OPM (Original Pinoy Music) Explosion
I find myself listening to a lot of OPM lately and it’s a good thing really. I think the local scene is doing very well right now even if there are those annoying remakes around. What is also good is that the age of Boy Bands seems to have dissipated and the band scene is very alive again. I think we have to thank the acoustic revolution here, and now bands are going back and slowly incorporating the electric sound with it. Just to mention some artist filling my auditory perceptions right now are Kjwan, Kitchi Nadal, 6 Cycle Mind, Cambio, Bamboo, Session Road and Stonefree.
I recently got hold of three OPM albums: Bamboo’s “As the Music Plays” Kitchi Nadal’s self titled album and “Radio Live: Jam Sessions Recordings”. If you are interested to know what I thought of each albums, read on.
Bamboo, As the Music Plays: First off, it’s hard not to compare this band with Rivermaya at first since 2 of its members are from the original Rivermaya. But since the latter band has developed it’s own sound now with Rico Blanco taking their musical direction in some turn, they now sound so different and the comparison goes only to their early days. I must admit that when I first heard “Noypi” playing on the local radio stations, I thought that the voice sounded very familiar. The sound of their carrier single didn’t impress me much. I thought it sounded very much like “Awit ng Kabataan”, Rivermaya’s first hit. But after hearing “Mr. Clay” I thought that this sounded cool and different and would give the band another chance. After listening to this 10 tracked album I must say that this is a very solid album. The whole album has it’s own identity apart from their former band. I really like how Bamboo has a bit of that “long beach sound” that makes some of the tracks to have funky groove to it. His rapping ability is also exercised well here. And if you get the special edition CD which contains additional tracks and videos, you’ll be able to hear their cover of Dispatch’s “The General” which was very well done in my opinion and also Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain” which in my opinion is less to be desired cover by them. All in all, this is a very good album.
Kitchi Nadal - Self Titled Album: Kitchie has been around the music scene and has sported many familiar hits when she was still the vocalist of Mojo Fly. The first song I heard from her is “Run” which I thought at that time was a very good single for her. Before her album was released I heard her play all her materials unplugged in Jam 88.3’s Jam Sessions and again thought that this should be an album worth listening to. Having finally listened to her first solo effort, I must say that the album has an atmospherical beauty rich with metaphors and emotions, and her unique soothing voice will inevitably draw you in. Kitchie is a very talented song writer and every track in her album is an experience. So I suggest you grab the album and experience her music yourself.
Radio Live: Jam Sessions Recordings: OK. If you are a regular listener of Jam 88.3’s Jam Sessions, you may have an interest to buy this album to support these upcoming musicians. The album cost only around Php180, so it’s cheap. But to those who are unfamiliar with these artist may find that it can be a headache to listen to due to their different styles. You may like some and some you may loath. Mostly covers and some originals, the album is very raw and it’s really not for pleasure listening in my opinion. But if you are an avid fan of the radio program get this album. But for those who are not, try to listen to it first, you may find something you like, just skip off the tracks you don’t like.
Tags: Music
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Sunday, December 5th, 2004 at 8:11 pm 
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December 6th, 2004 at 11:21 am
yep, bro…they’re coming back and i hope they stabilize and stay for good. lulubog-lilitaw is unhealthy. i wish the scene from the pinoy rock era comes back wherein musicians play not for the money but because they just want to play.
good choice with the artists, bro…try urbandub, too…they’re cool!
December 6th, 2004 at 4:33 pm
off topic po
hello lang ako… and belated congrats sa blog awards, even if your site didn’t win… am sure it’s already gratification enough to have been considered
December 9th, 2004 at 6:17 pm
hey bro! nice vector huh? ngaun lng ako uli npadaan eh.. ye bamboo! bamboo! bamboo! I have seen the light!
December 9th, 2004 at 6:19 pm
ey bro! nice vector huh? ngaun lng ako uli npadaan eh.. ye bamboo bamboo bamboo! I have seen the light!.. ey check out Urbandub also! galeng bro!
December 10th, 2004 at 4:20 am
Yep I think the local artists know what they’re doing. And someday I’m gonna marry Kitchie nadal! She will be mine! all mine! [insert evil laugh here]
December 10th, 2004 at 10:55 am
asan n ung sit ng cambio?!?!!?waaaaaaaaaaa….. lyrix nmn ng patlang!
December 15th, 2004 at 12:02 am
bamboo won the artist of the year award, song of the year award for noypi and the drummer of the year
January 26th, 2005 at 6:09 pm
grabe gling m tlga idol
March 18th, 2005 at 3:12 pm
Astig tlga drummer ng Bamboo, salute akosau tsong!. ASTIG!
March 29th, 2005 at 12:24 pm
garbeh!!!ang galing tlaga ng bamboo>>>yepeh keep the good work guys at wag kayong patatalo sa rivermaya yeiks!!!joke lang!!!
April 16th, 2005 at 8:16 pm
galing ni vic,, idol
April 16th, 2005 at 8:21 pm
sana mag concert kayo uli d2 sa baguio bamboo.. dami may idol sa inyo dito. next album nyo sana maganda uli para mas astig ang jammin..
July 5th, 2005 at 9:48 am
wala kayong kwenta
July 7th, 2005 at 1:11 pm
ano ba toh?!!! guzto kong makadownload ng kanta ng stonefree san bako makakakita?!!!! paki message ako sa myspace.com/pneurosis….wala akong ma-search sa internet! Wala ako sa pinas ok kaya wag ng pasaway!
July 27th, 2005 at 10:02 pm
long live pinoy ska!!!
August 25th, 2005 at 12:44 am
bamboo rock on….you have a good choice of songs…i love it when you perform…especially francisco manalac,you have a great voice,,,actually i have a crush on you…keep it up!!!!!