The (Feeling) Singer Inside Of Me

Aaaaaand soo... Because I feel like singing these songs for a surprise. Hehehe...

1st song is from Ed Sheeran. This song is called Lego House. So this is take 3 and I hate so many takes. No edits. Pure acoustic! Hehe. Well. OK.

The second one is a request by my Girlfriend way back eons ago. It's called "Smile" by Uncle Cracker. This basically describes our love. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeheeee! Well, this is one take only. And too many fails! Bear with the boredom.

OK. END OF POST. KBYE!

11gulotoni24

Boy from the Naive Orleans

Before the month ends and the semester starts, here goes a blog. It has really been a long while since I was frequently blogging because I was busy. Yep, lame but true excuse.

The past semester has really been hard for me, like all hell broke loose just for me. I have myself exhausted at the first month of the semester. Then in the Midterms week, I got sick. Not to mention I have to transfer from a good house with my Brods then to a "deserted" Boarding House. Great, isn't it?

But the second greatest struggle (first of which is academics which I overcame before the next semester began) was in the groups I was affiliated to. It seemed that I was having a hard time to balance myself this time. I mean, those past semesters of being lax now takes its toll and this time I need to focus now on what matters most.

For many reasons I kept too far for them to survive, I may have to decide whether or not to leave a group.

I was there when the group was a shining star. I was there when all of the sudden that star was forced to collide with others and almost lost its light. I was there when the group tried to regain their composure. I was the first leader for the rebirth of the group. And when it finally risen again, I was there. But not for long. I have to keep myself away, not because I don't like the group, but I don't see myself growing with the group.

True enough, I could be called a pillar of the group. But as the group tried to reach another notch, I was left on the first level, and I could not commit that much to practice, because at the first place it's the academics I have to prioritize. And now that I have to try not extend my stay in the university for another year, I have MUST do what is best for me.

I have no problem with the people in the group. In fact I love them. They were there tirelessly for the group. We shared some hopes and dreams (and some shots) together. I mean, staying with 8 passionate guys for that sake was a huge sacrifice for me. And then, they grew as expected of us as a group, but I never did, no matter how hard I tried. I know this thinking is ridiculous, but they can do much better with or without me.

So why did I stay for another year? I cannot leave the group, because they are in need of people. I could have left like my batchmates did. But I so love music that I want to keep it in the University. The music cannot and must not die. I decided to take a pause, away from them, because my academic life was calling me.

After I lay low for a while, I've seen them myself when they presented in a program and I was just amazed. I figured my problem myself: I was never fit for a performance like they did. I mean, I have the talent but I did not have the guts for that kind of presentation. I have the passion for music but it's rock genre that I prefer. I was never oriented to betray the group's style and it never was my intention, but I did. I do not see myself in the next few years singing choir songs.

I just hope one day, when I leave, I can do it with no hurt feelings, and I just hope the group might reach its goals and visions. I can't believe I joined such a group, met such people and went through UPMin life for four years now. That was the best experience for me. But when I have to go, I pray for the success of the group, that they may stand strong, for I know I might be just a burden or even insignificant to the growth of the team.

11gulotoni24

The Playlist

Music. It is all around us. Whatever we hear can be described as music.

But music is too broad to say that you have heard it all. So you select what kind of music you want to hear, as music is also depending on the preferences.

So this post is about what you could expect to find in my playlist and what I recommend you to listen at. They are somehow mainstream, but not that mainstream as Lady Gaga and Ke$ha (two artists who could make me feel like turning the radio off aside from Justin Bieber). Yeah kidding aside, here goes the list.

EMAROSA. They are a good band. And even though they change their vocalists in every album, I still find it cool that they stick to the same genre, because the vocals just stay cool, like it's almost close to shouting, but in a good way. And the drum lines, always consistent. And I always like it simple and easy to hear.

URBANDUB. They are so far the best OPM band in the industry nowadays. The four-piece band was like they were so meant to play with each other. They sound good as a whole, whether the music is emotional or overly dubbed, they won't fail to amaze. From Janjan's drums that follow Lalay's bass lines, to John and Gabby's exchanging of riffs and vocals. They have also shown their growth in music by experiencing diferent kind of rock in every album, from Birth to The Apparition.

FALL OUT BOY. They are the most unlikely to be entered in this list. But since they never fail to keep me pumped up with the music, they are so much welcomed. Lyrics were so much senseless and fun, that you might think that they are just party punks (coz yeah, that's what their music was). And Pete Wentz going on the bass and Patrick Stump hitting high notes, just so good to hear that you want to imitate then in the bathroom.

FRANCO. They are the superband of Cebu. Not just superband because of the fact that they are coming from other big bands, but because they made super-quality music. starting with Franco Reyes' voice, guitars and music, Parokya Ni Edgar's Buhawi Meneses bringing the strong beat of the bass, Urbandub's Janjan Mendoza and Gabby Alipe's Techniques on drums and guitars, respectively (thus bringing the feeling that this band sounds Urbandub-ish) and Paolo "8" Toleran's raw and edgy guitars, they indeed are superb. They made InYo's music as hardcore as possible, thus making it their music anthemic and high-pumping.

ALL TIME LOW. This band offers a great variety of music, from emo, to screamo, to party punk. These kids explore most of their time on these music and this is why I include their music to the playlist. I suggest you hear their singles, like "Remembering Sunday", "Jasey Rae", "Stay Awake" and "Running From Lions".

MAYDAY PARADE. You might call them Emo but I find their music relaxing. No more, no less. If you want to get back to your teenage dreams, then go for this band. And they will be here in the Philippines in July, and I can't watch them. Too bad.

GO RADIO. Jason Lancaster. That's it. But I find this music good. nobody can defeat his voice as of now. Knowing how soothing it is now, and the lyrics are so carefully written that showed his musicality. Too bad he was now out of Mayday Parade.

FEARLESS RECORDS' PUNK GOES SERIES. I am sorry, but mind if I include this? Fearless Records has a bunch of bands that are willing to commit themselves for an exploration of their genre. I just love the underground punk, for they are not settling for what they knew. They cover songs and made them screamo and hardcore and party music. And they are even sacrificing their music for an acoustic version of it, that went pretty well, and even brought more soul to the music. The covers, they are mostly pop and crunk that goes hardcore and more full, though some of the covers were simply losing its soul.

And that's it! XD

Fall and Fade

So this should be my second consecutive post in this week. I have this post pending for like months already, so I guess I just have to post this now.

This is Psalm Galope's song for those who would want to give up or those who are afraid to pursue their dreams. I mean, there's only one destination our body goes, to dust. But we can make our lives meaningful anyways before it goes dust.

So this is Psalm Galope with the song, Fall and Fade. enjoy!

Stay Away

This post is a show that sometimes love comes too good to be true.

Anne Mendoza again made everyone cry. haha. So her song, Stay Away, is a heartfelt song, telling of how love comes to easy and dreamy that you need to wake up from the reality that you were not meant for each other. Sometimes, we rush love. And sometimes we manage to make it like, yeah, this was my dream relationship. But, sometimes, love just ain't enough. Love was sometimes too good to be true. And sometimes, love was not all we needed.

Too much for that, here is Anne Mendoza with her new single (char!), Stay Away. Enjoy! :)

Bieber-Hater

It was a good rainy December night. I just finished reading my books, so I went to the cyberspace. I heard of this new album of My Chemical Romance, with the statement to stop melodrama and go back to the roots of rock. Well, not all of you are aware, right?

As I browse through their music, I viewed a comment that tries to stop Justin Bieber’s career. And I was like, hell yeah, I agree dude. For he was carrying a virus – a virus that causes this Bieber Fever. A virus that killed rock in the minds of all those wailing girls. A virus that destroyed musicality.

What does music mean? Was it just a combination of melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre, or was it something deeper? Was it just anywhere and whatever you hear like the rustling of the leaves, or was it what you feel and the expression of what you felt, like the sound of your heartbeat? And was it just following the guy’s music because of his facial assets, or rocking out till your lungs get sore because the music just made you do so? Honestly, I have seen many concerts where everyone sings along to the songs because the music is too good. And I have seen more concerts where everyone is shrieking for the artist because he looks too good. Hey, was this music for you?

Lyric-wise, I’d vote for rock music. Just imagine these lyrics. “Pardon me while I burst into the flames, I’ve had enough of the worst and it’s people’s mindless games.” What’s more lyrical than this? Was it a little dude singing “before they outlaw a kiss, baby give me one last hug”? Come one. This is kind of promoting "premature sex" (no, there is no such words I guess, I'm just saying it). Seen the videos? Does it make sense for a boy that just turned 17?

I remember when having your hair as long as mine right now would be associated with rock bands, and the girls do have a common question – “do you play guitar?” and I kind of like it. But now, it is still the same, just an added request – “could you play Bieber songs for me?” And I was like, yeah whatever. I’m too cool and manly for GAY-ber songs.

What is about Justin Bieber that I hate? Nothing. But what is about his music that I hate? Everything. It started the facial value of musicians, like Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. Yeah, Ke$ha? Remember the girl who talks with autotune, and then call it a music.

I bet Usher Raymonds has picked the fruit too unriped, like the mango. Unriped mangoes were still palatable to others who’d like to taste sourness, but mango is supposedly sweet. Just like JBieb. That’s not what music is meant to sound, right? But we bit it. And there goes rock music, the one ripened through time with all the sense. Where is it now? ALMOST GONE.

Because of Bieber, there goes K-pop that we don’t even understand the lyrics! But since, their facial value matters, I can’t blame you who listen to K-pop. But look at Urbandub and Dicta License, OPM bands that once sang about STD. It made sense, but we did not mind.

I’ll end this speech with a tip. When you listen to music, consider the message. It is not the artist you praise for. Music is art, it is meant to be analysed for it to be felt. If you want fame, then go the Bieber way. As for me who wants to celebrate rock music, I’ll opt to let my music be heard by few and appreciated because of talent, than to be judged by the looks.

This is a paper I made for Speech Communication subject or AH3. Hey, no offense bieliebers. I'm just writing this out for the sake of the subject. and I'm just posting what I feel. Freedom of expression dude. If you are moved by this Persuasive Speech or not, I really don't mind. XD

Hey Girl (My Supposedly Heart's Day Song)

So I will supposedly be posting about a song I composed just last week, and I wanted to share it in this blog for the first time. Sadly, I did not have the right instrument to make a good post. It is still having a super crappy audio due to the vibrating noise of the guitar. Well, sorry for that guys.

But, instead of posting here the song, I will be able to give you the lyrics of the song. So I entitled it "Hey Girl (The Best Part)". I wrote this song to dedicate to someone I call "POTZ". Yes, I missed her that I have to write the right words to express it. We called it totally over like a month ago, but I still can't get over with it.

So before I get teary-eyed, here is the lyrics of the song. Happy Heart's Day guys! XP

hey girl, don't you know
that I was here, here for you
hey girl, didn't you notice that
I'm missing you since you've gone away

but these words I say
won't mean anything to you

but hey girl, I love you
and I will wait forever
till you realize that there's me for you
and you'll never find another
coz the best part of me is you

hey girl, wouldn't you hear this
I've practiced all my lines but I'll do it in this rhyme
hey girl, I've tried to walk away
trying to act my cool but I've been wasting my time

Coz these things I did
won't mean anything right now

but hey girl, I love you
and I will wait forever
till you realize that there's me for you
and no need to find another
coz the best part of me is

you made my worst days shine
captured by your perfect smile
make the wait so worthwhile
girl I'm so impressed by your style
but this won't mean a thing
if you won't say anything
but then I remember the day
when you say

hey boy, I miss you
and I need your hugs and kisses
for your name was written deep in my heart
and I promise we will never ever part
but hey girl, yes I miss you
when I wake up each day there
you'll be in my heart and mind and though it hurts me so
the best part of me is you

the best part is me and you

Music Review: Bruno Mars' Doo-woops & Hooligans

Yes, I'm supposedly be working on my academics right now, but the paper I'm supposed to be doing would be pending for at least a week due to a busy teacher. Weeeeee!

Music is really evident in our society right now. But most people just like to sing just because they do. For example, Pete Gene Hernandez, who is more likely to be called by his stage name Bruno Mars by the public. He is of Filipino descent, making me proud of myself being one. He sings because he wants to. And when he sings... O.O

His album, Doo-woops and Hooligans says about his roots and his versatility in genre. This also shows great selection of the order of the song. Here are the list-down of songs:

1. Grenade - This is a stupid song. This shows how guys would do everything for a girl, even if she won't. Great choice of starting song, would give a mindful thinking that Bruno is an "emo".

2. Just The Way You Are - Wew. This is a way to flatter a girl. Give the impression to girls that they don't need to be someone to be loved. Great to back Grenade, after the girl realizes why. :)

3. Our First Time - Sweet song. Perfect for the solo moments. Well, what do we expect? What do you think happens after the girl was flattered? O_O hehehehe

4. Runaway Baby - This is so like Elvis-y song. But behind the beat, just listen to the lyrics. It's so like a hopeful Bruno Mars in there. So maybe it would come in your mind that he wants to make it up with the girl.

5. The Lazy Song - It would be a chill-out song. Yeah, describes most people who just like to relax and enjoy, just even for a day. We all need to relax, recharge as we need to do things.

6. Marry You - Wanna propose? Just sing this song. But this gives an impression also that you have to wait for the right "yes". This also means, after a while of thinking, yeah you could think of how are you to propose after. XD

7. Talking to the Moon - Shoot, this is so emotional, and showing how he could be so smooth. It is somehow good to keep away pride for awhile and accept that you need her. He maybe was denied on the way he proposed. tsk.

8. Liquor Store Blues - Yeah, defined blues music. This is really a wasted song, like, chill. Lets party. Throw away all the hay. And the Rastafarian beat makes it so, wooooo! Just party all the way!

9. Count On Me - This is for the friends who lasted and were tested and true. I also suspect that this is for his special "friend". But anyways this is so cool, so amazing. :)

10. The Other Side ft. Cee Lo Green - What a way to end the album. He is actually waiting for her to come with him on the verge of going to the other side. True love waits. :))

Is She Really Worth It?

Been very bad this night (oops, morning I mean). I'm supposed to study the lessons in ABE155 (Introduction to Marketing Management for the Agribusiness Enterprise, or simply marketing) but I decided to blog. Sorry I can't help myself. :P

Yeah, here is another Anne Mendoza's song. This is excerpted from miss Verna Sabsal's poetry. She got interested on the poem and made it an inspiration to make it more alive by music. I brand this as so damn good, I need to rewrite the lyrics and make it more of like the guy's perspective. And the start of the song has an excerpt from the movie "Just Friends". It somehow fitted the situation.

For those guys who are IN LOVE and have not received the expected, and girls who are HESITANT, here is Anne Mendoza with her song for you! XD

All Over Again (Piano Version)

I was just about to finish studying so I guess it would be worthwhile to take a breather sometimes and just blog the way out.

So Anne Mendoza could also play the piano. I have waited so long to hear this cool stuff that made more eyes cry than the original one. Plus, with a twist. She recorded it one night after being bored in their house. The acoustics makes it more sad. :|

You could compare the two versions if you want to. Just click here. :)

So everyone, Anne Mendoza again for the piano version of All Over Again. XD

Old Love Song

As you can see, this is my second Christmas Eve post.

So, making the yule tide colder, here is another fact. Love songs really never end. I know you remember the song "Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. Say, "King and Queen of Hearts" by David Pomeranz. Or "Always" by Atlantic Starr (you could say the other song by Bon Jovi). Making it more Christmas-y, "Last Christmas" by Wham. As long as it touches the hearts of people, it could always exist.

Just like feelings. As long as the memory is still there, it would haunt you. So it would be best to move on. But even though, when you turn back time (like turning the radio on), you still cry for it. Right? XD

Well, in relation to this, here's a song from Anne Mendoza, entitled Old Love Song. Enjoy! :)

Sana Nga Naman

Hey! This is gonna be my Christmas Eve post, since I have nothing to do. hehe.

Composing a melancholy in pure Tagalog is hard, but I think someone I knew did. Anne Mendoza just did. And I found it cool, trying to accompany some catchy beat.

Well, without any further ado, Anne Mendoza for her song, Sana Nga Naman. Enjoy! :))

Whem I'm Gone

My classes just ended hours ago, so I think it's best to blog this time. Now that it is my Christmas break, I'd blog my way out as a start.

So, here is, again, Psalm Galope. But now he's making a twist. He's making a song for my past situation (iiyak na ako Psalm? XD). Yes, it hurts when someone you love ignores you. When everything feels not right, when you thought you could but still it hurts, it's hard. But, know that you could leave and make your presence not be shown. That person will surely miss you when you go away, but that if she loves you too. That was the greatest test.

So here is the video, When I'm Gone by Psalm Galope. :))

Beautiful Days

This is another break, and it's like we are having a hard time apart. Fights, fussing, misunderstanding. But this I tell you, I'd still love her with this problems we overcame and those we are yet to overcome. The reason? It could be explained by this song. :)

So this is another Anne Mendoza's composition. But this time, she needed help from her two trusted bloc-mates, Trisha Anne Samantha Aligato and Betsy Tulio. Trisha (or Treeng, as she would like to be called) is also part of the group Koro Kantahanay, making her qualified to write and sing songs. Betsy is a writer on University of the Philippines Mindanao's official newsletter, Himati (no doubt she's part of the lyricists).

This song is actually recorded by Anne only as the three of them don't have time to record together. But still I consider this a worthy post. No one could make this music while studying. But the lyrics struck me. hehe. XD

Without further ado, here's the song! Hope you'll enjoy this. XD

Famine

This blog post is a getaway from the stress in school, as we will have the infamous "Hell Week" dilemma next week. Also, because I'm BORED. hehe.

On to the post itself, another Psalm Galope's song. I find this song funny as he was OOH-ing at the interlude part. No offense of course Psalm! But all in all it is good as the pessimistic point-of-view still shows for Psalm. OK, the video. Enjoy everyone! XD

All Over Again

Who would have thought that she would play some of the guitar solos at this song and would create a melancholic rhythm as Psalm Galope did? I never expected it as I heard it in while she used piano. More melancholic it is in piano, but I can't stand the way it was played with the guitar, specially with the lead part that made me smile. =)

Anyways, without further ado, Anne Mendoza Ladies and Gents! Such a performer. Enjoy!

Because I Believe

Great week for me! I could at least blog 2 weeks consecutive. DULA '10 will be tomorrow (09/01/10) up to saturday (09/03/10). And it is the start of the -BER months! My gift please.... hahahahaha.

Enough of that segue, let's get to the main thing.

Okay, this is again from Psalm Galope's masterpiece songs. He revealed off his real story, a melancholic poetic. I could say he smiles big despite his EMO-ness. So here's the song "Because I Believe" by Psalm Galope. Enjoy!
(P.S. There is no available lyrics for this song, my apologies. XD)

My Name Means Love

Ok, as promised, here is another budding composer from the University of the Philippines Mindanao. Psalm John Galope is the "prodigal son" of the Koro Katingugan, once took a break and now back to the business (I suppose). I could see his potential as we are in one section, Tenor (he sings the T1 part, the higher tenor, and mine is the T2 or lower tenor part).

As for the video, he says it is dedicated for "someone". Haha. A very expressive guy. Well, just watch the video and enjoy! KUDOS PSALM!

U-turn

This should be another song of Shirley Anne Mendoza I am trying to upload for all to hear. She records most of her songs kasi, and she is approachable in this terms. haha. I also have two more budding composers coming up on my next blog, maybe (crossing fingers). But just wait, I'll be asking for their copywrite permissions sooner. XD

But for the meantime, here's Anne with her newest song, The Boy, este! U-Turn! haha. We listened at this song when she said she had a new song and then we recorded some parts. And now at last, she posted this on facebook. We like the song because of its sweet lyrics and catchy beat. Just listen to it. Go for it Anne! =)

Angel In Disguise

We were practicing for our KATINGUGAN pieces when we got bored and instead we went for a jamming. She then played this music, and we were singing along. I heard it from her account last summer, but I didn't get the chance to ask for her permission to post this thing.

Well, here is Shirley Anne Mendoza, appearing once again in my Blog post. KUDOS ANNE! More power!

Here's the video with the lyrics: