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The QLE Awards

By Quark HenaresPhilippine Daily Inquirer Posted date: November 21, 2008

HERE come the cranky old men, sourgraping about how the under-appreciated geniuses of our time aren’t paid any attention.You know what I’m talking about—people who blog about how blablabla should’ve won and how blearghiebleargh got the nomsimply because they ladidad. But let’s face it—awards based on numbers aren’t exactly the most reliable ones; and I know for a factthat 90 percent of text votes for a certain band in this year’s Rock Awards came from only two cell phone numbers.It just so happened that during one party Erwin Romulo, Luis Katigbak and I were sitting around and pointing out people who werereally talented yet never seemed to get any loving from the RA. In other words, we were old man sourgraping. We decided to dosomething about it, and agreed to collectively write small tributes to our favorites this year.Hence, the QLE Awards.Before I begin, I’d just like to clarify that I love the NU Rock Awards. I’ve even written two and directed one. But controversy isalways great, so why not use that to highlight and point towards some of the artists who have truly touched us this year?

Best new artist

[Erwin] Intolerant AND Loss Of ControlJust because they’re metal and they don’t give a f**k.[Luis] Ang Bandang ShirleyThey’re not rock gods or avant-garde experimentalists—they’re the people that you meet, when you’re walking down the street,each day. Except that they have an enormous talent for impeccable pop tunes and quirky-heartfelt lyrics. And enormous appetites aswell.[Quark] Taken by CarsA lot of people accuse Taken by Cars of ripping Bloc Party off. I say they’re better than Bloc Party. “Endings of A New Kind” is thekind of debut that feels like it was made after years of meshing and collaborating as artists, and individually the instrumentalists havethat perfect balance of standing out yet sounding completely organic.

Album of the year

[Erwin] Ciudad - Bring Your FriendsThis is the Wonder Years soundtrack of our generation. Overlooked and under-appreciated, it nonetheless confirms that eeriephenomenon that befalls all great artists. Remember during the Summer of Love even Engelbert Humperdink beat them at thecharts. But nonetheless, Ciudad will never need any more affirmation from me or any pundit. Listen to this album. Music like this willnever grow old.[Luis] Drip - Identity TheftYou will never feel cooler than when you’re listening to Drip. I don’t mean that smug kind of poser-cool that comes with patronizingthe band of the moment—I’m talking about that glorious experience when their music creates a world between your ears, dark anddramatic, a nocturnal urban narrative with you as the central character beset by sudden dangers and unexpected pleasures. Withscratches and samples, keyboards and beats, and that relentless, yearning, sensual voice, Identity Theft delivers seemingcontradictions—fierce vulnerability, emotional electronica—and changes your life for the better.[Quark] Taken by Cars - Endings of a New KindFrom the opening salvo “Uh-oh” to the solemn “Shapeshifter,” Endings of a New Kind could end up being a classic among theyounger set. Credit must also be given where credit is due: producer Mong Alcaraz really pushed the band to the limits in this record,

The QLE Awards - 11/21/08http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20081121-1736401 of 311/24/2008 1:29 AM

and when compared to the band’s earlier demos this sounds like it was made by a completely different artist. Taken by Cars hasnever sounded so good, even compared to their live performances today.

Song of the Year

[Erwin] Ciudad - My EmptinessThis is one of the most emotionally affecting ones I’ve ever heard this year. It deals in melancholy (and a genuine one at that—noneof this “Take Me To The Other Side” crap) but is never despairing. It’s evidence of a settling maturity in the band’s music and lyrics,but also proves they haven’t lost their sense of humor. It’s got a disco beat but isn’t dance punk: rather, like The Itchyworms’ LoveTeam, belongs to the canon of possibly perfect pop songs made in this century.[Luis] Up Dharma Down - Unspoken DefinitesIt’s almost impossible to choose a favorite song off Bipolar—they are nearly all utterly excellent—but still, “Unspoken Definites”stands out, in its almost-painful honesty, in the openness of its music, in the way it takes its influences and shapes them intosomething new.[Quark] Taken by Cars - Weeknight Memoir In High DefinitionIt starts in an ambient, quiet hum that suddenly erupts in Sarah Marco demanding at the top of her voice—“HEARTSTOPPING-LIAR, ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT JOKE?” Umm, ok, not that great in the lyrics department. However, for me,“Weeknight Memoir (In High Definition)” is anthemic—the kind of song that makes you scream at the top of your lungs in the midst of traffic or start jumping up and down alone in your room.

Video of the year

[Erwin] Pedicab - Ang Pusa MoWhat else encapsulates best the weirdness and exhilaration of this year’s music but a video wherein members of this band gettortured and beaten by a myriad of femme fatales?[Luis] Up Dharma Down - We Give In SometimesIt’s hard to match the trippy visuals your mind makes up when you listen to this intricate, dreamlike track, but this video does a great job.[Quark] Pedicab - Ang Pusa Mo16 words : Shawn Yao, Tricia Gosingtian, Kim Marvilla, Alodia Gosengfiao, Ashley Gosengfiao, Roni Callanta, Kat Velayo, Dylan,sadomasochism.

Live act of the year

[Erwin] ItchywormsExcellent musicianship, wicked sense of humor and just brilliant songs. I’m pretty sure that this band’s performances and music keptfrom any suicide attempts this year.[Luis] YoshaWhen a band gets me on my feet, screaming like a cheerleader, for a type of music I don’t even usually like, then I know they’ve gotsomething special going on. Drawing from soul and jazz, Yosha brings the groove, the virtuosity, and the sheer joy of music-making,straight to their lucky, lucky audiences.[Quark] SandwichThough their latest album isn’t their best, Sandwich still gives their proverbial 110 percent every time they perform. Also, as of latethey’ve toned down the improvising and have instead focused on delivering solid performances, occasionally revisiting old favoritessuch as “Freestyle Analog” and “Cheese Factor Set to 9.” It’s ironic how the Eraserheads Reunion seemed to remind RaimundMarasigan how much he loves this band, because his recent performances have a fire and vigor in them that seemed to be absentfor a while.

Comeback of the year

[Erwin] Markus HighwayWhoever would’ve thought that Marcus Adoro had it in him to make such inventive, winsome pop music? The sojourn from the musicscene has certainly made his songwriting talents come to fruition. The first bona fide Pinoy surf album.