rating: 8/10

Maharot is a 65 minute-circus; full of witty, fictional characters and musical exhibition of stories that range from the wicked to the odd. It showcases Kamikazee's growth as lyricists and musicians, and their penchant on fills, diversity and techniques surpasses the mediocrity of the first CD, which by the way was produced by 8 Toleran and Chito Miranda.

There is hardly a bad track in Maharot. Half are single-material, the other half are better off performed in live sets and open-field shows.

I'm feeling lousy today, so the only way to review the independently released Maharot, is to overview the entirety of the album track by track.

Track 1: Director's cut (4:50)

What a good way to start Maharot - lyrics that border from sick to depressing, and a catchy chorus that let's you jump out of the skin. "tumakbo palayo at iiwanan ang ala-ala mo.. sumigaw palabas at iiwanan ang ala-ala mo.." It's traditional emo without sounding too much oppressed and bloody-beaten.

Track 2: Seksi! Seksi! (4:10)

Coolness. This reminds me of Lakambini Bottom by Datu's Tribe. Jay showcases his vocal flexibility here, which I think is a maharot version of Bon Jovi or Axel Rose.

Track 3: Martyr Nyebera (5:25)

Kamikazee's really the premiere gay rock band. Pun intended. They know how to play with words, and man could it pass for a lingo. So sisters este mga pirata the word for today is Martyr Nyebera, an adjective which means "sufferer" or simply martyr.

And wait. Check out the pirates chanting, "Sponge Joseph, Square pants" at the end part of the song. I find it silly, but discreetly cute.

Track 4: Narda (4:44)

If radio is your thing, then you might have heard this sweet, punk-ballad. "awit na nananawagan baka sakaling napakikinggan.. pag-ibig na palaisipan sa kanta na lang dinadaan.. Nag-aabang sa langit, sa mga ulap sumisilip.. sa likod ng mga tala, kahit sulyap ng Darna."

If you'd go within the trenches of the song, you're a poet then.

Obviously, the lyrical structures are simple yet the metaphorical usage of Narda and her alter ego deserves some credits. Who says a band like Kamikazee can't write definitive songs, huh?

Track 5: Chiksilog (4:48)

One of the biggest rock songs of 2005, chiksilog became the anthem of almost everyone. If you don't know this song, then what country have you been? The Ragnarok-version is still the same material here in Maharot, but with the addition of a bastardized, pinoy classic "ikaw lang ang aking mahal" which exceeds for about 48 seconds.

Track 6: Sobrang init (4:19)

Jay almost complains about everything. In the past he complains about his lost slippers. Now, he complains of how hot the house is. The whining is out of control, you'd want to seal his mouth with a tape, pack him inside a box, and send him to Antarctica.

Track 7: AIDS (3:52)

Is this Kamikazee's attempt to parody Tweetums movies? Well, the Itchyworms successfully ridiculed the entertainment media particularly the Television Shows through an Album called NOONTIME SHOW while Jeffrey Jeturian's film, Tuhog made an exceptional, witty-bound satire towards Pinoy Conventional filmmaking. But whatever it is, I'm sure it has a connection with the title, which I find mysterious and peculiar.

Track 8: Shoot Dat ball (4:01)

It's pseudo-metal again for Kamikazee! Heavy-as-inferno guitars, groovy yet controlled basslines, and berserk drum fills. Add up an indoor basketball atmosphere, and then you have the mischief of shoot dat ball.

Track 9: Ambisyoso (4:09)

Sapatos na lumilipad, spaceship, kotse ni batman, x-ray shades at laser gun, wallet na hindi nauubusan ng laman, time machine… Bida sa sariling pelikula, ka-loveteam lahat ng seksi at magaganda sa showbiz, talent ni John Travolta sa pagsayaw, si Angel Locsin…

Ambition? Ya, in your filthy dreams.

Track 10: Discoskwela (5:48)

This is Jack Black's School of Rock in Kamikazee's musical orientation. The song kicks in and plays with the 80's synth pop genre, then with whip-of-the-air house music, then with the orchestrated goth/progressive rock instrumental, and ends with a minute of an already familiar, strummed Spanish guitar which was actually used as a musical backdrop to one of Pond's popular powder commercial.

Track 11: Petix (4:00)

Ok, let's continue with Kamikazee's exploration of musical genres, taking retro-reggae lessons this time.

Track 12: My tender bear (3:45)

Finishing this song was a faint on my part, in a good way. The pace of this song changes seconds by seconds, deciphering the different techniques/styles used is as if solving complex, mathematical problems.

Track 13: Apir Day (2:51)

Danceable, ska-punk song with endearing, rhythmic beats.

"doon sa amin sa Sikatuna, mahaharot ang mga binata.. isang araw na inaabangan, Apir Day na ipinagdiriwang… hawak-hawak kamay, Iangat niyo ang tagay, kahit sobrang lasing walang nag-aaway, kunin niyo na ang gitara lahat ay kakanta, kahit wala sa tono basta sama-sama. Apir-Apir day tayo paboritong holiday namin ito.."

Kamikazee for President, Apir day be implemented! Saya nun! Tapos sabay..

Oi..oi…oi.oi.oi.oi…

(The movie Bring it On introduced the "oi-oi" phenomenon… then by Sexbomb dancers/singers)

Track 14: KKK (6:44)

Angsty, angsty, angsty… is this Kamikazee getting even with every Pinoy's catastrophe? Well, it sounds as if they're just tripping.

Track 15: Narda acoustic version (4:41)

I couldn't imagine a Kamikazee song accompanied by warm, woody guitars and too-clean-for-your-mama string arrangements. But then again, everything's possible. With this song, such became real.

And the result: beautiful.

As of this writing, my eyes were turning gritty over the Pacquiao-Morales match. The triumph of Pacquiao is truly anticipated, just like the success of Maharot, which I think has the solid punch to win people over. With that, I rest my computer…