Krizza Neri's Listening Session

Krizza Neri

I have to say right off the bat that I am not really keen on watching reality singing/talent competitions on television. While I occasionally check out the actual competition every now and then, I don’t normally follow and root for certain contestants throughout the show. But when the show is over and the winner (and in some cases, other finalists) comes up with a record, that’s when I normally take notice. So while I may have heard a bit of Krizza Neri’s stint and eventual victory over at Protégé: The Battle For The Big Break, it’s only very recently when she released her album entitled Krizza that I really had the time to listen to her.

Most talent competition winners carry in them the burden of coming up with a debut record that will not only satisfy the fan base that they’ve established during the competition but also the regular music listener/consumer who don’t really follow the said talent competitions. Thankfully for Krizza, her mentor during the competition, THE Aiza Seguerra took her under her wing and produced her album under her own label Black Bird Music. Aiza brought with her an arsenal of noted composers like Ryan Cayabyab, Ogie Alcasid Nyoy Volante among others, arranger Ria Osorio, and musicians like the strings section of ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra (still credited as FILharmoniKA in the album) enabling Krizza to stand out with her own, distinct sound that stands apart from anyone else in the market.

The songs included in the album along with the arrangements were done neither to please the listeners nor to meet their preconceived notions regarding female vocalists especially the belters. Instead, the whole album was crafted show who Krizza really is as an artist. Her vocals stand out as she opted for a more textured and restrained delivery, seamlessly shifting from one register to another like in the Lani Matta-Macaraeg penned Dahil Sa Iyo. One of the standout tracks for me is Don’t Be Too Nice by Jude Thaddeus Gitamandoc with the relaxing and organic sound featuring live instruments that included a string quartet. Ria Osorio did all the arrangements except for the carrier single Ba’t Di Ko Ba Nasabi, the bonus track which is also the theme from the television series, The Good Daughter. This song stood out as its sound didn’t fit the overall mood and feel that Osorio has done throughout the album. I guess that this has been released previously even before the production of the album began. Hence, it was included as a bonus track.

My only minor issue with the album is that it needed more cheerfulness and happiness. The album's lyric sheet had photos of her smiling very happily and I wish I could’ve heard a track or two that reflected that level of happiness. Recently, she also had a listening session/party at GMA 7 where I personally saw that fun, spirited and often feisty personality which I wish had the chance to be heard in the album. I hope that she gets to showcase this more upbeat side of her with her sophomore album.

Krizza Neri regularly performs at GMA’s Sunday noontime show Party Pilipinas. She will also be a guest at Aiza Seguerra’s upcoming concert this September 28, 2012. Special thanks to MediaNationInc., Sumo Sam, Black Bird Music and GMA 7 who presented Krizza’s listening session/party.

Krizza

Tracks:
1. Look My Way

2. No More You and Me

3. Dahil Sa Iyo

4. French Fries and Coke

5. Don’t Be Too Much

6. Kung Malalaman Mo

7. Narda

8. If I Could/Wind Beneath My Wings

9. Could Have Been

10. Bakit Ka Lumayo

Bonus:

11. Ba’t Di Ko Nasabi