Too Good to Be True

In 1995, Philippine pop/rock band Immaculate released its debut album, Too Good to Be True. Although many of the album's tunes are rooted in the easy-listening style so popular in the Philippines, the songs also contain interesting melodies and are presented in adventurous contexts, elevating them above standard easy-listening fare. "Muli" ("Again"), for example, opens with compelling acoustic guitar work, leading to a nice, tuneful melody. The staccato-type rhythm guitar gives an adventurous edge to the song, and the emotive chorus grabs the listener's attention. The searing electric guitar solo also adds a distinctive touch. "Thinking of You" starts out on a decidedly saccharine note, but is redeemed by an uplifting, pop-inflected chorus and a blistering electric guitar line. The keyboards also play a strong role on the album, as heard in the catchy piano fills that punctuate "You," "Ikaw Na Nga" ("It's Really You"), and "Girl." The violin-like approximations played on keyboard synthesizer add a majestic touch to songs like "You," "Simple," and "Faith." The last two songs, "Shades and Shadows" and "Blood Shed," are major stylistic departures — gritty and rock-inflected, they bear little resemblance to the easy-listening music at the core of Too Good to Be True. Immaculate is worth keeping an eye on.