In 1997, Philippine rock band Wuds released, Nakaudo Sa Puso (trans: Sitting in the Heart). While the band's electric guitar-based sound is gritty and can be enticing, the music also tends to lose focus at times, as heard on the band's previous two albums.
1997's Nakaupo Sa Puso once again has its tight as well as loose moments. The album differs from the previous albums insomuch that two songs contain a droning, Indian-like (from India) ambience, as heard on, "Aham Brahmasmi" (I Am Spirit), and "Komplicado" (trans: Complicated).
As before, Wuds displays much creativity and imagination in the arrangements, as heard in the slide guitar that punctuates, "Aham Brahmasmi (I Am Spirit)"; the enchanting high-pitched guitar notes that grace, "Ang Yaman Ng Mundo" (trans: The Richest of the World); the fascinating use of soft and loud dynamics in, "Bulong Ng Pangalan" (trans: Whisper the Name).
Unfortunately, as before, many of the songs' introductory verses consist of variations on one-note quasi-melodic themes, and a person must wait until the choruses for some real melody. Even then, not all choruses are created equal. In addition, some songs again sound scattered and disparate, as heard in the cacophony of "Eugenics (I'm Against)," for example.
The band needs to incorporate more real melody into the songs to make them more memorable. In that regards, one of the best songs on Nakaupo Sa Puso is the spirited, acoustic-driven, "Langit" (trans: Heaven): there is real melody throughout the song and it's an achievement. ~ David Gonzales