Warner Music
Their music is something that gets you at the start, the kind that you start bobbing your head with as the song progresses. You find yourself moving and anticipating the lyrics even if you honestly don’t know what they are. But it gets you. This is how you get with its first song "Angry", and from there, you’re hooked! Songs like "Black and White People" will make you picture yourself walking down the street, the sun out, and you’re totally oblivious to your surroundings. It’s a good pick. Give it to Matchbox Twenty…they did it again!
GORILLAZ (Gorillaz)
Octo Arts EMI
If you haven’t heard the hypnotic song "Clint Eastwood" over the radio, the kooky cartoon band whose video is seen at least 10 times a day on MTV—would have surely gotten your attention.
Definitely an out-of-the-box collaboration, chief masterminds Damon Albarn (Blur frontman) and Jamie Hewlett (Tank Girl creator) with producer Dan, The Automator bring you Gorillaz…the two-dimensional sensation that’s neither here nor there.
The group’s captive melody, with Albarn’s esoteric vocals on the helm, is highly inspired by a lot of lo-fi scratchings, lazy guitars, hip-hop, cyber punk, Latin charm (the track "Que Pasa Contigo" was a combined effort with Ibrahim Ferrer), reggae sound, indie rock…and whatever else you can find in between. Yet, at the end of the day, these character song-makers are willfully categorized as pop…as nothing is ever novel anymore. They’ve certainly shaken up the concept. Here’s to the new sound of pop. Not too sure about the new faces though. Anyone for monkey-see, monkey-do?
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN (Lou Bega)
BMG
Anybody who knew Lou Bega was German…raise your hand! You get a free CD! (Yeah right.) Seriously, don’t be confused, ladies and gentlemen…yes, the Jamaican/Latino-sounding, Vaudeville-dressing, Mulatto-looking Lou Bega is actually German. In fact, he topped the charts in Germany way before he took the rest of the world by storm.
And we all know how "Mambo #5" is this infectious song that can never, ever be erased from the universal mind, no matter how utterly annoying it sounds. So annoying, we end up humming it. Weird!
Like Lou Bega didn’t leave enough of a mark. He’s back with his second album–which he composed and wrote–with his unique sound and positive attitude. And he’s guaranteed to give his fans what they are looking for–a temperamental mix of joy, fun, and passion.
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY (Anna Fegi)
BMG
She’s an ex Smokey Mountain member. She joined a million and one Asian music festivals. She did several commercial jingles in Cebu. Then she became a solo singer, performing in hotels around the metro.Okay, enough. She’s good. Really good. Her name is Anna Fegi. This wonderfully talented 23-year old, with a wealth of experience under her musical belt, can easily be the next "songbird" of Asia. Really Regine, she sounds a mighty lot like you…with less screams. No offense. This girl has got it.
Break the Cycle (Stand)
Warner Music
Aggression is allowed with this collection of one of the many hard bands with strong instruments, "deep", "angsty" lyrics and suitable for you out there in a "GO!GO! I-wanna-kick- you" mood. Honesty or publicity? Whatever the reason is for their style, they have a following. If you wanna lengthen the state of turmoil you’re in, this is just the thing. Lyrics used require parental advisory, though, with selections like "Outside" and "It’s BeenAwhile". All CDs available at Odyssey.