DV by Cambio

Didn't think I'd be able to update eh? :D I plan to keep my promise bitches :D

DV, I like the concept of this song, I mean the lyrics are simple. If you grew up around Manila, then you'd be veeerrrry very familiar with the lyrics since they are street names and places around metro manila.. When you first hear the riffs it grabs your attention immediately and then Diego Mapa, starts "singing" well because I don't know if he intended it to sound like he's just speaking or he is really trying.. but that's his style I guess.. composed of rock-allstars, Cambio was formerly known as the E-heads who were formerly known as the Eraserheads now composed of Diego Mapa (Pedicab, Monsterbot), Buddy Zabala (The Dawn), Raimund Marasigan (Sandwich), Kris Dancel (Fatal Posporos), Ebe Dancel (Sugarfree, Wolfmann+), and Mike Dizon (I think). I really don't enjoy the part where Diego shouts and the bridge, and then a guitar solo enters.. It sounds a lot like noise and reverb combined. Some may find it nice, I found it too raw. not for me.. but what made up for it was Ebe's backing vocals towards the songs end. :)

Song Rating ***

The World Is Our Playground and We Will Always Be Home by Updharma Down

I know, another updharmadown song, but this band is just too good that their music has been making it's rounds and moooore rounds in both my office computer and my ipod, I just couldn't get enough of it. A perfect blend of sound.

The song starts off with a guitar key.... like a siren.. that gets louder and louder.. like an alarm. Enter soulful Armi.. with "You're my sunshine... my occassional rain.." The beat actually sounds like it came from a drum machine or it was created by a synthesizer, but astoundingly, this was all analog. Nothing digital here. AMAZING how they achieved this sound. Maybe it's because of Ean's Drum and Bass influence.

First heard this song because it was sent to me by my friend who actually looks up to this band and boy was I glad he sent this song to me while I was in China. This was actually the track that sold me to the album.

Listen to when: You wanna recall what it's like to be a Child :D

**Renewed formatting I will now omit the Listen to when portion and just add *'s. since it's easier and at least actually RATING a song would prove more useful, don't you think?

Ratings go as high as 5 *'s and as low as ZERO. :)

Thanks

With or Without You by Cellar 55

Back in Beijing, I knew that Anton Ramos, the genius behind the radio show The Chillout Project, came out with numerous discs bearing that title. I was actually looking forward to this release, but when I saw the tracklist I couldn't believe my eyes. There it was.. With or Without You. I thought it wasn't going to be my all time favorite u2 song but when my sister came to visit me she brought with her the CD, I immediately played it. Completely ignoring the fact that she was there. hihihi! :)

As I was listening through the first few tracks and I couldn't help myself I skipped right to this one. :) I was disappointed at first because it didn't sound like the U2 hit.. but as it turned out, it was just because the disc was done in such a way that it was just 1 long mix. :) It was meant to be listened to from start to end. no shuffling no skipping

It sounded a lot like that Bliss song.. Kissing.. with the beats, and that relaxing voice. I really enjoyed all 5 minutes of it :D. It could take you to another level and this is what prompted me to get the original disc the moment I set foot here in Manila :D Inasmuch as I would want to describe the sound, I can't :) I guess you'll have to get your own copy. :)

You're resourceful, you'll find it. :)

Listen to when: You're tired from a day's work and just want something soothing.

Ankle Injuries by Fujiya and Miyagi

2 Japanese guys, who live in Germany.

The this song could be used for those movies with thieves doing a job. :D I like the melody. :D the first thing you'd hear is the ill-bassline :) I don't know much about this group I just downloaded their song and took a listen since I've been reading a lot about them and how their album is good, so curiosity got the best of me. ;) Luckily, they hit the spot :) It's a nice tune :) gave it 5-stars on iTunes which means I'd be listening to this track for a looong time :)

From the sound of it, it sounds a lot electrock.. (Electronica + Rock) hihi i coined that term :D You guys should get the album :) at least I have something to look forward to..

Listen to when: You feel like robbing a bank and need a score. :)

Ankle Injuries by Fujiya and Miyagi

2 Japanese guys, who live in Germany.

The this song could be used for those movies with thieves doing a job. :D I like the melody. :D the first thing you'd hear is the ill-bassline :) I don't know much about this group I just downloaded their song and took a listen since I've been reading a lot about them and how their album is good, so curiosity got the best of me. ;) Luckily, they hit the spot :) It's a nice tune :) gave it 5-stars on iTunes which means I'd be listening to this track for a looong time :)

From the sound of it, it sounds a lot electrock.. (Electronica + Rock) hihi i coined that term :D You guys should get the album :) at least I have something to look forward to..

Listen to when: You feel like robbing a bank and need a score. :)

Para by Wolfmann+

I waited for this album the moment I heard that they will be releasing their album this month. :D Finally I got a copy from a friend. Wolfmann+ is composed of Ebe Dancel (sugarfree) Buddy Zabala (Cambio, The Dawn, Former E-heads), and Kathy Meneses (Daydream Cycle) among others and ofcourse Wilfman "Wolf" Hernandez. Unfortunately Wolf wasn't able to hear the album. He passed away on August of 2005. Wolf was considered a pioneer in his field merging rock and electronica genre. That's why I eagerly waited for the release and now it's finally here. :)

My favorite track of the album was the song.. Para, I have been playing this song ever since I first heard it.. (basically the whole fuckin' day) It's actually the stand out track of the whole album. It's radio-friendly.

Listening carefully to the lyrics, a good friend of mine actually pointed out that it was a bit creepy cuz it actually kinda foreshadowed that Wolf knew that he was going to go.. soon.. When I took another listen.. Yeah the lyrics was heading that way.. He mentions something about going on a journey and not stopping no matter what the devil tells him, he's going to go on.. to heaven. That's the beauty of music, it's open to a lot of interpretation. One it might be about Love, the next it could be about forecasting your own death.

No matter, what the meaning is, I choose to think of it as Wolf's last goodbye. A good song will never die :)

Listen to when: You don't know who wolfmann is :) and wanna see what kind of a person he is :)

Running by No Doubt

Fuckin' Internet choked on me last night, I was supposed to do a song review stupid DSL. *raises hand* DAAAMMNN YOU!

Anyway, I'm at work now, came earlier actually since I don't wanna miss an update. Here we go, Running from No Doubt intros with keyboards. The first time I heard this song was around 2001? And it was on MTV. It was the intro that got me to stop everything I was doing and turn my head (my TV was at the in front of my PC) And it glued my eyes to the TV. The melody was astounding. Seeing the video actually gave it a more nostalgic feel to it. Showing pictures of the band back when they were still toddlers and tweeners :) ahhhhh the nostalgia. Ever since that day, I always associated this song with past memories. It's funny how an music video can affect the look and feel of the song.. or should I just leave the look part out?

When I was in Beijing I kept on playing this song when I'm on my way to school during the winter. I must say this song is perfect for those days. Maybe it's because I miss the Philippines, but then again it was winter so I guess it's a good winter song.

Listen to when: You're going for a stroll, Looking at Buildings, going for a ride, feeling nostalgic.

Billy Boy by Queso and Radioactive Sago Project

Queso, formerly known as Cheese collaborates with Radioactive Sago. This outfit is a fusion of Jazz-Rock and ofcourse let's not forget Spoken word, mix that up with Queso's heavy-metal / screamo roots. and you've got one helluva track. This track is a mishmash of textured sounds. Underneath all the shredding and wild guitar solos, There's the steady drumbeats, trumpets and bongos. On top of that you'd hear Lourd's spoken word poetry. It's hard to concentrate to just one sound when this track is just full of interesting sounds. I have never been a fan of screamo. I always found it to be noise. I mean what's the point of just shouting anybody can do that right? As I found out the hardway, not all can just scream their lungs out and pass it off as music. I guess that's what some people call talent?

As I said I wasn't a fan, but this track made me listen to it in its entirety normally I'd just press the "next" button on iTunes but I guess Radioactive Sago Project saved this track from utmost forwardedness :)

Listen to when: You're going nuts, Fought with your girlfriend.

Rainsong by Imago

Imago perhaps a band that was famous for their weird way of expressing themselves in terms of music I first heard of them when I was in Highschool back in hmm.. 95? or 96?. And this song was I think their first hit. They sound really different I thought they were some kind of foreign band since their lyrics were undecipherable.. I wasn't aware and didn't care about music. All I was concerned was hanging out with friends and I was listening to anything pop. I didn't have my own musical identity. :)

The Intro is quite heavy...a lot of percussion and ethnic instruments can be heard and then when Aia De Leon sings, You'd think they were from some indigenous tribe. You won't even think they had electric guitars, drums and a bass. :D Aia sounds a lot different in this song as compared to their current hits. In fact it sounds as if she is chanting some weird spell (I think that was the main concept for the song. Pretty Good if you ask me) :) I guess that's what sets them apart from other bands they are so open to change and embrace it to the point that if you listen to all their albums.. nothing sounds alike. :) talk about getting out of your comfort zone. If you listen to the lyrics you won't understand a word, but buy the album, check out the lyrics and at first you'd think.. WTF?! these are words, She's singing garbage! but eventually I'm hoping you have an IQ higher than 10. You'll soon realize that what Aia did was she sang the song backwards.. with the chorus starting out with "Yreg Seiks.. Yreg Seiks..." you'd actually realize that it's Grey Skies.. CLEVAAA :D Don't you think? :)

This song is what actually prompted me to look up to Imago. :)

Listen to when: You don't wanna go to school..(get it? Praying for Rain?..no classes.. AHH SHARAP!)

With A Smile by Eraserheads and Southborder

In light of past events, Ely Buendia, frontman of perhaps the greatest band of the 90's. The Eraserheads recently suffered a heart attack but he's ok now, he underwent 2 angioplasties. We thought we lost you there buddy. Everyone has been talking about this. Rumors have spread that he is dead, comatosed, circumcised, you know the drill.. ;D anyway, We're just glad that he's doing fine. So this review is I guess to pay him tribute. :)

With A Smile.

I know all of you know what this song is. :D starts of with Lift Your Head.. I don't need to expound more on this tune since it's all too familiar with the most of you :D If I'm not mistaken, With A Smile is the first slow song of the Eraserheads. It's light-ER compared to their previous hits, Ligaya, Pare Ko, etc. This song will definitely be in my list of songs I can listen to 24/7. Since it holds a lot of good memories. And listening to it just brings them all back.. Good times.

Listen to when: You want to remember those days with the boys. (Early 90s onwards.)

I'm cheating I know, I'm way behind with my song reviews so just let me do my thing I plan on completing all the backlog :)

The Southborder rendition, When I first saw the tracklisting, I was surprised to see Southborder on the list. I mean, They are not a rock band and the album Ultraelectromagneticjam was composed of bands/artists in the alternative genre. :) So naturally I was curious as to what they could bring to the table, Yes Southborder is one of the Philippine's Premiere Bands. Having undergone numerous lineup changes. They have proven time and time again that they still have it. Just goes to show you can't silence a good band :) I was actually surprised to hear what they've done to the Eraserheads classic :) I actually loved it not as good as the original but hey.. they owned it this time. They replaced Ely's vocals with 3 vocals. They have 3 vocalists I didn't think they'd pull it off but they did.

They changed the feel and sound of it.. from an NU hit you can now play it in JAM 88.3 :) Good job guys. ;)

Listen to when: You miss the Eraserheads but not really.. Who am I kidding? Everybody misses the E-heads.

Nothing in this World by Paris Hilton

WHAAA?!?!?! are your eyes deceiving you? Paris Hilton?! YES FUCKER! :D You got it right :D Paris Hilton. Surprisingly, I have her album... Downloaded ofcourse! Won't throw away my hard earned money for just a hype. :) Paris is HOT :D that's a given but how about her album? :D well.. It sizzles.

Nothing in this world has been getting good airtime in my iTunes. An officemate made this playlist full of videos and bubblegum pop divas. :D and named it..

"No BIJO no GOOD".. Paris' single is right up there along with Sugababes, Britney, and Jessica Simpson. :) Surely videos give a boring track some spice. and this really did it for me. :) EXCELLENTE PARIS! :D It's a summer track. :) it's perfect for those long drives on the way to the beach on your convertible except. I don't own a convertible so I'll settle for this tune :D. It's radio-friendly, the singer is hot, the video is sizzling so what else are you looking for?

Listen to when: You're on your way to the beach with a bunch of friends.. or.. Girl-Friends :)

Oo by Updharmadown

Updharmadown, the best thing to happen in 2006, A combination of soul, drum and bass, and rock among other things. :) Upon hearing their music one can only think that this band truly sounds unique, You'd think that this band has with them a dj who mixes the beats. But when you see them live, you'd see that everything is done analog-style. Like a band should be, Guitars, Bass, Drums, Keyboards and ofcourse Vocals. Truly a Fusion band in every sense of the word. :)

Oo is perhaps their most popular track. I have actually been listening to this track even before it hit the mainstream. :) The lyrics, the Melody, and the Beat, is a culmination of 4 geniuses hard at work and you can hear it. It's your typical "I am desperately in love with you please love me to" kinda love song. But their rendition and execution is simply amazing. I invite you to take a listen. :) fire up those Limewires and let the downloads begin. Better yet, just get the album you cheap fuck.

Listen to when: You're courting a girl who just fired your ass, gave you the finger and gave you the whole "Let's be Friends" talk.

Billie Jean by Chris Cornell

Yes you read it right.. Chris Cornell and Billie Jean in 1 sentence :) Very unlikely huh? But believe it. we have seen or should I say, heard. a lot of these things, like No Doubt feat Brandon Boyd singing a Police Tune, Panic! At the Disco singing Hit me Baby one more time. Incubus singing No Scrubs, John Mayer singing some 80s hit, (I forgot what song), Fuel singing Daniel. Yes and the list goes on. Genre crossover I call it :) Chris Cornell is no exception.

Hey we all were kids at one point right? :) Yes we listened to the same cheesy music. We attached memories to it. I dunno. Thanks to Barns for sending me this mp3. I was skeptical at first but hey, it's Chris Cornell.Former Frontman of Soundgarden and currently fronting Audioslave.. Well can I just say? the track fuckin' blew me off! :D much like Fuel's Rendition of Daniel... it ROCKED THE SHIT OUT OF MY ASS!!!!!

Listen to when: You wanna hide that Micheal Jackson hit.

Maalala Mo Kaya - Nyko Maca + Playground

Amidst all the Boom-tarat-tarat's, Sam Milby and Piolo Pascual intentionally polluting the airwaves, Sometimes, A savior, musical genius comes along. I guess we really need to suffer to appreciate the pleasure :) Nyko Maca, a runner-up in the now debunked ABS-CBN show Star in a Million, has formed her own band named, Nyko Maca + Playground :) It still amazes me as to why this talented vixen didn't win the contest, I guess it's a good thing that she got first runner up cuz we have been given the opportunity to get a chance to hear what unmanufactured music she has to offer to us :)

She takes Bossanova to a whole new level, mixing it with electronica, funky grooves and ill hiphop influence. Now that's what I call musicmanship.. or in her case, musicwomanship :)

Here's a song that's worth grooving to, Much like a Chillitees favorite..Sumayaw (Review to follow) The song kicks off with an ill bassline and then enter chillax beats, add to that the texture of the scratches.. This is the type of song that you'd get to hear when you're watchin' mtv with all those blingbling..:) The beat reminds me of Jocelyn Enriquez's baby I want you.. :) and for me, that's a good thing :D It's the first song on her EP Manifesto in the Raw :) hook line sinker right there..

Her voice sounds so familiar, I just can't place it. Shit! I hate this.

Perfect to listen to when: You just wanna bob your head. Be it in the cubicle, the john, the car, the bar..whereever! Infectious BEATS IN THE HOUSE!!!!

Ikaw Pala by Sugarfree

I'm back fuckers! :D my indefinite hiatus has now come to a complete.. hiatus.. so My hiatus is now on hiatus. :D that doesn't make sense. So what? :D So the Song count now is i think a little over 30? :D not bad.. not bad at all.. Maybe I should just change this blog's title to.. How long til Rad breaks his promise? :D don't worry with each day passing, I plan on missing more song reviews. :) hihihi No, Seriously, I will catchup. I have the songs listed already, All I have to do is sit down and write the fuckin' review. :D or whatever you may call it. :)

Anyways, On with the "review"

The Song starts with 3 notes, :D Don't tell me what cuz I don't know. :) The song came from the Tala-arawan Album (I suggest you get your copy cuz it's worth every centavo. Please Please, don't buy the pirated stuff of the vendors on UM, Divi or wherever, PLEAASE!) It's a slow song :D Basically from the title Ikaw Pala.. which when translated in english is, roughly, It's You. You don't really need to turn up the volume here but, I suggest you listen to the genius behind the music.. I'm sure you'll fall in love not only with the singer (That sounded Gay!), but with the song as well. The Song's Lyrics are simple, the tune is simple. Everything is Simple but it sure has that something that can surely turn into a classic... It's Simply Magnificent!

Perfect to listen to when: You break up with your girlfriend and your girl- best friend hooksup with someone else and then you realize you love her... TOO LATE FUCKER!!! :D