Since I have a little time off from my busy schedule, I thought I would write up a music review on Charice’s new song featuring Iyaz - Pyramid. I posted a video of the song before, but this review is on the *final* product of the song.
To be honest, I was really apprehensive of what Charice was going to release for her new album after “Note to God,” but when I heard that she was going for a more mainstream vibe, I was really anticipating how the song was going to sound like.
Charice is a diva in every sense of the word. She usually sings ballads and belts out high notes and has been compared to the likes of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston. The power ballad would have worked on radio in the 1990s, but in 2010, techno-pop, R&B, and catchy Rap songs are what’s in. My question was, how was Charice going to fit in today’s scene? For the past couple of years, she has been touted as a power-ballad teen singing covers of Celine, Whitney, and the like. Will she be able to sing more “young” songs to appeal to fellow teens and young people or will she be subject to singing a bunch of ballads and Josh Groban-ish songs (no disrespect to Josh, I think he is a talented guy, but he’s not exactly Top 40)? I was hoping for the former, and thank goodness I got my wish.
“Note to God” was a powerful song, suiting Charice’s power-note stylings, but “Pyramid” is more fun and youthful, just like Charice. Though Charice shows off some high notes and other vocal stylings, “Pyramid” not as “intimidating” as a power ballad. It has a nice midtempo R&B/Pop beat, fitting in with the hits of today. It also helps that Iyaz of “Replay” fame is also featured in the song with her. One would think that the combination would be a bit awkward (Charice is a power singer and Iyaz is more Reggae and laid-back), but I thought they complemented each other.
Being the average listener, I can say that I enjoy “Pyramid.” If I didn’t know who Charice was prior to hearing “Pyramid,” I would still say that I like the song at first listen. It’s pretty catchy and stays in my head, but I’m afraid if I play it too much, I’m going to get tired of it. I’ve heard it on AMP radio here in LA (also where Charice heard the song on the radio for the first time, according to her interview with AMP DJ Booker), and if the song will continue to take off, AMP and other radio stations just might play the crap out of it. If a song is playing that often, then you know it’s a bonafide hit. ;)
I’m looking forward to Charice’s album, which will hit stores in early May, most likely to coincide with her 18th birthday. Hopefully there will be more upbeat songs, but I also like variety so a few slow songs will be nice to have in there as well. Anyway, the point is if you like “Pyramid,” buy the single on iTunes and Amazon and support Charice and Iyaz. Oh yeah, and request it on your local radio stations. :)
