Side A

When it comes to singing love songs, the band Side A has few peers in the Philippines. Even a die-hard rock or metal fan might enjoy listening to Side A's love songs. 2000's Will I Ever is another accomplished effort. Although a number of songs are covers of Western tunes, it is to Side A's credit that the songs are performed in a professional, endearing manner. One of these nice covers is "Still the One," composed by Keith Brown and Kit Hain, as beautiful a song as has been written, and made even more beautiful by Side A's warm, passionate performance. The band also renders a polished, enjoyable cover of "Falling in Love with Marilyn," composed by David Pomeranz and Chuck Wild, an incisive number with bluesy overtones that Side A performs once again with sincerity. One shouldn't think, though, that Side A can't write their own beautiful love songs. "If Only," co-written by bandmember Joey Generoso and non-member Dino Barba, is an outstanding song, one of the best on this album. The group's sinuous harmonies heard here and throughout the album are also noteworthy. The closing "I Wanna Love You" is a surprise, as it is a rousing pop/rock song, the only upbeat song on the album. It's an interesting way to close this enjoyable album. ~ David Gonzales, All Music Guide