With track titles like “Stand Up For Rock-n-Roll”, “Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast” and “Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women”, expect nothing but good old gritty and sleazy party rock-n-roll
from this young band that hail from Australia. Airbourne, composed of Joel O’ Keefe (guitars,
lead vocals), David Roads (guitars), Justin Street (bass), and Ryan O’ Keefe (drums), heavily drew influence from the legendary (and fellow Aussie) AC/DC. Runnin’ Wild is a no-filler, all-killer album, unarguably the best that I’ve heard in quite a while. From the opening song
to the album ender, this is one wild run of catchy-as-hell fist-pumping rock anthems. Comprised of blitzkrieg guitar riffs and killer solos, thick, thumb-thumping bass lines, rapid fire drum rolls and screechy vocal snarls, the songs in this album are best described in two words—bloody awesome!
Had it been Rico Blanco still doing the vocal chores, Buhay would have been a perfect sequel to Between The Stars and Waves. A sharp turn around from the 90s Pinoy Rock sound of the Bagong Liwanag EP, Britpop and new wave-ish beats abound in Buhay, most noticeably in the English tracks. The vintage Rivermaya trademark however is still all over the 9th track “Sugal Ng Kapalaran”, a foot-stomping anthemic single that would not be out place in the company of old hits like “Liwanag Sa Dilim” and “Posible”. New front man Jayson Fernandez fairly did well considering that Blanco’s shoe would always be a big one to fill. In Buhay, the band is obviously trying to step into a new light and a new direction without alienating its old vibe. In the last track “Sleep”, however, listeners would finally be convinced that Rivermaya is Rico Blanco’s band no more.
Heaven’s skies now divide
To welcome you home
Where angels are singing
And flowers in bloom.
Fly away my friend
Back to His waiting arms
No more worries, no more pain
All fears will be gone.
Soon your light will fill the empty sky
Let it shine brightest among the stars
And in the night when the wind blows cold
We still have your memories to hold.
Tears that fall won’t wash away
All those years that will always stay
In our hearts and in our minds
You will never ever be far behind.
Rest in peace my friend…
