NAIF as a band, is one of a kind. As a major label artist, they came out of nowhere with their own package. Their vintage sound, appearance (on their early era) and their whimsical (often comical) lyrics offers insights to the Indonesian music industry.

The rise of Naif in the mid-90s, a time when the world of popular music Indonesia began to have an alternative to that offered by indie scene that began to cultivate, making them an idol of the two contradictory sides of music listeners. Naif’s different approach of pop music makes them capable to build a bridge between mainstream listeners with an alternative audience who began to earn his place at that time.

And it all makes sense when Aksara Records (RIP) decided to make a “tribute” album for the band. It felt natural. Released on April 2007, this album has everything to be one of Aksara Record’s best releases. The contributing band is the best you can get from the independent scene at that time, from almost every genre available, it opens with White Shoes and The Couples Company as their opener and it ends with SORE as its finale.

The most critical point of how this album became an exceptional record is the rendition of each band to the song that they cover. Every band involved succeeded in marking their own footprint on the songs. The Brandals transform one of Naif’s biggest hit, “Mobil Balap” into a sleazy garage rock anthem, Icarie turns “Imaginary Son” to a misty psychedelic ballad, Media Distorsi brings “Selalu” to a dark ambient of electronics, Cherry Bombshell twist “Jauh” to an eerie shoegaze piece, SORE expel their wit on “Hidup itu Indah”.

The main highlight of the album are how The Monophones translate “Nanar” into a haunting-yet beautiful vintage Indonesian pop and how TIKA feat. Wrong is The New Right carry “Dia Adalah Pusaka Sejuta Umat Manusia” to a whole new level of experimental jazz. The only flaw on this album, maybe the involvement of Superglad’s poor interpretation of “Benci untuk Mencinta”, but again, it will easily be forgiven due to the quality of the rest of the album.

If there’s a list of important albums that needs to be reissued in vinyl somewhere, this album definitely one them.