3 indie gems worth (another) look
So I went through the pile of CDs I had on hand and realized that some of the best local acts that released albums in 2012 played at Rockout Fridays, the (still ongoing) live band night at 7th High at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City.
Here’s a sampling.
Funk to make Karl Roy proud
GAYUMA
Silaw
The band whose members still shuttle from Batangas to gigs in the metro cites P.O.T., Incubus, Lamb of God and Jamiroquai among their influences. Stitching bits and pieces of those primal elements to fashion their own sound, Gayuma still comes through like acolytes of the late Karl Roy’s various incarnations in his lifetime.
It’s not exactly a bad thing because “Silaw,” which translates to momentary blindness, moves through a repertoire of hot funk, rock and roll and jazzy ballads on their own terms.
What’s more, the band displays lyrical finesse, equally at ease with biting political commentaries and long sad goodbyes.
Live, Gayuma, which roughly means charm, is a dance machine fueled by funky grooves and an energetic backbeat that always brings the house down.
Karl Roy, wherever he may be, will be mighty proud of his rightful heirs.
An album fully loaded with pop-rock gems
CATHY GO
Find My Way To You
Cathy Go still fronts a covers band in a chicken grill house along Morato Street in Quezon City. Casual diners will surely be surprised to know that Cathy Go released a pop-rocking gem of a debut in 2012.
Discovered, trained and recorded in the art of pop by guitar maestro Mike Villegas, Cathy sings of love and minor recriminations in 3-minute sing-along anthems that evoke summer fun and carefree living.
“Ayaw na kung Ayaw,” an FM radio staple in the last quarter of 2012, travels the same musical route taken by Yeng Constantino. “Ngayong Gabi” opens the album on an upbeat note, welcoming listeners to Cathy’s wonder world of gorgeously sculpted pop. There’s power pop in “This Circle,” heartfelt balladry in “Cupid” and playful punk-pop in “Start Kissing.”
Youth, they say, is a state of mind and this fully loaded album sends a giddy blood rush to the head.
Streamlined grunge
STONEFREE
Providence
The five-piece band (originally a foursome) has been around since the early ‘00s, earning their initial stripes as favorite college act of their generation. They had a minor hit in “Listen” from their first EP, its grungy soundscape by way of Matchbox 20 providing the template for future releases.
Most of the tracks on Stonefree’s latest album have lightened the load to a rock and rollin’ glide and slow waltzin’ stride, the better to appreciate the hooks that nail the tunes to your pleasure center; and the better to listen to songs about loss and redemption.
Best of the bunch are “A Perfect Place,” a ballad that soars to anthemic scales; “Bionic,” which blows hot and cold in grand grungy style; and the title track that slides to a slow burning finish.
Live, the newer streamlined stuff freely flies to heady heights in contrast with the slow-footed heaviness of songs from older album. The effect is a roller coaster ride through Stonefree’s unique musical vision.
