America may just have "The Next Big Thing" on its hands now that Philippines-born singer CHARICE is about to release her debut album. Her voice is no match for those who are currently in the same category of music as she is. Powerful and resplendent, CHARICE's performances overseas has proven to gain her heavy recognition, taking on difficult songs from Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston with such ease to set forth the notion that she is a force to be reckoned with. The seventeen-year-old singer has appeared in several talent shows in the Philippines and South Korea...and she has even appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show AND the Oprah Winfrey show after becoming an overnight Internet sensation. But is it enough to have all these great accolades if the album is simply mediocre?
CHARICE's current single Pyramids featuring Iyaz hit #2 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs chart, but what gets to me is the production that was given to this amazing performer on the non-remix version of her songs. David Foster is responsible for her debut and it shows very clearly. For someone her age, it doesn't seem befitting to automatically pigeonhole CHARICE into an adult contemporary/easy listening genre. The album reminds me of Christina Aguilera's debut...or earlier releases from Celine Dion herself, which ironically enough, IS CHARICE's main inspiration. I just truly believe the production is lackluster and sounds completely dated...as if the tracks were leftovers from an album belonging to a one-hit bubblegum Pop wonder. It's a shame...even though the debut has writing credits from David Foster, Claude Kelly, Diane Warren, Ryan Tedder, and CHARICE herself, it's not enough to get any attention from me. Her voice is what saves her from gaining an even lower rating on this review because of an otherwise depressingly refurbished production value that should've been given to someone with lesser talent.
This is simply a perfect case of an artist done wrong by the head honcho in her label. Foster's vision doesn't necessarily work for this young girl whatsoever. Not saying that she has to go enlist some ridiculous amount of Hip-Hop producers or what not...but maybe the thought of making CHARICE's music sound more uplifting rather than boring should be pushed to the forefront if she is expected to make a major impact here in the United States.
Sounds that Somewhat Caught my Interest from CHARICE:
• In This Song
• Nobody's Singing to Me
• All That I Need to Survive
• Did It For You
• Note For God
From CHARICE's debut album, here's the song "The Truth Is..."
From the same album, here's "In Love So Deep..."
BONUS TRACKS
(iTunes Store)
• Breathe You Out
• Are We Over
CHARICE featuring IYAZ
"Pyramids (Video Version)"
From CHARICE's debut album
Directed by N/A
(4.06)
The BABYBOICAMPBELLS REVIEW will return later this week with an analysis on how well TONI BRAXTON, TRINA, BONE THUGS-n-HARMONY, THE TEMPTATIONS, and JOWELL y RANDY did on the charts! We will also be unveiling the latest MUSIC VENT segment...and next week's MUSIC REVIEW will feature information on upcoming albums from NAS/DAMIEN MARLEY and JANELLE MONAE!
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III
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