HONORING THE ERASERHEADS

Last December, Sony BMG Records and Jam 88.3 launched a tribute album to one of the most decorated bands in Original Pilipino Music history: the Eraserheads.

Years after the band call it quits, here comes “Ultraelectromagneticjam: songs of the Eraserheads,” a 17-track album that features an all-star line-up of Filipino artists doing their own rendition of the Eraserheads’ hits.

The album contains the following tracks:

“Alapaap” performed by 6 cyclemind
6 cyclemind’s version sounds heavier that the original but this talented band has managed to retain the magic of this controversial E-heads hit during the mid 90’s.

“Magasin” performed by Paolo Santos
Acoustic performer Paolo Santos sparkled some of his own acoustic touch to the song that made his version quite lighter than the original. It sounds just fine.

“Spoliarium” performed by Imago
Imago has treated this song just right by playing it plainly. Plus, the vocal ad lib by Aia De Leon, the band’s lead vocalist is just as pretty as her. The result: their version rocks that good and it’s one of the stand-out tracks in the album.

“Overdrive” performed by Barbie Almalbis
Barbie’s version sounds sweet and pa-cute. In this song, she sounded like a teenage girl who wants to try new things in life and one of those is driving. Despite of that, her performance is pretty well.

“With a Smile” performed by South Boarder
It’s a jazz version of that romantic Eraserheads hit. South Boarder’s vovalists added more “pa lovers” effect to the song with their chilling voices. You’ll surely enjoy this track with a smile.

“Tikman” performed by Sugarfree
It’s one of the best tracks in the album. Sugarfree played it the Eraserheads’ style and the best thing about it is that Sugarfree’s lead vocalist Ebe Dancel sounded like Ely Buendia.

“Ligaya” performed by Kitchie Nadal
In her feminine version, Kitchie rocked impressively and managed to retain the song’s appeal though it was re-arranged. Notice that she obviously laughed a bit while singing the line, “Ilang ahit pa ba ang aahitin, o giliw ko.” It’s funny indeed. Besides, what part of her body does she have to shave? Her underarms, maybe. But despite of that, the song still rocks.

“Torpedo” performed by Isha
Isha is, probably, the least popular artist in this album yet her remake of this shy guy’s anthem was fair though it sounds way too soft for rockers.

“Superproxy 2K6” performed by Francis M. and Harware Syndrome featuring Ely Buendia
Master Rapper Francis Magalona is the only artist in this album who was a contemporary of the E-heads. Francis’ “Superproxy 2K6” projects a heavier beat and more attitude compared to the original “Superproxy.” The best part about it is Ely Buendia participated in the rap part of the song! It’s a stand-out track of the collection.

“Huwag Kang Matakot” performed by Orange and Lemons
Arguably, there’s no other band that would be that perfectly fitting to remake this fantastic song than Orange and Lemons. The band applied their creativity and style which made their rendition fabulous especially in the ad lib part where they mixed some “Julie Tearjerky” tune on it. Two thumbs up for this track!

“Pare Ko” performed by Sponge Cola
“Pare Ko,” despite of negative criticisms about it, was a phenomenal hit during the early 90’s and Sponge Cola treated the song just fine. They played it well, the vocals was ok and it sounds angrier than the original.

“Huwag Mo Nang Itanong” performed by MYMP
MYMP’s version has the acoustic pop sound. Though, Juris’ Voice was ok, unfortunately, their rendition has a lesser appeal than the original. Not that good but not too bad.

“Alcohol” performed by Radio Active Sago Project
It’s the funniest track in the album. Like the band use to do with their songs, the lyrics were spoken but it sounded nice and it was witty and creative- it’s Radio Active Sago style!

“Maling Akala” performed by Brownman Revival
Brownman Revival revived “Maling Akala” even before “Ultraelectromagneticjam” came into scene. Last year, their reggae version of the song was a hit and it gave opm fans a refreshing remake of the 1993 E-head’s hit.

“Hard to Believe” performed by Cueshe
One of the top artists of 2005, Cueshe has treated the song fine by giving it a faster and heavier beat. They have managed to retain the song’s sentimental appeal. It’s ok.

“Ang Huling El Bimbo” performed by Rico J. Puno
Huh? Rico J. Puno doing “Ang Huling El Bimbo?” Yes. Opm’s icon balladeer was surprisingly fitted for the song’s remake. With his “macho guwapito” voice, he brought justice and more romantic approach to the song which made it one of the album’s stand-out tracks.

“Para sa Masa” performed by Various Artists
All of the participating artists in the album pay their respects to the legendary band. The song was touching, especially for the fans.

Perhaps, you may wonder why they did not remake “Toyang” and “Tindahan ni Aling Nena.”

The best thing about this collection is that when you hear it, it brings lots of memories especially to those people who were in their adolescence and early adult stages in life during the Eraserheads’ rule over the airwaves. This album is also a must have for those who experienced “bandamania” during the decade of the 90’s.

This has been a job well done for Sony BMG and Jam 88.3 and two thumbs to those artists that participated in this marvelous album.

According to Eric Perpetua, Jam 88.3’s Associate Program Director, “No other band can create musical magic the way Ely, Marcus, Raymund, and Buddy do when they come together. No other band is as witty, cheeky, spunky and as Filipino when it comes to lyrics. No one comes close-then and now!”- there’s no doubt about it.

The Eraserheads, though disbanded, will remain as one of the most influential and most popular bands in opm history. With this album, it implies one thing- the Eraserheads are now rock legends.

SOURCE: the Philippine Daily Inquirer