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For sure, there are local bands out there that hew
more closely to the indie spirit than The Camerawalls. But none so
far can claim to have achieved a solid debut effort that one can
truly define as indie pop than the one just released by the band led
by front man Clementine. Purists can scoff that there is much is to
be desired in the spanking new release from independent label
Lilystars Records, but if one schooled in the nuances of indie music
were to lock himself up with only Pocket Guide to the Otherworld
playing in the background for company, there is also much to be
joyful about.
First single “Markers Of
Beautiful Memories” opens with a guitar line reminiscent of Echo
and The Bunnymen’s “The Killing Moon,” but Clementine’s
whimsical vocals immediately cuts through, singing words of sweet
nostalgia: “Your face is a welcome interlude/Like a lift back into
school/It’s all hearts and flowers/Love’s umpire called time.”
Despite its slightly morbid title and lyrics, the equally bright and
cheery “Clinically Dead for 16 Hours” also helps sets the pace
of the album, which is one of optimism and advancement. Clementine,
who was an original member of the now-dissolved Orange and Lemons,
obviously isn’t wasting time shedding tears for his former
bandmates; he is looking ahead and pushing the envelope as far as he
could go. Heck, he even has the audacity to share credits with Jose
Rizal, putting the words of the National Hero into music and adding
rondalla strings into the arrangement, creating a work unmatched in
its potential to stir listeners of all ages and social classes.
It may be too early to proclaim
this release as the best of the year so far, but it is safe to say
that this is an album that is worlds different from anything else
you can find in the local music scene these days. And that’s
saying something.
--Paul John Caña
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