Aegis scores again with

Aegis is a predominantly female group made up of Juliet and Mercy Sunot on vocals, Lotlot Lawan in bass, Rey Abenoja on lead guitar, Stella Galindo on keyboards and Vilma Goloviogo on drums. It must be the most successful among the newer batch of bands that surfaced these past two years. It is also one of the very few who easily hurdled the dreaded sophomore jinx. This means that after making a successful debut album, the group's second release also became a hit.

The band's first album Halik yielded the hits Basang-basa sa Ulan and Luha. The video of the latter also became a top favorite among MTV viewers. Then recently Aegis' second album Mahal Na Mahal Kita turned Platinum meaning it has sold over 40,000 copies, thanks to the success of the plaintive title track. So Aegis can now safely boast that it was no one-hit wonder.

Now why was Aegis able to beat the sophomore jinx while other new acts, which are also musically talented did not? I guess the answer is largely due to the fact that Aegis has a definite kind of sound and listeners are not hard-pressed trying to classify them. Being versatile is a nice quality but music buyers can be picky about what they spend their money on. They make it a point to know what they are getting and they do know what they want.

In the case of Aegis, they are sure they will get sweet love songs set against simple but appealing melodies and performed with dramatic flair. The music of the group is a mix of native kundiman, the Eddie Peregrina jukebox sound and Pinoy rock. There is really nothing new about the combination but it is obvious that listeners just love the result.

For proof of this, check out Mahal Na Mahal Kita. Take note too that the album is one of the few in the market these days with an all-original line-up and truly deserves an audience. Aside from the hit single, it also contains Maniwala Ka, Sundot, Palad, Do You Want Me?, Munting Pangarap, To Be with You, Rockin' in the Cities, Nag-iisang Ikaw and Gumising Tayo.

Still on plaintive love songs but those with a pop sensibility and not the April Boys variety. Rockstar, the most durable exponent of them all is making waves again with its latest release. This group seems to have been around for ages and I sincerely believe that Aegis often has Rockstar in mind while conceptualizing its music. And I can rightly say that the band is on the right track for after about five years in the business and four hit albums, Rockstar has ample proof that it is very capable of giving the buyers what they want. It is no wonder then that the group continues to make one hit after another. Think Mahal Pa Rin Kita, Parting Time, Mahal Mo Rin Ako, It Hurts Me More, Wala Pa Ring Iba and others.

The group started out as a band formed by songwriter/producer Vehnee Saturno. The band has since been reduced to a duet but the change in personnel and image has not in anyway detracted from Rockstar's mass appeal. Present members are Wendell Magtalas and Joseph Aldana. Both of them were discovered by Saturno and drafted to become Rockstar while they were trying to launch solo careers. Needless to say, the move was a success.

The new Rockstar album is titled Kung Puso'y Nag-iisa. It is also an all original production and is a predominantly Saturno album with 10 cuts written by Vehnee, including the current favorite Nagbabakasakali. However, Wendell and Joseph were given the chance to contribute two songs. Wendell's is Dito Sa Piling Mo, while Joseph's is Umiibig Pa Rin Sa'yo co-written with Rey Daet.

The songs composed by Vehnee for the album are Pinilit Kitang Limutin, Sorry, Bakit Pa? Ngayon Lang Nadama, Pagsamo, Damdamin Ko Sa'yo, Without Your Love, Sana ay Pagbigyan and Alam Ko Naman.

So, if you like your love songs sweet and simple but with loads and loads of heart, you will not go wrong with either Rockstar or Aegis. Besides, these guys make it a point to record only originals. With the local market now drowning in covers of old songs, the likes of Rockstar and Aegis might just be our hope for the future of Philippine music.