move away from the band stand and work with the crowd. All he does is show his powerful, passionately driven vocals, play his guitars and the crowd will surely fire up with the band's excellent performance.

They got wider fan demographic with the release of their refreshing second single, "First of Summer" A lighter shade of the "Alert the Armory" shadow. The song is awkwardly danceable but still has the flamboyant "dub" flair that won their hard core fans from the start (count me in!) and it is one of the few songs I hear that talks of summer and will make you feel that the scorching heat is already, for real.

Everything that consists the band reached its maturity and it is very evident in the end product of their couple of years work. This time, Gaby Alipe's vocals was highlighted more in the songs which is great because he is very talented and passionate of his craft. Bassist Lalay Lim stunned me when I saw her at the MTV Music Summit. She sported this long tresses with blond highlights underneath it, simple but matured "stylish rock" fashion and exceptional bass playing (as always ). She matured in the very sense of the word. And seeing John D. playing the guitars again elated me. With the accident he got into back in 2004 (Days after the Summer Slam), it is so great he recovered from it and did not lose the will to do guitars once again. John M. still supplied heart pounding beats and is still one of the best drummers in the industry.

What I liked about the band is that they do not forget their roots and where their comfort zone is. Bringing the sound of the south to the mainstream world was risky at first, but they proved that Filipinos are really diverse when it comes to music and not all bands whose albums are worthy of nationwide distribution are metro manila bands. It just so happen that Urbandub is far more better than most of the bands we are used to watch and patronize here in the metro.

I give Urbandub's "Embrace" album an over-all average of 4 out of 5 in my nano ratings.

Music Trips for today: Maybe by Up dharma Down
Book worming with: (-,-)
I am basically...: silly

Okay, so I am the most indifferent person on the planet. Fine.

While people are busy welcoming the year 2006, I was in my bed, catching a dream sand man brought. I had a pretty good sleep that night. The noise outside the house failed to wake me up. It was a rather normal night, I thought. I think it is a spell that my last birthday gave me. The adulthood curse it is.

A group of bears is called a “HUG”

The first album I purchased this year 2006 is Embrace by Urbandub. The long wait is over for many of their fans and supporters. This album is 2 years in the making and every single waiting day is worth it. I still was not able to complete my date with Embrace and I only have several occasions that the songs are playing into my ears while strolling the mall, which is not so-conducive place to do the heart to heart listening.

Thanks to the band they decided to include their lyrics on the sleeves of the album. I had a hard time deciphering the some lyrics of the Influence album just by listening. I guess it is only I who do not have the right listening skills and the Influence album’s set up did not work to my advantage. Haha.

It is also nice to see Urbandub perform their first single “Alert the Armory” live through the MTV music summit event last December. And that was the time I promised myself that I’ll be having that CD no matter what. And now, I have it for my listening spree.

I was reading the “thank yous” they have in the CD, loquy was there, as well as Silent Sanctuary and I noticed, they thanked <S>andwich twice! I do not know if it is just a typographical error, but it is far more okay than having the name of another band from the south (which the name happens to be spelled as C-U-E-S-H-E {What does that mean anyway}) occupying it. I’m okay with Sandwich being mentioned twice.

My album review will be included on the next post.       

Audiosycrasy on canvass

Yes, Igan D’ Bayan is having a one-man exhibit this February. Cant wait!

Music Trips for today: I cant make you love me by Bonnie Raitt
Book worming with: (-,-)
I am basically...: off

It’s amusing how life can lead you to the best and worst things that ever existed in this world. 20 years of living and conforming to the needs and wants of this materialistic world is really a milestone for most people. Another year’s added to my life and in the past several months, I have seen my self grow physically and emotionally.

I was 19 when I first had a boyfriend. All of those months trailing with someone to my 20^th year carried very valuable lessons and experiences that were written in my “herstory.” I learned many things from that relationship. However, I have to learn it the hard way. Few months after I left teenhood, the romantic relationship ended and I have to trail the rest of the 20^th year of my life alone. I always thought I would never get over that phase where I learned to walk this earth with someone beside me. I was never dependent physically, but I was emotionally.

My 20^th year was the idlest part of my life. The age where I am supposed to be making myself a life and starting my career, but it was all held back because of silly and petty circumstances that I should not have allowed myself to get into from the beginning.

As I decided to leave that utopian-like part of my life with that person, I realized that I made the right decision to make myself numb and indifferent when it comes to that matter. Now, I have moved on and I do not want to turn back, ever.

The day is fresh, I’m coming home again
Going back to my grassroots will do the complete healing that the 19^th and 20^th year of my life has brought me.

My plans are set and I know I will make it this time. My life wheel has turned 360 degrees, I have been through hell and back, and now I deserve everything that will come my way in the year ahead. It was such a long road that I took to see what life is for me, but it was worth it. I would never be the same person as I am now if I did not take that path.

I have started the 21^st year of my life right. I have enough water and trail mixes to sustain me from the hike. This year will be a steep one for me, but I will make it. Yes, I will...

BANK OF THANK YOU

Please visit www.bankofty.blogspot.com

Music Trips for today: Zomby Woof by Frank Zappa