Beyond Doubt

In 1994, Philippine soft rock band True Faith released Beyond Doubt. True Faith's sound can be deceiving, as it sometimes sounds as mellow as easy listening music, but it can also be substantive, as heard on the penetrating "Pagbabalik" (Coming Back), which has rock overtones, albeit not overwhelming. The songs are mostly rooted in an acoustic ambience, as heard on "Sa Puso Ko" (In My Heart), which grooves on a moderately spirited pace. Soft and easy music is quite popular in the Philippines, and while rock music by local artists is often energetic, it isn't always accepted, so it's possible True Faith combined a mellow sound with rock in an attempt to reach a wide range of people. This strategy paid off, as True Faith is one of the country's most recognizable and best-selling rock bands. "Huwag Na Lang Kaya?" (Forget About It) is easy listening coupled with traces of rock, and "Silence of the Heart" is dramatic and theatrical, a far cry from rock music. The music of True Faith can be enjoyable. For example, a pleasant and spirited song such as "Please" offers some fine moments and even has some grit in the melody and performance. However, music doesn't come much softer than "Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit" (Almost Reached Heaven). The chorus to "Kahapon" (Yesterday) moves in a hypnotic minor key, and "Shotgun Baby Bang! Bang!" contains stirring electric guitar work. True Faith offers a mixed bag here, but most listeners can find something to entertain them.