Assorted hit backtracks for Pinoy music buffs

Here are some compilation albums that I am sure a lot of Pinoys would like. Not only because the artists are big local favorites but also because all the contents are good which means you will not have to skip to get to the cut you want or break your budget having to buy three or four CDs to get copies of all of these great tunes.

Time Flies 1994-2009 by Oasis. This is not really a best of collection. That is why memorable album cuts like Acquiese, Fade Away and Stay Young are not included. The CD is actually made up of singles released by Oasis over the past 15 years. And what songs those are! I am sure there are other compilations by the band available, but the tunes in here are the best known and established Oasis’ reputation as true heroes of British pop.

Take note of that photo on the cover from the band’s Knebworth show in 1996. Those dots are people! It was the fastest selling concert in pop music history with millions literally turned away for lack of tickets that weekend. That is not likely to happen again as recurring individual differences have forced the brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher to put an end to Oasis. Time Flies is the boys’ goodbye album and not one to be missed.

Here are the 27 Oasis singles: Supersonic, Roll With It, Live Forever, Wonderwall, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Songbird, Don’t Look Back In Anger, The Hindu Times, Stand By Me, Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, Shakermaker, All Around The World, Some Might Say, The Importance Of Being Idle, D’you Know What I Mean? Lyla, Let There Be Love, Go, Let It Out, Who Feels Love? Little By Little, The Shock Of The Lightning, She Is Love, Whatever, I’m Outta Time and Falling Down.

The Places Between: The Best Of The Doves by The Doves. Now this one is a true best of collection of the best cuts from the hit albums Kingdom Of Rust, Some Cities, The Last Broadcast and Lost Souls by The Doves. Also British and also innovative Jez Williams, Andy Williams and Jim Goodwin make up also a very influential band. In fact, I have always believed that before Cold Play happened, there was the stylish The Doves. This trio rocks and its anthemic style is one that a lot of bands look up to.

For those Pinoy music lovers who are not familiar with The Doves, here is the CD that provides an excellent introduction. For long-time fans, this is the showcase for the band’s brilliant songwriting style. In the long run, that really is what great memorable music is all about, beautiful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. You will find plenty of those in The Doves.

Cuts are: There Goes The Fear, Black And White Town, Snowden, Here It Comes, Words, Kingdom Of Rust, Sea Song, Pounding, 10.03, Catch The Sun, Jetstream, The Man Who Told Everything, Andalucia, Caught By The River and The Cedar Room.

Famous Last Words: The Collection by Tears For Fears. Born in the US of A but made its success in the UK, the popular ‘80s band was in town just recently. Now Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith did fill up the Araneta Coliseum for their one-night show. So I am sure that a lot of fans out there and I mean the old and the new, would want to have a copy of this definitive collection. All the hits are here and more and in their original versions, which means you get the big rock ballad Sowing The Seeds Of Love intact in its long form.

I believe that the most attractive quality that the music of Tears for Fears has is the way the sound is layered in the studio. Natural in recording can only take you so far and Tears for Fears does not really have a monopoly of good song writing skills. So it is in the studio where this band creates its magic. Take note of how every note sparkles like lovely fireworks.

Some of those included in this two disc package are: Pharaohs, The Way You Are, Break It Down Again, Sowing The Seeds Of Love, Lord Of Karma, When In Love With A Blind Man, We Are Broken, Cold, Year Of The Knife, Famous Last Words, The Big Chair, Shout, Mothers Talk, I Believe, Head Over Heels, Advice For The Young At Heart, Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down), Mad World, Change, Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Woman In Chains with Oleta Adams, Tears Roll Down, The Marauders and The Hurting.