Ferddie's World

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

UltraElectroMagneticJam: Celebrating the music of the Eraserheads

Generally, I view musical revivals with scorn and suspicion. For one, I don’t like artists who are not creative enough to make a name for themselves but merely ride on the popularity and success of well known names and songs. Secondly, a number of these revivals simply don’t live up to the standards the original songs and their artists have established.

But…there are exceptions. One of these exceptions is the CD album “UltraElectroMagneticJam” by Sony BMG Music Entertainment, which celebrates and gives tribute to the music of the Eraserheads. This local band who started its commercial success with the release of their first album, “Ultraelectromagneticpop” in 1993 soon became a household name. The rest of course is Pinoy rock history.

Arguably, the Eraserheads rank high among the Philippines’ greatest bands. Personally, the Ely Buendia-Raymond Marasigan tandem (which provides a local counterpart to the Lennon-McCartney collaboration) is one of the best composer/lyricist partnership the country has ever produced. To be the recipient of this “tribute” reflects the impact and respect their local peers and the musical industry in general have for the group. Even after the band disbanded, individual members continue to shine in their own endeavors.

The album is not really new, released way back in 2005. But it seems it was the one who started it all… a wave of musical revivals and tributes to bands of old. More importantly, many of the various artists actually gave justice to the well loved Eraserheads songs.

On the top of my list are “Alapaap” by 6 Cycle Mind, the hauntingly beautiful interpretation of “Spolarium” by Imago, “Huwag Kang Matakot” by Orange and Lemons, “Hard To Believe” by Cueshe and the popular “Maling Akala” version by Brownman Revival.

Also noteworthy are the R&B adaptation of “With A Smile” by South Border, the new rap version of “Superproxy 2K6” – a duet by Francis M. and Ely Buendia, and the anthem-like “Para Sa Masa” sang by all the participating artists.

Many die-hard Eraserheads fans may say that the originals still sound better. They may be right. Still, they will surely appreciate this 17 track album which gives a fresh and welcome sound to some of the best songs of their revered rock band. -----I did.

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