Altered Frequency

Album:

Transit

Genre:
Modern Rock

Discography:
Exalt (2004)

Review:
With a sprightly second album, homegrown modern rockers Altered Frequency transcend their “Christian Rock” tag with dignity. Turning in stronger music, even more inclusive lyrics and keeping their aesthetic as warm and humble as the five personalities that make up the band, Altered Frequency’s universal appeal is all the better for it. Expanding on the high standards they set on the first album, ‘Exalt’ (7/10), Altered Frequency has benefited from a growing sonic maturity and also a second-nature relationship with longtime producer Nick Lee, who by the way, contributes some shred guitar on the big curtain-raiser, “Beyond Now”. Clearly on the same tangent of quiet celebration, hope and spiritual meandering, singer and lyricist Andy Yeoh breathes the first line, “I’m just passing by...don’t wanna live here, anymore”, immediately setting the theme for the rest of this 12-song salvo. “Missing Piece”, “All I Need Is You”, “Departure Lounge Goodbye”, “Ever Wondered”, “Me”, “Walk Again”, “Die Empty” are all songs equally as good in the guitar-driven, melodic feel-good vein as that first track. Adding a vital young component in guitarist/keyboardist Terry Yeow, who is conveniently a fan of the band and whose specialty seems to be playing the ambient foil to the rounder, clearer tones of co-songwriter Kysern Lim’s guitars, Altered Frequency’s sound has been fleshed out here to make for an even more international feel. Elsewhere with the rhythm section, bassist David Gary and drummer Agnel Raj doesn’t only keep it solid but also break out with some confidence and creativity of their own this time around, giving the songs a nice bounce. Altered Frequency clearly are believers that rock belongs God.

Profile Notes:
Altered Frequency has chalked up reputation-building nominations in various musical and non-musical categories at AIM 2005 & 2009, for their debut ‘Exalt’ as well as the latest album. Cover artist Nicholas Chong, a buddy of new guitarist Terry’s, is a Hollywood-based designer who worked on animation for ‘Transformers: The Movie’. The other four members of the band have known each other for close to 20 years, and been a band for 9. The band’s record label, 4our 4orty Records, is owned by Juwito Suwito, an AIM nominee in her own right for her two solo albums. ‘Transit’ was launched with an acoustic performance in late April at Borders bookstore in Gardens @ Mid Valley.