New InnerVoices originals stand by door of breakthrough

 

InnerVoices

From the '80s up to about just a decade ago, there was distinction between cover bands and signed bands (meaning those under contract with a label).

Even if a cover band were good, it was still considered by many as second-class citizens in the industry; good at "copying" other artists but with no voice or style of their own, let alone (and is it any wonder???) their own hits.

This was the reason few signed bands did covers in their gigs---it's simply "beneath" them. Back then, you were either one or the other and you better be clear to your audience where you belong.

Well, it's 2025 and that is thing of the past. And InnerVoices belongs to the league of artists with sound of their own in their originals---even as they are skilled in approximating the original arrangement of hits by other artists.

Let there be no doubt on that: Their well-loved covers include "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Take On Me," two of the most intricately arranged pop gems of all time. Innervoices even gets the drum fills down pat!

Few days ago, we finally got the chance to check out the recorded versions of their latest singles that they've been playing in their gigs lately. These are 

"Sayaw Sa Ilalim Ng Buwan," "THAL," "Galaw," "Handa Na Kitang Mahalin," "Idlip" and "Meant To Be."

While the live version naturally sounds bigger, the recorded sounds polished. It is clear the band worked out the songs to the littlest of details that even when most of these go by wall of sound technique, these aren't overproduced.

Thanks to the versatility in style and wide vocal range of their new vocalist, Patrick Marcelino, the band is able to cover different genres. We hear an amalgamation or, perhaps, a distillation of some of the best OPM bands as Side A and Neocolours.

We also note that while the songs are likeable and relateable as great pop goes, they are neither predictable nor "tweetum." An unexpected chord here and there, a progression in vocalese, a slight shift in sonic mood at times hint that the music is by seasoned musicians.

Our top three picks in descending order are: "Handa Na Kitang Mahalin," "Sayaw Sa Ilalim Ng Buwan" and "Galaw."

What we'd like to hear is for Innervoices to also release an original that harkens to the electropop songs they cover. 

Anyway, synthpop is big these days---think "Birds Of A Feather" by Billie Eilish and most tunes by The Weeknd. Despite them being contemporary artists, don't the songs sound as if we're back to 1985 all over again?

Given the renewed energy within the band, and the directions they are trying, it's only a matter of time before InnerVoices hits the jackpot with their new originals.

Not if, but when.