Tracks in the CD include:
- Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons
- Bye Bye Na by Rico Blanco
- Gusto Na Kita Makita by Session Road
- Jam by Kevin Roy and Cookie Chua
- Laklak by Gloc 9 with Dong Abay
- Humanda Ka by Sandwich
- Next in Line by Stagecrew
- This Guy's in Love with You, Pare by Chito Miranda
- Pangarap by Barbie Almalbis
- Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak by True Faith
- Kailanpaman by Kevin Roy
- Beep Beep by Michael Cruz
- Someday by Barbie Almalbis
- Cinderella by Stagecrew
My CD copy of the Pinoy Ako album already has a couple of cracks towards the center of the disc that I had to burn a personal copy. The cracks are actually an evidence of how extensively the CD gets played. More so nowadays as its the music my daughter looks for when we go for a drive, from anywhere to Shopwise for the usual weekend grocery stop, or to my folks at San Pedro, Laguna.
It can't be helped. The album Pinoy Ako, released by Star Records in conjunction with the debut of the reality TV series Pinoy Big Brother in 2005, contains memorable and catchy tunes that even a four-year old took to instant liking. Granted its more pop-ish than rock-ish, it has enough grit and edge to make listening to it a habit -- be it at the office, at home, or in the car.
The tunes and the lyrics are memorable and just after a few spins, you'll be able to find yourself singing or humming along (most likely during the chorus parts).
My personal faves in the CD include Pinoy Ako, Bye Bye Na, Gusto Na Kita Makita, Jam, and Kailanpaman, which are all original tracks. On the other hand, you won't get lost with two remakes in this compilation -- Next in Line (originally After Image but the CD version is by Stagecrew), and Beep Beep (a Michael Cruz rendition of the Juan dela Cruz band hit) -- except for Laklak which has been modified into a rap version by Gloc 9. Other songs in the compilation, for sure you've heard from other albums (most notably the song's artist) like Someday and Pangarap which are cuts from Barbie Almalbis' previous offerings, Humanda Ka by Sandwich (if I'm not mistaken from an online MMORPG album) and I could only assume that True Faith's Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak as also a recycle from a previous album.
All in all, the album is pleasant compilation of familiar and not-so-familiar tunes. Forgive its pop-rockish underpinnings because that's essentially what it is -- a pop-rock compilation that's not so hard on the ear of the mainstream FM listener. It proves itself to be a winner to many listeners including a certain 4 year old whose starting to like listening to daddy's music.
Oh, she sings along to The Jerks album too, mind you!
Final Rating on Pinoy Ako: 4.5 / 5
