Updates! Updates! The first quarter of 2006 is jam-packed with great and hefty releases, with Up Dharma down, Kamikazee, Cheese and Moonstar 88 as frontrunners. Sugarfree's coming up with a repackaged album, while indie acts like MATILDA, SKYCHURCH, LOQUY, PIN-UP GIRLS, GINILING FESTIVAL, NYKO MACA (yes, you heard me right) and JUAN PABLO DREAM are expected to dish out new materials this year. Biggies last year Orange n Lemons, Imago, Hale, Sponge cola and Pedicab are writing new songs for a sure 2k6 follow-up.
As of now, Rivermaya's post-Bamboo Manalac Greatest Hits album has already hit Gold (15,000 copies sold) in just a span of a week, same thing happened last year with Bamboo's Light, Peace and Love and Parokya ni Edgar's Halina sa Parokya.
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Supposedly, I was about to review Rocksteddy's new record. But my mind tells me to skip it, and leave it first on the racks.
Then I muse myself into considering a various artist compilation. Last year, I scored the Ultraelectromagenticjam/eheads tribute album and EMI's full volume set. It's quite a waste and a feed for satisfaction at the same time. Maybe the waste thing about compilation albums is that they provide too much variety that you end up cold-shoulder with some months of scratching and overplaying.
Then appeared a lo fi, mush-of-a-corn art cover. Too gay colors, a jeepney, and a subtitle of "an all indie band compilation" everything's distinctively pinoy on the album skin including song titles like "brownskin people" and "fried brain." 
Not unless you look skin-deep through your contemplative brain (if you have) and not notice Eraserheads and the tagalog tracks or even that little bolded writing called "Sariling atin." Well, that speaks for one fried brain. Aptly titled "SILVER SHINY JEEP," the album states for what could describe the local indie scene in the country, laid on silver platter and looking all-out shiny. It's brawn of a whopping 20-tracks that will hitch you on a ride of great OPM selective. Not only that, each tracks has its shining moment, and a characteristic sound to share unlike some compilation album, which dulls you all through out with its selection of monotonous-sounding songs. I'm not saying that "Silver Shiny Jeep" is one perfect compilation album, as everybody does, it still has its own flaws and faults.
I screened the songs one by one, and here's what I've noticed.
Track 1: Party song Coffee Break Island (2:36)
Academic rating: 95.%
The context has been a major verdict. It really is, and without a doubt a PARTY SONG! "aaaaw-aw" barks like one wild dog, and the percussion beats are vulnerable to berserk, a steady berserk filled with dogs, beach babes and hunks, talking sunrise and sunset. Best served with maracas and a horny bed.
Track 2: You make me Eraserheads (3:24)
Academic rating: 92%
This is Eraserheads sans Ely Buendia. Kris Dancel sluts in the band camp singing, "you make me, you make me, you make me feel good." The encore is a result of merry-making Fatal Posporos-lead taking disco-punk lessons with left-footed Marcus, Buddy and Raymund.
Track 3: Bihag Imago (4:12)
Academic rating: 95.5%
No biases, just personal pits. Hehe! Naah, who could go wrong anyway with a Gab Alipe (urbandub) collaboration and a brilliant songwriting equivalent of a Metropop slot? Huh, tell me! Aia, Zach, Myrene, Tim scores it again with this brooding, dark lovesong. Gab Alipe and Aia De Leon two powerful vocals, and just imagining Gabby stinting with tagalog lyrics, man it's a first; first heard it here on "bihag" which is included on Imago's sophomore release, Take 2.
Track 4: Inaasahan Melancholics (3:57)
Academic rating: 92.5%
Don't expect the sound. It's not Melon Colie and the infinite sadness ala Smashing Pumpkins or that overrated sad, epic ballads filled with pop-rock dynamics and suicidal lyrics. This one's simple, on the road track about life and future. Enter your 80's protest folk singer and your not so modern-rock guitar distortions, then you have "inaasahan" by Melancholics.
Track 5: Kahit na Bridge (4:18)
Academic rating: 95%
Again? This song again? Ok I can stop telling how of how good this song is. I've been telling everybody here how I like Bridge and its branch of Jack Johnson-ish melodies with a bluesy, jazzy twang. This particular song however has a special place on my heart, it's like an anthem I'll keep singing with my special someone
"kahit na, oras-oras tayong 'di magkasundo.. kahit na, lagi-lagi tayong may tampuhan.. kahit na, tayo pa rin di ba
"
Track 6: Jive Fat Elephant (5:00)
Academic rating: 87.5%
It's a country-rock number with a smooth libido of funky guitars and a tame soundbox that's recorded obviously in a lo fi approach. Still sounds slightly above par to me.
Track 7: Brownskin people 18th issue (3:19)
Academic rating: 93%
The Beastie Boys are the obvious influence on this particular track. Funkier though. Writing a song for the "kayumanggi race" is a not so original concept, but the sheer meaning keeps this song a standout. I couldn't help but agree, that Pinoys know how to live life the fullest.
Track 8: Di ko na alam A.D.D (3:45)
Academic rating: 90.5%
If you badly need an energy-booster then this song has the right dosage and the right answer to your century-aged questions.
Track 9: For the moment Squall (3:42)
Academic rating: 88%
So you expect some nasal-whining band that gorges and hammers lyrical passages about tortured hearts and dressing or acting like a Mohawk punk in your nearby street. Well, Silver Shiny jeepney has Squall's for the moment to satisfy you. I'm not mocking here, Squall's far greater than your garbage kanto-pop/rock sensations simple plan or yellowcard. No wonder, there's too much talent here in Philly.
Track 10: Hey Body rock Hemp Republic (3:50)
Academic rating: 94.5%
Cool, clinkering, backbeats. It's rocksteady vibe filled with cutesy melodies that evokes an espresso-like liveliness. This song is one of those you can jive and get wild along. Just remember that there's still tomorrow and you still have a breath to catch.
Track 11: Hello my friends, hello Bleud (3.39)
Academic rating: 93.5%
Bleud reminds me of my favorite local indiepop band, Ciudad. Especially on this track, where they sound like melody nerds and bunch of college-rock bastards who are deprived of radio even if they do have the guts and the sound to receive an airplay.
Track 12: Palm of my hand Cattski (3:29)
Academic rating: 94%
Ok enough of Cebu's music scene (oops! I just mention it) to provide an entrιe to this great band. I have a problem with theories, but with this one I'm quite sure that it follows the legacy of the underrated kiddie-rock, which Eraserheads introduced to us upon their writing styles of witty, simple, playful lyrics with a nursery rhymes-y approach. Well, Ciudad and Parokya ni Edgar has followed such trend to some of their songs, so what's there to bother. David Gonzales of All Music Guide actually theorized this "calling" and not me. So don't blame me for such stirrings. Going back to Cattski, of course everybody knows that they're being led by a female vocalist and on this particular track, the rocksteady backbeats are evident so if you think you know how they would sound on this one, then better grab a copy of Silver Shiny jeepney. I'm just making things complicated and adulterated here. Heheh!
Track 13: Traffic - Bob Balingit (5:02)
Academic rating: 95%
This is no Joey Ayala clone. "andaming stoplight, andaming mga police, may traffic," that lyrical passage sucks! First impression, given. But as soon as I hammer through the depths and heights of the song's message, I can't help but to sit still and give it a repeat mode. Balingit used "traffic" as the perfect metaphor to describe the situation of every Juan dela Cruz. I, myself couldn't help, but agree.
Track 14: Kusina Narda (5:17)
Academic rating: 96%
At first I though the lyrics are the sick kind. And it really was, in a way of nonexistent clever and elegance. Spice it up with Katwo's confectioner's sugar vocals and an ill-humored melody that's unlikely, dangerous but deceivingly sweet man, It's one great aural treat.
Track 15: Damn Centerfold (3:33)
Academic rating: 89%
I convinced myself right away that it's not Wyrd (remember those bunch of not so pretty, teenage sensations whom delighted us with a song called "scream") but actually it's an up and coming band who called themselves Centerfold. Nothing really fancy on this song, but it's all good and bittersweet. Unless you have this enormous penchant for sad, sad, songs. Well, I do have actually.
Track 16: High Matilda (4:08)
Academic rating: 94.5%
Matilda copying Sugar Hiccup copying Cocteau Twins? It aint right. Though "high" is obviously a leaning for dreampop and light, hypnotic, shoegaze. And I always admire Matilda for that, for not confining their music to just one pace. I knew then that they really have the balls to be heard and to be introduced, not only in UP and some Club happenings.
Track 17: I wanna know Brownbeat all stars (5:03)
Academic rating: 92%
It starts with snippets of news item then a blast of Skarlet's injection of Ska-ntaneous vocal vigor. But the next thing, you'll get is the usual reggae interplay of unpredicted tunes and manifesto.
Track 18: Fried brain MOYG (2:55)
Academic rating: 95%
Short but loud and full of unpredictable heavy galore! It's too short that you scream out at the top of your lungs for more, more, and more kick-ass, dope, and intelligent hardcore-punk music!
Track 19: You're always right Monsterbot (3:11)
Academic rating: 93.5%
Do I hear the synth bleeps again? The angsty bebops and the barrage of rancid, foul-smelling guitars? Man, who am I anyway to dislike such brand as Monsterbot's. Still, this track is a part of Monsterbot's hyped art-punk sophie, Rhomboids.
Track 20: Come on Neighbors (2:44)
Academic rating: 93.5%
A good, ska/boogie-woogie song to flee some sense of closure, I mean it's original to be happy than to leave some unsolicited streams. Right?
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Bonus!
Check out the video of New jersey-based, fil-am band Bleud's video of Hello my fiends, Hello! (http://www.bleud.doesntexist.com/)
