Bamboo Ma�alac, the original vocalist of the band Rivermaya, was one of the most loved personas in the 90�s local music scene. Now, he is back.

After years of hibernation and keeping a low profile in the States, it wouldn�t be necessary at all to just say he is back. It�s been so long. As time flies, people change. The same rule applies to this man.

He resurrects himself with a vengeance and his arsenal is a new band and an album offering Pinoy rock with different licks of various genres.

Simply called �Bamboo�, the band has a powerful line-up to start with. One member is also an original member of Rivermaya, respected bassist Nathan Azarcon who is also with Kapatid (Karl Roy�s �resurrection� band). Another is Ira Cruz who is also with Kapatid and was formerly with Passage. Rounding up the band is new drummer Vic Mercado.

The album starts with the cool-sounding �Take Me Down�. With a title and a theme reminiscent of Rivermaya�s �Bring Me Down�, you could probably say this is an extension of the latter.

What follows is the upbeat and radio-friendly �As the Music Plays the Band�, boasting a good near-pop chorus and, like what is stated in the lyrics, a �catchy melody�. The song is breezy, making up for the lack of quality in its lyricism. Bamboo sings �Let the music take your soul� Let the music take control�. The message is good but it is rather pass�.

In the third track, however, the aggression begins with the seemingly dark feel of the song. �Mr. Clay� offers poetic words and high-level energy especially in the rap part. Yes, Bamboo raps! It�s the �Rage Against The Machine� approach, though. But he sure is good at it.

The succeeding tracks take the alternative route with slow tempos which will remind you of the days when Bamboo was still Rivermaya�s lead singer. The band whips out alternative ballads that don�t really offer something new yet will impress the listener with its simplicity.

By the time �These Days� pulsates with its reggae-like beat, you know you�re in for a good time. With its groovy bass and guitar riffs, Bamboo gives hope to the forlorn and strength to the weak, singing �Today I am free. Free to fly. Free to be what they tell me I cannot be�.

Moving forward to the last track, to you will be introduced the new anthem of the Filipino. �Noypi� starts with ethnic-like drums and resonating guitars to provide the buildup for the chorus. Then Bamboo unleashes the Filipino pride with words like bullets aiming straight for your heart - �Dinig mo ba ang bulong ng lahi mo? Isigaw mo, kapatid, ang himig natin� Hoy! Pinoy ako! Buo ang loob ko. May agimat ang dugo ko.� Either hidden or forgotten, Filipino patriotism is at its peak in this energetic composition. What a way to end an album. Whew!

Bamboo remains as one of the many underrated bands in the country. Although loved by the Filipino youth, the band is still not getting the attention that they really deserve. But then again, maybe it�s because their sound is not that welded yet.

Still, considering the fact that Bamboo is a new band, they are streaks of sunlight in the music industry - taken for granted but very significant.

Bamboo really is back and he hasn�t lost that groove yet.