To make a long story short, there's nothing in this album that shouldn't be heard. From the musings of having a loved one pursue a career abroad in "Dear Kuya" to the heart piercing love anthem "Ikaw Pala". Not to mention having the album include the best cover that they've done so far, "Batang Bata Ka Pa" originally by The APO Hiking Society.
This album is definitely the best one Sugarfree has come up with. No doubt, the band really stepped up and grew up with each and every one of the songs. As Ebe Dancel, himself said, "It's almost as if the songs wrote themselves. I just happened to be there to witness everything unfold." True enough, each song does have it's own story, it's own emotion, it's own voice. As far as I know and heard, it's been a unanimous opinion to all fans (and not-so-fans alike) that this is the best album that they've released.
Another thing that really impressed me was how their new drummer, Kaka Quisumbing, amazingly and precisely lived up to the name of their original drummer, Mitch Singson. By now, most of you may already how much I look up to the latter as his official number one fan. I fell in love with Mitch's drumming from the moment I became a fan. Sugarfree was the reason why he amazed me so much. And now, Kaka has proved to be more than worthy to take the seat. Coming from me, that must mean something, right? And now that I think about it, no one could have (as much as I'm still bitter to say it) replaced Mitch better than Kaka.
The fans were wowed even from the release of their first single, "Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin". The song had made it's way to mostly every song chart there is on radio and even Myx. And according to a post in the mailing list, it's the number one song in the cumultative chart of all the charts there are (if I'm not mistaken). The song is about moving on from a relationship as much as the persona wants it back. With wonderfully witty lyrics as, "Kung ayaw mo na ako/Lecheng lalong ayoko sa yo/Alam mo naman kung san ang bahay ko/Baka sakaling magbago ang isip mo please..." The song could never go wrong.
Sugarfree albums are of course never complete without one of Ebe's songs about life in general such as "Salamin" and "Reunion". Both looking through the past as a means of escping the present. Ebe had always been a kid at heart. He always loved his childhood and always questioned what's going to happen in the future as he grows up. And that's what those songs are about. Looking back into the past laughing and crying at the same time. Then there are songs such as "Huling Gabi", "Pasyal" and "Wari Ko'y". Just like KAMNSA, they're mostly about breaking up from a relationship, saying goodbye, moving on along with the fears that go with them. In "Pasyal" particularly, it sings about the directions where a relationship is going. I especially love how Ebe used metaphors such as hollow cotton candy and a balloon that flew away as comparisons to perhaps what his love used to be. "Huling Gabi" on the other hand is said to be the prequel of "Unang Araw" from Sugarfree's first album, Sa Wakas.
One of my personal favorites would definitely be "Ang Pinakamagaling na Tao sa Balat ng Lupa". We could say that the title actually speaks for itself. But then, you just have to notice the distinct sarcasm heard in Ebe's voice. So, how do we really know? Another one of my favorites is the one that ironically almost makes me cry as it's title is "Wag ka nang Umiyak". I was once asked, If I were to only be able to sing ONE song ever, what song would it be? True enough, this song was my answer. I said that I'd sing it to everyone I love as a reminder of how much I do love them and how much I'll never leave them no matter what. Appropriately with lyrics ike, "Wag ka nang umiyak/sa mundong pabago-bago/Pag-ibig ko ay totoo/Ako ang iyong bangka/Kung magalit man ang alon ng panahon, sabay tayo aahon/Kung wala ka nang maintindihan/Kung wala ka nang makapitan/Kapit ka sa akin/Hindi kita bibitawan..." The song is so beautiful, I could cry! The album has twelve original tracks, all written in Filipino.
The album packaging and layout could win someone's heart because of the handwritten text. The lyrics were all literally written by Ebe in the inlay, making the whole concept of it being a "Tala-arawan" so perfect. Even Jal and Kaka's acknowledgements were written by themselves. It's another thing about the album that fans really love. When some listers had gotten their copy of the album, their first comment is always about how beautiful the packaging is. This is all thanks to inksurge.com.
All songs were written by Ebe Dancel except Wari Ko'y, lyrics by Ebe, music by Jal, Kaka and album producer, Robin Rivera. All songs arranged and performed by Sugarfree. Recorded, mixed and masterd by Angee Rozul at Tracks Studios. Bonus track, "Batang Bata Ka Pa" was written by Jim Paredes, produced, re-arranged and performed by Sugarfree, mixed and recorded by Shinji Tanaka at Sound Creation Studios.
Sugarfree is Ebe Dancel on vocals and guitars, Jal Taguibao on bass, Kaka Quisumbing on drums and Mitch Singson on drums for "Batang Bata Ka Pa".
For bookings, contact Monch Bontogon at 09209389267, email him at sugarfree@emimusic.com and join their mailing list at sugar_free@yahoogroups.com.
Tala-arawan is now available in all major record bars. Please buy an original copy. Don't be a pirate.
"Sino ka man, dumating ka na please..." -Kailan Ka Ba? (E. Dancel)
