CD Review: Krissy & Ericka – Twelve: Fifty One

It’s the era of YouTube sensations, where young, doe-eyed wannabe singers and bands work within the confines of their homemade studios to upload quality cover videos and hope to gain more exposure with their voices and personalities. While majority of the videos turn out to be just smoke and mirrors, from time to time we get some highly potential quality treats from the likes of Filipino sisters Krissy and Ericka Villongco.

Having released their self-titled debut album back in 2009, they are not exactly new to the music scene, but were little known till recent years. Back with their sophomore release, Twelve: Fifty One, the two petite singers have compiled together ten tracks, of which four are original pieces, one written by international artiste Marie Digby.

Chockfull of covers, but with their unique blend of harmonies and rearrangements, expect to be surprised by the softer, more saccharine version of Adele’s hit single Rolling in the Deep. For me, I did not realize it was what it was until they started singing the lyrics, because the introduction was completely redone, beautifully of course!

Production of the songs are very slick and clean sounding, and their honeyed voices take centrestage, with the rhythmics and melodies as accompaniment. Guitars are usually acoustic, with a sharp and crisp sound, and their cover of Katy Perry’s Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F) is an example of their knack at being able to subtly include a cultural rhythmic influence.

Titular track 12:51 is a pining ballad about a missed opportunity at love. With their range kept to the higher octaves, I felt it was a very fitting rendition, emotionally as well. However, with quite a limited range, their voices tend to be airy and lacking in depth and a full body. It also can get a little too cloying after extended listening. It was interesting to see that their choices of covers were mostly of higher pitched songs (Rocketeer by Far East Movement & Perry’s Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)), save for Love the Way You Lie by Rihanna, but reverb was heavily used on that song to create the effect of a full voice.

Nonetheless, for a sophomore effort, I felt more original songs could have been added. They do have great songwriting potential, and with YouTube seniors like A.J Rafael and Marie Digby pitching in their vocals, Twelve: Fifty One can be quite an enjoyable play for a short trip out on the road.

Track Cuts: Rolling in the Deep, 12:51, Back to December, Anything