They are Twee as F**k with the Mutual Admiration Society compilation!!

The amazing Philippine indiepop compilation called "Mutual Admiration Society" was released in 2001 through independent label Definition Records, which was a project of Toti Dalmation and his Groove Nation cohorts (pre-Terno Recordings). Just like what a lot of indiepop labels around the world were doing under the radar of commercial music shops and radio stations, Definition also gathered some of Manila's brightest underground indiepop hopefuls, which are at par with some of the best indiepop bands/songs in compilations released from the UK, Sweden, US, Germany, etc. This has 12 Vibrant, Sunny, Twee, Dreamy, Summer P!o!p!, Jangly,and upbeat ditties (plus re-workings of three bands' songs) all compressed in one cardboard packaged CD. I actually had a hard time finding an original copy of this album and I would love to own at least two more as back-up copies, but I did manage to find one in U.S. based indiepop label/online store, Darla or Claire a few years back.

Some of the bands in this compilation are still active in making music, some have already called it a day, while some disbanded and disintegrated and eventually became new bands. With the small, but ever expanding, indiepop community at that time, some of the members of these groups are also part of other indiepop bands, zig-zagging on musical duties and performing on each other's projects. It's a great loss that the label never made a second or third compilation, I'm pretty sure that each of these bands (a lot more that are not featured in this album) still have unreleased songs in their closets which should see the light of day.

Bands like Apple Orchard, Soft Pillow Kisses and The Fantasy Lights have consistently released songs in different compilations (some even EPs/mini albums) that were out locally and in different countries, they would have full albums released soon. I believe Skies of Ember also has an album out but I haven't had time to track down a copy. Muriel (having 2/4 of Violent Playground!) would be quiet right after this compilation. Colour Contest members I think are now part of two or more different bands. I have no information at all on some of the other bands, which adds to the mystery since not too many people had the pleasure of hearing their songs in this compilation or even seeing them perform live around Metro Manila on the latter part of the 1990s. Although demo songs of the bands were (are) in circulation among fans of the music, no official releases were ever pressed and distributed. I am still hopeful that some rich schmuck, er, what I meant was, a rich patron of the underground arts would come by, invest and release all these wonderful songs and eventually dig out some of the bands' unreleased songs to properly present them to our hungry ears! It might take a long time for these songs to be released but eventually they will see the light at the end of the tunnel and when it does, it will be a brighter day for sure.



Various Artists - Mutual Admiration Society
(CD/2001/Definition Records/PH)

*************************
1. It Will Never Last Last (Forever) - Soft Pillow Kisses
2. Wide Awake - Apple Orchard
3. In The Meantime - Colour Contest
4. You Let Go - The Fantasy Lights
5. By Way Of Echoes - Skies Of Ember
6. Little Nothings - Superminty
7. Small Town - Dorian Of Juniper Bells
8. This Gentle Feeling - Soft Pillow Kisses
9. Me & Your Melanie - Colour Contest
10. Glitter In A Moon - The Fantasy Lights
11. What We Now Know Of Heaven - She Came To Stay
12. Effect - Muriel
13. You Let Go (Version) - The Fantasy Lights
14. Small Town (Instrumental) - Dorian Of Juniper Bells
15. In The Meantime (Dub) - Colour Contest