Retro Album Review: Rivermaya Isang Ugat, Isang Dugo

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 them  are not heard of for such a long time already. They in a way represented  the underground music scene of the 80’s. An era where bands struggled to have their music recorded and released. The underground scene where excellent bands came into existence but eventually died down as a result of the young artistic spirits moving on to seek greener pastures in the corporate world because their music never put food on their tables. I personally never heard any of these songs before. I don’t know of any of you have heard them before (siguro yung mga nakakatanda, you’ve heard them na, but don’t admit it lest you want people to know you are old hehehe). But this is the reason why I am now appreciating the album very much. These are songs that are in a way new to me because they were never really big mainstream successes. They were raw 80’s underground music. Listening to them is just like listening to a new song that Rivermaya has penned. Each and every song was a mystery waiting to be unlocked. And just like the previous musical liberty that I have experienced with Between the stars album, I am now looking forward to knowing and hearing more about the bands that Rivermaya has chosen to cover. Hoping that this effort by Rivermaya would in a way reawaken the original bands in this album's young artistic spirits and just for the fun of it and for the love of music, Reunite and record 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 speaks out against the OPM Music Bill

Bamboo Manalac

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. 

Read the rest of the story here: 

http://bamboomusiclive.com/bamboo-says-opm-bill-needs-further-review/

Hijo is back!

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:

Rico Blanco TV

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:


 http://ricoblanco.tv/


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

Retro Album Review: Rivermaya Bagong Liwanag

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)

Retro Album Review: Rivermaya You'll be Safe Here (Asian Edition)

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!