Pictures in My Mind

Philippine boy group Nexxus released Pictures in My Mind in 1994. The album's sound leans towards middle of the road, but also contains versatility and adventurousness, as heard in the reggae-inflected "Walang Hanggan" ("Never Ends") and the searing electric guitar heard in a number of songs. The opening "Pictures in My Mind" is a light-hearted ditty on which, unfortunately, the singing and performance comes across as amateurish. The following ballad, "I'll Never Go," also sounds unpolished. At this point, one doesn't have much hope for this album. But the band sounds much better on the rock & roll-inflected "Tagumpay" ("Victory"), and this is followed by the excellent "Kung Ako Ay Uuwi" ("If I'm Going Home"), which features an interesting arrangement and a contagious hook in the chorus sung joyously by Nexxus. The song starts on syncopated piano, leading to a soulful melody, followed by the celebrated chorus. The song also contains searing electric guitar fills. "Sa'yo Lamang" ("To You Alone") is another fine song, and opens on melancholy electric guitar which leads to an enigmatic-sounding, minor-key melody. The melody and chorus are sung in an understated manner that complements the mysterious nature of the song. Unfortunately, "Don't Give Up for Love" and "How Can I Forget You" are unforgivably sappy. The latter song, for example, contains the lyrics: "If only I had met you when you were still free/there might have been a chance for you and for me." The band is redeemed by the exciting, reggae-inflected "Walang Hanggan."