It's final! It's official! Here's my list of the best OPM songs of the year 2005. These songs were either released as a single, a soundtrack, an album teaser or a part of a compilation. Songs subjected for potential release on 2006 are not qualified.
100. Stay real, APRIL - Forget Kyla. EMI's got a replacement anyway.
99. Gemini, SPONGE COLA - cheesy song, but well loved.
98. Ikot, STONEFREE - one of the best songs on HIBISCUS.
97. Desire, INTROVOYZ - a silent comeback? Ask the Filipino Community in the U.S. for answers.
96. Miles Away, SLAPSHOCK - this is the cock-rock posterboys' attempt to cross mainstream radio. Not bad. I missed the caterwauling and the growling shit though.
95. Maling Akala, BROWNMAN REVIVAL - an eheads rendition that launched them to stardom.
94. Lihim, MILK N MONEY – from GRADUATION DAY, this one's a real tearjerker.
93. High, THE SPEAKS – "Patok/Masa" radio stations made a killing through overplaying this.
92. Masilungan, SANDWICH – the video treatment has caught my attention rather than the melody. Music video director Quark Henares is turning to be the Kuya Germs equivalent of the rock music scene.
91. Tumatakbo, MOJOFLY – Speaking of music videos, this is a sure winner.
90. What if, MENAYA – "stonefree, ikaw ba yan?"
89. Razor cut, THE AMBASSADORS – no wonder Cebu's music scene is getting too much attention.
88. Much has been said, BAMBOO – I'm in a coffee shop mood baby.
87. Ligaya, KITCHIE NADAL – if not for her cutesy laugh on the line "ilang ahit pa ba ang aahitin, Oh giliw ko" she might not have entered my list. Heheh!
86. Staying this way, FASPITCH - an indie act to watch out for, from Cebu.
85. The real, SUN VALLEY CREW – nice of them to copy THE ROOTS.
84. Alay sa nagkamalay noong dekada nobenta, DICTA LICENSE - what a very long title.
83. Cool off, SESSION ROAD – "palayain ang isa't-isa, kung tayo, tayo talaga." It makes sense to me.
82. Humanda ka, SANDWICH – from the OST of Tantra.
81. Ewan ko, SOAPDISH – a lollipop-lick hit! One great bubblegum song!
80. Twilight, KJWAN – this has the word 'sex" written all over it.
79. Sun and the rain, AGAW AGIMAT – save for the tag-lish lyrics, it's the presence of barefooted QT Nadela and her arrogant political sermons that makes the band, I mean the song memorable.
78. Mang Jose, PAROKYA NI EDGAR – I'll still go for Mr. Suave…
77. Kuwarto, SUGARFREE – Hankie please.
76. Sakayan ng jeep, NIKKI GIL – heheh! Guilty pleasure. "doon sa sakayan ng jeep.."
75. Takipsilim, PARAMITA – 1st single from TALA. This one's a total snubbed.
74. Gin Pomelo, RADIO ACTIVE SAGO PROJECT – SUBTERRANEAN THOUGHT PARADE is a cool read; this song, well, I don't kinda feel it. The horn section's a pretty slack on this take. Wait! Notice the connections?
73. K fine, JUNIOR KILAT – "sige bay, sige bay lobat na ko.." as of this writing, yeah, I am.
72. You'll be safe here, RIVERMAYA – whatta sweet song. =')
71. I wonder, MONSTERBOT – one of Monsterbot's three entries on my list.
70. Tulog na, SUGARGREE – it's already past eleven and I'm about to sleep.
69. Sweet, SOUTHBORDER/JINKY VIDAL – phenomenal collaboration from two of the most sought-after showbands (Jinky being with Freestyle).
68. Questions, ARTSTRONG – play this and you'll be in the mood for some warm loving!
67. Change is breaking us apart, THE DAWN – a song that's full of hope without the cheese factor.
66. Narda, KAMIKAZEE – another moshpit favorite from one of the best live acts in the Country.
65. Anino, IMAGO – some like it, some don't! And, I like it! Snotty, playful and a novelty-punk crossover – this is definitely a contrast to what fans of Imago had digested during their PROBABLY NOT BUT MOST DEFINITELY days.
64. Barkada trip, KIKO MACHINE – this is the sound when the members of eheads met up and jammed with the boys of Parokya ni Edgar. RIOT!
63. Akin ka na lang, ITCHYWORMS – I don't get it. Of all the songs in NOONTIME SHOW, Why the hell did the band decided on this song as the album carrier? If you chanced upon NTS, you'd notice that the album's a chunkful of impressive songs. I'm not saying that this one's a crap (if it would be then maybe it's not on my list), but there are lots of better single-material on the album compared to this one.
62. Epekto, MONSTERBOT/DONG ABAY – smart move of Monsterbot to collaborate with the legendary Dong Abay of defunct socio-rock outfit, YANO.
61. Jueteng Shed, PEPE SMITH – and the legend goes on and on with the forefather of Pinoy rock n roll, Mr. Pepe Smith.
60. Ulanarao, FUSEBOXX – Like the Itchyworms, there are greater cuts on their debut CD than this. Albert's guitar shredding on this particular track though is one detailed work of a virtuoso!
59. A day before pisces, FASTPITCH – this is what I call chaos…
58. Bakit part 2, MAYONNAISE – depressing…it makes me turn off the radio. ='(
57. Monica, CIUDAD – Wanna have a taste of candy-punk? Go to CIUDAD.
56. Patlang, CAMBIO – "di na masaya, pagod na ako, tapusin na natin ito… paalam na…" happy melodies can sometimes be deceiving. And this song has it, that kind of drama that can put anything solid and moving into trance.
55. Nahuhulog, SANDWICH – bouncy, moshpit-friendly, daring… what else can you expect with Sandwich?
54. Let you go, COFFEE BREAK ISLAND – This is reggae-rock with a heavy dose of funk.
53. Dizzy boy, PEDICAB – dance beats that can keep a drunken guy going in a mobbed hype of darkness and ecstasy!
52. Jopay, MAYONNAISE – Monti's tribute to sexbomb lass JOPAY of course.
51. Alon, BAYANG BARRIOS – a radio-crossover from the lady who's often compared to the likes of Cooky Chua, Grace Nono and Cynthia Alexander.
50. Spoliarium, IMAGO – great, great cover of that eheads song. They made that Juan Luna piece darker and creepier.
49. Patawad, CHUBIBO – one of the catchiest songs of the year from the catchiest band-moniker I've heard in my entire life.
48. Forever Young, VALLEY OF CHROME – insane arrangements! This one's a moshpit drawer…
47. Phoenix, TYPECAST – I was thinking that "forget" deserves to be on my list because it became popular only this year despite the fact that it's included on Typecast's 1st album released some years ago. But then they have this track called Phoenix, which is included on the soundtrack of the Online game, Ragnarok. Not as brilliant as the poignant "forget" but this one is somehow a point of consideration. Heheh!
46. Hiling, PARAMITA – "nanlalamig na ba pag-ibig mo..?" this song is for the martyrs.
45. Lie, SAYDIE – this song showcases lesser growls/shrieks and more whining, I mean singing on Kathy Taylor's part. The video is already making rounds on the band's official site http://www.saydie.com
44. Nasaan ka?, PUPIL – don't dismiss the sound of Pupil by hearing this "patronage-to-the-eheads" kind of radio-friendly material. Yes, you can hear the echoes of the kiddie-rock sound of CUTTERPILLOW or other eheads signature catchy hooks but then Pupil's BEAUTIFUL MACHINES takes you to a whole new level of guitar-driven rock that owes its influences to the likes of the radiohead and well, those 80's shoegazer acts.
43. Pag-agos, UP DHARMA DOWN – When Lauryn Hill tries fronting an acid jazz/postrock band…
42. Happenstance, Sheila and the insects – I've been looking for some reasons on why the band named their fourth album, FLOWERFISH… not until I heard this track. =')
41. Para sa iyo, PAROKYA NI EDGAR – Is this "halaga" part 2? Some similar structures on the song, but I would have to say no. mmm… Caught the video? Hahah. Nice of Parokya to create a parody out of that famed PINOY BIG BROTHER show with a little help from the unpopular housemate Racquel. Hehehe!!
40. Huwag kang matakot, ORANGE N LEMONS – Mind you, the foursome has four entries on my list including this eheads rendition. I'm just wondering why the heck did "Julie tearkjerky" and "tikman" get into the line of this particular song. Now, I understand why they were dubbed as "masters of rip-offs..." heheh! A corny joke number you got there.
39. Song number 9, DRIP – the video that delights my sense of taste. I love Adobo.
38. Chiksilog, KAMIKAZEE – When the boys from Kamikazee are about to play this live, prepare! This is a sure mayhem you don't want to miss! Promise.
37. Mr. Politician, PEACEPIPE – this is every TIBAK's soundtrack.
36. 108 eyes, CYNTHIA ALEXANDER – major disappointment. Where's that unpretentious Cynthia that we once loved on "rippingyarns" and "insomnia?" I really don't get this one.
35. Malas mo, PROTEIN SHAKE – surprise, surprise, surprise. Do I see some raised eyebrows? This one reminds me of post-Marc Abayan Sandwich.
34. Blue moon, ORANGE N LEMONS – the Morrisey-ish touch on this song is a much raved. This is a confessed repeat mode on my CD Player.
33. My Favorite things, THE LATE ISABEL – a haunting, theatrical piece of a Julie Andrews classic.
32. Ang ating araw, DICTA LICENSE – Pochoy and his tongue are the main machines of this song. He tells it all: the positive vibes, all hopes and unison, things that will bring mankind into one huge force...And right through his lines, you know he's damn serious about it – about spreading the vision to his countrymen, through music.
31. Where do we begin, MISHKA ADAMS – good combination, jazz and world music. No wonder she's the new "it" girl of international jazz label, CANDID – cater to established artists such as Stacey Kent and the ever popular Jamie Cullum.
30. Apoy, GREYHOUNDZ – "sunog lang ng sunog, sunoooggg!" and "ba't ka ba nagpapasunog sa sarili mong apoy…" powerful lines that can set the mic in a heat mode. Allan Cudal must have been proud, Greyhoundz have grown from a lame kupaw band to one of the most powerful acts in the rap/metal scene.
29. Reality, THE AMBASSADORS – Eping Amores' energy is quite a rare treat! This is Cebu's finest punk offering, dishing a flavor of fun-loving poison to the senses.
28. the art of letting go, VALLEY OF CHROME – When fans look for a substitute to Cheese, they look forward either to Kamikazee, Typecast, Chicosci or Valley of Chrome. Valley of Chrome who has released 4 EPs to date managed to include "the art of letting go" in their 1st full-length debut, LOVE AND DEVOTION. In this song, the band stirs the 80's glam metal feel of their gods, IRON MAIDEN with their expansive knowledge on chord progressions, tasty textures and modes…
27. Heaven knows (this angel has flown), ORANGE N LEMONS – songs like these are better off as soundtrack to sappy films "If only" and "A walk to remember."
26. Malayo man, Malapit rin, BAYANG BARRIOS – She's got it all: a world-class, award-winning composer/husband, a reputable name in the musicbiz, a share on Conspiracy Café (with Joey Ayala, Gary Granada, Cooky Chua, Cynthia Alexander), and a music often used as soundtrack to the likes of Encantadia and the 2005 SEA Games. This song on the other hand, is used as a musical backdrop on PINOY ABROAD, a show hosted by Rea Santos and Ivan Myrina. Still, it's on the late 2004 indie release, ALON.
25. Nico, NARDA – The Cardigans… Barbie's Cradle… It's Narda actually. The lo-fi approach on this track is an ace, for no reason at all. I don't know, but I really like it that way.
24. Alert the armory, URBANDUB – not as strong as "soul searching" or "new tattoo" but this continues the legacy of what could have been one of the most powerful mantra in the local rock scene. Just don't forget to shout the now immortal "Mayday! Mayday!" every time you see the band play this staple live and encore.
23. Sweet cheeks, DRIP – Finally! I saw the video. They used to play this on their terno gigs.
22. Broken Sonnet, HALE – I admit up to this date that I still love this song. First time I heard this, I thought hale was a Christian band; you know Caedmon's Call or something like Jars of Clay.
21. Takeshi's Castle, KIKO MACHINE – "ang hirap mo naman ligawan, ang daming pagsubok na dapat daanan, daig mo pa ang sumali sa Takeshi's Castle…" this was never a big single despite its killer chorus and its tickling lyrics.
20. Hallelujah, BAMBOO – one of the most popular songs in the country this year. It even became a center of spoof on EAT BULAGA, with Jose Manalo's often-funny imitation of Bamboo's distinctive yet dynamic stage performance.
19. Ako si m16, JUNIOR KILAT – I don't really understand why people are questioning the liability of this song as NU Rock Awards' song of the year, when in fact it's been well-received not only in Manila but as far as Cebu and Davao. Ok, the fact that they used the intro of that Inspector Gadget movie scoring as the foundation of their brass section is given, but the captivating hooks can get you dancing all day long.
18. Fever, MONSTERBOT – this is a prescribed drug for all you attention seekers out there. "I need special attention, someone get me love and affection…"
17. Roses and Cadillacs, DAY DREAM CYCLE – great chill-out song. Kathy Meneses' soaring vocals are perfect confectioners; no need for sugar just the right amount of temperature and relaxation.
16. Superproxy, FRANCIS M./ELY BUENDIA – the updated version I think is better than the original. Francis M. sings with all conviction, and his sharp tongues can blow any one away by the split of seconds. Ely on the other hand shares his rapping skills with enough fluidity that could at least spare a match with Francis'. Excellent job for these two musical geniuses.
15. Quick to panic, SHEILA AND THE INSECTS – When I say it's ultra-catchy, I'm exaggerating it. Not for this particular track though.
14. Asan na, TWISTED HALO – A breather from the multi-textured, complicated Halo song. This folk ballad brings lots of moods that may put anyone into a sleep. Especially that vocals courtesy of Vin Dancel, a reminiscent of Gary Granada's.
13. Kahit na, BRIDGE – lots of blues… Lots of jazzy flavor and lots of comparison to Mr. Jack Johnson. From LOVE AND LUST, this relaxing song is the better substitute to such boring acts such as Paolo Santos, John Mayer, or even Damien Rice.
12. War of the skies, MISHKA ADAMS – airy, angelic vocals that can beat every Sarahs (Sarah McLachlan, Sarah Brightman) in a podium.
11. Koro, GREYHOUNDZ/FRANCIS M./GLOC 9 – hands down collaboration of the year!
10. Dito tayo sa dilim, PEDICAB – drugs, sex, alcohol… whatever dark means to you, it's still cryptic to me. And wait! It sounds very Juan Dela Cruz band to me with ofcourse that dance punk beats that evokes early gang of four and B54.
9. Jeepney joyride, JEEPNEY JOYRIDE – can't wait for the album. They're awesome live act performers on stage, kind of watching a circus and an energetic theatrical piece at the same time. That made me wonder why didn't they won the most coveted prize in the Global battle of the bands, Philippines.
8. Krolithikah, SAYDIE – go to any Saydie gigs and you'll know what I'm talking about.
7. Hanggang Kailan, ORANGE N LEMONS – the highest-ranking ONL song on the list. What's so special about this song is the often slaughtered, but very much adored "umuwi ka na baby.." this is like Rey Valera or the Apo Hiking Society fronting the British lads, The Smiths.
6. Call it a flick, CIUDAD – the best local tweepop songs I've heard so far. Great lullabies for sleepyheads out there.
5. Akap, IMAGO – TAKE 2 never did surpass the ingenuity and the hype that was PROBABLY BUT MOST DEFINITELY. But it open the doors for Imago on a more experimental, heavier sound that made them one of the toughest acts to beat this year around. And "akap"' is one of those brainchild of a still great album. This song is one emotional rollercoaster-ride, and I admit I'm one of those who enjoyed that little trip…
4. No ordinary love, URBANDUB – I'm saddened that it's not even included on the eleven-track, third album, EMBRACE. This cover of a Sade hit is no ordinary pastiche; Urbandub actually made it a song of their own and you can hardly notice the similarities except for the lyrics. Heheh! I'm not making sense here.
3. Nice Place, JUAN PABLO DREAM – No wonder why mobile mogul SUN CELLULAR bought the ad rights of this song. This one's a cool, jig-along bopper, especially if you're in need of damn solid party!
2. Maybe, UP DHARMA DOWN – need I say more?
1. Lullabye of the Wind and tree, LOQUY – can't wait for the album to drop by 2006. This Kevin Roy-powered outfit/side project has everything unique to it: stripped down/warm melodies, a flutist, and moving, socio-lyrics.
