RE:Sound: I Want a New Drug

People are wired to seek new things to stimulate their brains with. That’s why even though I have literally hundreds of albums nestled in my precious external hard drive (I am stroking its smooth black surface lovingly as I write this), I still long for what’s new, what’s out there, what’s fresh. Luckily, when it comes to music, I have some very helpful friends. I asked some of them what they’re excited about this year:

“I’m looking forward to Kate Torralba’s debut album!” exclaimed Kathy Gener, gig organizer, lead singer of Once More With Feeling and creator of Wallflower Party bags. “(It’s being) produced by Malek Lopez. Heard some of the songs na sa gigs — may quirky Regina Spektor-ish vibe. Excited na ako! Although January next year pa ata mare-release e.”

Hannah + Gabi’s “Haha Yes:” A bittersweet, nostalgic delight, launching on Nov. 13

“I still stand by my conviction that Tanya Markova’s (self-titled) debut album is one of the best records of the year,” said Jason Caballa, guitarist of Pedicab and music editor of Pulp magazine. “I think Gaijin’s debut is brilliant, too. And “Effect Desired None” is probably my favorite Imago record.”

I asked Jason to talk a bit more about Imago’s latest release — did he really prefer it to their debut (“Probably Not But Most Definitely”), and the independent follow-up “Take 2,” regarded as local rock classics in some quarters? “Regarding the first one, I’m just not into world music-sounding stuff, while “Take 2” seemed like a diluted version of how the songs on it sounded live. That has always been my problem with Imago, actually; on record, the band sounds underwhelming compared to their live show, as I think Imago are one of the most underrated live acts in the country. I personally think “Effect Desired None” is the best recorded approximation of their live sound, and the songs are great, too.” (A recent radio interview with the band confirmed their efforts to better capture their live awesomeness, with drummer Zach Lucero echoing Jason’s assessment.)

“I second Jason’s vote for Gaijin’s ‘Welcome Back, Earthling,’” said Aldus Santos, current editor in chief of Pulse.ph and lead singer/songwriter of The Purplechickens. He went on to praise “the Johnoy + Kakoy songs, which are arranged interestingly, beyond guitar-and-voice. Hmm… also, I’m most satisfied with the Twin Lobster EPs, which you should seriously, seriously check out — alternate tunings, fun rhythms, et cetera. If things go as planned, Bobby Balingit’s second release as Juan Isip will see the light of day by the second week of December—his first is still a must-have, though; it’s right up there with the best of, say, Joey Ayala and Gary Granada. Makopa’s (Dan Gil-produced) album is also out, and it’s insanely good.” (Aldus described Makopa’s album — released just last September — as “characterized by improvisation, flavorful hints of jazz, and incendiary hooks,” in a previous article.)

Makopa: “Flavorful hints of jazz and incendiary hooks”

One name that kept coming up as I surveyed music enthusiasts for this article was Hannah + Gabi, a.k.a. Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad’s solo side project. “Infinitely hummable” was Aldus’s comment, with Jason and some of the others chiming in with enthusiasm as well. Featured in this column last June, Hannah + Gabi will be releasing a nine-track debut entitled “Haha Yes,” with nostalgia-laced songs like City, Lost Together, and the live favorite Everything Refuses To Move. The record release party will be next Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 at Route 196 in Quezon City. There will be performances by Aldus Santos, Jazz Nicolas (of the Itchyworms, and Wincy Ong (of Us-2 Evil-0) as Patience Dear Juggernaut.

More on what’s out there and what’s next, next week. Visit www.pulse.ph and www.pulpmagazinelive.com for additional musical knowledge.