Philippine male singer
Arnel Pineda's 1999 release
Arnel Pineda is dominated by slow, easy listening love songs. Eight of the album's ten songs are slow, while "Freebird" is a bit faster and the closing "Problema" (Problem) is upbeat and Latin styled.
One immediately notices that
Arnel Pineda has an excellent voice, full of depth and passion. He effortlessly reaches all notes on the scale, which many Philippine singers have trouble doing. He has charisma and is technically skilled as well. He sings in various registers on the album and has no trouble singing in a high range, as heard on "Freebird," "You're the One," and "For My Own Good." The songwriting on the album is above average, although with so many slow love songs, there is a tendency for some songs to sound alike. Surely, more upbeat tunes are needed.
"Mi Vida, Mi Amor (Aking Buhay, Aking Mahal)" (My Life, My Love) is a pretty love song. The song also contains a searing lead guitar solo. Still, the song's most distinctive quality is
Pineda's soaring voice.
The album caters to the many Filipinos who enjoy slow love songs. Still, one feels that
Arnel Pineda can handle more adventurous material than this, particularly since he does such a fine job on the upbeat "Problema." ~ David Gonzales