CHRISYE / SENYAWA (Musica Studios)
Genre: Pop

Chrisye is one of the biggest Indonesian music icons of all time. With a musical career spanning more than 30 years and 21 critically acclaimed albums behind him, quality is said to be everything to this man. His music can be best described as a fusion between pop and traditional sounds. But this year, Chrisye’s newest album, “Senyawa” (One Soul) is being called mediocre; he invited young and trendy musicians to collaborate on the album, but there’s a question mark about the result. Why is it that Chrisye’s character seems to be subsumed by the other bands? Have a listen to the first hit single “Jika Surga dan Neraka Tak pernah Ada” (If Heaven and Hell Never Were), his collaboration with Dhani Ahmad. It really sounds as if Chrisye is singing a duet in a ‘Portishead sound-alike’ song; which really doesn’t fit with his character at all. Also in the song “Bur-kat”, it seems like Chrisye is Project Pop’s backing vocalist instead of the other way around; he even tries to rap with them. With all due respect, it just doesn’t work. The only song that sounds like the man himself is his collaboration with Tohpati called “Panah Asmara” (Love Arrow). Good songs from Rick FM & Lusman, Peterpan, Erros and Naif. Overall, the album indeed offers something new and fresh, but it’s the other stars that shine, not him.

ADA BAND / HEAVEN OF LOVE (EMI Music Indonesia)
Genre: Pop

Ada band - (literally “There’s A Band”) is making it clear that the band is still alive and kicking despite the fact that Baim — Ada’s ex-vocalist — left 2 years ago. Looks like the remaining three haven’t given up just yet. They’ve managed to get Dr. PM’s ex-guitarist Marshal S. Rachman to join Ada. The band then went all the way to East Java to audition potential vocalists and found Donnie Sibarani. This year Ada is back with one of their most anticipated albums called Heaven of Love. This third album is filled with 12 easy listening rock ballad tracks featuring deeply emotional lyrics ala Ada Band, guaranteed to fly you up to the “heaven of love”. Check out their first radio single “Manusia Bodoh” (People are Dumb), a simple catchy semi-ballad filled with Donnie’s soft, deep voice. The rest of the album is actually a bit flat but for those of you who miss Ada’s charismatic songs, then this album is for you.