Dispatches by Adrian Conoza

Whenever I see girls and boys Selling lanterns on the street I remember the child in the manger as he sleeps The Philippines is very much known as a country that anticipates the Christmas season as early as September, the first of the "Ber Months" (the last four months of the calendar). This anticipation is very much seen on social media, especially when you see memes of singer-songwriter Jose Mari Chan (JMC) sitting beside his piano on a backdrop adorned with a Christmas tree. Surrounding the picture are words that goes: "Kontrolado ko lahat ng speakers sa mall". One would definitely react with "Haha" because he/she must have heard sometime in his/her life Jose Mari's Christmas songs playing on the malls, markets, or on radio as early as September.  From Google Images Since his timeless songs like "Christmas in Our Hearts" and "A Perfect Christmas" are in the Christmas playlist of public areas, JMC is now ...

Something "novelty" and local. So upbeat and very funny. In my native terms, a sort of " kwela ". I remember this song being used for a part of a dance performance of our section (and of another) for the convocation activity of our batch, which took place before our report cards—with first quarter grades—were issued to us. Though many may not like these kind of sounds because it's pop-ish, I find it good hearing something inciting positive vibes like this modern Pinoy hit, which even utilized a Simon -like drum device.

I started appreciating Rico Blanco's works as a musician when I was in third year, as he launched an album that's very different from his other releases, entitled Galactik Fiestamatik . The album heavily featured synths and electro combined with large amounts of drum beats. "Lipat Bahay" stands out, though, because it's much of a mellow song among the album's upbeat tracks, including "Amats" (featured on "101 Songs of My Third Year") . Obviously, the song tells of change. Mementos of childhood, memories of past, and missing much of what you've lived with for many years. Fourth year was such a change as well, yet it gave way to good beginnings—a fresh start.

Please bear with me. This list runs for almost 7 months! I missed updating this 101 songs because—guess what—I'm busy doing what has to be done this 4th year. I told it on my past post. But speaking of school...We're already down to the top 20 songs of my third year. These songs are pieces and parts of my past school year. These songs were the songs I got to listen to most of the time. For this part, we have a new band to be featured—a distinctive band in the Philippines named Up Dharma Down. Also expect some Linkin Park, M83, FTP, and James Blake. Don't know them yet? Know them here. 20. " Can you feel the rush rush?" Davenport|Never The Strangers At 20 we have a synth-filled, dramatic song of Never The Strangers. I don't really know why this is entitled "Davenport". It is either a place or the type of sofa. But what I liked in this track is that it speaks of going away and being away, and it is spoken thoroughly.  19. " Iindak na lamang ba s...

Today's music isn't all trash. There is still good music today... And we're celebrating it here on this 10-part blog I titled as 101 Songs of My Third Year. We're now on 4 more parts, starting with this one. We're going to know more bands that you might not know yet. But we'll also hear another Foster The People track. And also we'll get to encounter another pop track you might have known recently. Plus, another local act to unfold as we count down from the fortieth to the thirty-first. So why don't you try to listen to new sounds and know more artists? Let's get to listening and reviewing these songs! 40. " Though the truth may vary, t his ship will carry o ur bodies safe to shore" Little Talks|Of Monsters and Men Commercials/teasers/promotions on TV helped me recognize new songs. This one was a discovery from both cable and radio. I got my first taste of folk rock in this track. Powerful all around. Little talks. Like small talk. 39. ...

We're finally halfway through the 101 Songs of My Third Year. So many songs that it took a list as long as this. I hope you'll find something new here to listen and like. What to expect? Linkin Park. Muse. Indie bands like Two Door Cinema Club and Foster The People. Then local rappers like Loonie and Gloc 9. But also, with these songs come the words they convey that a teenager like me can relate to. Just check it out! 50. "A ll I want to do i s be more like me and be less like you" Numb|Linkin Park Actually, I have heard of Linkin Park since elementary years. My siblings are fans of the band, and I'm becoming one too.  Numb. So true. I can relate to the lyrics directly since I have become tired of the expectations of and the pressures by some people around me. Because I'm who I am, and I want to become more of that. I felt like I'm screaming this song out. Like I'm shouting it to all the burdens I had.  49. " You hid there last time, you know we...

There are many songs to listen, many artists to appreciate, many genres to discover. Music revolved around my third year, and still revolves around me. That's why I've come up with a list as long as this. So let's continue the "chart". There's both homegrown and foreign. Rap and alternative rock. But still, there's electronica. I now let you listen and discover, in case you might find new songs here. 60. " Hindi ko alam kung anong  tumama sa 'kin" ("I didn't know what hit me") Amats|Rico Blanco I used to know Rico Blanco before as the frontman of one of Philippines' famous bands, Rivermaya. Now that he has gone solo, I find him as one of the good-sounding guys in the music industry today. He recently went to electro with a festive flavor, which seems unusual for a man who usually plays guitar or whatsovever, just not any electronic stuff. It did surprise me that he turned out that way. By the way, if you're confused if ...

I'm here again for another run of 101 Songs. We have already counted 31 songs (if you want to start from part 1, here's a link ), and we're now counting from 70 to 71, ranging from rock to electronic rock to dream pop to OPM. So try to listen to the 10 following songs. I hope you'll like them. 70. " The fear has gripped me but here I go " Breezeblocks|Alt-J We're having another back to back here, now from a British indie rock band I've discovered on the radio, Alt-J( which is really the Greek alphabet delta ). Squeaky lead vocals, harmonized voices, pounding beats and gritty guitars. Though they sound odd, Alt-J makes smooth flows in their music. 69.   " Blended by the lights " Fitzpleasure|Alt-J While Breezeblocks is something smooth and cool, this one sounds more like rock. They just don't sound odd at their songs, but even at their titles. Nevertheless, their unusual sound is awesomely great. 68. "I'm breathing in the chemic...