ako nAPO muna

I was a boy who grew up listening to music - and loving it. My mom is a great fan of the Beatles (that explains the "Paul" on my birth certificate) and old OPMs as well. My father is no exemption as well - though not as evident as my mom. The greatest influence on my musical inclination would probably be my cousin - kuya Joel. He was first year high school and I was grade one back in the days on the busy streets of Mendiola corner Legarda corner Recto - it was my playground. He listens to all kinds of music but mostly rock, i can still remember waking up in the morning while Philippine Violators are playing loudly on our casette player. From singers, to bands, to any kind of music - name it, and i can probably name it.

Wow - that was a long intro :) but anyways I just bought the APO hiking society tribute CD - kami nAPO muna, it has 18 of their greatest hits sang by today's top local bands and singers. I was waiting for this CD ever since it was announced early this year - now it is burning in my player all day.

The CD has all kinds of flavors - from Sound's jazzy vibe up to Kamikazee's screech. Kamikazee did "Doo Bidoo" and they never really rearranged the song, they sang it just like any of their song. I was hoping they could have alter some sections of the songs just to put enough Kamikazee flavor into it.

Sugarfree's rendition of "Batang-bata Ka Pa" was pefect for their type of music - i can almost hear some of their songs in it (probably just me - kwarto rings a bell). They put some twists on the song, just enough to give the song justice. I saw their interview on MYX and I can say that they have total respect to APO and their songs.

The Dawn was a surprise for me since I was not expecting them to be included - Jet Pangan being a VJ on MYX probably has something to do with this (since MYX was the one who produced the album). They did "Bawa't Bata" - and man it was good, like an "ice cold beer from top to bottom". I was hoping they tweaked it a bit, but they just performed so well that im giving them a thumbs up.

"Pumapatak ang Ulan" was recreated by Parokya ni Edgar - and the problem im seeing here is that they sang it too plain that people might not recognize Chito on the vocals. But i have to give a big props on the text load thing - you have to listen to it to know what im saying *wink *wink

Barbie Almabis did a fast version of "When I Met You" which in my opinion is good - I was actually expecting a lovesong version but yeah - it is very different from the original.

Drip and Sound sounded very much alike - as they did a jazzy/funk version of "Kabilugan ng Buwan" and "Di na Natuto" respectively.

I am a fan of Orange and Lemons and I was happy that they did "Yakap Sa Dilim" - they are already performing this song on their gigs so fans (like me) already knew about this long time ago. Orange and Lemons fits perfectly for this song - and they could not have done it more perfectly. I am getting biased here so ill just move along...

Itchyworms did "Awit ng Barkada" - and they executed it very much like the original including the adlibs in between stanzas (if you are an APO fan, you know what i mean) - but i do not like the band laughing at some point in the song. Spongcola sang "Nakapagtataka" - and i really dont know why i hate their rendition, they should have just picked a different song i guess. Moonstar88 did "Panalangin" and it sounded good - Kitchie oh Kitchie, she sang "Pagibig" which is one of my APO's favorite - and it came off very much like her Eraserhead's tribute - though not as "cher" (read electronic - do you believe in life after love)

I have to commend Imago for their tribute - "Ewan" which is one of my karaoke-favorites :) came out good - with their upbeat performance (it sounded very much like Anino though)

Rocksteddy's "Blue Jeans" was good too - one of my favorites not only on the CD but since childhood as well - i just hope they could have sang it differently, i still have an MP3 of Eraserheads singing Blue Jeans live and it is much better.

Sandwich - probably the best song in the album for me - the song is not really one of APO's greatest hits but the song blended well with Sandwich's sound - perfectly. "Bakit ang Babae" could easily have been mistaken as a Sandwich original - it is that good - believe me. I have to give some props to Top Suzara as well - he sounded not like your typical "Freestyle" - which is good at this case :) He did a pop/rock version of "Anna". Boldstar will get a thumbs up from me too - as they did one of my favorites as well - "Kumot at Unan".

Overall - this album is well worth it, we will not be enjoying our OPM music right now if not for APO - so please, go ahead and buy a copy - and do OPM a favor.