Maya's New Album: Rico Blanco on Steroids

Before i get burned, might as well put the disclaimer on the first line. Excuse above all, explain later: i am not a music expert; nor i admit i know my music as much as the next real musician. What i am though is a music fan; what i once was was a big-big-big Rivermaya fan since the yellow self-titled album in 1994. Quick rationale on that last line: Out of 48 students in our second year high school class roughly five were Rivermaya fans; the rest were Eraserheads fanboys--- you have to be there to understand how a 14-year-old defended his favorite band, which he thought was the best in the Philippines (Try telling that to 'heads supporters...) In short, i don't believe i know my music like the any expert or average music fan. What i know is i know what it's like to be a 'maya fan over the years. Over the seemingly constant band roster changes... Over the evolution of the 'maya music which i dearly love. And all that said, here's a review of Rivermaya's latest album.

Rivermaya's Buhay (2008)

Rico Blanco on steroids. Squeeze the juice up because that's what first came to mind. In rather normal terms the effort is too much of an attempt to retain the Rivermaya identity rather than create one of its own. A poorman's version of any Rivermaya album of the past, especially the Blanco-fronted years.

Just a little revisionist history; when Bamboo left Rivermaya in 1998, i pretty much gave up and gave in to the idea that my favorite band would never be the same again. That what was left behind was just a collection of musicians, which will be good but not as great in the long term as i hoped they would. (Actually, going a little further back, i never had these worries when Perf left 3-4 years earlier) i was correct on the first thought that they would never be the same again... But was wrong on the next; the 1998-2001 Rivermaya actually matched if not was even better (Don't get us started on this one for this will turn out to be another Rico vs. Bamboo debate) considering the changes that was happening to the band.

Why and how could the triumvirate of Rico, Nathan and Mark match/outdo the foursome which includes the vocal power of a Bamboo? Simple. When Bamboo left, Rico did not miss a beat and just started doing what he do best; Create music with reckless abandon, fuck-the-critics-and-forget-about-the-fans because i am here to experiment and just make MY music.

This raw passion was clearly seen on the freedom of a Nathan and a Mark; both guys clearly HAD their freedom to input their genre of music (Nathan's funk and Mark's jazz) This raw passion and very honest take on their music resulted in Rivermaya's best albums to date post-Bamboo era: It's Not Easy Being Green featuring Nerbyoso as it's carrier single (Worst song of the album by the way) and the classic Free album.

Why and how could the triumvirate of Rico, Nathan and Mark match/outdo the foursome which includes the vocal power of a Bamboo? Simple. Rico, Nathan and Mark did not try to duplicate their previous attempts rather they tried to create a sound that could be unique between the three of them and which they can call their own. Not to say they created their own genre but rather that they redefined a Rivermaya sound--- ultimately as fans, we can adapt to roster changes especially when we see what changed.

This is where my criticism of Rivermaya's new album comes in. The five new guys (Yes, including Mark unfortunately) did not attempt to make new music rather rehash what they knew as Rivermaya. Sure sure, maybe they want to respect the Rivermaya tradition and all, but where does that put you as a musician? What does that tell you about being an artist?

And if we want to get too technical here, the real Rivermaya tradition is being able to welcome change and risk it all to create a new sound--- a new identity. What is missing is the reckless abandon attitude that made Rivermaya... Well, Rivermaya.

Buhay came way, way too lifeless for that basic requirement. It's simply Rico Blanco on steroids, you might get a few good performances here or there but in the long run the real product will show itself.

Maybe i just have to listen to it another 30-40 times like i already have? Will it change a thing? What happens to MY band now; is it still MY band? Well, like a good old Rivermaya fan, i'll probably just hang around and see what happens with this Rivermaya. Who knows, i might even watch a live performance and maybe that could change a thing... or could make the criticism even worse.)

After all, we 'maya fans know the word, "change."

Until then i delay my personal wish for the band to drop the name, Rivermaya because where's justice in using the name if you are just squeezing up the juice?