Filipino American Music Website - Poptimes Magazine | Rock in the Box 2 Delivers Fresh Sounds in a Rocking Package | Rock in the Box 2, Filipino-American music, Fil-Am music, Fil-Am compilation album, Soulworks Records, Feliza Mirasol, Steel Polly, Binky Bianca, Carpools, Trickbag, Then Again, ACI9

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Rock in the Box 2 Delivers Fresh Sounds in a Rocking Package

Written by Feliza Mirasol

Tuesday, 16 September 2008

RTB2

THE historic launch of Rock in the Box 2, the latest Filipino compilation album from Soulworks Records, dropped hard and it dropped fast. Here is an album that brings a fresh and much needed sound to the Filipino music scene…something that music fans are starving for. The 16-track album does more than bring together Filipino musicians from all over the United States and Toronto, Canada, it presents a solid wall of rock music into a world where much of mainstream music has lost all heart and true soul.

The first thing that caught my attention with Rock in the Box 2 was the quality—and consistency of that quality—on all the recordings. Across the board every single track sounds dynamic, vibrant, and overall fantastic. I think this is a testament to the great job done on mastering all the tracks so that the quality of sound stays even.

Second, songs that really stand out for me are Carpools' "Tonight", Binky Bianca's "Kitty Litter", TrickBag's "It's Over Now", Super Kabote's "Too Late", ACI9's "Don Pakete", and Then Again's "Density". I can easily say that every single track is a winner, but on first pass, these are the songs that jumped out at me. I listened to the enitre album on repeat for 4 days straight after opening it, and I'd say these tracks are the ones that I settle into at each new spin.

Third, I simply must make special mention of Steel Polly's "Regina", which does not disappoint. As I'm inherently partial to girl-rockers, I'd say Steel Polly lives up to their name...the sweetness and femininity of a "Polly" with all the hard core edge and versatility of "steel". The lyrics of the song are well-written, and the message of the song honestly heartfelt. It tells a story that is genuinely easy to relate to (as a girl) and at the same time is a really kickass song. Rock ‘n roll delivered in a well-arranged bouquet of flowers. That’s how Steel Polly does it.

Lastly, another thing I especially liked about the Rock in the Box 2 compilation is that across the whole of the album the sound is fresh, rocking, and definitely, definitely, DEFINITELY a must-have for anyone acquainted with a car and a car stereo. It is THE soundtrack for driving with your windows down and blaring seriously loud all over Jersey City, or Rt. 440, or Rt.1&9. It does well on the Turnpike too...and I mean, how can you go wrong with that?

If you’ve got road somewhere that you’d like to travel, take this album with you. You’ll need it for the journey.

Great music, great album, and definitely a must have. What better way to stuff stockings for Christmas than to fill up on some of the best music you’ve ever laid ears on?

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