Before you read this review, please be aware that I am a self-proclaimed Siti semi-hardcore fan so a little bias is to be expected here and there :). However, truth be told this is her first album I have purchased (finally rich enough to afford one :D).
Anyway, I'll start the review with my overall impression of the album; A solid album with a few nice songs and a few bad ones. The lyrics are really PG-rated. Or even safer. Parents need not be afraid of those explicit words here.
Pronunciation-wise, I think it’s very acceptable. I get what she’s saying most of the times although there are awkward moments (especially with words which end with R) but not enough to bother me. Living in the UK, I have met many whose pronunciation is much worse.
Vocally, I think she is playing safe here. Sure, there are some high notes here and there but I honestly believe she’s capable of doing much more. There’s very few showings of her (luscious, warm and rich) low notes and I was seriously disappointed by this. Give me one song which showcase her lower range and I’ll give this album a 5-star! I mean, seriously. Find any (good and capable) singers out there and I am sure there will be able to hit some pretty nice high notes but there’s very few which can produce such warm low notes. Oh well, I hope her next project will take this into account. Her high notes are fine (albeit a little too thin for me) but still beautiful nonetheless. I love her falsetto. They have this floating-out-of-nowhere quality. Yeah.. Reminds me of the soprano Leontyne Price a little but I think that is too far-stretched. Let’s just say that they are nice .
Overall rating: if this is just another artist, 3-stars would have sufficed but since this is SITI I gave it 4-stars. 5-stars rating would requires the following thins:
Make full use of Siti’s range (not just the higher one), be more specific (the song selections is too all over the place for me. So much that listening to the whole album doesn’t feel like it’s from one album. Experimental is the word perhaps?) and less of those trying-to-be-catchy-with-repetitive-lyrics songs (Yes, the majority of the hits are of this kind but look at Adele. None of the Umbrella-ella-ella stuff but still a worldwide hit).
Individual song reviews:
All Your Love: Nice processing. Love all layering done especially at the chorus part. Not my kind of song nonetheless. She is too talented to be singing this. I bet singing this song is just like talking for her.
Nobody Else: Nothing special. How did this song make its way to the final selection, I have no idea. Siti’s way of saying “same” kind of sticks out but that’s just me.
Tonight: Upon hearing the intro, almost pressed skip but boy am I glad that I didn’t. Was afraid that it’s gonna be a confused-song. You know, songs that are too Malay-ish that the only thing that’s English is the lyrics. I have no idea how to explain this so just pretend you understand. Can almost hear her desperation here. By this time, I am craving for any emotions from her voice. It is THAT lacking. Normally her Malay albums would have tonnes(or tons ) of them by the 3rd track .
All Over Again : This song is nice enough that I can stand not to press the skip button. Nice melody and lyrics. I guess it’s one of those tried-and-true things for album fillers? Whatever it is, it worked for me.
I’ll Wait Forever: Make this the next single. Pleaseeeeeee.. Yes, it’s one of those songs with repetitive lyrics but then again (sadly) it is also one of the best songs on the album. Nice beat, compatible voices with just enough of Siti-essence here. Still not a valid song to showcase her talent though. By now I know that I kinda stopped hoping to hear a long beautiful vocal-run from her.
Falling In Love: Heard this a long time ago. So long that I forgot my initial impressions. Go youtube this and listen to it yourself. A valid single I guess. Intrigued me enough to make me wait for the whole album.
I Cry Out: A BALLAD! Thought I would never find one in this album after those streaks of upbeat songs. I am still confused on this song. Have no idea whether I like it or not. Had one of those I-think-I’ve-heard-this-before moments when I heard this song but I can’t quite figure out what song was my mind referring to.
Fight for Love: I want to not like this song…. but it’s just too happy that I can’t help but sing along. It sounds like a marching song to me. Nice vocals from Siti here. A valid candidate for a single.
Stand Up: Another ballad. The sounds of the wind is VERY good. Hearing this through my speakers (Harman Kardon Soundsticks) really justified the price of the speakers(not that its that expensive. Haha) LOW NOTES! Finally, a glimpse into her lower range and a little vocal-run. A very brief one though.
Remember You: Sean Kingston? Seriously? Was that really necessary? I don’t think Siti’s fan will care whether it’s featuring Sean or just anybody else. And it is highly unlikely that Sean’s fans will purchase the album just cause of this one song. All that aside, I actually like this song. I think this song have the most Siti-esque in it. Those “Remember you~~ Remember you~” at 2:53 to 3:10 is just so Siti. <3
Conclusion: Lots of passable songs but I know give more time Siti can improve and incorporate way more of her style into these songs making them way more special and memorable. I highly recommend Siti making acoustic covers and posting them on youtube. Or even release them as a new edition perhaps? Honestly, there is just not enough Siti-flavour in this album. I demand more!
“Peace no war. “- peace sign ala Siti
Posted on iTunes store <3
