Noel Cabangon's ‘Byahe’

‘Byahe,’ Noel Cabangon, Universal Records

Another album of revivals at this point might illicit a collective shudder unless it’s done with the right amounts of substance and style.

Revered folk-pop singer Noel Cabangon slakes our thirst for such via his new CD, “Byahe.”

A collection of OPM classics, “Byahe” allows for a dollop of nostalgia that makes for comfortable familiarity not unlike a perfect cup of coffee – albeit one with just the right dash of caramel as permitted through Cabangon’s rich voice.

Speaking of brews, “Byahe” overtly espouses a relaxed “coffee-house feel,” even as it make do with just the basics: Voice, acoustic guitar, piano, strings and saxophone.

But what a steamy and satisfying concoction it is.

The tracklist is an ode to music that inspired Noel to start out on his own journey including The Neocolours’ “Tuloy Pa Rin,” Rainmakers’ “Binibini,” Sampaguita’s “Tao,” Asin’s “Pagbabalik,” and Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika” among others.

Yet, no matter how far he roams, and through whatever embellishments, it’s still in the barest of arrangements that Cabangon leads listeners home (e.g. “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”).

Note that Cabangon also checks in his well-known songs in the counter namely, “Ang Buhay Nga Naman,” “Dito Sa Kanto,” and his big hit, “Kanlungan.” The last two are rendered as duets with Parokya’s Chito Miranda and Imago’s Aia De Leon, respectively.

Simple renditions need not be tedious. There can be wonderment in the usual. Acoustic revivals mean astounding in Cabangon’s hands.

Have (cover) songs? Will travel.

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‘Out Of Ashes,’ Dead By Sunrise, Warner Music

Here’s the headline: Linkin Park lead vocalist Chester Bennington trades the rap-metal and rock and roll “hybrid theories” for straight ahead hard rock.

With a talented team of new musicians to back him up, Bennington is now equipped with the license to experiment with other musical styles that Linkin Park simply could not allow. Hear this in the arena-ready anthem “Fire” (with its U2-like intro coupled with a wall of crunch rhythm guitar work), the punk-inspired “Crawl Back In,” the synth-heavy “Let Down” and the moody slide guitar slow jam “Give Me Your Name,” to name a few.

Of course, hearing Bennington’s all-too-familiar vocals over tunes other than Linkin Park’s requires getting used to. But check out the inventive “End Of The World” and you’ll realize that this might just be the start of something new for the wailer.

Will Dead by Sunrise make it till dawn?

G’morning, Chester. Wake up and shine.

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