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By Rome Jorge, Lifestyle Editor
On their sophomore album, Drip goes beyond the
cool and pretense of trip-hop. This time, they get confessional and
intimate. This is electronica with a heart’s beat.
A hallmark of good writing—song lyrics
included—are words that show it, not say it. Writing—and singing
for that matter—is a visual medium and should tell stories in ways
that vividly paint pictures inside our heads. With this as criteria,
we can say that Beng Calma songwriting hits the spot. Whether
she’s singing about damn-everybody-else-we’re-in-love affairs,
heart-wrenching betrayals or telling dominatrix fantasies, she sings
so up close and personal, you can feel her breathe caress your ears.
You feel her heartache in “Bloodletting” and sense her heat in
“Swanker.”
The music that perfectly complements her voice
in each song is nothing less than infectious. Rhythm maestro Ian
Morse Magbanua and melody maker Malek Lopez confide that the
inclusion of virtuoso turntablist Caliph8 not only gives the band a
funky edge, he also disciplines them from becoming too indulgent. As
a result, they have an album that never lets you go. These guys are
tight and so is there music. Listening to the album, you’d think
the band’s a four-headed Siamese quadruplet.
This album is a whole lot more powerful than
their mostly ambient maiden effort, Far Side of the World. In
contrast, Identity Theft presents a full lineup of compelling
tracks. Each one gets you by the lapels and shakes you down. This
album will move you.
Identity Theft is a faultless album. Riveting,
enthralling and irresistible, this is easily one of the best
releases this year and a must-have for any music lover.
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