True Faith's new CD: Nothing overkills

I was listening to Love Parade, the new album by True Faith when I realized that it has now been 17 years since Perfect. I am quite sure about this because the last CD released by the band was Dream Journal: 1993-2007, a two-disc, all-hits compilation. And there it was, 1993. That was when this new group skyrocketed to fame with the simple, New Wavish love song.

Perfect was followed by more big sellers over the years, Alaala, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, Huwag Na Lang Kaya, Sayang Ang Lahat, Dedma, Baliw, Sa Puso Ko, Kung OK Lang Sa ‘Yo, Hi! Ambon, Sumasarap Ang Gising and others.

Admittedly, most of these songs caused True Faith to veer away from its original rock sound. But they sold a lot, and like the wistful Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit, are now considered contemporary classics. So True Faith, rocking or not is now assured of its place in Filipino pop music history.

Back to Love Parade. I also recall times when True Faith was not doing so well. One of these was when the band proclaimed they were going back to their early sound after making a lot of MOR hits. The CD title escapes me now but I am sure that the effort did not click so well. Truth to tell they had better luck singing a telenovela theme song.

I do not see anything wrong with being an MOR band but the guys want to rock again and they will keep trying. I am happy to say they finally got it right with Love Parade. Here is that New Wave sound again but spiced with R&B and more complicated rhythms. And MOR fans are not likely to complain because the mood remains light and upbeat throughout.

Love Parade is a tight production. Nothing overkills. The songs move as one to an easy gait. Just like in a well-paced parade. Then I have to admit that one reason why I listen to True Faith is Medwin Marfil’s vocals. His singing has this hopeful lilt that makes one enjoy the music more. I am happy to say that 17 years later his vocals still work very well.

The first single release is ‘Yun Lang featuring Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down providing back up vocals. The other songs in the album are: Mountain Wind; Hurray!; Tonight; Awitin; Strange Flower featuring Luke Mejares, Carlos Magno of Out of Body Special and Ryan Armamento of Corporate Lo-Fi; Kaya Mo ‘Yan!; Parada; Run and my top favorites Pangako and Lihim. These two have very strong commercial hooks and will make excellent singles. Nice work, guys.

True Faith is made up of Medwin on vocals; Eugene Marfil on acoustic guitar and vocals; Bimbo Yance on bass guitar; Allan Elgar on lead guitar; Jake Lumacad on keyboards and Benedict Esguerra on drums.

Franco at Eastwood

Still on local bands. The much-touted Franco, whose press release claims that it is “a powerful group that contines to elevate the sound of rock to the core,” (WOW) will be performing at the Eastwood Central Plaza on May 1 at 8 p.m.

Titled This Gathering, the show will feature Franco’s all-original songs from its debut CD including the hit Castaway, the new single This Gathering, plus Seasons, Next Train Out, Memory Kill and others. All that fans have to do to get free tickets to the show is buy a copy of the Franco album. This will entitle you not only to special seats but also a chance to get upclose and personal with the band.

Pinoy MYX hitlist

The Pinoy MYX Countdown for the week lists the following as the most requested videos of the moment: Please Be Careful With My Heart by Christian Bautista; Harinawa by Hale; Not Like The Movies by KC Concepcion; Breathe Again by Chicosci; A Call To Arms by Urbandub; Kalayaan by Bamboo; Picture Picture by Tanya Markova; I Don’t Want To Fall by Juris; You’re So Hot by XLR8; Beautiful Girl by Christian Bautista.

Missed You by Sam Concepcion; Right Here Waiting by Sarah Geronimo; Makapiling Ka by Sponge Cola; Unang Tikim by Kamikazee; Martilyo by Gloc-9 and Letter Day Story; Parang Si Ely Buendia by Soapdish; Himala by Jay-R; Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough by Jennylyn Mercado; Gusto Ko Lang Ng Girlfriend by Eevee; and Go Go Dance by Mr. Bones and The Boneyard Circus.