Pulse.ph : MUSIC + CULTURE
December 10th, 2007
THE RETURN OF THE PURPLECHICKENS
December 1st, 2007
ROCK FOR REAL: THE NU107 ROCK AWARDS
Hey there. Just got home from the 2007 NU 107 Rock Awards, and am about to jot down the results and some reactions. Hang on, though, because I have to change shirts—this was one of the hottest Rock Awards in recent memory, and I’m not talking about hype: I’m talking ventilation, temperature, perspiration, man. When we finally emerged from Pasay City’s World Trade Center at show’s end around midnight, we were sweating like sinners recently escaped from an inferno. We were immediately greeted by the icy air-conditioning in the lobby and the cool December night breeze outside, and we had to laugh. What the hell. Read more…
November 22nd, 2007
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November 16th, 2007
Now this is interesting: RCRD LBL, “a brand new music site where all of the downloads are both free AND legal.” Their welcome post goes on to say: “In a world where many people get their music for free, we wanted to create a site where bands we loved could put their music out there for free AND get paid for it. RCRD LBL is a new model and an experiment, putting great music out there for free and with absolutely no DRM. We hope you enjoy the music and support what we’re doing by making RCRD LBL part of your daily music diet.” Read more…
November 15th, 2007
We received a very nice email from some fellow music enthusiasts from down south yesterday. “Greetings Pulse!” it said. “We just want you to know that your webzine has been an inspiration in putting up our own “Pulse of the South” — Eksena.NET. Hope you could inspire more scenesters (and zinesters) in the future! Rock on!” Read more…
November 14th, 2007
Rocking electric from the ashes of the acoustic scene of a few years ago, Overtone has come a long way to become the ultra-fun punk band that made such a commotion every Thursday night at the now-defunct Yaku. They moved their legendary Thursday night madness to Il Ponticello, but vocalist/bassist Norby David, vocalist/guitarist Jay Padua and drummer Frank de Castro still feel that they’re just starting out, despite playing music together since they were 16 years old. Read more…
November 12th, 2007
I buy most of my books secondhand these days, but a few months ago, while browsing in Powerbooks, I came across this striking black-and-orange hardbound volume: it was called Fear of Music, and it was subtitled “The 261 Greatest Albums Since Punk and Disco.” I snapped it up — total impulse buy — and have not since regretted the purchase. (It helps that while it wasn’t exactly cheap, it also cost quite a bit less than I would have expected, given its newness, not to mention the original cover price and the pound-to-peso exchange.) Read more…
November 7th, 2007
There are some ideas that sound good on paper, and turn out horrible when they’re actually executed. There are ideas, on the other hand, that have the ring of total disaster, but somehow turn out all right when they’re finally brought to life. And then there are ideas that sound good to begin with, and turn out even better than expected… But enough about my birth and subsequent illustrious career! Last October 24 marked the first installment of STRIPPED, a new monthly production night at Route 196 on Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. Read more…
October 29th, 2007
If you love both words and music, as I do, then chances are you’ve got an ever-ascending stack of music magazines at home, as I do. The best music mags provide readers with in-depth information about their favorite acts, fearless reviews of the albums that are out there, amazing visuals and excellent writing, and sometimes even a sense of community. Local music fans are familiar with two publications that go far beyond the usual lyrics-and-chords offerings of your typical “songhits”-type mag: PULP magazine, famous for its twisted, imaginative photo shoots and emphasis on the harder side of rock, and BURN magazine, which encompasses a wider range of genres and brings the actual music to the fans—via a free CD with each issue at first, and now through downloadable podcasts. Read more…
October 21st, 2007
Here’s some new-ish stuff to listen to if your ears are tired of formula rock and empty so-called “urban” crap. Granted, these three acts are easily classifiable as pop, but it’s the good kind of pop: catchy without being brainless, influenced by various genres, heartfelt where others would be merecenary. Might sound a little slick for some, but even the most hardcore music nerds may need breathers in-between blasts of experimental noisegasms. First we have Asa, Paris-born and Nigeria-raised, who delivers sweet neo-soul/R&B. Though comparisons are often odious, I think if you like Corinne Bailey Rae, you’ll probably like her as well. For starters, go and listen to the lovely “No One Knows.” It will make you feel good. Then we have New York-based symphonic pop band The Sharp Things, “a reaction to the dead-end of indie rock.” Splendid magazine called them “a frothy confection that’s equal parts Cole Porter opulence, brittle Hal David pop punch and lovelorn Left Banke flicker.” Listen to “Cruel Thing.” And finally, Bella. They’re an 80s-flavored act that “channels its influences from a synthier time — but in a gorgeous, non-ironic kind of way.” I’m not sure if ’synthier’ is a word, but here, it’s perfectly appropriate. Music for Robots called their new album “dancey power pop, pure and simple.” Give a listen to “Give it a Night.” You’re welcome.
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