Side A moves out of comfort zone

The band behind some of the finest OPM ballad recordings is bent on releasing soon an unlikely single, being that it is an upbeat track. The opening number and title track of the group's latest CD "Only 1" shows the band out of its usual zone, with its fast beat and pop rock guitar arrangement.

The song is not yet an official single since it was decided that the third track, "Just Wanna Be With You" is the one to get promoted in the meantime. In an exclusive interview with the group in Ortigas, the group generally liked the idea of putting out next the uptempo tune penned by drummer Ernie Severino.

"Ako I'll vie for that song as single," says Side A musical director and keyboardist Naldy Gonzalez who wrote and sang for the album a piece called "Save Me."

According to them, "Only 1" was a late-stage inclusion in the album from Severino who found his adlib drum roll after the first chorus quite uncommon for the type of arrangement he's been used to as backbone beat for Side A ballads. The track, still melodic and far from being out of class, is significantly different than most of the radio-played numbers fans have heard such as "Forevermore," "So Many Questions," and "Hold On."

Sure Side A is also known for its upbeat pop version of "Tuloy Pa Rin." But that is originally from Labuyo and therefore already a hit before they remade it. Plus, "Only 1" is a fast English song which the group is not famous for.

Ernie, proud for his piece, implies, "The album is filled of challenging ballads and power pop songs. But it won't hurt siguro if we'll come out with an upbeat one for the next single."

The current airwaves song "Just Wanna Be With You" is no pushover either. It showcases the tandem of the two "new members" of the group: bassist Ned Esguerra and lead guitarist Lee Von Cailao. The former penned the admirably pop piece; the latter sang it.

The album also includes the previously digital release "Die Just A Little" which is lead-sung by Joey Generoso, easily giving the song (with perhaps the best chorus in the whole package) that trademark Side A voice.

The band's acknowledged frontman told the Manila Bulletin, "Sana magustuhan pa rin itong new album namin ng mga fans. We've not put out an all-original CD for quite sometime kaya for us this is big. Here we are with new songs, new lineup and new label."

Giant MCA Music signed the band which has journeyed in various record companies throughout the years, starting with Ivory Music in the late '80s.The new CD will be launched on Nov. 27, 8 p.m. at Eastwood Open Park.

As if the album's theme is "let the newbies shine," "Only 1" allows Esguerra to dominate the songwriting duties, with seven of the 11 tracks his solo compositions. Apart from singing a radio-supported number, Cailao likewise was given spotlight with "Tila" which he both scribbled and arranged.

Two other standout tracks off Esguerra's pen are "Can't You See" and "Where Do I Go," sending a strong, good message that Joey Benin's replacement is handling his post well. Benin had established a good reputation as the Side A's chief tunesmith, especially that he penned "Forevermore."

"I hope that I can help extend the wonderful journey a little bit more," Esguerra pours out for his mates (in the album sleeve). With the finished product that is "Only 1," he sure have gotten rounds of applauses from senior members of Side A. Meanwhile, the band performs regularly at Conways Bar at the Makati Shangri-La, Mondays at 8:30 p.m.