MANILA, Philippines—For US music aficionados, there’s no better way to kick off the new year than with some rockin’ new tunes. Check out 10 of the latest releases from today’s hottest rock bands, both foreign and local:
OneRepublic,
“Dreaming Out Loud”
Thanks to the wonders of MySpace, OneRepublic burst into mainstream consciousness faster than you could say “Apologize.” Who can possibly forget Timbaland’s remix of that mournful breakup anthem? Trivia: falsetto-flaunting frontman Ryan Tedder’s claim to fame was the underground acoustic ligaw song, “The Look,” which had many a colegiala swooning a few years back.
Top tracks: “Apologize,” “Say (All I Need),” “All We Are”
Boys Like Girls,
“Boys Like Girls”
They would probably remind you too much of the All-American Rejects, but who’s complaining? It’s all about fun, frisky pop punk for these boys, the kind that kids on a road trip would definitely want to have in their playlists.
Top tracks: “Hero/Heroine,” “Heels Over Head,” “The Great Escape”
Angels & Airwaves,
“I-Empire”
If the hit single, “The Adventure,” was any indication, we believe Blink 182’s Tom DeLonge has finally graduated from musical pranks and parodies into a more mature brand of rock. Highly addictive like its predecessor “We Don’t Need To Whisper,” “I-Empire” spins synth pop energy with surprisingly stirring lyrics.
Top tracks: “Everything’s Magic,” “Lifeline,” “Love Like Rockets”
Paramore, “Riot!”
Contrary to popular (and sorely misguided) belief, the lead singer isn’t Avril Lavigne. Barely out of their teens, the kids of Paramore represent the new breed of teenage angst-ridden rock. If their music doesn’t make you want to jump up and down and pump your fists in the air, we don’t know what would.
Top tracks: “Misery Business,” “Miracle!”
Orson, “Culture Vultures”
The newest Brit band to watch out for, Orson mixes feel-good pop with a little bit of Franz Ferdinand’s foot-stomping beats and Jet’s breezy rock balladry. We strongly recommend getting this one together with their smashing debut album “Bright Idea.”
Top tracks: “Ain’t No Party,” “Already Over,” “Look Around”
Parokya Ni Edgar, “Solid”
You gotta hand it to these guys. After over a decade of musical merrymaking and wisecracking, they still haven’t lost their mojo, and their spanking new collection of ditties is solid proof. Two words: laugh trip.
Top tracks: “Anti-Matter,” “How To Make Lovesong”
Seether, “Finding Beauty In Negative Spaces”
Don’t be fooled by the rather delicate sounding title, because this album is anything but delicate. Chock-full of raw, raspy melodies and searing riffs, this is definitely for those who like it hard and heavy. Not for the faint of heart (or the hard of hearing).
Top tracks: “Fake It,” “Rise Above This”
Arctic Monkeys,
“Favourite Worst
Nightmare”
Is this the so-called “sophomore slump?” Heck, no. Heads up, kids—you’re in for a different kind of romp with this one. The indie rock quartet from the United Kingdom has always veered away from the usual formula, so expect more dance-rock hooks and lyrical cynicism.
Top tracks: “Fluorescent Adolescent,” “Old Yellow Bricks”
Urbandub,
“Under Southern Lights”
Very few bands can keep their grip on their staying power after a couple of records or so, and no one does it more effortlessly than the band from Cebu. Raw, heart-wrenching poetry plus powerful, emotional riffs… they never cease to amaze us.
Top tracks: “Guillotine,” “Cebuana”
Stereophonics,
“Pull The Pin”
It has been eons since the last album, “Language. Sex. Violence. Other?” But their sound is as edgy and gritty as ever. If you can’t get enough of frontman Kelly Jones’s languid, husky vocals, there’s absolutely no reason for you not to pick up their latest endeavor.
Top tracks: “It Means Nothing,” “Pass The Buck”
E-mail the author at avignacio @gmail.com.
