A band that perfectly mixes soulful and funky sounds with playful and, sometimes, sensual lyricism can truly capture its audience's unadulterated attention -- at ito nga ang ginawa ng bandang Sino Si Kat? Their name itself shows how playful the band is when it comes to words.
After playing numerous gigs on various clubs in the Metro, Sino siKat? has finally launched their self-titled debut album under Warner Music Philippines which contains ten soulful-jazzy-funky-rock-ish cuts. Their first cut, "Akin Ka" leans toward being jazzy. Kapansin-pansin din dito yung paggamit ni Kat ng mga "playful imagery" that tends to tickle the minds of their listeners: "Kakaiba ang 'yong puwersa... Ang sarap mong ipasok sa aking pantasya... dahil akin ka.. akin ka.. akin ka!". Hmm..pero kung titingnan maiigi, medyo nagiging parang pang-stalker itong kantang ito ala-"I'll Be Watching You" by The Police.
The second single in their album, "So Blue", guests Vic Mercado on the drums. This particular song leans on being neo-jazzy and having Mercado on the kit renders an added layer on this track. "Praning", the third cut of the album shows a funkier side of the band. Kapansin-pansin din ang paggamit dito ni Kat Agarrado ng mga salitang kanto tulad ng"Skwaking", "Aning", at "Praning" which makes the single funkier with a more"masa" appeal.
"Telepono" (hindi yung kanta ng Sugar Free, pero ito yung sinulat nung The Advisors) ay mas funky pa kumpara sa "Praning". Medyo masasabing may pagka-P.O.T. ang kantang ito dahil sa "wawa" ng gitara ni Nick Azarcon (Kapatid ni Nathan ng Bamboo) at sa synchopated na pagpalo ni Reli De Vera. At this point, listening to their album can make you realize how diverse this band is when it comes to their music. Kapansin-pansin na halo-halo talaga ang impluwensiya ng banda na ito mula sa pagiging rock oriented ng gitaristang si Nick, sa jazzy na pagpalo ni Reli, hanggang sa soulful na boses ni Kat.
Other than the usual "playful" and tounge-in-cheek lyrics that can be heard on "Praning" and on their last track, "Sino?", Sino Si Kat? also shows a bit of allusion to their religious tendencies on "Prayer" with its optimistic words backed up by a jazzy feel that induces a certain bohemian feel.
However, the band got their well-deserved break with their sexy and soulful single, "Turning My Safety Off" which garnered quite a fair share of airplay on various local radio stations. Isa na rin sigurong factor ang pagiging daring ng bandang ito na magkaroon ng sariling tunog at mga original na kanta sa ganitong klase ng genre na kung saan ang karamihan ay nagiging cover band o "show bands" lamang.
Overall, masasabing kakaiba o bago itong bandang ito lalong lalo na ngayon sa music industry natin na dagsaan ng "alternative bands" na sa dami ay hindi na sila alternatibo dahil sila na ang mainstream. Ang makarinig ng isang bandang tulad ng Sino Si Kat? na walang takot na pinapakita ang kanilang natural na kakayanan na hindi nagpapakahon sa iisang uri lamang ng tugtugan ay isang tunay na "freshness" sa industriya ng
musika sa Pilipinas.
