JB Music and Sports, the country's leading specialty store when it comes to musical instruments and accessories just held their 40th year anniversary last Dec. 1, 2014, at Valkyrie, the Palace, Uptown BGC. During their anniversary celebration, they honored 40 of the most influential names in the Philippine Music Scene. From great
rock institutions like Saguijo and Tracks, eternal classics such as The
Dawn, The Eraserheads and Juan Dela Cruz to the fresh talent that have
kept the scene alive such as Up Dharma Down and Urbandub and more. Among those named were Rivermaya and most probably Rico Blanco too (a full list is yet to be released as of this writing). I will be waiting for the complete list and post it here as soon as it becomes available.
For the meantime, check out some photos of Rivermaya and Rico Blanco below.
(All Photos Taken from JB Music and Sports Facebook Page)
Yes this was Rivermaya after Rico's departure, Jayson is the third guy from the left
Jayson who? For the uninitiated, a few months after Rico Blanco's departure from Rivermaya, the remaining band members (namely Mark Escuete, Mike Elgar, and Japs Sergio) conducted a reality tv show like search for the next Rivermaya frontman. A guy named Jayson Fernandez emerged as the winner and spent four years and two studio albums with the band before surprisingly leaving the band to pursue a solo career. Details of the break up was sketchy, but it wasn't as high profile as Bamboo and Rico's departure. Nevertheless, Rivermaya (as expected) survives another break up and is now going strong with their current lineup.
Now, since the Rivermaya departure, Jayson was able to release one solo album (that's going to be a separate entry on this blog) that ended up on the clearance bins. His resurfacing in the Voice Philippines audition with no less than original Rivermaya front man Bamboo Manalac as one of the judges made me interested to watch the audition. To see the results of the blind audition, check out the video below:
Now if he'll actually win the competition or not remains to be seen. And it's APL (of Black Eyed Peas fame) job to coach Jayson to make it to the top. Too bad for him though that Bamboo didn't turn his chair.
As a teenager, one of the most highly popular clothing brand that I used to wear was the Giordano Classic. It was simple, yet fashionable to be seen with the Classic logo on the shirt's left chest. Currently, Rico Blanco is now a part of Giordano's efforts to relaunch the brand. Signed as Giordano's brand ambassador to their World Without Strangers campaign, Rico's transition from a Rockstar to become a multimedia icon has never felt an upswing. Giordano has also recently released The World Without Strangers music video as sand and written by Rico Blanco. Check it out below.
The much awaited Music Video of Rivermaya's latest single "Tayo Lang Dalawa" is finally out and available for viewing via YouTube. The music video serves as a some sort of a Pre-Nuptial music video for Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, both recently engaged to each other. The music video is currently climbing in the MYX Music Video charts. Check out the video below
Rivermaya has recently collaborated with Team Manila to release Rock Collection T-Shirts that would feature Rivermaya and its rich 20 year history.
As per their website http://teammanila.com/
TeamManila is a Philippine graphic design studio founded in 2001. The
brainchild of Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan, the team has already
expanded to a team of fifty with an impressive portfolio of
award-winning works from both print and broadcast industries. Having
worked with a number of prominent names within music, film, broadcast
and graphic design industries, each project is treated as an opportunity
to get the client's message across in the most effective and creative
way by means of graphic design techniques and methods. Still driven to
push the design envelope further, the team is always on the constant
lookout for collaborations with creative entities on various
communication and design projects.
Tomorrow at Trinoma Activity Center, Rivermaya will launch the T-Shirts with an accompanying show that would also see the launch of their latest Music Video "Tayo Lang Dalawa" which stars the just recently engaged celebrity power couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Fans will also be in for a treat by purchasing a CD/T-Shirt combo will also get them VIP passes. These VIP passes are limited to 20 slots only and would come as a first come first serve basis.
The Rivermaya TeamManila merchandise can also be purchase through their online store (Pending Availability):
http://teammanilalifestyle.com/store/
The Tayo Lang Dalawa Music Video meanwhile will have its formal music channel run tomorrow night on Myx at approximately 8pm.
I was surfing through the net for some Rivermaya news when I came across two articles which states that the possibility of a Rivermaya reunion would no longer be far fetched. Well honestly it got me excited at first. And then I had mixed feelings. Rivermaya as they are now and the respective careers of the once Rivermaya band members are currently still rocking it out in the OPM music industry. Though I guess in their own ways, they never achieved the kind of success that they reached as a collective group, but still the fact that they are still making great music with different musical directions to explore means that they are here to stay, with or without the support of the "Old Rivermaya" fans. In recent years, Rico Blanco and Bamboo Manalac had always consistently said no to the thought of a Rivermaya Reunion....... until now. Albeit with differing views.
On Bamboo's willingness to reunite with his former Rivermaya Bandmates, this is what he had to say as per entertainment portal PEP:
"How about a reunion album? Now we do something different, na gumawa kayo ng new material tapos gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in time, you know what I mean? Because I've been singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that's gonna excite me more. Pushing forward."
He further intimated that doing a live reunion show singing the past hits just for the sake of earning big bucks does not motivate him.
Rico Blanco for his part took the question with a different approach. As reported on the entertainment news portal PUSH, Blanco had this to say:
“I think, it has always been a question for us eh, where as at the
start of my solo music career I always said no because I wanted to focus
on new work, gusto ko umandar, gumawa ng bago but now I am a little
more relaxed, a little more open to the idea of Rivermaya. I don’t think
it will affect my career as a solo artist because my fans have been so
kind enough to embrace my new music and every time I come up of
something they always appreciate it so yung fear ko na hindi
maappreciate yun, I have gotten over that so yeah, I am open to a
Rivermaya reunion.”
Blanco also further added that over time his views on the subject matter changed, because he now accepts that there's just a certain segment of Rivermaya fans who are in for the nostalgia above all else:
“It’s just the fact na I think I realized it’s a different market.
People asking for a reunion is a different market and it’s not going to
affect my audience, my core audience nowadays who wanted new music for
me. I think having a reunion concert with Rivermaya has always been a
step backwards parang I am moving forward and it’s a step backward, no.
Nowadays I realized it’s just a different market who want to be
nostalgic. I guess we can give them a night or two to relive the glory days but
that should not stop me to enjoy doing what I am doing which is
creating new music and giving fans what they like, new material and I
have shows, I play my old songs but its really the new songs they want.”
Uhm, I don’t think it’s
gonna happen. I mean in the sense na there’s still Rivermaya.
“They still have an album, they’re still touring, still doing their
thing, ‘di ba? So, it’s just weird to say a reunion na buo pa sila,
right?
"Ako, I said, it doesn’t excite me in that sense to do a reunion show."
Pero okay sa kanya ang isang ideya: "How about a reunion album?"
“Now we do something different na gumawa kayo ng new material 'tapos
gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in
time, you know what I mean?
“It doesn’t excite me na we’re gonna sing 'Ulan' again na kami lang, you
know what I mean?
“Because I’ve been singing that for the past how many years? We have
evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna
excite me more. Pushing forward!”
Mas gusto ba niya ng mga bagong kanta?
“No, I mean, that would be my idea, that would be exciting. But just to
do a reunion show, for me, it’s just making a buck and it doesn’t
motivate me,” dagdag pa niya.
Two very contrasting views indeed. Bamboo's take is akin to what the Eraserheads did recently for Esquire Magazine, where they recorded a two track album that came as a free item in an Esquire Magazine that featured the Eraserheads as the cover story. That story featured an in-depth account of the Eraserheads reunion show at London. Blanco's take on the other hand is more of engaging the nostalgic side of things just to give the die hard Rivermaya (original line up that is) fans a trip down memory lane.
Rico, Nathan, Mark, and Bamboo
Being a long time supporter of Rivermaya and all its members, my stand on that matter is that yes why not a Reunion concert? But let's tweak it a bit. Instead of all the original members doing a 15 to 20 song set list, why not bring in all the current bands (Rico Blanco as a solo act, Bamboo as a solo act, Nathan Azarcon's Hijo, and Mark Escueta's Rivermaya, as well as Perf de Castro) that the original band members are playing for nowadays and make them actually be a part of the show. We can start of with the original members doing a 5 song opening number, then one by one let the current bands that they are in play a song or two respectively, and then for the finale, reunite all of the original members for a swan song. By doing this, at least they would be accomplishing the task of introducing their new sound to the old Rivermaya die hards. I'll be the first in line if a show such as that would finally be produced for Rivermaya. Bamboo's new material suggestion is also nice, and who wouldn't want that? How about the show's tickets would also come with a digital download of that new track that Bamboo is proposing. We'll be getting the best of both worlds if that happens.
But at this point I think it's going to be a tall order because it would be unfair for Mark, Norby, Mike, and Ryan (the current incarnation of Rivermaya) to shoulder the weight of the popularity of that one night show. I'm all for a reunion concert/project. But maybe now is not yet the right time.
What is more important for me however is reading this statement (with regards to if his past band mates had learned of his change of views about the reunion concert) from Rico Blanco:
“I don’t know and everything’s good. I am open with the boys and it’s
a matter of someone… you know producers have been approaching me for
years na about a reunion concert but no one has really been serious, you
know. May black and white, may details.”
One of these days a Reunion concert will happen. But that is in the future to look forward too. What's important is let us support what Rivermaya and its past band members are doing now. For Rico, Bamboo, Nathan, Perf, and Mark.
“Because I’ve been
singing that for the past how many years? We have evolved and changed.
So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna excite me more. Pushing
forward!”
Uhm, I don’t think it’s
gonna happen. I mean in the sense na there’s still Rivermaya.
“They still have an album, they’re still touring, still doing their
thing, ‘di ba? So, it’s just weird to say a reunion na buo pa sila,
right?
"Ako, I said, it doesn’t excite me in that sense to do a reunion show."
Pero okay sa kanya ang isang ideya: "How about a reunion album?"
“Now we do something different na gumawa kayo ng new material 'tapos
gawin yung concert, because we all have evolved, we have changed in
time, you know what I mean?
“It doesn’t excite me na we’re gonna sing 'Ulan' again na kami lang, you
know what I mean?
“Because I’ve been singing that for the past how many years? We have
evolved and changed. So, sa akin, get us in the studio, that’s gonna
excite me more. Pushing forward!”
Mas gusto ba niya ng mga bagong kanta?
“No, I mean, that would be my idea, that would be exciting. But just to
do a reunion show, for me, it’s just making a buck and it doesn’t
motivate me,” dagdag pa niya.
Whatever happened to Fiesto Bandido? Rico Blanco's alter ego for his
Galactik Fiestamatik album is missing in action as the real Rico Blanco
reappears in this music video called Time For You brought to you by
Valda Pastilles. Recently signed by Valda Pastilles as their new brand
ambassador, Blanco dishes out a new song the literally soothes your
soul. The song is signature Blanco, from the rhythm, lyrics, down to the
vocals. This is his best song to date. And tears did stream from my
face as I tried to digest the song. Give it a go by playing the video
Rico Blanco launches a new single thru Spotify. Titled World Without Strangers, the song is a refreshing track when compared to the more experimental sound of Blanco's last album (Galactik Fiestamatik). I only had a one go thru of the song because I'm currently trying to learn how to use Spotify. I personally like the song very much because it is oozing with Blanco's signature sound. Not much experiments but plain and simple trademark Rico Blanco. My further research would reveal that this song was actually commissioned by clothing brand Giordano for their World Without Strangers campaign.
To hear the song, you have to download Spotify. Click on the link below and get your Spotify app now.
Here's another old album review I dug up in the internet. Rivermaya's isang Ugat Isang Dugo tribute album based on the 1980's indie compilation album "10 of another kind". This was Rico Blanco's last album with Rivermaya. Months later, he would leave the band to pursue other interests in his life as well as taking a break from music related business.
Rivermaya: Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo
I first heard of Isang Bandila on Abs-Cbn’s Bandila newscast program. And from the start, I knew it was from Rivermaya. Isang Bandila is one of those signature Rivermaya tracks that we have been hearing for decades. It kind of reminds me of Awit ng Kabataan for its Battle Cry type of message, and Alab ng Puso sound wise. And I was immediately hooked. As for thefollowing songs… A little disclaimer must be put in place first. I have always been an advocate of original songs. I really don’t appreciate bands covering songs from other bands and have it released and be included in a band’s full-length album. Well, tribute albums are an exception, because it’s a tribute album. And to know that Rivermaya’s next full-length album would consist of roughly 93% of cover songs, I was a bit disappointed at first. Because the band has been making excellent songs for decades now, and I believe for sure that they are still capable of making a new batch of excellent songs (well not unless they are in an artistic rut and their creative juices have been sucked dry). That was my initial reaction when I first heard of the album’s concept. Then I came across what Mark Escueta posted on the Ground a couple of months back that the reason why the concept was such would be explained in the album. This made me more eager to purchase their album at the soonest time possible. I spent two weeks since the release date was announced scouring the record bars here in CDO which unfortunately still did not carry the album. I got my copy from Cebu. What followed next was one of the most liberating musical experiences that I have ever had (one was the between the stars and waves album). Rivermaya selfishly released their own tribute album in a market flooded with tribute albums (Eraserheads and Apo anyone?), and I meant it in a good way. Eraserheads and APO have been time and again a commercial success. Reaping the monetary rewards with their excellent music and songwriting creations. But for the bands whose songs Rivermaya is covering for their new full-length album, they are the exact opposites. Most if not all of themare not heard of for such a long time already. They in a way representedthe underground music scene of the 80’s. An era where bands struggledto have their music recorded and released. The underground scenewhere excellent bands came into existence but eventually died downas a result of the young artistic spirits moving on to seek greenerpastures in the corporate world because their music never put foodon their tables. I personally never heard any of these songs before.I don’t know of any of you have heard them before (siguro yungmga nakakatanda, you’ve heard them na, but don’t admit it lest youwant people to know you are old hehehe). But this is the reason whyI am now appreciating the album very much. These are songs that arein a way new to me because they were never really big mainstreamsuccesses. They were raw 80’s underground music. Listening to themis just like listening to a new song that Rivermaya has penned. Each andevery song was a mystery waiting to be unlocked. And just like theprevious musical liberty that I have experienced with Between the starsalbum, I am now looking forward to knowing and hearing more aboutthe bands that Rivermaya has chosen to cover. Hoping that thiseffort by Rivermaya would in a way reawaken the original bands in this album's young artisticspirits and just for the fun of it and for the love of music, Reunite andrecord one reunion album for this generation to hear and discover.
Rivermaya covers the Wuds' Inosente lang ang nagtataka with Raimund Marasigan
I am elated to know that Rivermaya is not just a band who creates their own music for other people to consume. But they are also a band willing to humble down and rework, rerecord and unearth old classics that never saw the light of day during this new generation. Songs that had began to die down and never to be appreciated, never to be heard of again. We are a lucky bunch. We are a lucky generation that Rivermaya is doing this not for them selves, but for us, and for the bands that had their songs included in Rivermaya’s new album. I can’t comment much and compare the songs with the original versions because I never heard any of them. But I totally enjoyed each and every song. Makes me feel the re-emergence of 80’s music once more. Tracks that stood out for me aside from Isang Bandila were Golden Boy, a reworking of a song by Ethnic Faces. Things Are Getting Complicated and Healing by Dean’s December, Ilog by Joey Ayala (which also featured Rico’s cousin, Kitchie Nadal), My Sanctuary and Sumigaw, Umawit Ka by Identity Crisis, And lastly, Things Within by Silos. I’m looking at this album as a tribute album. And what makes this tribute album so special is that it came from the heart. This was no marketing gimmick that a recording company had thought of in order for them to cash on. This was no project wherein the hottest and the biggest bands of the current year were grouped together, and in a way using their popularity to give life to classic surefire hits. This was a project that Rivermaya had only originally intended to be for their listening ears only. Well, not until they made a realization to share these songs to the new generation, songs that influenced them and made them who they are now. And guess what? The album is one big Jammingan ng Rivermaya as fans! With that being said. Rivermaya’s Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo is hands down the best tribute album ever released. Way much better than the Eraserheads and Apo tribute albums!
Bamboo Manalac has reservations about the proposed OPM bill filed by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr. In the said bill will require foreign artists to pay a so-called Reciprocal
Equity Fee before being allowed to stage shows in the country. Bamboo is currently trying to find time to record a follow up album to the well received debut solo album Bamboo: No Water, No Moon.
The boys from Hijo is back! After a long hiatus, the band is set to reappear in the local music scene via SID BISYO IS BACK music event. The said concert is staged in remembrance of Chico Molina, former lead guitarist of Karl Roy and Nathan Azarcon's Kapatid band project. Hijo has been the band that former Bamboo (the band) bandmates Nathan Azarcon, Ira Cruz, and Vic Mercado (with Junji Lerma, Jay-O Orduna) formed after the departure of lead vocalist Bamboo Manalac. They managed to release an EP titled HIJO: Slow Rock Volume 1/2 in 2011. Check out the band's astounding music video Tamalee below:
Can't get enough of Rico Blanco? In between promoting his latest album Galactik Fiestamatik and other various "sidelines", he has launched his own website for the so called "Ricolokoys". Get the lowdown and updates from Rico Blanco himself by visiting:
Meanwhile, let me share to you here the best finds that I could find in the said website.
Gloc 9 x Rico Blanco – MAGDA (Acoustic Version)- Rico joins forces with Gloc 9 for a sweet rendition of Magda in acoustic form.
Ito Ang Ating Sandali – Rico Blanco- Rico is joined by Hijo lead guitarist Ira Cruz for ABS-CBN's sports channel station theme.
Chito Miranda x Rico Blanco – Panahon Na Naman ng Harana - Rico and Chito does a mashup of Panahon na Naman and Harana with both vocalists switching vocal chores for two of the most memorable songs in the band explosion era from Rivermaya and Parokya ni Edgar
Here's another retro review that I dug up in the internet. Bagong Liwanag back then was Rivermaya's answer to their fans' questions whether Rivermaya would disband in the wake of Rico Blanco's decision to leave the band.
Rivermaya: Bagong Liwanag
First and foremost, I have to make this statement. The
reason why I continued to follow the career of Rivermaya even when Bamboo left
the band years back, was because of Rico Blanco. I always considered him as the
heart and soul of the band. And it was because of his impressive songwriting
skills was what made me choose to believe and support the band during Blanco’s
era.
With that said, let’s proceed to the Album Review.
I personally couldn’t wait to grab a copy of the Bagong
Liwanag album (good thing Rivermaya’s long time drummer Mark Escueta provided
me a copy of the EP, thanks again Bro!). When the band released their first
single Sayang (the last track in the EP), a statement to the public in song
form about the recent departure of their erstwhile front man, I had my serious
doubts if the band still had it. Written by bassist Japs Sergio, Sayang is a
stripped down song with only an acoustic guitar to accompany the vocal work.
While the lyrics were very moving, I was looking for that particular oomph that
Rivermaya songs were generally know for. Sayang couldn’t give me that, but then
again Imbecillesque, a song that was originally released as part of the FREE
album, wasn’t a soaring song either.
Mark would later share in the band’s mailing list that the
intention of Sayang was really that. No fireworks, no musical acrobatics, but a
stripped down, sincerely heart tugging song that aimed to reach and touch the
hearts of those who have supported the band through it’s fourteen years of
existence. If for that reason alone, I could say that Sayang was a huge
success, and it undoubtedly touched the hearts of the listeners.
Without a pure vocalist in their current lineup, the band
made an arrangement that says whoever wrote the song, he will be the one to do
the vocal chores. The vocal chores were divided into two songs each for Mark
Escueta and Japs Sergio, and one song for guitarist Mike Elgar. Written during
the turbulent months, the band managed to finish 5 songs to come up with this
EP album. In less than two months, the band came up with these songs as a
tribute and collective statement for their friends, fans, as well as to the
music public. Sayang was their opening salvo, but the first track of the EP was
an even bolder statement. Carrying the moniker Banda ng Bayan these past few
years, Japs launched the welcoming track by naming the song Banda ng Bayan.
This is one of my favorite tracks in the album. Listening to this song reminded
me a lot about previous Rivermaya hits such as Liwanag sa Dilim, Kisapmata, and
Ulan. And I personally like the particular line “Pag pugay, kami ay nagbibigay
pugay sa aming mga kasama, nakasama, tuloy ang ligaya.” Could this mean that
they have finally put the bitterness of their unjust fate behind and just focus
on the new future ahead? And the declaration of “Tayo po ang Banda ng Bayan”
certainly showed that the band is still here alive, kicking and riding the
waves of their fans, peers, and the whole music community’s tremendous love and
support.
The second song, Sumigaw, is an even more surprising song.
Penned by Mark Escueta, Sumigaw continued to set the tone of the album that
showed the band’s resurgence and resiliency amidst the tragedy. ABS-CBN TV
channel Studio 23 even personally handpicked the song as their new station I.D.
Mark, who was always been relegated the least spotlight during the band’s 14
year career is now the de facto voice of the group. Mark was also the least
contributor in the band’s songwriting chores during their existence, deferring
to Blanco and former bassist Nathan Azarcon (and later on to Japs, Mike, and
Kakoi). But he did wrote the hit song Nerbyoso from the It’s not easy being
green album with the help of Blanco. Sumigaw is a very good vindication for him
that proves to us that he does have the songwriting skills. Sumigaw is a very
good uplifting song, a battle cry, an assurance that Rivermaya isn’t going
anywhere but up. The state that they are in is just temporary, and they are
here to stay.
While the first two tracks proved to be happy and joyful
songs, the third track Nawawala had the angst. Mike Elgar wrote this song on
the very same day Blanco revealed his intentions of leaving the group. We can
objectively say that this song was his personal response to appease that
turmoil that was building up inside him during that time. Writing songs is also
not that new for Mike. He had been a consistent contributor to the band’s track
lists ever since he joined the band.
But, while the song Nawawala was angst ridden, the fourth
track Olats, took an opposite direction. It somehow poked fun at the band’s
current misfortune. That instead of dwelling on the sad and unfortunate things,
the band instead chose to laugh at their current situation. Again, Mark Escueta
proved that he has a lot of songwriting prowess in store.
The men left standing (Mike, Mark, and Japs)
Music wise, the trio still has it. They still have the
musical tightness. Vocal wise, I don’t see anything different. Blanco was never
a pure vocalist in the first place. The three of them are no different. They
have satisfactorily handled their respective vocal chores in their respective
songs. And we are no longer stranger to the trio’s vocal chops. They have
previously done their vocal works on past albums. The EP also contains
instrumental versions of the five songs. Since they lost a vocalist, these
instrumental tracks are an open invitation for us to sing along with the band.
And it might even come in handy for those who would be joining the auditions as
the band’s new vocalist.
The five songs in the EP is a going back to the roots
offering from the band. They have stated in their press statements that the EP
is a tribute to the 90’s pinoy rock, the great era of the band explosion that
brought us such bands as the Eraserheads, Parokya ni Edgar, and of course, the
first incarnation of Rivermaya. If we look at the band’s previous full length
LP Between the Stars and Waves, the band seemed to have gone on an experimental
mode. And that LP took them away from the type of music that they are famously
known for.
If I were to describe the Bagong Liwanag EP, this album
definitely harkens back to the band’s earlier days. The EP proves to all of us
that they still have it. Although Blanco’s songwriting capabilities are
incomparable and second to none, the remaining guys draw their songwriting
strength straight from their heart. There might no longer be the soaring poetic
lyric that is accompanied by the soaring melodies of Blanco’s musical genius,
but the sincerity of the songwriting process and the story behind every song
has clearly imparted a message that Mark, Mike, and Japs can hold their own.
Again, I am a big fan of Rico Blanco, but it has been clearly established by
the Bagong Liwanag EP that Rivermaya is bigger than him.
The Audition poster
I can’t wait to hear the rest of the new songs that would be
released for the new full length album due before the year ends. The EP gave us
glimpses of those songs. And yeah, there are more brilliant and sincere songs
coming our way. Calling Bagong Liwanag as an EP is actually deceiving. Because
it is far more than what we know of what EPs are. Tons of bonus tracks (check
out the preview of the new songs for the full length album, I like Mark's
composition Closer, had an 80's new wave brit feel on it), a high speed audio
message from the band, instrumental tracks good for those who want to sing
along. Bagong Liwanag is a fresh start to rejuvenate Rivermaya.
My Verdict? Tuloy Ang Ligaya! Now on to the auditions and
let’s get a real vocalist.
VIDEO: Behind the Scenes at the Rivermaya Auditions (excerpts from the Bagong Liwanag TV special, Sept 16 @ Studio 23)
Here's an old Review I made that I managed to dug up in the internet archives. This originally appeared on Philmusic's website way back in 2007. This was Rivermaya's intended initial foray into the International Market. Unfortunately, that dream was not realized when Rico Blanco decided to leave the band, leaving the remaining members of Rivermaya back to square one. Still trying to find my groove in writing Rivermaya updates. So pardon the delayed posts.
Rivermaya: You'll be Safe Here (Asian Edition)
I
finally got a copy of Rivermaya’s debut Asian release album courtesy of
Alex Balistoy (Salamat ng marami tol!) and I finally got to savor the
songs all over again. So I’m here to make a review of the band’s Asian
debut.
SPIRITS: Official Soundtrack Music Video
First and foremost, this is such a very delayed but long awaited Asian release.
After
more than a decade of us Pinoys savoring their music, it’s about time
that the band has finally come up with a very strong material for our
neighboring Asian countries to savor and enjoy. You’ll Be Safe Here, the
carrier single for this album, in my opinion, is and has been the
band’s biggest single to date. With its soaring melodies and its poetic
lyrics, it has totally captured the band’s very essence of 12 long years
of making excellent music for our listening pleasure. The moment I
first heard this song, I knew this would somehow make it big. What with
the backing of the country’s biggest multimedia network ABS-CBN, and
using it as the theme song of their seminal but genre bending fantaserye
Spirits, the song has made such a huge impact and reach that even far
flung provincial cities in the Philippines get to hear the song played
on the radio. The song was such a huge hit in the Philippines that it
even garnered numerous awards, which led to the band’s nomination in the
MTV Awards earlier this year. So it was just fitting that the band
chose this as their carrier single and their ticket to Asian or even
international success. The recent 2006 MTV Asia awards held in Thailand,
which was beamed over millions of household all over Asia (or maybe
even the world), was the band’s initial introduction to the world at
large. And they did our country proud by playing alongside the Thai
Royal Symphony Orchestra with so much excellence that I cannot help but be sentimental
about it. (If any of you reading this has a copy of that performance,
please, please, please, send me one. I’ve been dying to own a copy of
that performance.) They were garnering rave reviews from the entire
music community both Asian and Western, which really proved to the world
that Filipinos can compete in the global stage. I can’t stop raving
about the song, but it’s not the only song in the album.
Rivermaya at the 2006 MTV ASIA Awards
The
rest of the songs in the album are an amazing mix of stunning music and
sheer lyrical wizardry that defines the Rivermaya that we now know in
this new millennium. All of these English songs were taken from the
albums Free and Between the Stars and Waves. I always considered Free as
their most angst-ridden album ever released. The songs Faithless, and
Serious Offender to name a few totally rocked my ears a few years ago.
Giving them the Asian stage now will surely introduce to our Asian
neighbors the harder and edgier side of the band. The songs from the
album Between the Stars and Waves on the other hand, offer the
experimental side of the band. (I made a review of this album way back,
and I’m trying to upload it soon.) Songs from this album shows us the
lighter side of the band, songs that are reminiscent of brit bands
Coldplay and the likes. Songs like Sunday Driving, Bali Song (this
wasn’t spelled this way in the Philippine release, is the band perhaps
making a clever reference to Bali, Indonesia now that that they have
made it into the Asian market instead of Balisong, which is a local
knife made in the Philippines.), and the haunting 241/My favorite
song.
My self made Rivermaya International Album
While the album is a very good compilation of their best
songs to date, I could not help but wish that the band should have
included songs from the album It’s not easy being green. They have such
excellent songs in there that could have easily made it into this album
if only it weren’t because of label differences. Songs like Shattered
like, and It’s getting late are my strong favorites. (Which now leads me
to remember years ago, when I thought Rivermaya was about to break up, I
was able to compile my own version of Rivermaya: International Hits
album, a What could have been release for the International Market that
was composed of all their English songs from their debut album up until
Free. I have a hard copy of that compilation which I was able to
artistically package and even have it signed by all of the Band’s old
and current line-up. See below, It’s a treasure!)
I missed out Perf de Castro here, he has been an enigma since he left Rivermaya
But nevertheless,
Rivermaya has never failed to capture our attention here in the
Philippines with their wide assortment of album releases (Little Trivia:
They have already released 13 albums here in the Philippines, 6 of them
which was written and composed by this current line-up.). The band’s
Asian debut will surely open the ears of our neighboring Asian
countries, and with that task soon to be accomplish, Rivermaya will
surely be able to expand their fan base and share their music with no
set of boundaries to limit them.
Overall, You’ll Be Safe Here
(Asian Edition) is a fitting Asian/International debut album for a band
that has been lording over the Country’s music Scene. But I could not
help but comment though that the Release could have been more perfect if
it included a video of their 2006 MTV Music Awards performance. And a
brief linear notes in the CD sleeves about the band’s history to
introduce them to the Asian market could have also helped, Now that
could have really made this album perfect. But then again, maybe it’s
just my wanting to own a copy of that video and my frustration as a
writer/chronicler of Rivermaya’s continuing music odyssey has led me to
say that. So please, if any of you has a copy of that video, please send
me a file of it. And if somebody out there needs someone to write
something about Rivermaya, please hire me to write for Rivermaya!
P.S. Here's their MTV Asia Performance via Youtube! Enjoy!
