Music To My Ears

Silent Sanctuary had a gig at Saguijo Makati last night, and I finally had a chance to watch them (lapit kasi sa office! Buti na lang). Haven't been able to watch live band gigs in a long time (the last one being Itchyworms in Aklan), and I forgot how fun it could be. Beer, friends, live music – who could go wrong with that?

Anyway, since I'm in such a Silent Sanctuary high, I'm lengthening and reposting my CD review entry. Enjoy!

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Silent Sanctuary’s new album entitled Fuchsiang Pag-Ibig is a must-have. Sobrang sulit. And the following are the reasons why:

- Ikaw Lamang by Silent Sanctuary has been playing over the radio for several weeks now, and I never tire of listening to it. It's their first single, and the reason why I bought their CD in the first place. The way they incorporate classic instruments (violin and cello) into the contemporary rock sound is pleasantly surprising to the ears.

- Summer Song is a sweet, reggae tune that sounds like sun, sand, and piña coladas are streaming out of your speakers. The notes are light and smooth, and the lyrics are so reminiscent of summer love. This is to be my anthem for Summer 2007. Now all I need is a hammock in a beach setting, and someone to sit beside me. Ahhh. :)

- Another light, fun song is Pink 5ive. The melody is the "bop your head along with the beat" kind, and it tells the story of the elusive girl codenamed "Pink 5ive." It jumpstarts the listener with a bubble-gum happy tune, and then the happiness trails off with a slow, despondent theme. "Mga superhero'y sinungaling din..." Again, a song that showcases opposite ends of the emotional pole. :)

- Technically, “kundiman” is the Philippines’ signature love song, generally expressing the forlorn lament of a faithful lover pining for his beloved (shempre rinesearch ko pa yan). Silent Sanctuary's Kundiman is a love song that gives justice to the technical definition of the term. It is a song which uses a lot of playful lyrics, my favorite of which is "para kang unan / pinapainit mo ang aking tiyan." Hehe. But despite the use of comedic, seemingly silly words to woo the girl in the stanzas, the chorus is bittersweet in its message of devotion: "Hindi ako lalayo / Dahil ang tanging panalangin ko ay ikaw..."

- The phrase “ingat ka” is so commonly used as parting words that the underlying sweetness of its message is overlooked. The song “Ingat Ka” reminds you of that good feeling you get when someone is concerned enough to tell you to take care. It is an unexpected favorite song of mine. I guess part of why I like it is because I would want someone to dedicate this song to me when I leave for graduate studies in the future. Ang sarap kasi makarinig ng "ngiti mong kay ganda / siguradong mamimiss kita" pag aalis ka na, diba? Hehe. :)

- “14” is track number 14 in a CD with a total of 12 songs (Go figure!). Like the rest of the album, it’s sweet, it’s sad, and it rocks! The lyrics are nicely written, and knowing what “14” actually means gives it an extra kilig factor. ;) It’s the kind of song you would want to sing (with feelings, dapat) when you’re sad, frustrated, or feeling sentimental (pag gusto mong mag-emote, kumbaga...).

- One of my guilty-pleasures is Rebound, a poppy-happy sounding song with an undertone of melancholy and desperation (which is what love is, really). The way the strings are introduced right after the line "o kay bilis naman magsawa ng puso mo" makes the heart soar and sink at the same time. Beautiful contrast.

And that's what Silent Sanctuary is all about (for me, anyway). A band of beautiful contrast. Stringing together pleasure and pain; singing about the sweetness of love and the agony of it.

It's like being pulled simultaneously in opposite directions (kasiyahan, kalungkutan), and loving every minute of it. Astig talaga. :)

Buy the album. Listen to the songs (especially the ones I mentioned above). I guarantee you'll be asking for more.

*P.S. Thanks to the band for signing my CD cover at the Saguijo gig! Hope you have more Makati gigs in the future! :)