Treasure

In 1998, Wency Cornejo released Treasure. The Philippine male singer is the former vocalist/primary songwriter for the now-defunct AfterImage, a very popular Philippine band in the early-to-mid 1990s. In that band, he was known for writing tender love songs, and could also rock at times. Treasure's opening song, "Start," is far different from what might be expected from Wency Cornejo. The song is techno influenced and funky, containing fast, electronica-styled drum beats and swirls of sound. It appears to be influenced by the music of U2's electronica-inspired 1997 album, Pop, and its single, "Discotheque." Wency Cornejo displays courage on "Start," though some fans might be puzzled as to what is happening. He also sings love songs on Treasure, some of which are couched in unusual arrangements. "Overture/Closer to Heaven," for example, opens on a string motif played by the Sonata String Quartet, which leads to a tender melody supported by a slow, syncopated backbeat, punctuated by fast, intermittent keyboard riffs. Wency Cornejo sings a medley of Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman to Me" and John Denver's "Annie's Song" in a tender, straightforward manner. "Pintuan Ng Langit" ("Door of Heaven") is a boring love song. "Treasure" is another techno-influenced rock song, and again seems influenced by U2's Pop. "Liwanag" ("Bright") is a pleasant, ethnic-influenced song and has a happy-sounding melody and chorus. Not everything on Treasure works, but it's an interesting album.