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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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)
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