Gigi goes platinum with religious rock album
Gigi goes platinum with religious rock album
Artist: Gigi Album: Raihlah Kemenangan Label: Sony-BMG Featured Single: Perdamaian Rating: *** out of *****
Tari Danawidjaja, Contributor/Jakarta
Come this year's Ramadhan, Gigi has done a very impressive job by releasing a re-packaged version of Raihlah Kemenangan, following the success of the same album during last year's Ramadhan.
In under a month, Raihlah Kemenangan has sold up to 170,000 copies. Gigi has pulled the album off really well, since no other rock band has released religious music.
Raihlah Kemenangan is filled with cover songs originally composed by long-time greats -- such as Chrisye and Dwiki Dharmawan -- and includes other old hits previously sung by Bimbo, the famous religious band.
The album is a mix of rock arrangements with added religious messages as a seasonal reminder, and with only two new tracks -- Perdamaian and I'tiraf -- some might say that the album does not offer anything new.
The rock is solid, maintaining its presence from one track to the next. And since the arrangement is pretty similar to other Gigi albums, the songs easily lodge into your soul -- especially those of fans.
Despite the tried-and-tested Gigi arrangement, the band -- Armand (vocals), Budjana (guitar), Thomas (bass) and Gusti Hendy (drummer) -- attempted to incorporate a catchy guitar riff and musical arrangement in the two new tracks. Thanks to Armand's voice, the songs are laced with a novel sound -- and brings out the soul of Gigi.
Although the band is full-on rock, they have been trying to bring a sense of peace to fans, especially during their Ramadhan concerts.
"We perform by sitting on stage, because we don't want to trigger the audience. We want to bring peace, and hopefully it lasts (even) after Ramadhan," said Thomas after one such concert in Jakarta.
He added that Raihlah Kemenangan was intended to bring peace to the country also.
"We hope that the situation gets better, as with the people."
The album's sales has won the band a platinum award.
"I was surprised too," said Thomas. "I guess it's our luck during Ramadhan."
During the Islamic holy month of fasting, the band has traveled throughout Java and entertained audiences in small cities, with concerts performed before the breaking of the fast.
Considering their decade-long career in the industry, it's no wonder that the band has decided to release a new album, a DVD and an autobiography at the end of the year.
If you think religious rock isn't to your taste, then this album is not for you.
But if you love rock and are curious about how religious messages might appeal in rock music, Raihlah Kemenangan might be the most upbeat religious rock you'll could find.
Who knows? The message of peace within just might calm your heart and soul.