About Universal Records

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Quezon City, Philippines
Universal Records is the NUMBER ONE independent record label in the Philippines. Bringing you quality music for the past 30 years, we are home to artists like: Jose Mari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela, Christian Bautista, Jay R, Billy Crawford, Kris Aquino, Edu Manzano, Marian Rivera, Mark Herras, Nina, Ronnie Liang, Gail Blanco, Sam Concepcion. Our band roster includes: Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Sponge Cola, Imago, Silent Sanctuary, Kenyo, Paraluman. We are equally committed to bring you exciting international releases covering various genres like pop, jazz, new age, classical, alternative, indie pop, rock, electronica, dance, r&b, and hip-hop. Name it, we definitely have it!

March 11, 2009

DISCOVER THIS!

LITTLE NAME - How To Swim And Live
Little Name is an amazing discovery! A dose of deft British indie pop that recalls the heyday of Sarah Records with influences of Belle and Sebastian, The Beach Boys, The Smiths, Camera Obscura, Burt Bacharach, some sunshine, some rain, life itself and the art of swimming. Behind Little Name stands Lee Barker from Liverpool, who sings and plays all the instruments. Underneath the bright indie pop are lyrics which explore ideas of openness and vulnerability, isolation and joy with a wit and humour belying their meaning. Featuring "For the Attention Of", "How To Swim and Live" and "Tracy and I" plus one Philippines-only bonus track!


LUCKY SOUL - The Great Unwanted
Greenwich six-piece Lucky Soul make catchy, sophisticated and nostalgic pop songs influenced by Phil Spector, Dusty Springfield, Stax, The Ronettes, Brian Wilson, The Chiffons, Motown and Petula Clark, with touches of Saint Etienne and Discolation Dance. At the center of their full-bodied, 1960s-referencing soundwhich are Ali Howard's sophisticated-pussycat vocals which brings to mind Sandie Shaw, Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval, The Ronettes' Veronica Bennett, The Cardigans' Nina Persson and The Concretes' Victoria Bergsman. Produced by George Schilling (The Wannadies, Soup Dragons, Blur, My Bloody Valentine, Teenage Fanclub, Primal Scream), their debut album "The Great Unwanted" includes the singles "My Brittle Heart", "Lips Are Unhappy", "Add Your Light To Mine Baby", "One Kiss Don't Make A Summer" and "Ain't Never Been Cool".


MY TEENAGE STRIDE - Ears Like Golden Bats

Third album (and possibly their best) by Brooklyn-based My Teenage Stride, "Ears Like Golden Bats", is a stylish, romantic, wry collection of sensitive-pop classics. Echoes of John Cale's solo work, mid-'60s Kinks, Phil Spector, The Chills, Guided By Voices, Brian Eno, Morrissey, The Jesus And Mary Chain and '80s synth-pop can be found in this diversely addictive album. Featuring "To Live and Die in the Airport Lounge" and "That Should Stand for Something".



STARS - In Our Bedroom After The War

"In Our Bedroom After the War", the name of Montreal indie pop band Stars' fourth, newest and without question, best album, is mysterious, grand, and multi-faceted. There's something of an epic quality to Stars' music here, with a blending of electronics, conventional rock band dynamics and a liberal helping of more orchestral elements. They have cited a wide variety of influences like Prefab Sprout, New Order, The Smiths, Brian Wilson, Momus and Broken Social Scene. Mixed by Joe Chiccarelli (Morrissey, The Shins). The album includes "Take Me To The Riot" and "The Night Starts Here".


THE LONG BLONDES - Singles
The Long Blondes were one of a number of smart, punky, and fashionable bands to emerge from the U.K. in the early 2000s. Their songs reflect a number of influences including Nancy Sinatra, Dusty Springfield, Buzzcocks, Ramones, '60s pop, post-punk and new wave. "Singles" is a compilation album featuring the Sheffield band's four pre-Rough Trade singles, all highly sought after limited seven inch vinyl pressings available here for the first time on CD. This album also features two bonus tracks, and captures the energy and excitement of The Long Blondes at their best. The CD features a brand new painting by singer Kate Jackson especially for this release, and a poster sleeve designed by The PIX magazine features rare early pictures, interviews and sleeve notes by the band.



THE WHIP - X Marks Destination
"X Marks Destination" is the debut album from Mancunian baggy electro act The Whip. A diverse debut that recalls the electro flourishes of New Order with the slightly-frazzled indie funk of Happy Mondays, this is quite simply a stunning record. Produced by Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Ladytron, Kasabian, Editors), the album includes the singles "Trash", "Sister Siam" and "Divebomb".

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