MP3: Genre (First Part)

I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means where we feel these emotions in their universality.

H.A. Overstreet

Whoever the author was doesn't matter. I couldn't find him in Wikipedia either. But what he said applies to all: Music feeds the soul. It makes us remember all our fondest memories and draws out our deepest, bittersweet longings.

In truth, music connects me to people. Kahit walang usap-usap, basta  tamang sound trip, bonded na ako. One of my pride and joy is that with music, I prefer sounds less heard.  Some of the songs in my music library, ako lang ang nakakaalam. This distinction makes you see people differently. Hindi na bale na hindi mo trip ang personality ng isang tao. Pero kapag alam mong iisa kayo ng pinakikinggan, you can't help but cast that person in a better light.

This entry is about the genres that classify my songs. The different genre was inspired by the radio stations in the computer game Sims. I list songs in this manner because moods come first when I'm listening. When classics seem more appropriate, I switch to Bach and Mozart. Kapag feel ko naman maging upbeat, there's David Guetta and Alex M.O.R.P.H to keep me high. Finally, when I am struck by a bout of emo, I switch to Alternative. Nothing heals a broken spirit faster than listening to Vertical Horizon, Sarah Mclachlan and Rivermaya sing their ballads.


1.  Alternative-Rock

Despite my growing affinity with electronic dance music, I am still a rakista by heart. Bands from this genre include Smashing Pumpkins, Kings of Leon, The Fray, Collective Soul, Dave Matthews Band, Goo Goo Dolls and Dishwalla.  Marami sa mga mp3s sa genre na ito ay napakinggan ko pa sa NU-107. Despite my soft spot for this type of sounds, I never ventured beyond Aerosmith. My ears could only appreciate soft ballads. Headache often follows whenever I hear screamo or industrial music being played.  

Trivia

• Old School bands such as Vertical Horizon, Guster and Creeper Lagoon always remind me of my college days.  
• Hard to find songs:  Peel - Everlive; Neve - It's Over Now.
• Songs from these genre could, actually, make me cry.

2.  Oldies - OPM

Sabi ni Mama na ang unang musical influences ko daw ay sina Freddie Aguilar, Asin at Sampaguita.  Her assertions are true since both my parents are 1. Nationalistic and 2. Social Activists. I also remember switching sides of a cassette tape when I was very young.  My baby book even records that "Bayan Ko" was among my bedtime lullabyes. 

When I grew up, I searched the web for those songs from my childhood.  Rey Valera's "Malayo Pa Ang Umaga" evokes memories of "Ula, Ang Batang Gubat" while Tina Paner's "Tamis ng Unang Halik" perpetually identifies her with Chris Villanueva.


Trivia

• I try not to play Basil Valdez' "Hindi Kita Malilimutan," and "Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo."  These songs remind me of funeral processions. 
• Oldies-OPM is further subdivided between Manila Sound and OPM.  Manila Sound emerged during the Martial Law years.  Described as smooth, easy flowing jazz/folk/disco music, the songs allegedly try to mask the atrocities and human rights violations of the government supporting them.
• Hard to find song:  Lolita Carbon - Biyaheng Langit
• Freddie Aguilar's "Kamusta Ka,"  Asin's "Himig ng Pag-Ibig" and  Joey Albert's "Tell Me" are my favorite.

3.   Reggae

I know little about this genre but still, it stands proud among the other genres in my music library. What I know is that it originated from Jamaica and the songs define a distinct Afro-American sound. The songs have a slow, steady rhythmic beat.  Sabi ni Mami Athena na people who listen to reggae are generally homophobic. I didn't ask why, but I know that Jamaicans are hostile towards homosexuals.


Trivia:

• Nagsimula ako mag-collect ng Reggae after watching Will Smith's I Am Legend. Masyado akong na-move doon sa "Redemption Song" na ni-play noong closing credits. 
• Recommended tracks:  Ziggy Marley's "Drive" and Bob Marley's "Sun is Shining"

4.   HipHop-RnB

Of all the things I don't want to be identified with, its HipHop. Totoo nga siguro na magkatunggali ang maka-Techno at maka-Rap.  Both sounds are loud and urban yet they are of different musical perceptions.  Tuloy, ang followers ng isa ay madalas opposite ng isa.

But RnB has been around for a long time. Noong high school kami, kapag nasawa kaka-senti ang mga ka-klase ko, saka naman sila bibira ng  "Each Time" ng East 17 o kaya "Do You Believe In Me" ni Eric Gadd.  While older RnB artists such as Boys2Men (na wala akong tracks) enjoy a sense of timelessness, new ones get replaced easily by upcoming artists.

It must be the repeated and non-stop radio airplay.    


Trivia
 

• My Hiphop-RnB folder is divided into three sub-genres: Hiphop, RnB and Rap.  Hiphop is the  mainstream among the three. It includes danceable tracks such as "Sexyback" by Justin Timberlake and "Forever." by Chris Brown.
• RnBs are considered easy listening music. Nelly's "Just A Dream," T.I's "Whatever You Like" and Amber David's "Back to You" belong to this sub-genre.
• Last to have its own mini-folder is Gangsta Rap. Songs from Eminem, Tupac and Bone Thugs and Harmony belong here.  Though seldom played in my iPad, I keep the mp3s to remind me that once, I found solace listening to Tupac's "Life Goes On." 
• Favorite tracks:  Public Announcement - He Got Game;  Fort Minor - Where'd You Go; East 17 - Each Time      

5.  Pinoy Alternative

Is basically the local variety of the Rock-Alternative genre. Bands like Eraserheads, Rivermaya and Parokya ni Edgar dominate this category.  NU-107 had a role to play behind the mp3 explosion, as well as pirated cds. Malaki rin tulong na nung high school, na-influence ako ng mga students ng mom ko to appreciate local bands.

Before being introduced to foreign bands, I started with Pinoy Rock artists first. I was listening to Eraserheads' "Ligaya" when I was in Grade Six. Sinama rin ako ng mom ko sa isang concert sa Amoranto Stadium when Introvoys, The Dawn and After Image were just becoming mainstream.  

Many years after I started putting songs in my hard drive, Pinoy Alternative still has a very strong presence in my music library. The absence of a credible rock station may have an impact on the local band scene, but I believe that another Bamboo Manalac or Ely Buendia or even the great Francis Magalona remain to be discovered.  


Trivia:

• Yano's "Esem" was my anthem when I was out of work. The song still plays over my head when I go window shopping.
• Sugar Hiccup's "Five Years" is known for its hauntingly, funereal sound.  The only words ever spoken in that song are "But he will never be back..."
• The last gig I saw was Taken By Cars.  Wandering Commuter invited me to go out one night.  Tama naman na may event sa Cubao X and then may nag-perform na mga bands.  Sarah Marco sang December 2 Chapter VII.  
• Hard to find songs:  White Noise - The Merry Song, Lady Bedspacer - Bala, Freshmen - Trip Mo Ba

Yun lang muna.  I didn't know that describing each genre would take so much time.  There are eight more to go.  In my next entry, the vast differences in my music taste will be highlighted. I will also reveal the first mp3 stored in my computer.
   

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