rating: 8/10

Cover art could sometimes define the whole persona of an album. Take the new COLOR IT RED self-titled disc for example. Band member's faces were put inside the 6 bottles of wine, showcasing a cheesy illustration of pop art.

Don't lay such malice; I have no intention making fun of the band. Color it Red got my two cents respect.

From the debut Hand painted sky (1994) to the sensible hooks of Pop Fiction (1999), Color it Red's tight musical orientation has kept them going through the cavern of the ever-changing band scene in the P.I. A couple of line-up changes, the Color it Red today remains to sound Color it Red when we first heard "paglisan" and "na naman." I don't know if it's a good thing or not, but try to stick your ears to some local albums in the same vein that is female fronted pop-rock, you hardly hear the difference. Ok, they were one of the pioneers. The problem is, you expect them to grow and bring you new, eclectic offering to satisfy your longing. After all they haven't released any material for about seven years.

I don't want to conclude that this album was made to join the hype and success of the current booming of the pop-rock scene. Cooky Chua and her cohorts are all established artists, and there's no way in Earth for a man like me to disrepute this comeback album.

It's already past midnight. "if you loved only me" makes me sleep. Cooky Chua's warm, soothing voice lingers like tiny caresses in the neck… Spiced up with a flashy, guitar-driven soft jazz ambiance... then an emotion you are sure to experience when you plug the romantic Ella Fitzgerald CD… Accompany it with a candlelight dinner and a date. Voila! The night is set for some warm loving.

"Panalo" is a track so catchy my head keeps bobbing in a 360 degree-turn. The song is a drug-laced anthem, with hints of the old-fashioned Color it Red songwriting. Already out as a single, this one's quickly becoming a radio favorite. "Stay" and "ikaw at ako" are two infectious love songs. Hearing the two tracks for the first time is like daydreaming in just a click. You see right away the clear picture: two cuddling lovers in a seesaw proposing eternal love to each other.

Cheese.

More cheesy staples courtesy of "you." It's a little bit more upbeat, with cutesy, ear-candy melody good enough for your mama. "From the other side of the sea" on the other hand is earnest in its mod-pop stylings; driving from the other side of the sea with this breezy, unruffled music surely matches up a high-spirited mood and a bright sunny day.

So if you're up for a brief toast, try Color it Red's self-titled album. Let's see if you are man enough to gulp the same old taste.

Cheers!