Album Review: 'Arigato Internet' -indeed!

12 Shades of Reese: Arigato Internet comes with 12 beautiful photos of Reese Lansangan.

Do you still have a hangover from that awesome album launch last Sunday? I know I do! 

So how do you cure a hangover like that? Aside from blogging about the event the next thing is (drum roll please)....an album review! 

In a recent post, Reese thanked the 500+ people who attended the launch she also shared that they actually 'ran out' of albums on that day! (Clutches my copy closer) I don't think I've ever heard of an album launch actually running out of albums on the launch. Just goes to show the support for this singer-songwriter and the thirst for good music. 

As I mentioned in my previous post, we've been following Reese Lansangan since 2013. We know that she is a crazy, talented singer-songwriter. Her songs are written and performed with a guitar accompaniment, sometimes it's a Ukelele. We've seen her use effects and delays during her live performance but how was all of this going to reflect in the album? Was it going to be an entire album of songs accompanied only with a guitar or a ukelele at times? 

The age of the Internet has given birth to YouTube stars, such as Reese, who has gained a large following on her different social media platforms but will all these be enough for her to put out a full length album? I admire that Reese is as independent as it can get with her music and career. She has no record label behind her and is not working with any producer or industry expert in her album. As far as we can tell, it's just Reese and her a handful of musician friends who are behind the eponymous Arigato Internet.

When I first found out that the album was for P400.00 and I saw the packaging, I thought "Wow! Packiing palang sulit na!" I believe that in trying to keep the physical album alive in an age of digital downloads and streaming apps like Spotify, it's important to create a physical packaging and layout that will make fans want to have a copy of the album. As someone who belongs to that group who still values physical album copies (I have a modest collection at home) I was really impressed by how unique the packaging and layout of the album was; it was a thick clear plastic which was sewn on the edges that came with 12 different beautiful photos of Reese, that had lyrics written on the back. With this concept, album owners would be able to change the design (or jacket) of their album to a featured photo and with 12 covers the chances of you having the same design with someone is one out of twelve and you can also change it up whenever you want! It seems that with Reese's unique personality she also somehow passed this on to those who got a copy of her album. 

Being a fan of Japanese Culture (except the food) Reese loved the idea of Japanese characters appearing on her album, thus 'Arigato Internet'.

For some time now, the quirky Lansangan has teased her fans and followers of photos of her in the studio, working with a handful of fellow local musicians, most of whose music we already follow.

The album is made up of 9 tracks with 2 bonus tracks (See! More bang for your buck!) and starts with Exploration No. 5 which is classic Reese, her raspy, blues-inspired voice accompanied by a Ukelele, guitar and percussion. The next track is the much-talked about and super song Grammar Nazi, which paints a hilarious picture of liking a boy but who doesn't like books and 'couldn't spell right at all' (he says 'stuffs' so yes- run away) English Teacher Reese teaches some common grammar mistakes and even does a rap break in the song (yes- she sings and she raps!)

Recommended for English Teachers and even ESL Trainers to share/analyze and study with their students and trainees. It's fun and you get to learn a lot too!

Track 3 is the stalker-ish song Creeper, which with the upright bass makes it the perfect song for stalking-err 'watching behind the bush'. Code of Kin is a beautiful song, that I think of as a lullaby to your sister who may be feeling a little down and needs a little inspiration, I think it would be a great fit in a movie soundtrack :) There is a subtle use of a cello and keys and sythns which adds to the lullaby feel.. Track 5 - Slick is a cautionary tale of those guys you have to be careful of, Reese sings:

'Don't you let him get to you alone 

He's got a knack for smelling desperation

And he'll lead you to your bed tonight

It's hard to say no to those eyes' 

The story of this song, just shows the wide themes that Reese writes and sings about, it's not all about love and being hurt, it's about actual (kinds of) people too.

Bleed is actually one of my favorite tracks in the album, in here we see Reese grow from her comfort zone of just playing accompanied by a guitar and/or a ukelele. In Bleed we hear her sing with guitars, drums, keys and a bass. It's an entire band and it just shows that Lansangan is where she is supposed to be. Creating music, recording it and sharing it to an audience that deserves more than over rated cover artists.

A Song About Space is classic Reese, which showcases her quirky yet fun attitude and this reflects on her songs as well. Who would think that a song about planets and space would be so fun?! The added keys and synths makes it a cute song that both adults and children will enjoy.

Recommended for Science teachers/Pre-School Teachers who want to add a little spark to their lesson. :)

Autopilot is a fun and upbeat take on Reese with her full band.

St. Petersburg is technically the last song in the album (not counting the bonus tracks) and it steadily goes back to basic Reese with her guitars and a subtle addition of keys. It's a beautiful song about self discovery and travelling. The ultimate #Wanderlust song.

Reese Lansangan Arigato Internet Album Launch

As we stood in the crowded room at Green Sun in Makati, filled to the brim of loved ones and supporters of Reese Lansangan, a talented singer-songwriter, I knew that we were witnessing something change in the OPM scene, we were in the presence of history as it was happening.

Reese's quirky attitude, catchy lyrics and infectious melodies have gained her a large following and have made her the object of affection of middle class College to 20-ish fans who actually think tha OPM is cool; something that has not happened in a long time. 

Flashback to 2013 when we first saw Reese perform as a solo artist during Greenlight Music Festival, it was just her her petite frame, a head full of green hair, her guitar and a whole lot of talent. She impressed the crowd with her use of effects and delays to elevate her performance into more than just an acoustic number and we have been fans ever since. 

Love at First Sight. It was 2013 when we first saw Reese perform during the
Greenlight Music Festival. 

It's been two years since we first saw Reese perform and we just know that this girl has the whole galaxy for her to conquer (in a sense). Her songs have long been around the internet ever since she started posting them online and fans have started following her, keen to fill their life with her unique flavor of music. A Kindergarten teacher has used her original composition 'A Song About Space' to explain the vastness that is space to her young students. In a test, a student used the same song to answer bonus questions about the solar system. While another teacher in High School played Reese's song 'Grammar Nazi' to her students, to demonstrate the importance of good grammar and how one should not settle for anything else, good grammar included.


It was no surprise that she would seen release an album under her own name, what was in my mind though was how it turn out to be? Was it going to be an entire acoustic album? Only time would tell and soon her much awaited album launch finally came.

The talented Jensen and the Flips! We have yet to get a copy of their album. 

December 6, 2015 in Green Sun in Makati, Paul and I opted to arrive a few hours later, so we could get at least two hours of sleep (remember, we try to keep our night schedule in the weekends too), I knew that about 800+ people have said that they were going on the Facebook event page and I was worried that we'd all be like a pack of sardines in a hot and crammed space. We haven't been to Green Sun yet, so I wasn't sure what to expect.

The event was scheduled to start at 4:00 PM, I know it's quiet odd for an album launch to start that early but this was not your ordinary album launch, there were different booths from snack booth, intergalactic ice cream, an Instax booth, temporary tattoos, live calligraphy, portrait drawing, among others.  When we finally arrived a little after 6:00 PM I was pleased to see that the event really was chill and the people were seated on the floor, some even on comfortable bean bag chairs and some couches, that vision of a crowded and stuffy bar immediately went out of my mind.

I really wanted to try the intergalactic ice cream and to have an Instax photo but unfortunately the booths closed early (we were advised) but hey - the price to pay for a few hours of sleep right?

Tom's Story: These boys will make you dance. 

When we arrived, Jensen and the Flips were already performing (we have yet to get a copy of their album, it's on the to-buy list). I had already gotten a copy of Reese's Arigato Internet album (review will be up in a few days-sooner, I hope) and found myself in line for what seemed to be an autograph and photo session with the girl of the hour, so since I was in line (it was a rather long queue) I just went ahead with it, it was also a chance to say 'Hi' and 'Congratulations' and to of course have my album signed. :) After the pleasantries, Reese of course had to get back to a longer line of fans, Tom's Story was already up next.

Paul was such a big fan of Tom's Story that I had to be the one to go to the bar to get his beer.

"Tom's Story na eh.." he pleaded, as if those four words gave him all the excuse in the world.

They are an awesome band and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the group, EP soon please?

Dynamic Duo: Kai Honassan of Autotelic and Ace Libre of Never the Strangers had
hosting duties during the Album Launch. 

In an impressive feat, the whole launch was actually early in their program. (Gasp! I know.) and I think that credit for that goes to the hardworking team that was behind the launch, much of it was Reese herself, who through her years as a Social Media Darling has earned not only her own following of fans but companies and start ups who were eager to associate themselves with the rising star. It was through these connections that has helped Reese with an ambitious and successful launch.

I have to applaud the young magnate who seemed to control every detail of her career and music. She is unsigned to any recording label and does not have a manager but her own. What continues to amaze me is the non-existence of a man in a suit pulling the strings and making the decisions. Everything has been Reese since the beginning and she has shown that it can be done.

Nobody has told Reese how to dress or who to be. Her cute and quirky personality is all her and her fans know that, they know that she is genuine and this is one of the things that endear her to them.

I think I can say, pretty much the 800 people who said they would go, actually went. The venue was filled to the brim, including Reese's family (some of whom came all the way from the province, finding themselves among Reese fanboys and fangirls) and yet still 'chill' and comfortable. Like I said earlier in the post, it was history in the making and I'm just more than happy to have been part of it. 

Congratulations Reese! We can't wait to see what galaxy you conquer next!

Click HERE for MORE photos!

#Reese1stAlbum
#ArigatoInternet 

B.P. Valenzuela: A Bright Light in a Dark Time: The Neon Hour AlbumLaunch

Don't be fooled - people go all the way back - just couldn't see it in the photo :P

Driving along Katipunan on a Saturday night we arrived at CS Place Katipunan with Neon Lights on top of the building lighting up the dark night sky. I really didn't think too much of what I saw for a couple of seconds but I didn't think that I would look back at it now as I am writing this.

You see a 19 year old B.P Valenzuela is that bright neon light, shining bright and strong against the dark night which is everything that is working against her. The darker the night the more she shines bright in her own palette of neon colors.

Arriving at the venue of her album launch, we were early and had good seats or spots since well there were no chairs in the venue which was on top of the CS Place Katipunan Building, it was an open space which allowed the cold air to kiss the guests. There was an an enclosed area for the performances and this is where the audience gathered. I loved that the food and drinks were affordable, God bless B.P.'s mom who suggested to have food served and it must be said that it was affordable and delicious food. Pizza, quesadilla and sandwiches for only P80.00! Beer was for P50.00 and juice was served for P20.00! God bless you B.P.'s mom indeed! I thought we had to starve or would have to cross to McDonalds' for an affordable meal. :) It must be said that Paul was very happy with the affordable beer.

A young fan looks on as local artists make magic through their music. 

It was a pretty good crowd, it seems that the 400+ people who said that they were going on the Facebook event page for the event, actually went - if not more! It was the kind of crowd turn out where in you'd loose your spot if you went out- thank you to Francine for saving our seats so we could stuff our face with pizza and quesadillas outside. :)

Fresh from a show in Cebu, B.P says: "I wanted to make an album before I was 20 and it's happening now, it's so surreal." With a sweet smile underneath a cap, sans make up and wearing as shirt, shorts and a jacket around her waist, she is simple, unassuming and repeatedly thanked her parents through the night. Before the launch of her music video 'Steady' she tells the crowd -"there's a scene in the video where I have a cigarette in my hand, Mom if you see that don't get mad." I mean how adorable is that?! I wouldn't mind my younger siblings or pamangkins looking up to her. She still goes to school and works part time as a barista at Satchmi while making music in between.

"It's an electronic pop album which deals with a sh*t ton of grey areas." B.P. says of her album The Neon Hour. It took her over a year to come up with the 11 track album (album review on the blog soon-review on her EP be/ep here) and now everyone at the venue will be able to bring home a copy of her music and for someone who listens to music a lot I can tell you that you will be awed and amazed at to what this 19 year old can come up with. Her music should be on airwaves (she actually has a single on Jam 88.3-but we need more!) her music videos should be on TV. You should see her perform and I'm telling you, you too will see the light that I see, the light that all the people who came to that event has seen, heard and felt. Ladies and Gentlemen- The Neon Hour has come and missing it would be such a shame.

Click HERE for MORE PHOTOS 

False Apart Album Review

I will be returning to my punk-rock roots with this review from up and coming pop-rock band False Apart! I got a copy of their debut self titled album (recorded at The Yellow Room Music - by the way) at Built By Sonic Eastwood - which is near my office. Unfortunately we were not able to attend their album launch as we had prior photography events and a Christening coverage that day  but that doesn't mean that I won't be featuring their album ~ hence this review! ^_^ 

Before I start with the review I have to go on and say that I've actually known two members of the band prior to getting to to listen to their music. 

Bassist and vocalist Arianne Gonzaga is actually the younger sister of my former boss turned wedding coordinator. Don't worry I'm not writing this review to suck-up as I said earlier Arriane's older sister is my former boss who also coordinates weddings and events  (shout out to Event Junkies Manila ^_^)   

While I met False Apart guitarist Jepp Padilla through the Tricot Manila Street Team.

Tricot is a Japanese Math Rock band who performed in Manila earlier this year-let's just say that it was one of the most amazing shows we've seen this year and being part of the Street Team made that experience even more special. 

Peejie Abia who is the artist for the album's cover and sleeves is also a part of The Tricot Manila Street Team :) 

Okay so I really made it a point to mention that I knew some of the band members prior to being introduced to their music and I really wanted to emphasis this because that's what happens when you support local music there's a chance for you to know these musicians; they could be your cousin - (Barbie Almalbis is actually my second cousin) or your childhood friend or your (mysterious) neighbor and I think that's pretty cool. 

Okay...so now that that point was made let's get on with the album review shall we? 

The image that comes to my mind when I listen to the music of False Apart are two young lovers holding hands and jumping to the band's infectious melodies. Their debut album is a good starter album for anyone looking for a good dose of pop-rock. 

One of the things that sets False Apart from other bands is that they have both a male and female vocalist which makes their sound very unique. 

They are not a female fronted band despite Arianne's vocals nor are they a "Pogi-Rock" band despite Jepp's very pogi voice :) but the working and intertwininga of Gonzaga and Padilla's voice coupled with guitar riffs which reminds one of Coheed and Cambria a bit makes False Apart one of a kind. 

You can check out False Apart's video to their song 'Nothing's Left, Nothing's Right' below! 

You can also download the song (and support the band at the same time) through Amplify.ph - 

just click HERE!

Of course you can also grab a copy of their debut album from Built By Sonic and/or meet up with the band or better yet see them live in shows ^_^ 

As part of my album review, I will say that I love that the cover and the sleeves not just because of the art but because of the (good) quality on which it was printed. The font of the lyrics were nice and readable which is definitely a plus for someone like me with bad eyesight :P So you'll definitely get your money's worth - not just for the awesome music but also because of the great physical album that comes with it :)

There are 8 tracks on the album which showcase a variety of styles from the band.

I'm really looking forward to see this band grow as musicians and can't wait to hear new music from them. This first album is a good indication of their potential and I just know that with more angst and impressive riffs and melodies they are definitely a band that will be making waves in the local scene.  I should mention also that these guys bagged the Runner up position during The Yellow Room Battle Of The Bands. ^_^ 

So definitely bigger and better things for them! 

Make sure to like them on Facebook! 

Loop's Flirting with the Universe Album Review

If we're friends on Facebook you probably already know that Paul and i have been going gaga over a certain Iligan based band - Loop!  

I always think that the universe has a funny things of making things work out - since I believe that it was a great time to discover this band (thanks to Amplify.ph <3) since they just came out with their debut full length album Flirting With The Universe. 

One of my favorite ideas (and one of the things I like to think about when I'm feeling down) about Paulo Coelho's 'The Alchemist' is the idea that when there is something that you really, really want, nay, desire, the Universe will conspire for it to happen. This is the reason why I love the album title - Flirting With The Universe I find it very profound, daring and dangerous as if you are playing with fire. But I guess that's just my literary self going on overdrive. (you can hear the lyrics 'flirting with the universe' in the track - Rainmakers)

I was lucky enough to get a digital copy of the album following it's July 12 release in Iligan and we just love it! Even if the songs in the album, bring back memories of candle lit evenings due to the onslaught of Glenda's strong winds. It's a great chill album that tugs at the heartstrings. 

The album is a testament to the essence of Indie music and showcases the genuine talent of these young up and coming musicians. The songs are well written and the techniques displayed are sure to give pop acts a run for their money. 

One of the things that I immediately noticed in the album is that songs that have already been released in videos and are available to listen to online have been re-recorded and re-mastered in the album, offering new versions of songs you've already loved before. Just goes to show that these guys are not lazy and continually improve on their art by giving fans and listeners new sides to their songs. 

It's not a case of this song is okay, let's just stick with it forever. Nope. Loop is too good for that kind of mentality and by doing so continue to impress fans of their music. 

Here are the songs in the album, I included, videos, links of where you can listen to the songs just so you can see/hear what all the fuss is about with this amazing band. Remember that the album has remastered versions of these tracks so you'd still better get a copy of the album ;) I also will deliberately (and I am stopping myself here) not give out descriptions on all songs in the album, as I want to leave more for the imagination. :D 

Runaway 

Peppermint Mocha 

Does anyone know the Marketing people from Starbucks? Because they should really use this amazing, amazing song in their stores or their marketing - every time I listen to it I want a Peppermint Mocha! And yes - I'm serious about that, if anyone knows anyone who can make it happen, let me know. Video below! 

My own Paramore Listening Party

Screenshot of my Work PC. Shhhh... don't tell my boss 

With the excitement towards the Paramore album continuing to increase, with the help of tours, listening parties, lyrics and thoughts shared by the very open Hayley Williams, teaser video, an e-book-it was just a matter of time before Paramore fans all over the world go into anticipation overload and spontaneously combust all together-from bliss I might add. 

I think that anticipation overload and inevitable spontaneous combustion is happening to Paramore fans all over the world as we speak with the preview of the much awaited self titled album. Yup! I don't think I've ever heard of a band previewing their album for their fans- with no strings attached I might add if it's done before then good but for me this is my first and I am in Nirvana.

I was really jealous about all those very lucky fans who were blessed enough to attend the listening parties but now with the technology of iTunes and the magic of social media the seemingly impossible has become possible- I was having MY OWN LISTENING PARTY!-okay so maybe it's sad if you put it that way but I was also able to interact with other Paramore fans and share our thoughts via Twitter as we were listening to the preview of the album together. Distance was not a question, the number of miles did not matter, we were virtually holding hands and banging our heads to the same music.