*Re-issues, EPs, compilations, greatest hits, b-sides/rarities and live releases are not included. However albums out in the latter 2k4 that made an impact to the current are subjected to the deliberation list.
*It can be argued that there are some fine albums around deserving a spot on the list; but the ranking is limited to those releases, which I happened to spin, deliberate, and pass judgment on.
*Sadly, acts like art-punk outfit MOYG, Powertools, Agape, Sleepyheads, indiepop surrealists THE PIN-UP GIRLS, kool ka lang-famed/now am-based PRETTIER THAN PINK, folk legend JOEY AYALA, the much-praised JOHNNY ALLEGRE and the AFFINITY GROUP, INTROVOYS, CIUDAD (the new one), Peacepipe, 18th issue, Boy Elroy and other well-deserved "should-be" names whom released full-lengths this year never passed the judgment as I haven't got the chance to hear the cuts and deliberate it the way it should be.
30. Hibiscus, STONEFREE
Tight pop-rock anthems about love and life.
29. Halina sa Parokya, PAROKYA NI EDGAR
Still the old fashioned, chock-a-block gimmickries that well, made them an institution to the local, comic "rock n roll" hall of fame.
28. Mantra, AGAW AGIMAT
A noteworthy comeback album from one of the 90's pioneer of the alternopop movement.
27. Hale, HALE
"Fair enough, I'm excited to see this band grow up. Of only a year in the scene, they've proven how contagious their song could get and how they've touched too many people's lives with their lyrical sensibility."
That was I seven months ago after a not so good take on Hale's self-titled debut. Up to now, I still feel the same way. Nothing's changed except that there are far-greater releases than this one.
26. Kiko Machine, KIKO MACHINE
"Gabi" is a revelation; it features great string accompaniment that sets the mood of the album in a bittersweet closure. On the other hand, crowd-drawer themes like "barkada trip," "Mc Gyver," and "Takeshi's Castle" are strong, power pop materials reminiscent of the classic humor that was Parokya ni Edgar's.
25. Tala, PARAMITA
Never mind that Ria Bautista's into the multi-tasking department: singing, drumming, conscious on how people will react on her little theatrics.
Never mind that the band sounds like Jamie Rivera's fronting her own pop/rock band.
Never mind that the obvious influence to this album is either The Corrs or that groundbreaking debut album of Imago called PROBABLY NOT BUT MOST DEFINITELY.
The album's good, and that's what you need to know.
24. Simple Changes, THE AMBASSADORS
It's punk, it's snotty, and it's not about dressing code 101, the Mohawk style. The lyrics are not the flowery type, accessible indeed for those who are more conscious on killer melodies.
23. Far side of the world, DRIP
Fans of Portishead, Morcheeba and other female-fronted triphop bands should dig this. After all, it's above quality and not underproduced.
22. Underwater kite, DAY DREAM CYCLE
lo fi, dreamy indiepop with glittery touches of electronica and space-jam themes. "Daisy tongue" though sounds like that new song from Jamiroquai called "seven days in June."
21. Love and devotion, VALLEY OF CHROME
This is old school metal and nu metal combined, with the inclusion of really emotive lyrics.
20. Fuseboxx, FUSEBOXX
A nice introduction to anything prog-rock. Techniques, complexities and discipline are showcased in this debut. Plus of course Albert's suave shredding – a work of an axemeister!
19. Beautiful Machines, PUPIL
Ely's wife Dianne wrote "nasaan ka?" and shares vocal duties on the title track of the album. Ely wrote most of the songs, and sung the majority of it. But what impressed me the most are the songs penned/sung by lead guitarist, Yannie Yuzon. Yannie's brooding contributions "Mary" and the ever depressing "Lost guide" reminds me of Wilco and a beatlesque Radiohead, with VERY much potential on radio and critic's approval.
18. Love from Lust, BRIDGE
If Ben Harper, Jeff Buckley and Jack Johnson are your thing, listen to this. It has some of the finest, bluesy cuts I've ever heard in my entire life. Also the brass section has got some deep soul that can release every beaded tension inside your body.
17. Formika, NARDA
If Ciudad has a female counterpart then it would obviously sound like no less than Narda. Both indiepop bands create great saccharine music that's downright tasty and easy to digest.
16. Rhomboids, MONSTERBOT
Bebop-art punk using heavy amounts of synth bleeps like it's 80's synth pop again!
15. Party pipol ur on tv, JUNIOR KILAT
Cebuano lyrics. Crazy afro-militant beats. Reggaeton of energetic songs that's funny, intimidating, and sometimes socially-overpowering. What else do you need to know about this great feat of an album, huh?
14. Paghilom, DICTA LICENSE
There is more to its social commentary lyrics that made this particular major label debut a standout. Checkout further the English tracks like "complex" and "the enemy."
13. Saydie, SAYDIE
Kathy Taylor's vocal aerobics are quite exceptional; She can effortlessly strike an intense note and can still provide chirps, some caterwauls and some of the freakiest tortured screams to ever blast your stereo component.
With this album, the band has it: an insane vocalist, a tight instrumentation, and a quite good writing department.
12. Light, Peace, Love, BAMBOO
"As the music plays" is still the Bamboo album to beat. This one's well, still a laudable effort. Most of the tracks though will put you in the coffee shop mood; however songs like "hallelujah" and "F.U." might hint you of that old Bamboo live histrionics.
11. Comet's tail, CYNTHIA ALEXANDER
Cynthia's always consistent with her albums. Unlike her brother Joey, Cynthia explores no boundaries. She's done every experiment that she could, and on this particular album she tried to add Indian music and some odd, mantra-ish flavor to her already complex cream. Still, "rippingyarns" is the best Cynthia album for me.
10. Take 2, IMAGO
If I were to make a list now of the best local albums of the past 5 years, PROBABLY NOT BUT MOST DEFINITELY will surely be included on my top 3 list. Imago might have failed some loyalists of their PNBMD days, but still this album (take 2) is no exception of a great repertoire. Fans like me whom waited for almost three years now have a taste of the new Imago sound, and whether they like it or not – Imago's just here to stay and play.
9. Apoy, GREYHOUNDZ
A newly improved Greyhoundz! This recently found fire has fueled their spirits to write and create above-mediocre songs.
8. Strike whilst the iron is hot, ORANGE N LEMONS
Visitors of my blog voted this as the second best album of 2005 right after urbandub's EMBRACE. Well, the voting is still not finished and the list has at least SEVEN more record above this quite excellent The Smiths-ish album.
7. God Bless the Child, MISHKA ADAMS
You don't have to be inclined to the elitist ranks of Jazz aficionados to tunnel out the beauty of God Bless the Child. Mishka's calm as the seas voice is a plus, but the sessionists here are something worthy of the credit.
6. Flowerfish, SHIELA AND THE INSECTS
Some people are trying to label them "THE CURE" rip-offs, and that don't make any sense. You can hear echoes of post-punk heroes The Cure, Joy Division, New Order and even Stone Roses, but those critics might be deaf enough NOT to hear the intricate subtleties of the band's new offering called FLOWERFISH. Insert tracks like the miserable "Maude" and the ultra-catchy "quick to panic" if you're ready for a blistering Goosebumps.
5. Is that Ciudad, yes son it's me, CIUDAD
Glad that I discovered the music that was Ciudad. If I'd sink in biases and personal pits, then this album might make it to the number one spot. This album by the way is a late 2k4 release, and their new album "IT'S LIKE A MAGIC!" is yet to be discovered. On this album though, every song is a WINNER. From the Kris Dancel duet, "How did you know" to the cutesy "that guy from nirvana is now with the Foo fighters" and the tribute to nursery rhymes "Change the 6 counts then back to 5 then back again." BASSTTTAAA!! Lahat dito winner!!!
4. Tugish, Takish, PEDICAB
The album that introduced the potentials of disco-punk vibes and tagalog-laden lyrics. This one's best serve with dark rimmed glasses, retro attire, and an attitude that can last on an over-hyped dancefloor. "Madaling sakyan" indeed, as to quote the band's description of their sound.
3. Alon, BAYANG BARRIOS
Isa ako sa mga nagpatangay sa ALON, sa hampas nito na nagpaanod sa akin sa iba't-ibang lugar, sa iba't-ibang emosyon na hindi ko kailanman napuntahan…
Call it pepperoni cheese or whatever, but the album's a therapy to me. Folk ballads like "isipin mo na lang" and the anthemic "sa piling mo" are almost perfect, and this time around I'm not overexaggerating. Pick up a copy to relate on what I'm talking about.
2. Embrace, URBANDUB
This surpasses my expectation; EMBRACE, though a crossover album has an excellent selection of modern rock-driven songs, which could spare a battle with foreign bands such as Taking Back Sunday, A Perfect Circle or even Thursday.
1. Noontime show, ITCHYWORMS
Define an intelligent and an honest album, and I'll give you an instant answer – NOONTIME SHOW. This brilliantly made "concept full length" defines the situation of what could have been the power of all powers, the mass media. And no one can quite do it like the Itchyworms. They injected parodies, humor and drama to simplified melodies that's easy to comprehend and well, like.
