From the tried and tested to the emerging

Coldplay has been around since 1997, and each year sees an increase in its legions of fans. The band is just that good.

Its latest CD/DVD is a great indicator of where the band stands now, the music it has created, and the kind of rabid global appeal it elicits.

Gracenote is on the opposite end of the spectrum right now, a local band trying to forge a name for itself, with a lot of music to offer. 

Coldplay — Live 2012 (Capitol Records).

Culled from some of Coldplay’s more significant concerts during 2012, Live 2012 stands as the closest we can get to a best-of album. Where else can we find Yellow, Viva la Vida, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall and Fix You in one CD?

In fact, if there is something to complain about, why is The Scientist only available on the DVD?

An interesting compilation this is then, and it’s chilling to hear the fans singing along on particular songs.

You can imagine the girls weeping and treating the band like a religion.

Rihanna guests on Princess of China; and one hears how Hurts Like Heaven is such a great opener for Coldplay’s concerts.

In the DVD, while a faithful recording can be accused of being over-produced, some numbers have so much editing; it takes away from the feel of being a concert recording.

A must have for Coldplay-ers! And for those who still yearn to see the band perform here in Manila, it’s a taste of what we’re missing. 

Gracenote — The First Movement (Soupstar/Universal).

Having come up through school band competitions, Gracenote hails from St. Scholastica’s College Manila and joined Nescafé Soundskool and other battles of the bands.

The moniker is derived from the term used to describe a notation used to embellish a part of a song.

A listen to songs like Knock Knock, Pwede Ako, Amnesia and Stop Stop will point to bands such as Paramore, being one of the prime inspirations of Gracenote’s music.

Eunice Jorge on lead vocals and violin gives the band its own unique dimension, and augurs well for its future in the local music scene.

Young, energetic and brash make for a potent combination when it comes to a band that aspires to please both critics and the mainstream audience.