On the record: Joy Tobing

Artist : Joy Tobing

Album : Terima Kasih (BMG Indonesia)

Somebody should really do the right thing and rescue the unwitting finalists of the star search shows.

Cash cows for some mighty greedy folks, they are herded together and stretched to the scheduling limit (concert tours, TV sitcoms, albums), without getting the chance to hone their individual talent.

Indonesian Idol champion Joy Tobing has just released her first solo album since winning the title, perhaps the executives' carpe diem but for all the wrong reasons.

The report that it was recorded in a mere 42 hours explains the poor quality of the album despite Joy's excellent vocals. The 10 tracks are new but soulless arrangements of old hits the show's finalists often perform on stage, from Chrisye's Seperti Yang Kau Minta (Like You Asked Me To) to Ari Lasso's Hampa (Hollow) to Titi DJ's Ekspresi (Expression) and, of course, the theme song, Karena Cinta (Because of Love).

Poor Joy; even American Idol's champions are given a set of new songs, however musically crappy they are.

Now, it's clear you have what it takes to be a singer, Joy, so run for your musical life! Oh, tied into an interminable contract, are you? Well, better get back to work then. -- Hera Diani