My Top 3 songs from Sponge Cola

SPONGE COLA band members (from left): Erwin Armovit, Yael Yuzon, Gosh Dilay and Ted Mark Cruz

Ever since Sponge Cola’s lead vocalist and guitarist, Yael Yuzon, got engaged to and recently married Karylle, more attention has been given back to his band.

It kind of rekindled my own interest as well with the said band that I first got to see perform way back sometime in 2003. And even then, they already showed that rare stage presence which, I felt, would greatly increase their chances of making it–and make it, they soon did after that!

In that same fruitful year of 2003 for the band, they also got to release their self-titled EP which spawned their first radio hits, namely:”Lunes” and “Jeepney”. I still have that EP in my possession which I was able to purchase from the now defunct Tower Records in my area before it was completely sold out.

I just want to share this personal tidbit with my fellow music aficionado—that CD of theirs was also one of the very first local independent CD’s that I got to buy from any record store. At the time, Sponge Cola was one of only a handful of local indie bands in the early 2000’s to have had their self-produced debut EP made available at record store chains like that of Tower Records. That was a very big deal back then to pull off for an independent local band!

With the proven commercial success of their independently produced EP and a growing fan base for this excellent pop-rock band, it was no wonder that Sponge Cola belonged to “the cream of the crop” of new indie bands to watch out for in the early 2000’s. This band definitely showed promise early on and they could go nowhere else but up!

Years later, they got to prove they were no fluke because they have the passion for what they do. And for everything they have contributed to the local scene and the songs they have shared with us, there is no doubt in my mind that Sponge Cola has earned their spot to be called one of the very best bands we have today in the local music industry.

Now, when it comes to the impressive number of hits to choose from Sponge Cola–mind you, that list is still growing–I have chosen from it my own Top 3 songs based on the overall impact they have made on listeners and music aficionados like myself.

Here are my own Top 3 songs from Sponge Cola:

1) “Lunes” – This song came out at the right time because in the early 2000’s, there was a growing surge of indie bands that had their independently-produced songs get radio airplay thus gaining for them more mainstream attention. This is where the first hit of Sponge Cola “Lunes” comes in.

My own interpretation of the lyrics is this: Yael is singing about a girl who happens to be in same classroom with him every Monday. Thus, the title of the song being called “Lunes”. But upon listening to it a few more times in a row, you will get a sense that Yael is longing to know that girl who is either taken already or that he may be just too shy to approach.

In the lines: ‘Di mapigilan ang pagngiti, Paglaya mo’y minimithi’, I think Yael was hoping that the girl would eventually break off from an abusive boyfriend and when that happens he could make his move already without getting into trouble.

“Lunes” in my opinion isn’t about a single topic but a range of two to three subject matters that are interconnected with each other. You just have to listen attentively to it and you can spot them out.

In this song, Yael Yuzon displayed his impressive songwriting skills, plus the usage of some rarely used Filipino words in those years. More than a decade later since this song got mainstream exposure, it still stands the test of time as one of the most charming and heart-filled songs to have been released by any local band in the 2000’s.

*****

2) “Bitiw” – This was the lead single taken from their second studio-release titled ‘Transit’. 2006 was an excellent year for Pinoy Rock–and Sponge Cola could not be left behind this said movement since they did significantly help also jump-start the third “Pinoy Rock Boom!”.

I particularly liked “Bitiw” as I found it to be a well-executed guitar-driven track which not only showcased the musical chops of the key members of the band, but more so, the sleek and sophisticated production done by sound engineer Patrick Tirano.

“Bitiw” was a strong single from the band as most had projected that their second album would not only be a proper “sophomore release” to their first full length album ‘Palabas’ but that, more importantly, it would cement the band’s name as a mainstay in the local music industry and that it is a band that music critics should take more notice of.

*****

3) “Jeepney” – How can I not include a song that was so melancholic that it got girls singing it and requesting to be played whenever they could? “Jeepney” was a bit of a tearjerker with lyrics that suggested to the listeners of a girl that Yael would see by chance in jeepney rides.

However, by the time you finish listening to “Jeepney”, it becomes unclear what happened to that girl. This song resonated well with me as a reminder of not letting those chances to get to know someone pass by.

At least, now, Yael Yuzon has finally found someone he can truly serenade. Karylle and Yael Yuzon are two artists who found common ground through music.

Indeed, through the power of music, you can find that person your heart seeks!