Rivermaya: Greatest Hits

Album Review

In 2001, Musiko Records, a label of BMG Records Philippines, released RiverMaya Greatest Hits, a collection of songs recorded on four albums between 1994 and 1999 by Philippine rock band RiverMaya. RiverMaya is now signed to local independent Viva Records. During their tenure at Musiko Records, they were one of the Philippines' most popular and best-selling rock bands. Exciting in concert, RiverMaya also made expert use of the studio, as witnessed by the engaging sound effects and salient use of a string section on 1997's Atomic Bomb. While RiverMaya's albums yielded radio hits, all the songs on the album contributed to an exciting, cohesive affect. In fact, the songs on RiverMaya Greatest Hits have more impact when heard on the original albums, where the song order was a major consideration, and the songs fit into a cohesive package. This is something akin to the Beatles, where Beatles songs often sound "better" and more at home on the original albums than on greatest hits collections. Nonetheless, RiverMaya Greatest Hits collects many of the band's finest and most popular songs and presents an excellent overview of the band's music. There is nothing here from RiverMaya's last Musiko Records album, recorded in 1999 without their longtime lead singer, who permanently left the band. A hallmark of the band's Musiko Records recordings was their judicious use of melody, and RiverMaya songs often featured catchy hooks and melodies. Credit for this goes to keyboardist/guitarist Rico Blanco, the band's brilliant songwriter. The opening, "Hinahanap-hanap Kita" (Always Looking for You), for example, immediately makes an impression and contains an uplifting, catchy melody, as does the impressive "Elesi." The tender "If" is a wonderful song, and the string section heard on "Luha" is simply beautiful, the arrangement intelligent and sensuous. One of the band's biggest hits is "Kisapmata," a spirited song that once again features a memorable melody. RiverMaya Greatest Hits presents a strong legacy from a fine band who is still making music.