Ultraelectromagneticpop!

Album Review

The Eraserheads' debut release, 1993's Ultraelectromagneticpop!, was instrumental in establishing a rock renaissance in the Philippines, a country where syrupy love songs have long dominated the local music scene. Though the rock revival was mostly over by the late '90s, some bands continued to make music. That they made music in the first place is due in large part to the commercial success of Ultraelectromagneticpop! and several successive Eraserheads albums. Despite the goofy title, Ultraelectromagneticpop! is a scruffy, entertaining affair. The songs feature a congenial mixture of pop and rock, and showcase catchy, snappy melodies. Some melodies may seem lightweight to those long accustomed to rock music, but the music is a good mix for the Philippines, where rock is relatively unknown. One of these snappy songs is "Easy Ka Lang," (Take It Easy), a pop-inflected tune coupled in part with hard-edged rock chords. Another catchy outing is "Ligaya," while "Happiness" is a charming ditty that utilizes a reggae backbeat in parts of the song. The band uses a blues backdrop for "Shake Yer Head" and "Combo on the Run." "Pare Ko" (My Buddy) starts with a reflective, mid-tempo melody and gets upbeat before returning to the earlier, reflective mood. It is a mature musical outing, more mature than a number of songs on the album. For the Philippines, Ultraelectromagneticpop! is a good introduction to rock music, and the album is a promising debut for the Eraserheads.