Hi there, wherever you are. I am frustrated now as I write this post. Why? Because I will write my review of one of the best album of all time and critically the BEST Indonesian album ever yet I have no clue where I can get this gem. Yup, I'm talking about "Badai Pasti Berlalu" or "The Storm Will Surely Pass" album.
It's actually a movie soundtrack album, named after the 1977 popular movie with the same title. Eros Djarot produced and composed the album with Chrisye and Berlian Hutauruk served as vocalists. It is said that at first, they feared that only die-hard fans of the movie would mind to buy the album. It turned out, however, to be a very successful album and praised as being "monumental". It is indeed monumental. Rolling Stones magazine claimed it to be the best Indonesian music album in history. Carefully crafted, this album gives so much 70's cool jive-pop vibe with some classical music touches. Chrisye's unique vocal soothe everyone that listen to this while Berlian Hutauruk's sopran voice surprisingly nailed the emotions so well and at point. Their vocal collaboration is just a miracle.
Now let's join me on the song-review ride below:
No. Title Writer(s)/Singer/Length
1. "Pelangi" ("Rainbow") Eros Djarot & Jockie Soerjoprajogo, Chrisye 2:30
1. "Pelangi" ("Rainbow") Eros Djarot & Jockie Soerjoprajogo, Chrisye 2:30
Beautiful lyrics about happily being in love, Chrisye sang those emotion perfectly. It's not overrated at all. It's a beautiful happy song with a little orchestra touch in the background. An instant favorite.
2. "Merpati Putih" ("White Dove") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Chrisye 2:57
This haunting song will make your heart sink at least a bit. Opened by the classic piano playing, Chrisye superbly showcased his long-taking vocal ability.
3. "Matahari" ("Sun") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Berlian Hutauruk 3:25
My favorite. Berlian Hutauruk's voice is just pure gold here. When she hit the (very) high notes at the middle of the song it's just so....ugh, miraculous! Glorious vocal moment! So many divas in this world could hit the high notes in songs yet not many can nail it while bringing a lot emotion like this one. I can repeat this song like..more than 5 times in a row.
4. "Serasa" ("Feels Like") Eros Djarot & Chrisye Chrisye 4:41
Not really my favorite. But this one really fits the movie, with its cool 70's metropolitan vibe. Well, it's a movie soundtrack anyway. What did I expect?
5. "Khayalku" ("My Imagination") Keenan Nasution & Debby Nasution Chrisye & Berlian Hutauruk 3:59
Nice collaboration between Chrisye and Berlian. Chrisye did a brilliant job here paving the way for Berlian's natural sopran voice.
6. "Angin Malam" ("The Night Wind") Keenan Nasution, Debby Nasution Chrisye 3:53
Another my favorite. Gosh, Chrisye's vocal here is just soooo breath-taking. This song is really indeed breath-taking and I'm not exaggerating at all. Quite minimum music background to showcase the deep emotion Chrisye brought up in the song. It's a beautiful love song about a deep longing. An instant classic.
7. "Merepih Alam" ("Fragile Nature") Eros Djarot & Chrisye Chrisye 4:33
7. "Merepih Alam" ("Fragile Nature") Eros Djarot & Chrisye Chrisye 4:33
Another favorite!!! Wow, fragile nature. This song is indeed about being fragile in this life. Anyway, we are all created weak. What can we do without love and being loved? If one can live without it, he/she is indeed not a human being. This song makes you ponder about many things. Another credit for Chrisye's vocal. "Bawa aku serta berlayar menuju pantai harapan bersamamu.../take me sailing to the shore of hope with you"
8. "Semusim" ("One Season") Keenan Nasution & Debby Nasution Chrisye & Berlian Hutauruk 3:20
Not really my favorite but still a good collaboration between those two great vocalists.
9. "Baju Pengantin" ("Wedding Dress") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Chrisye 3:16
This song sounds almost like some Indonesian national odes, haha. Anyway, this is a very good one also with minimum music background and Chrisye's soothing vocal.
10. "E & C & Y" ("E & C & Y") Eros Djarot, Chrisye, & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Instrumental 3:26 Another 70's metropolitan jive. It's like a background sound to wander around Jakarta in 1970's riding a vespa.
11. "Cintaku" ("My Love") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Chrisye 3:56
This greatly popular song is that kinda song to dance along with at the 1970's club, haha. Countless cover versions have been made ever since yet this original version is still unbeatable.
12. "Badai Pasti Berlalu" ("The Storm Will Surely Pass") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Berlian Hutauruk 3:34
This movie and album title is indeed a masterpiece itself. Berlian's singing is superb..."ku tenggelam sudah, ke dalam dekapan, semusim yang lalu, sebelum ku mencapai langkahku yang jauh". Never thought I could love some purely soprano song like this, but I really do.
13. "Merpati Putih" ("White Dove") Eros Djarot & Yockie Soerjoprajogo Instrumental 2:42
This sad yet beautiful closing instrumental is like telling us, the Indonesians, that sadly, we might not get the album as good as this one ever again. I hope not, though.
So far, this is the best audio of this album floating around. Check it out if you're open-minded enough to savor music without knowing the lyrics, at least at first. PS: I am more than willing to translate those beautiful words for anyone who wants it.
In 1999, this album was re-made and re-release with Chrisye in vocal but no Berlian's anymore. It's Erwin Gutawa who composed the re-make version. I'm not saying that Erwin is any less talented as a composer but still, nothing compares to 1977 original version. Some songs like "Pelangi" and "Cintaku" are also covered many many times but none as magical as the original ones. The frustrating part is that I don't even know if there's an Audio CD version of this monumental album. I browse the internet yet finding almost nothing. I may dig out Jalan Surabaya in near future though, but yeah, I've just spent A LOT of money buying records lately, but I'm just happy :)
