‘Clocks’ and other glories

If you are a true-blue music fan and lover, you probably know which bands have ripped off the great ones. You have alphabetized your CD collection like an obsessive-compulsive person, exposing your weakness for Barry Manilow. And naturally, your iPod is a handheld testament to your great taste loaded with the greatest albums of all time. So savvy, huh?

A disclaimer: I am not writing a music review for I might be late in doing so. Instead, I am listing down recent releases and reissues just to give a glimpse of what’s cool to add to your CD collection:

1. All Saints, "Studio 1"

If you were turned off by the Spice Girl’s cheesy pop, then you will be totally turned on by All Saints’ classy R&B gems. Remember Never Ever? After a six-year breakup (or should we say, "hiatus"?), the girls from All Saints are back with a new look and new sound, which is a mixture of reggae and dance music. Listen to their first single Rock Steady and you’ll know what I mean.

2. The Magic Numbers, "Those the Brokes"

There was a buzz about the Magic Numbers being the new Mamas and the Papas. The band’s second album sounds bittersweet, similar to their first one. Here is some trivia about the band from Wikipedia: The Magic Numbers recorded the album at Allaire Studios in New York, which is the same studio used by David Bowie, The Strokes and Ryan Adams.

3. Iron Maiden, "A Matter of Life and Death"

As usual, war and religion are the themes prevalent in Iron Maiden’s 14th studio album. With shocking artwork that features an army tank, soldiers with skulls and serious song titles, there is nothing more metal than "A Matter of Life and Death."

4. Janet Jackson, "20 Y.O."

It has been 20 years since Janet Jackson’s groundbreaking album "Control." After her wardrobe malfunction during her Super Bowl performance with "sexy back" Justin Timberlake, she released "20 Y.O." to celebrate her 20 years in the music business. Her beau Jermaine Dupri steered her back into R&B territory – with Janet’s touch, of course.

5. Robbie Williams, "Rude Box"

Another year, another Robbie Williams album. This former Take That member worked with the best producers/songwriters in the industry like William Orbit, and with special guests like the Pet Shop Boys and Lily Allen. Indeed, a radical experimentation. Say goodbye to wonky pop and hello to club beats. The transformation is complete.

6. "Coffee and Bossa: The Chillout Sound of Astrud Gilberto"

From the queen of bossa nova, Astrud Gilberto’s 24-track anthology includes classics like The Girl from Ipanema, Agua De Beber, Fly Me to the Moon, Day by Day, One Note Samba, Who Can I Turn To? and Berimbau. It is the perfect listening companion, along with an ice-cold beer and a great book. Oh, MCA Universal also has two "Coffee and Bossa" discs featuring Antonio Carlos Jobim and Flora Purim.

7. Oasis, "Stop the Clocks"

The bushy-browed Gallagher brothers are the only ones sticking it out in Oasis. Known for its debut album "Definitely Maybe" and the follow up "(What’s the Story?) Morning Glory," the band finally put out their greatest hits album, "Stop the Clocks." Perhaps this is the compilation of the year, with songs handpicked by Noel himself just to prove he is the defining songwriter of the Britpop generation.

* * *

Special thanks to EMI Music Philippines, SONY/BMG and MCA Universal. E-mail love-hate-whatever things to becca_rodriguez@yahoo.com.