Oct 05 2007
PUPIL: New album, new drummer
Pupil’s second album entitled “Wildlife” is pretty better than their first one — Beautiful Machines. It’s obvious in the album that Ely Buendia and the rest of the gang has really mastered the modern rock. The sound, lyrics and everything is much different from the first album.
The new album came out with their new drummer Wendell Garcia, formerly of Barbie’s Cradle. Garcia replaced Bog Jugo, who used to take the backseat since The Mongols’ era.
Let’s take them one by one.
Fin - Very soothing song. For me, it tells something that somebody has found the right place at the right moment that she’s been looking for. It’s a lovesong. While some place this kind of song at the end of the track list, this one is on the first goes on top of the list.
Matador - Honestly, I can’t easily say what does this really to me but I love the guitar’s section of this song. Pupil have already mastered modern rock in this song as well as in the entire album. Even Jerome Velasco, the album producer, said that this one is also one his picks in the album.
Monobloc -This is a medical term that has something to do with the heart. What struck me to search for this term’s relation to the heart was when I noticed these lines: “Anumang itapon ng bukas sa atin… Bangon sa Hukay…. Bigyan ng buhay…ang pag-ibig ng patay.”
And why? The way I see it, in a very poetic way, Ely could be narrating his experience early this year. We all know that he was rushed to the hospital after suffering from heart attack. The doctors were able to keep his heart beating.
Another thing, there’s a movie entitled Monobloc. It’s an Argentinian movie. The song and this movie could be relatd for some reasons.. I don’t know. That’s just me.
Here I Go Again - When I first heard this song, it reminds of the Eheads’ “Andalusian Dog” (from Sticker Happy album). The beat and melody has a little bit of semblance. Heavy guitars but slow melody, still a nice one. Kinda deep poetry.
Talon - Song by Yan Yuzon. Very jolly song. First time heard this one during their first gig with their Wendell as their drummer. I think first gig too after coming out of the recording studio. For me, the intro sounded like “Odd-Even” and even the guitar riffs. This is maybe because Jerome Velasco is on the backseat as their prodcuer. In this song, Yan could be looking for some anwers if who’s really behind the wheel as we are conitnue our life’s journey.
Sumasabay - Another happy/jolly song from Dok Sergio. It talks about love that’s lost and wants it back. Very senti ng lyrics pero ang jolly naman ang melody. So you wont end up pondering in the corner. It’d give you more determination to revive what’s been lost.
Animal Lover - To me this one sounds a la Smashing Pumpkins. Another piece of Pupil’s modern rock. Pretty fast melody and heavy guitars.
Teacher’s Pet - This song has the trademark of Ely’s wordplay during his stint at the Eheads. Even the composition style is very Eraserheads. as well as the guitar lines. At the end of the song, there goes his son Eon singing just like the “Styrosnow” at the Eheads Fruitcake album.
Sala - The album’s carrier single. This has a very catcy song. For me, they are cousins of Alapaap (Eheads, Circus) and Kalawakan (Beautiful Machines album). It tells you to escape the realities of this chaotic world. Just like Alapaap, it talks about freedom. “Kalimutan mo na muna, ang lahat ng problema..Huminga ka ng malalim at tayo’ lalarga na..”
Then Kalawakan says “Ang hila ng mundo, ating takasan…Marami pang hindi natuklasan..” And finally, after these two song have been convincing us to escape the reality, Sala tells us: ” Tara na’t tumawa, sa mundong puno ng sala… Dito tayo’y pantay-pantay higpitan mo’ng hawak sa’king kamay”
And then: “Walang makakapigil sa’kin, malayang ihahayag ang damdamin.” This is a free world, we are a democratic country. So feel free to express whatever you have in mind. Juts don’t forget to do it at the right moment at the right place.
Towards the end of the song, Ely’s style of singing (falsetto) drags you deeper into the song.
Bato - Well, what can I say? It’s a senti song, the melody adds color to the song. The keyboards also adds dramatic melody to the song. It bades goodbye to someone who may have already left for good.
Disconnection Notice - I remember Ely said during the gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in Makati last July 26. ” Eto para sa mga naputulan ng ilaw,” he said shortly before the guitars roar. So maybe that’s what really means. The guitar section is pretty heavy and the bang of the drum will make you stomp. Worse, it’ll make you stand on top of your chair…then dance and scream along with this song.
Set Me Apart - I ran out of ideas. Animax Asia website says: “Set me Apart pens down their inner thoughts and reinforces the meaning of being different. And what better way than for Pupil, a music force that is adored by many in the Philippines, to create this inspirational song for Animax.”
The song was released months before Wildlife was released. It also landed the number one spot of the NU 107’s Stairway to 7.
Finally, what I love with this album is that…my album is signed hahahah!

GIGSKED OCT-DEC 2007 as of THUR, OCT 4, 2007
OCTOBER
12 - Mall of Asia Activity Center for AXN (CSI)
13 - Robinson’s Manila & oreta stadium *MALABON, not bulacan* for DWRR
14 - SOP on GMA then Robinson’s Starmills Pampanga
19 - Robinson’s Metro East
20 - Robinson’s Place Imus, Cavite
21 - Robinson’s Place Dasmarinas, Cavite
27 - NU107’s First Set
NOVEMBER
03 - *Red Horse Muziklaban semis, TBA*
04 - Robinson’s Place Sta. Rosa
09 - WILDLIFE GRAND ALBUM LAUNCH!!!!! eastwood city central plaza, 7pm
11 - *Robinson’s Place, Angeles, Pampanga MOVED, sked TBA*
17 - *Red Horse Muziklaban finals, TBA*
20 - MOA for MyxMo
30 - NU Rock Awards
DECEMBER
01 - Robinson’s Galleria
05 - Pinoymag Awards at Amoranto Stadium
09 - Robinson’s Place Lipa







dude, youve definitely done a great job on disecting the theme of this album. I found relief to see that your also having the same interpretation as i do..i tried to dig in to what’s the album is all about and i guess it simply about liberation to the freedom world..Ely’s songs i believe speaks about his freedom being detached from E-heads tails.. “Set me Apart” is not just a soundtrack for ANimax, i guess this is also about Ely’s notion to set him apart from his old collegues. We all know that Ely is the “E” on E-heads and i guess those former folks of his should be thankful why they’re being considered as OPM Rock God because of Ely’s definitive existence. I love “Sala”- its the best song ever written on this days. your right, its definitely “Alapaap’s Cousin” from the idea of songwriting to the riffs itself.. and what enchanted me most is the falsetto on the song..it reminds me more that Ely is very much alive…RAKENROWL….
tol!… ganda ng mga explaination mo… hindi pa ako nakakabli ng albumn a wildlife. infact ..ngayon ko lang nalaman na may 2nd album na pala ang Pupil.. im one of the GREAT FAN of the eheads…. sobrang love ko talaga ang mga kanta ng eheads at ang mga dating nila raymund, buddy, marcus, and ely..email add ko nga eh elyrubin@yahoo.com(rubin came from my surname).. hayaan mo tol.. bibili ako ng wildlife na album nila.. salamat very much for the info in each album..parang na sesense ko na si ELY is back with his long-lost aura.. napakinggan ko ang SALA.. masasabi ko na parehas ang theme sa alapaap….the thing that makes me happy is the FALSETTO part of ely..feeling ko bumabalik na siya sa kanyang tunay na sarili(baka dahil sa heart attack..lolz) nang napakinggan ko ang mga falsetto nia sa sala it reminds me sa kanyang mga high picth na part sa kantang with a smile.. TRADEMARk kasi ni ELY ang pagpapa-falsettos. walang makakapantay kasi sa kanyang boses.. trademark niya ang pagfafalsettos lalong lao na ang mga witty and mga magagandang sons.. i think the album is better than the underground rock beautifull machines.. coz parang sounds like the Circus Album(correct me if im wrong). but the sad part of teh album is the song SETME APART coz as what u said that matbe ely its notion to set him apart from his old collegues..sad for me coz im a SOLID eheads fan! ..
marami mang gagwin ang bandang Pupil at si ELY..hindi na niya talaga mabubura sa ISIPAN at puso ang ilig ng pinoy sa eraserheads music..
their legacy will live on!
magkawatakwatak man sila. mahal pa rin namin ang mga kanta ng eheads..
they made an OUTSTANDING MILESTONE in the MUSICand BAD industry..(they are the GODS!)
sya nga pala..talagang naimpluwensyahan nga ako ng EHEADS.. from the way i dress, i handle problems, when in school, dealing with freinds, to so much things in life..
may dalawa nga akong email na hango sa kanila
apple_eheads@yahoo.com.ph (my nickname is “Apple”)
elyrubin@yahoo.com - my friendster email(rubin is my surname)
hanggang sa muli..
(singing..) “tama ka nga..” take abite its alright.. i saw it coming around..so i just..shake my head and walk away..shake3x..shake yer head.. so long my firnd.. (excerpts from the eheads song..TAMA KA, FRUITCAKE, SHAKE YER HEAD.)
sya nga pala pre.. bakit WILDLIFE ang TITLE ng album.. is this a remake of their unexplainable and unusual yet witty, unique, and nice names of their eheads album?
the album was called WILDLIFE because of its environmental theme. The song animal lover is a significant track that summarizes the whole concept. Actually, when i learned that its gonna be the name of the album i thought its something to do with Ely’s great admiration on Beatles..remember one of Paul Mccartney’s solo album was “WILDLIFE” too..
I tried to listen and dig in the lyrics behind each songs and for me the most intriguing
is “HEre i Go Again”..Why? its like a personal letter from Ely to his former bandmates especially Raimund…We all know that there’s a bad blood between the two..Kahit nung nasa E-HEADS pa lang sila there’s always a tension roaming around them..The stanza after the chorus really means something..”its like his reminding Raimund who taught him to play this game”…the song also reminds us that Ely is very much around and here he goes again….
just like everyone of you guys, i am a big fan of Eraserheads as well..i had a massive collections of their albums from day one till Carbon Sterioxide..I am one of the million Pinoys that are wishing for their reunion..
after their dissolution you can analyze what’s really the reason behind the break-up..its Raimund’s aim to be the vocalist..I have nothin against Raims - he’s great and very elastic..but the notoriety he’s getting right now is because of being an E-Heads, not because of his band SANDWICH and absolutely not because of his side projects..i am really pissed with some people comparing him to PAUL MCCARTNEY..because Ely is our country’s JOHN LENNON…Paul’s a songwriter, great songwriter…during their BEatle-years he contributed a lot of great songs,now let me ask you what song of Raimund did make it to the charts??none right??its all Ely’s..from Pare ko to MAskara - its all Ely’s song…its really devastating why Raimund seemed to be too show-off this days and some even called him Sir Raimund..for what?being a great songwriter??hell NO..i would agree if its about being Producer - cause his good on that…
WILDLIFE is a great album - i think today’s the best time for us to elevate ourselves from “MASA SONGS” to artistic ones..Lets try to create difference and be something creative..LEts listen to songs that aren’t a bunch of riff-offs…This album really sets apart from usual OPM sound..
Title: Here I Go Again
Artist: Pupil
Album: Wildlife
There is a line
I will not go across
It is a line
Where love and hate
Stand face to face
Fools do lie and lovers turn to green
Those are the brightest eyes
I’ve ever seen….
She’s coming on the airwaves again
I’m jamming all the airwave
I’ve made some bad decisions
I’ve made some sad mistakes
Contain you disillusion
Your eyes will soon be glazed
Cause here I go again
Did you think
That we were all the same?
And did you forget
Who taught you how to play this game?
Experience won’t change me
I’m much too far to fold
Your good advice restrains me
Prepare exact toll
Cause here I go again
Here I go again….
“HERE’S THE LYRICS PALA - JUST TRY TO ZIP DEEPER AND MAYBE WE’LL BE ALL ON SAME GROUND”
For me the lines:
“SHE”S COMING ON THE AIRWAVES”
is about Diane’s (Ely’s wife) involvement on their album..We’ve seen that Diane is very active on band’s activities from songwriting and to gigs..She did lead vocals on some track such as Beautiful Machines on the first album and FiN on the second album, she also did back-up and duet with Ely on MATADOR..so she’s definitely coming out on airwaves!
“Did you think
That we were all the same?
And did you forget
Who taught you how to play this game?
Experience won’t change me
I’m much too far to fold
- this is for Raimund, i’m sure..
a quick reminder, isn’t it?
are you aware of John Lennon’s song
“How do you Sleep?” - this song reminds me
of that very controversial classic..
I’ve made some bad decisions
I’ve made some sad mistakes
Contain you disillusion
Your eyes will soon be glazed
Cause here I go again”
- its about Ely’s regret on some
things for sure and his vendetta to
some people whom he considered his foe..
HERE HE GOES AGAIN….
i also read an article or actually its a blog about this album. the author said that the album is very much like an E-heads album…Yes, i guess..because its Ely who wrote those songs in most E-heads album and its the same Ely who’s writing for Pupil…its just the same HEaD..its not an E-heads style of songwriting,its ELY’s style…take note each E-heads wrote their songs differently..Buddy’s songs are different from Ely and Raimund as well as to Marcus’s..So its natural for us to hear this songs to be this way because its Ely who wrote them regardless whether its under E-Heads or Pupil catalog ….if you see Marcus playing with his band Marcus Highway, the sound is an Eheadsque as well..its his classic-folk style..Raimund sounds different as well - his hyper,punk,and electric..i love all of his songs in NATIN99..Sino sa atin, May Sumasayaw and the song he co-wrote with Ely “Peace it”..i hope this song should be Ely and Raimund’s anthem to relive their friendship and glued whatever their broken pieces were…RAKENROWL..
hello, 2 points to point out:
1 - haha, we share the same sentiments regarding the song ’sala’ as a distant cousin ng alapaap and kalawakan, pero - hindi ata si ely gumawa nung ’sala’. - si diane ata ung nagpen nun :). but yeah - kung tutuusin - kinda similar ang message ng songs
2 - yep, ung teacher’s pet na song - it kinda has the eheads melody [even the ‘trademark word play’ na dominant sa mga eheads songs - na nilikha ni Ely]. - pero i would like to point out na hindi ata si Eon ang kumanta nung sa huling portion nung styrosnow.. given na around 1996/97 na release ung Fruitcake album [kung saan nanggaling ung styro] -dehins pa natao si Eonboy nun.. hehe, pero kung ang pinoint out nyo na ang teacher’s pet [ending] is like the styro [ending] - well i rest my case hehe. :D
hehe un lang. ingats and God speed.
- Ogs
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