Album Review: All My Friends

The thought of writing a review for a post-rock/math rock or 'instrumental rock' album can be overwhelming, especially when a portion of my album reviews focus on lyrics. 

So that's immediately scratched off. 

Its also daunting as I am in no way a musician and lack the background and technical know how to have the credibility to actually talk about music (I have a Nursing degree and don't play any sort of musical instrument whatsoever and have been working in the BPO industry for more than ten years) let alone one which relies on music-alone. 

I just like to listen to a lot of different kinds of music and like everything else am really, really passionate about it. 

Then I realized music isn't always about the technical details, sure being educated about genres will help you navigate through the many material out there and having general knowledge about musical terms is essential so your audience knows what you're talking about but in truth, its actually how the music makes you feel that really matters. 

And tide/edit's "All my friends" made me feel a lot of things. 

"All My Friends" is a positive and inspiring musical experience that doesn't even require words or lyrics to express this. I was actually working on another album review when I gave the album a quick listen and I immediately went on "writer mode" scribbling away on an open notebook in my chicken scrawl of a handwriting. 

You can check out the band's video for "Twelve" which is also part of "All my friends". 

Paul and I influence each other when it comes to music (he's actually sleeping when I listened to the album and I can't wait to share this with him when he wakes up) -our love for post rock / math rock definitely comes from him. If you have no idea what "instrumental rock" is all about - tide / edit 's "All my friends" is a great introduction to the genre. 

The album is made up of 12 tracks and once you listen to the first track "Pelagic" it just keeps on going from one track to the next with its steady drum rolls, sensual bass lines, harmonic guitars; playing and teasing, soothing and calling- it calls to you to move, to sway, to dance, to feel, (or in my case to write) -its the music that is the star. 

"Lakeshore" highlights an acoustic guitar with some subtle percussion and its just glorious and its abrupt end will leave you wanting for more.

"White Flag" which features the hauntingly beautiful vocals of Dee Cruz is the only track in the album with lyrics and as if by some sort of genius is the last track and makes you realize you did not miss the traditional lyrics with music accompaniment and it is as if the entire album is a prologue to this satisfying end. It creates this unique experience that you have to listen to the entire album that all of its tracks are pieces that make up one beautiful puzzle. 

4/5. "All My Friends" is now streaming on Spotify and is available for pre-order on the Spur of the Moment website. Click here. 

EP Review: Oh, Flamingo! Don't forget the ',' and the '!'

Took a photo of the CD, right after picking it up from the counter at Satchmi. 

Rating: 4 Stars

Label: Wide Eyed Records 

As a couple, Paul and I influence each other in music and with a 6 year difference in our ages, the music that we share is very diverse and transcends decades. 

When it comes to discovering new music, and/or new bands/artists to follow it can be either one of us who recommends it to the other. Now, in the case of four-piece Indie Rock band "Oh, Flamingo!" 

it was Paul who was the initial fan; he would crank up the volume of the car stereo whenever the bands song "Two Feet" would play on Jam 88.3.

Howard Luistro of Oh, Flamingo! performing during Satchmi's Vinyl Day. 

Pretty Soon, we were both singing the song (with harmonies) and Paul would even play the beat of the drums on the steering wheel and now we are officially Oh, Flamingo! fans. 

I've been planning to get a copy of their EP for some time now, which is why I was really happy when I saw that it was being sold at Satchmi; I got a copy-no questions asked! For P250.00 with five tracks in the EP, I would say that it it's P250.00 well spent. There is no song that you 'skip' as you play the CD, because every song is a worthwhile listen with it's fresh Indie-Rock sound, unpredictable transitions and infectious harmonies. 

As winners of the coveted Wanderland band title, even beating out personal favorite Iligan-based Loop, Oh, Flamingo! Is making their own brand of noise, proving that despite having a few original songs under their belt, it is their unique charm and music that endears their fans and followers to them. 

The EP opens with 'Inconsistensies' which gives audiences a preview of the treat that they are in, the simple guitar riffs make way for more complicated ones, executed only by mastering the perfect timing. The radio friendly 'Two Feet' showcase the quartet's strengths, which are off the books music styles, which focus more on finding their own style, rather than ripping off other bands. The EP ends with the fun and fresh track 'June' which transcends to a Carribeanesque like song, you wouldn't see coming.

Bassist Billie Dela Paz. Plus points if you can you see her shout out to Howard in the photo? 

The lyrics are well written, no clichéd lyrics where in you can predict what word comes next or the ones that make you want to throw up as to how they cheesy they are. Nope, you won't find any of those with Oh, Flamingo! Their lyrics almost have a poem like quality, painting imagery which best compliments the well arranged songs. 

Howard Luistro's vocals make him sound older than he actually is. The strength of his laid back singing is knowing when to give and when to take. There is no overbearing 'birit' but a casual control, experienced musicians take years to master. 

It seems that the self titled EP is not an experiment as to finding out who they are or what their sound is. Rather, it is a loud testament of what Oh, Flamingo! is all about. From the intended use of punctuation marks in their name (don't forget the ',' and the '!') to their no-nonsense, no make up, yet super fun and 'kulit' album cover. Oh, Flamingo! is a refreshing promise to bigger things in the indie scene. 

Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5) 

*will start rating album and EP reviews* :) 

You can get physical copies of their EP at the following: 

Satchmi (SM Megamall) 

Team Manila Stores

The Four Strings (Cubao Expo) 

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.

Small Body. Big Sound. Marshall Acton Speaker Review

The Marshall brand is synonymous to producing good quality sound whether through music amplifiers, speaker cabinets or headphones/earphones.  Which is why I have been coveting the Marshall Bluetooth Speakers since they came out in the market about a year ago. Like it's amplifier brother, the Marshall Bluetooth Speakers brings quality sound to the home. Maintaining it's amplifier look, which would appeal to musicians and music lovers alike the bluetooth speakers is not only a beautiful conversation piece or a great asset in a room but of course brings high quality sound as expected from a leading brand like Marshall. 

The Bluetooth Speakers comes in two forms, the Acton and Stanmore. My cousin got his very own Acton Marshall Bluetooth speaker and we got to try it out! 

We were really impressed with the quality of the sound and how it filled the space we were in. For a speaker at 5.9 x 10.4 x 6.29 inches it was a party! Whether you are alone in your room chilling to some music or in a full-on party the Acton will surely deliver. It would fill small-medium sized houses and a good portion of large houses. You can adjust the volume to suit your needs and preferences and of course maintain good relations with your neighbors. 

Connectivity Details 

Bluetooth - The Acton uses Bluetooth V4.0 which is the latest version and delivers the best audio quality possible with Bluetooth. The great thing about the Bluetooth technology is that you are still free to use your device, you can bring it anywhere, it's not plugged up to the speakers.


Wired Connectivity - The Acton can receive audio from it's 3.5mm (AUX) port, maintaining it's cohesive guitar amp look, the jack for the Acton looks like a guitar jack.

The Marshall Acton Bluetooth speakers looks good and sounds good. It's portable size makes it easy to move around the house of course just set it up in a place for people to easily admire it, it's just too beautiful it would really be a shame if people don't get to see it. Not recommended to bring along during trips to the beach or such, since it has to be plugged in to work. 

The Acton and it's bigger brother Stanmore are available in electronic stores. A great investment for audiophiles and music lovers, you'll be the envy of all of your friends.