Imago - Blush

Imago - Blush
Year : 2006

Track Listing
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1. Zelo
2. Lula
3. Sundo
4. Under Repair
5. Highway
6. Lights Out
7. Last Dance
8. Closer
9. Taralets
10. Walang Misteryo
11. So Be It
12. SRO

Imago means "an image of oneself".


Imago was formed five years ago in 1999. They quickly wrote an album’s worth of original material which they recorded under the helm of renowned producer and musician Bob Aves. That first album Probably Not But Most Definitely was released in 2001 under Viva Records and intruduced them to the masses as a "world/folk rock band". They were able to also pick up a handful of Awit, Katha and NU107 Rock Awards for the stellar songwriting and musicianship they displayed on that first cd.

Then on 2004, with a few line-up changes, they released an independently produced but albeit a more heavier album. Gone are the sweeping violins and acoustic guitars. Replaced by heavier drums and distorted guitars. Gone also are heartfelt songs and very distinct music. Basically Take 2 was a hodgepodge of styles mixed together with really no intention of introducing anything new to the music industry. One song theyre a pop-punk band (Anino), and then the next song you find Aia trying (really) hard to rap (Gratitude). Aside from their hit-single "Akap", Take 2 failed to win the hearts of the old Imago fans. But were able to win the MTV/TRL generation fans. Fans who base the "next big thing" by how much TV airplay a band gets.

And now fast-forward to 2006 and with the band at the hands of a very capable producer, Buddy Zabala, Imago has once again undergone another musical facelift surgery. Literally. From their photoshopped mugs plastered all over the CD Inlay art to their bubble-gum style pop-rock, Imago is is determined to ride the coattails of the latest fad that is happening in the music industry. Pogi Rock? Puh-lease,that was soooo 2005. What about Pa-Kyut boses Rock? Hmmm... you never know. Why? I think that was the only thing that Aia and Co. had in mind throughout the whole album.To sell themselves as the next boyband who plays instruments. Honestly, when you pick up the CD you don't know if your looking at a new Imago CD or the new A*Teens album. Even the lyrics suffered on some of the songs. Simplified, so the next pimple-faced, broken-hearted 12 year old teeny-bopperwho-has-a-crush-on-that-badboy- could relate easily. Here's a rundown of the songs:

1. Zelo
From the get-go, this song annoyed the f**k out of me. "Akooo, ang aakay sayo/sa blah-blah ng bagyo na haharang sayo". This is bubble-gum pop to the nth degree. Annoying lyrics coupled with that annoying chorus. Give yourself a hand if you can get through the whole song without pressing 'skip'.

2. Lula
Okay guitar riff. Bad execution. The chorus goes: "Ayoko na atang malula/ Sa mata mong tumitingala...." WTF?!?! Was she on something when she was writing these lyrics? It doesn't make sense, and if she was trying to sound 'deep' and 'thought-provoking' then she has failed miserably.

3. Sundo
Heeeyyy.... cool intro. *rrrriiiiiiinnnnng* Hello? Is this Imago? Yeah. Sugarfree called and they want their song back.

4. Under Repair
Okay at this time I'm just trying to salvage whatever is left on this poor-excuse they call an album. Whats this? Wow a song that doesn't sound like it was written for the next pop diva. "No harm done/You're under repair". Ok, Aia, I'll just take your word for it.

5. Highway
Ahhh godammiiitt!!! I knew I spoke too soon. From the plain-as-day lyrics, "From the deep of the night/ I look over my shoulder you LOOK SO FINE."??? Hmmm...."you look so fine." I also wrote these type of lyrics .... when i was 12!!!

6. Light Out
A good somber song. You can tell they from the many complaints they got from Take 2 that they are trying to bring that PNBD sound in some way.I actually listened tho the whole thing and actually liked it.

7. Last Dance
A-D-G-D. The chords used for the whole song. Actually for it's simplicity and straightforwardness it's actually a nice song.

8. Closer
Ahhhh f**k another commercial jingle COLGATE?? CLOSE-UP??? Anybody wants to use this garbage for their next commercial jingle? hello? *presses skip*

9. Tara-Lets
"Tara-lets, tara tara tara taralets/ Di ka na mabibigo - whoa-ohh!!!" Hmmmm..... from what i can remember from their Bembang interview, they mentioned that they don't like novelty songs. So what is this then? I thought Anino was annoying, but Aia managed to outdo herself and made a song MOREANNOYING than the previous. Now either that requires real talent or she just has a knack for 'sucking'.

10. Walang Mysteryo
Opening note. I predict that this is another novelty song. Ive already wasted hours listening to the whole album. I deserve a break. *press skip*

11. So Be It
So be it also. This CD is my favorite........coaster.......

12. SRO
hmmmmm..... Standing Room Only. Cool concept about being in a relationship where you come second to everything else. i guess the same thing goes for her music as well. It comes second after all the make-up and her horrible dancing.

So my final rating??? I give this album a BIG FAT D(ick). Why? Cos it suck balls and and it's not as good as PNBD. And that's where I'm pretty much going to base all of their albums from. Why? Coz thats how it is. Im still dumbfounded on how a band manage to go from Amazing to plain Horrible. Honestly if i've never heard of their first album I'd probably give Blush a B. It's a good album if you've never heard the first one. But this lastest offering from the group who brought you amazing songs like Akap and Bathala will leave you red, not from blushing, but from anger.