Critic's Review
Peter Fawthrop, All Music Guide
It is either a sign of undying love for their national treasure or a commentary on how soft-boiled Filipinos prefer their music that Lea Salonga's In Love reached double platinum in her home country. Chances are, the sign is double-sided. Every song is penned by Filipino songwriters Odette Quesada and Cecile Azarcon. Soft, smooth, jazzy, and unfortunately dreary, the music would not stand a chance in America. Most of the songs could be used as elevator music, although the powerful voice that accompanies the music might be distracting. There seems to be a sort of bad fortune Salonga brings upon herself by choosing material that is weak in comparison with her abilities. A song like "Even If" would be the lesser track on a Celine Dion album. Here, it sort of floats above the rest like an undeserved medal. Drastically sentimental and lulling, In Love is another set of songs graced by a voice that works as best it can with the material. The easiest advice would be to contact a great producer who could set her in a completely new direction, but it seems that she already took that advice. In 1993, Glen Ballard produced her American debut album, which was somewhat brighter and more memorable, though not even one of his better efforts. Is there anyone who can save this remarkable voice from the depths of dull music and make her the pop star she was destined (and seems to achieve) to be? Good Broadway music is not dull, but this music -- not the voice -- is. Still, it seems particularly cruel that most of Salonga's albums do not make it past the Philippines border -- wouldn't they find a strong Broadway lovers' fan base?
