Love songs in the key of D

This is one of those things I love about doing this column. I get a CD. In this case, Songs of D-Votion by Six Part Invention. I don’t know anything about the songs or the band but I decided to write about it anyway. For one, producer Alvin de Vera is a friend and has done good rock albums in the past. For another, it is by a Filipino group doing originals and I like giving such artists a boost. So I listened and got one of those WOW moments. Six Part Invention is good.

The name comes from the famous piano exercises devised by Bach. But although it calls itself the Six Part Invention, there are actually only four members in the group. The title of Six Part Invention’s latest album release accurately hits the mark though. It is Songs Of D-Votion, devotion perhaps because it is mostly made up of powerful love songs and then also because all of the songs are in the key of D.

Nothing is said in the credits, so I presume that all of the songs were either composed by Rey Cantong who is listed as the arranger, lead singer and guitarist or by all of the members of the band. He or all of them are very good. I have not come across such competent songwriter from a local group in quite sometime. Why do you think we have so many covers recordings? Then Six Part Invention came along and here they are, 11 original songs, all of them well-written with memorable melodies and best of all filled with hooks that linger.

It is no wonder then that one of their songs, Falling In Love, was chosen to be the love theme of the ABS-CBN soap series Agua Bendita that stars Andi Eigenmann. It is what you hear in the soundtrack during romantic moments. Kaye Malana who shares the vocaI chores with Cantong sounds great. She is one of those gifted singers who retains a sweet vulnerability even when accompanied by a strong rock band. And take note, she is also good in Tagalog. Watch this girl. She will soar.

Incidentally, Rey and Kaye are also known as the acoustic duo Rey and Kaye who recently released an album titled Acoustic Duets which includes the hit rearrangements of You Belong With Me and T-Shirt. But forget that and listen instead to them as Six Part Invention with Tag Cantong on drums and percussion instruments and Andy dela Cruz on bass guitar.

Because of its popularity in the Agua Bendita soundtrack, it is the music video of Falling In Love that leads Songs of D-Votion. But there are other good tracks. I like Better Than This and Til The End best. But this is really a good production over-all that you can just go from one cut to another and enjoy everything. Also included are Falling In Love, The Club, Never Letting Go, The Game, MYN (Instrumental track), Pangarap Na Mahal, Waiting For Your Love, Pagtatanong, Hallucination, piano versions of Falling In Love and Pangarap Na Mahal and also music minus ones so you can sing along with these two songs.

Do not miss out on this one.

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Still on another good new band. I do not know if the members of this one are as adorable, cuddly and friendly as Eevee from Pokemon. But Eevee is how these guys wish to be known. And so Eevee it is. Eevee comes from Davao and is the winner of the prestigious Nescafé 3-in-1 Soundskool 2009 competition. It is nice to know that Soundskool is doing fine. After nearly a decade, this contest has become the main source for talented new bands from all over the country.

Eevee is composed of Enzo Miguel Villegas on vocals and guitars; Paolo Segura on lead guitars and back-up vocals; Jerrick Sy on bass and Craig John Neniel on drums. While Six Part Invention go for emo ballads, Eevee is out for a good time. Their sound is light and happy with a young sense of humor. The easy comparison is early Eraserheads but I would much rather they forget about this and concentrate on finding their own style.

The first album by Eevee is titled Paramdam. First cut and surely the best of the lot is the carrier single Gusto Ko Lang Ng Girlfriend. It also includes Waiter, Larawan, which should made a good second single, Photographer, Eroplano, Master Baby, Paramdam, Leading Man, Became A Fan, BNSB and Saturday Night.