The quartet’s last output was sophomore disc "Womb" in 1998. The first disc, 1996’s "Oracle," produced their signature hit, "Five Years," that distinguishes itself by being music of just one verse. In lieu is humming that crescent to coda of wails.

Released independently under newly formed Ballyhoo Records, "Tongues" introduces the band’s new female vocalist, Beatriz Alcala. She replaces Melody del Mundo who migrated to the U.S. shortly after "Womb" came out. The band’s current lineup is completed by guitarist/vocalist Czandro Pollack, bass player Russell Dacasin and drummer Mervin Panganiban.

"The new songs are about life and death," says Czandro during the album launch. "As usual, we don’t expect fans of masa bands to get it."

Then again, catering to local bourgeoisie was never the aim. Instead, Sugar Hiccup is gunning for international recognition, hence, the more intellectual musical fare.

Or, as Czandro puts it, "just us being pure artists as always."

"Fortunately, we have no baggage to carry. We’re in that happy position of being neither here nor there, of being able to do what we want freely and flexibly. We can’t even be called ‘has-been’s because ‘never been’ were we during our first two albums comparatively speaking. We never became as big as, say, Eraserheads or Parokya ni Edgar. And though ‘Five Years’ was known, few can place the face behind it," says Czandro.

The promotional single off "Tongues" is "Bleed." It comes with a half-a-million budgeted stateofthe-art video that utilizes Computer Graphics Imagery (CGI). The technology places it at par with foreign-produced videos. Even its surreal concept is world-class.

"The quality of the video is very important us since we are using non-traditional means to sell the music," says Czandro. "Though we have served the album and single to local radio, the people we hope would notice us are the tech savvy. These are ones who turn to music channels and the web for music. If they like what they hear or see-----what there is------they ring up the registers via download. We want people who can see beyond hype."

When asked how they came upon Beatriz, Czandro says that she was recommended by a mutual friend.

"We scheduled an audition where 20 people signed up. Come crunch time, no one had the balls to show up except Beatriz. I guess the rest were intimidated by the idea of matching up to Melody," says Czandro.

It was silly apprehension. Sugar Hiccup was not looking for someone to fill up shoes. Rather, they wanted a woman with her own identity to write new chapters in the band’s history.

"Beatriz has proven herself worthy. She may not be as vocally powerful as Melody but she has more finesse. We don’t even ask her to sing ‘Five Years’ though some consider it our ‘signature’ hit. What for? Beatriz is beyond that. Besides, we’re not hawking the old album but this one. Why go back to the same banana?" says Czandro.

The Sugar Hiccup guitarist hopes that their return, as with the emergence of Ballyhoo Records in the scene, would encourage true artistry among musicians. Already, Noel Cabangon and Asin are co-label mates.

With "Tongues," they also dispel notion that independent recording is backyard project versus outputs of major labels.

"As technology becomes cheaper, artists are able to afford equipment. More, they afford freedom to do music they really like," says Czandro.

Other tracks in "Of Tongues And Thoughts" (presented by VCI, Lexber, Samsung and Crown Asia) are "Echo And Gab," "Cartwheel And Joy," "Feel," "…Breeze," "Trust," "Barn," "In Fear," "D.O.T.S..," and "Una Parola."