12/25/2005
All Ultraelectromagneticjam
Ultraelectromagneticjam dissected track-by-track
Alapaap, 6Cycle Mind – nice rendition to kick off the cd. The delay guitar effects give the song a more ‘ethereal’ feel. EHeads’ original outro of drums looped in reverse is still better. Chuck Isidro must be thinking to himself, “Why did I associate myself with that Wency fag in the first place?”
Magasin, Paolo Santos – I just had to laugh. Paolo Santos is too “wholesome” for this song, if you know what I mean. Skipped this track.
Spoliarium, Imago – guitars are better than the original, which Ely Buendia admitted in Pillbox was an experiment in progress. Aia de Leon did ok. But nothing still beats Ely repeating the line “Pag-ikot ng mundo” endlessly despite the fact that they were already playing around with loops and samples that time. The original fadeout was breathtaking, literally and figuratively.
Overdrive, Barbie Almalbis – a Lasallian trying to pass as an “Isko”. Don’t have a car nor a license? Really now. Imago’s version in the soundtrack of Quark Henares’ Y Tu Mama Tambien-inspired film was better. Aia has a sexier voice. The “ginataang susi” spiel, which was included in Anthology, was cut. Reciting the “menu” gives the straightforward but witty tune humour and an identity that would forever trademark as classic EHeads.
With a Smile, South Border – this trying-hard-to-be-RnB showband just destroyed the song that shaped my formative years. The piano intro sounded like Smashing Pumpkins’ “Thirty-three”, don’t you think?
Tikman, Sugarfree – if Ebe Dancel wrote a feel-good song, this would be it. Somehow, their take on it gave it more sex appeal. Imagine Ebe doing a vocal Marc Abaya. Now, that’s cool.
Ligaya, Kitchie Nadal – another Lasallian doing a UP thing. We all know it’s the Lasallians who ask others to do their theses and not the other way around. Besides, this is a “swooning” song. It’s meant to be sung by a lovelorn male to his suitor. Imagine a female singing this to you. This is so lesbian. Forwarded to the part where Kitchie giggled. Skipped the rest of the cut.
Torpedo, Isha – vocals were ok. The pre-refrain guitar fill sound ‘forced’ though. Skipped when Isha replaced the lyrics with “Nagri-ring na ang cellphone mo”. Maybe if the EHeads performed this back in 1999, it may sound fresh. It just doesn’t have the same ring, pardon the pun, when done half a decade later.
Superproxy 2K6, FrancisM and Hardware Syndrome feat Ely Buendia – best vocals in album. Threw me off when FrancisM ‘improvised’ during the middle part of the song. Now that’s what you call EHeads ‘presence of mind’.
Huwag kang Matakot, Orange and Lemons – I heard snippets of Tikman and Julie Tearjerky there. It’s cool when the EHeads or even Rivermaya does it. But it sounds freaky when a band accused of ripping off new wave songs does it. The message probably is, “Huwag kang matakot mag-ripoff, OnL.”
Pare ko, Spongecola – a rollercoaster adaptation. Hooks you in the intro and first stanza, falls in the second verse, then picks up again in the chorus. Repeat process for the reminder of the song. A pogi rock band singing a lovelorn ditty. That’s like the irony of the century. Ateneans are always on top of girls’ dream lists. They just couldn’t pull it off. This song is out of character for them.
Huwag mo nang Itanong, MYMP – is not a love song. It’s not meant to be “cute-ified”. Spare this one, MYMP. Skipped this track to preserve my sanity and dignity.
Hard to Believe, Cueshe – I find it hard to believe that Cueshe was included in this compilation. Besides, I have no time to listen to bands that ripoff Australians. Or as in the case of OnL, obscure British new wave acts.
Alcohol, Radioactive Sago Project – is no Astro but it is right in Lourd de Veyra’s alley. Cigarettes and alcohol?
Maling Akala, Brownman Revival – most likely you have already heard this on the radio. It’s fit to be transformed into reggae.
Ang Huling El Bimbo, Rico J Puno – Pleasant surprise here. Sounded so 1970s. Something that Rico J would actually swoon in his prime.
Para sa Masa, Various Artists – Props for Marcus Adoro for cameoing. Denouement for a 50-50 tribute album. Notice that 50-50 resembles so-so. Denouement because it doesn’t close or end. It just keeps on falling. This is a tribute song, not a ‘statement’ song. Keep Nida Blanca or FPJ out of this.
Verdict: For the diehard, get Anthology instead. For the obsessive-compulsive collector, what the hell. For fans of artists that have lost their creative juices early in their career, get this one. This would be their best output for the rest of their lives.
Rating: 2.0. I’m still generous at this point.
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Best tracks (in order. Best on top):
Superproxy 2K6
Alcohol
Maling Akala
Tikman
Alapaap
Spoliarium
Ang Huling El Bimbo
Worst tracks (also in order. Worst on top):
With a Smile
Magasin
Huwag mo nang Itanong
Ligaya
Overdrive
Best vocals (in order from top to bottom):
Superproxy 2K6
Alcohol
Tikman
Best guitars:
Alapaap
Spoliarium
Ligaya
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Artists that should have been included in Ultraelectromagneticjam instead aka the Ultraelectromagneticjam revised playlist
Rivermaya – Shake yer Head
For the duration of the EHeads’ existence, there’s nothing Rivermaya could do but shake their heads. Still, it would be nice to hear how Rico Blanco would do this philosophical piece.
Apo Hiking Society – Pare ko
A group that is known for their songs about friendship. I know they already did a version of this in their Apo-does-the-current-hits album. They did all right in the Nescafe Open Up Party… Live cd.
True Faith – Kama Supra
I didn’t how Medwin Marfil took it when BMG executives had his name blotted out of the Fruitcake album sleeve. And it would be interesting how Medwin would sing a tune that mentions his name.
Agot Isidro – With a Smile
For someone that was linked to Ely Buendia, Agot Isidro should have remade Smile instead of overused Regine Velasquez.
Ryan Cayabyab with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra – Ang Huling El Bimbo (instrumental)
After Ely and the gang did justice with Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling ka (which was also destroyed to pieces by the overused Regine Velasquez), this would have been a nice payback. An instrumental El Bimbo which utilizes a full orchestra. This time, no more synths for the violin parts at the outro.
Prettier than Pink – Easy ka Lang
Well, they had a song titled Cool ka Lang.
Rubber Inc – Spoliarium
If I’m correct, Rubber Inc is composed of EHeads sound engineers (a technical term for roadies) Enteng and Garry. I don’t know though who is the Joey they are referring in this song.
Tungaw – Balikbayan Box
It was the Tungaw vocalist who provided the inspiring “Wala nang sense ang ating mundo” line. It should be proper that he does a new rendition of Balikbayan Box.
Rico J Puno – Kaliwete
If they let Rico J did this instead of El Bimbo. Imagine Rico going, “Sabi ko sa mga EHeads, mag-ayos lang sila ng upo.” Wicked.
Imago – Overdrive
Aia de Leon’s is better than Barbie Almalbis’.
itchyworms! – Toyang
Let’s see if they could do an Antipara with an actual EHeads song.
Sugarfree – Torpedo
Let Ebe Dancel inject the same feel-my-pain emotion in this already heartbreaker of a piece.
Bonus tracks:
Try to guess the artists' connection with the song
Parokya ni Edgar – Harana
Yano – Yoko
Spongecola – Waiting for the Bus
Teeth – Alkohol
Sugarfree – Sa Wakas
Shiela and the Insects – Shirley
Put3Ska – Bogchi Hokbu
Sharon Cuneta – Para sa Masa
Kris Aquino – Game! Tama na!
Cambio – Downtown
Fruitcake – Fruitcake
Moonstar 88 – Lightyears
Joey Pepe Smith – Poorman’s Grave
The Dawn – Rise and Shine
Slipknot – Maskara
Sandwich – Paru-parong Ningning
Da Pulis – Policewoman
Mayonnaise – Tikman
For sheer irony, I included these two:
Orange and Lemons – Huwag kang Matakot
Cueshe – Hard to Believe
Alapaap, 6Cycle Mind – nice rendition to kick off the cd. The delay guitar effects give the song a more ‘ethereal’ feel. EHeads’ original outro of drums looped in reverse is still better. Chuck Isidro must be thinking to himself, “Why did I associate myself with that Wency fag in the first place?”
Magasin, Paolo Santos – I just had to laugh. Paolo Santos is too “wholesome” for this song, if you know what I mean. Skipped this track.
Spoliarium, Imago – guitars are better than the original, which Ely Buendia admitted in Pillbox was an experiment in progress. Aia de Leon did ok. But nothing still beats Ely repeating the line “Pag-ikot ng mundo” endlessly despite the fact that they were already playing around with loops and samples that time. The original fadeout was breathtaking, literally and figuratively.
Overdrive, Barbie Almalbis – a Lasallian trying to pass as an “Isko”. Don’t have a car nor a license? Really now. Imago’s version in the soundtrack of Quark Henares’ Y Tu Mama Tambien-inspired film was better. Aia has a sexier voice. The “ginataang susi” spiel, which was included in Anthology, was cut. Reciting the “menu” gives the straightforward but witty tune humour and an identity that would forever trademark as classic EHeads.
With a Smile, South Border – this trying-hard-to-be-RnB showband just destroyed the song that shaped my formative years. The piano intro sounded like Smashing Pumpkins’ “Thirty-three”, don’t you think?
Tikman, Sugarfree – if Ebe Dancel wrote a feel-good song, this would be it. Somehow, their take on it gave it more sex appeal. Imagine Ebe doing a vocal Marc Abaya. Now, that’s cool.
Ligaya, Kitchie Nadal – another Lasallian doing a UP thing. We all know it’s the Lasallians who ask others to do their theses and not the other way around. Besides, this is a “swooning” song. It’s meant to be sung by a lovelorn male to his suitor. Imagine a female singing this to you. This is so lesbian. Forwarded to the part where Kitchie giggled. Skipped the rest of the cut.
Torpedo, Isha – vocals were ok. The pre-refrain guitar fill sound ‘forced’ though. Skipped when Isha replaced the lyrics with “Nagri-ring na ang cellphone mo”. Maybe if the EHeads performed this back in 1999, it may sound fresh. It just doesn’t have the same ring, pardon the pun, when done half a decade later.
Superproxy 2K6, FrancisM and Hardware Syndrome feat Ely Buendia – best vocals in album. Threw me off when FrancisM ‘improvised’ during the middle part of the song. Now that’s what you call EHeads ‘presence of mind’.
Huwag kang Matakot, Orange and Lemons – I heard snippets of Tikman and Julie Tearjerky there. It’s cool when the EHeads or even Rivermaya does it. But it sounds freaky when a band accused of ripping off new wave songs does it. The message probably is, “Huwag kang matakot mag-ripoff, OnL.”
Pare ko, Spongecola – a rollercoaster adaptation. Hooks you in the intro and first stanza, falls in the second verse, then picks up again in the chorus. Repeat process for the reminder of the song. A pogi rock band singing a lovelorn ditty. That’s like the irony of the century. Ateneans are always on top of girls’ dream lists. They just couldn’t pull it off. This song is out of character for them.
Huwag mo nang Itanong, MYMP – is not a love song. It’s not meant to be “cute-ified”. Spare this one, MYMP. Skipped this track to preserve my sanity and dignity.
Hard to Believe, Cueshe – I find it hard to believe that Cueshe was included in this compilation. Besides, I have no time to listen to bands that ripoff Australians. Or as in the case of OnL, obscure British new wave acts.
Alcohol, Radioactive Sago Project – is no Astro but it is right in Lourd de Veyra’s alley. Cigarettes and alcohol?
Maling Akala, Brownman Revival – most likely you have already heard this on the radio. It’s fit to be transformed into reggae.
Ang Huling El Bimbo, Rico J Puno – Pleasant surprise here. Sounded so 1970s. Something that Rico J would actually swoon in his prime.
Para sa Masa, Various Artists – Props for Marcus Adoro for cameoing. Denouement for a 50-50 tribute album. Notice that 50-50 resembles so-so. Denouement because it doesn’t close or end. It just keeps on falling. This is a tribute song, not a ‘statement’ song. Keep Nida Blanca or FPJ out of this.
Verdict: For the diehard, get Anthology instead. For the obsessive-compulsive collector, what the hell. For fans of artists that have lost their creative juices early in their career, get this one. This would be their best output for the rest of their lives.
Rating: 2.0. I’m still generous at this point.
-----
Best tracks (in order. Best on top):
Superproxy 2K6
Alcohol
Maling Akala
Tikman
Alapaap
Spoliarium
Ang Huling El Bimbo
Worst tracks (also in order. Worst on top):
With a Smile
Magasin
Huwag mo nang Itanong
Ligaya
Overdrive
Best vocals (in order from top to bottom):
Superproxy 2K6
Alcohol
Tikman
Best guitars:
Alapaap
Spoliarium
Ligaya
-----
Artists that should have been included in Ultraelectromagneticjam instead aka the Ultraelectromagneticjam revised playlist
Rivermaya – Shake yer Head
For the duration of the EHeads’ existence, there’s nothing Rivermaya could do but shake their heads. Still, it would be nice to hear how Rico Blanco would do this philosophical piece.
Apo Hiking Society – Pare ko
A group that is known for their songs about friendship. I know they already did a version of this in their Apo-does-the-current-hits album. They did all right in the Nescafe Open Up Party… Live cd.
True Faith – Kama Supra
I didn’t how Medwin Marfil took it when BMG executives had his name blotted out of the Fruitcake album sleeve. And it would be interesting how Medwin would sing a tune that mentions his name.
Agot Isidro – With a Smile
For someone that was linked to Ely Buendia, Agot Isidro should have remade Smile instead of overused Regine Velasquez.
Ryan Cayabyab with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra – Ang Huling El Bimbo (instrumental)
After Ely and the gang did justice with Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling ka (which was also destroyed to pieces by the overused Regine Velasquez), this would have been a nice payback. An instrumental El Bimbo which utilizes a full orchestra. This time, no more synths for the violin parts at the outro.
Prettier than Pink – Easy ka Lang
Well, they had a song titled Cool ka Lang.
Rubber Inc – Spoliarium
If I’m correct, Rubber Inc is composed of EHeads sound engineers (a technical term for roadies) Enteng and Garry. I don’t know though who is the Joey they are referring in this song.
Tungaw – Balikbayan Box
It was the Tungaw vocalist who provided the inspiring “Wala nang sense ang ating mundo” line. It should be proper that he does a new rendition of Balikbayan Box.
Rico J Puno – Kaliwete
If they let Rico J did this instead of El Bimbo. Imagine Rico going, “Sabi ko sa mga EHeads, mag-ayos lang sila ng upo.” Wicked.
Imago – Overdrive
Aia de Leon’s is better than Barbie Almalbis’.
itchyworms! – Toyang
Let’s see if they could do an Antipara with an actual EHeads song.
Sugarfree – Torpedo
Let Ebe Dancel inject the same feel-my-pain emotion in this already heartbreaker of a piece.
Bonus tracks:
Try to guess the artists' connection with the song
Parokya ni Edgar – Harana
Yano – Yoko
Spongecola – Waiting for the Bus
Teeth – Alkohol
Sugarfree – Sa Wakas
Shiela and the Insects – Shirley
Put3Ska – Bogchi Hokbu
Sharon Cuneta – Para sa Masa
Kris Aquino – Game! Tama na!
Cambio – Downtown
Fruitcake – Fruitcake
Moonstar 88 – Lightyears
Joey Pepe Smith – Poorman’s Grave
The Dawn – Rise and Shine
Slipknot – Maskara
Sandwich – Paru-parong Ningning
Da Pulis – Policewoman
Mayonnaise – Tikman
For sheer irony, I included these two:
Orange and Lemons – Huwag kang Matakot
Cueshe – Hard to Believe
// posted by Unknown @ 23:31 
