by Jason Birchmeier

Maná got their illustrious career off to a good start with Falta Amor. It's the Mexican pop/rock band's least noteworthy album by far -- musically, at least -- but it still has its moments and, most importantly, it established them as a promising act during the early '90s, with an exceptionally straightforward pop/rock sound for a Mexican band. In particular, "Rayando el Sol" is a highlight and established a template for the sort of emotional pop/rock hits that the band would rack up in the years to come. Unless you're a completist, you probably won't need to bother with Falta Amor. Its high points are well represented on the plethora of Maná compilations out there, the best of which are the Esencials volumes released in 2003.