Album reviews
Charice
`Charice'
(Warner Music Korea)
With her first international release, her jaw-dropping, powerful voice and new image, the 18-year-old Filipina Charice ― mentored by the legendary David Foster ― is certainly ``a force to be reckoned with,'' to borrow Oprah's words.
The eponymous release is the artist's initial venture into the R&B genre, and she nails the hip-moving beats on tracks like the single ``Pyramid,'' featuring Iyaz, as well as in the dramatic ``In This Song.'' Though some tracks seem to almost gloss over her incredible skill, Charice lets her voice shine through in the heart wrenchingly epic ``Note to God.''
― Ines Min
Lady Antebellum
`Need You Now'
Grammy-winning country trio Lady Antebellum is back with their second album ``Need You Now.'' The catchy title track ``Need You Now,'' a song about pining after an ex-lover, has already topped the U.S. charts.
Listening to the rest of the album, it's easy to forget Lady Antebellum's country roots. Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood have perfectly blended country and pop-rock elements. The album's highlights include up-tempo, radio-friendly tunes like ``Our Kind of Love'' ``American Honey'' and ``Perfect Day,'' as well as ballads such as ``When You Got a Good Thing'' and ``Hello World.'' Also included as a bonus track is ``I Run to You,'' which won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals this year.
― Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Deftones
`Diamond Eyes'
Though Deftones had a setback with the major car accident of bassist Chi Cheng, the metal group has managed to recoup with close friend Sergio Vega, releasing an entirely new album after putting the original on hold.
The group's sixth album ― which reached number 6 on the U.S. Billboard 200 ― leads with the emotionally charged title track, setting the pace for this release that is less angry than their previous work. The band smoothly morphs to take on challenging new styles with the single "Sextape" in particular standing out with its softened sound and serenading lyrics. "Risk" follows with similarly slowed pacing. The album interludes with heavy chords yet Deftones manages to avoid metal catchall labels to evolve into a new rock sound.