There’s A Formula To It

In the age of technology, Filipino music has taken a new form. Gone are the days of soprano solo singers, dancing boy bands and really annoying novelty songs. Filipino music has now evolved into the form of rock bands. From Rivermaya to Spongecola to Parokya ni Edgar.

Filipino music has evolved into an age wherein the melody and tempo of the song is bordering on loud and sometimes screechy. There are a lot of Filipino rock bands out there. It seems that a Filipino rock band is formed every five minutes and very few of them become famous. One of the rock bands to have enjoyed the limelight is Urbandub.

Their latest album, Under the Southern Lights, is a collection of songs for the happily in love, the unhappily in love, the happily not in love and the unhappily not in love. Although most of the songs are for those that are unhappily in love. Their lyrics are full of angst and bitterness. It seems like most of their songs are about being rejected or about being cheated on.

The beat of their songs is good. Their guitar, bass and drums can all be heard individually but none of them overpower one another. However, it’s very repetitive. It’s hard to distinguish one song form the other because they all sound very similar. If you play the entire thing on your playlist, the only way to tell that its a different song is because of their lyrics.

There really is nothing special about the sound of Urbandub. The beat and the lyrics are nothing new. It sticks to a formula that is currently very popular with the youth. It’s got bitter lyrics with good sounds. Over all, Urbandub has a tried and tested formula. - MAE EDILLON

Photograph Sources:
http://urbandub.bembang.com/bio.php

Sitti Navarro: Going Against The Flow

More often than not, “going with the flow” has a negative connotation since it is usually perceived as synonymous to imitation. It is a “practice” that suggests playing it safe.

In the Philippine-music industry, based on its history that started from the Pre-Historic era, to the Spanish Colonial Period and down to the disco and Manila sound, a common characteristic Filipinos exhibit is going with the flow of the world’s music biz. In the 1970’s, when Elvis Presley, the immortal King of Rock ruled the air waves, local rock and roll bands, such as Sampaguita and the Juan dela Cruz band, started emerging in the music scene. During the 80’s when disco music was at its height, Filipino artists started copying foreign music styles like those of the popular band Beegees. The list of how the Filipino music industry “goes with the flow” is endless, until a Sitti Navarro attempted to go against the flow. And it looks like she succeeded and continues to do so in her endeavor.

Sitti single-handedly introduced Bossa Nova to the Philippines. Bossa Nova, a cool and relaxing sound, is a musical genre that originated from Brazil. This genre, that has a touch of jazz, is also perceived as the “music for the elite,” maybe the reason why it is not a popular musical genre in the country. Come to think of it, pioneering a new, not to mention, a practically unknown genre to Filipinos took a lot of guts from this 23-year-old singer.

Although the local music arena has experienced a lot of development throughout the years, Filipino music sticks to whatever the reigning genre is. And most of the time, it will (at least for a certain time) be the only genre played on music stations. But, again, Sitti went against usual. She started her career in 2006 when local bands ruled everything in the music business. After some months, she was dubbed as the Philippine’s Queen of Bossa Nova for her very relaxing voice that fitted well the soothing sound of Bossa Nova.

It is safe to say that Sitti launched Bossa Nova in the Philippines successfully. Though she defied the norms in the country’s music industry Sitti nonetheless introduced a new musical genre that would hopefully be appreciated more by Filipinos.

Good thing Sitti went against the flow. - TERESA CAMILLE NONES

Information Sources:
http://www.pep.ph/guide/1151/Sitti-Navarro-brings-bossa-nova-to-a-wider-market-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitti_Navarro
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bossa_nova

Photograph Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitti_Navarro