Customer Reviews

Based On A True Story

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's no secret that Kim has a great big, beautiful, powerful voice! I loved her first CD and could not wait for her to release another one. When she released her first single "Change" I counted the days until 'Based On A True Story' would be released.

"Change" is such a great song. A very poweful, melody driven ballad. It has been mixed for the clubs as well and released as an EP, too. (Check those out). I cannot get enough of this song. It gives me goosebumps.
I then heard the R&B flavored "Supawoman" which was available for download and fell in love with that. A complete oppisite song from "Change". Makes you bob your head. Has such a catchy vibe and lyrics to it. Great song.
Needless to say the day this CD came out I was at the store purchasing it. I wanted to listen to it several time before I gave it a fair review.
The CD relies heavily on pop/rock songs such as: "Any Which Way", "Trust Myself", "Friend Like You" and "I Don't Wanna Know" - which when listening to frequently, one seems to sound similar to the other. But, her voice shines over the music.
The good R&B songs: "Supawoman", "Doin' It Tonite" (Very upbeat and fun), "Talk About Us", "You Don't Have To Be Strong " and "Everyday Angles". These (in my opinion seem to be the strongest songs on the CD.
The few left over are a few strong ballads.

I don't understand why Kimberley is such an underrated artist. She wrote 9 out of the 12 songs on this set, she has an amazing voice and after seeing her in interviews she appears to be so grounded and down to earth.
Well worth the purchase!!

~~~~~JAC 07'

Former American Idol finalist and current contestant on VH1's Fit Club, Kimberley Locke is finally getting, both musically and physically, comfortable in her own skin. Comfortable enough to even start writing her own material. Still, who would have guessed that it's the heart of a rocker chick that beats in her chest?

Though not brilliant, the CD "Based On A True Story" has a collection of songs that upstages the new Avril Lavigne CD and gives a hint of what we'd like to hear from the upcoming Kelly Clarkson CD.

"I Don't Wanna Know," "Trust Myself," "Any Which Way," "You Don't Have To Be Strong" and "Everyday Angels" are all potentially pop/rock hits with the caveat that we have yet to have a black singer succeed commercially in that marketplace. Heck, it's hard enough to find a successful black rock band that's won that battle. But maybe Ms. Locke's AI following can help bridge that gap.

But the label seems to be hedging its bets, including the pure cliche Destiny's Child pop of "Supawoman" and "Talk About Us" (for which Kimberley provides a strong vocal) as if tossing bones to black radio. And, if all else fails, there's the unchanged, unnecessary remake of Freda Payne's "Band Of Gold" (again, strongly sung) that ends the CD and should find favor with the Adult Contemporary listeners that made Kimberley's "8th World Wonder" a #1 song.

I am hopeful that radio will turn out to be color-blind and "Based On A True Story" will garner the acclaim it deserves. I hope so but I am doubtful. Still it's a huge step forward in Kimberley's development as an artist.

Kimberley Locke has a special voice, it is soulful, rich, and she can sing any genre of music... This new cd is really very good,, my favorite tracks are Change, You don't have to Be Strong, Fall, which could be a big hit if radio would only play it, and Band of Gold..this whole cd is well done and of course sung,, it would be so refreshing to see her do really well, but there is resistance to her and her cd for some reason..but as far as talent goes she is right at the top...Much Success to Kim!

Kimberley Locke's second CD "Based On A True Story" is another pleasant 'non-winning' American Idol CD. I'm still torn as to whether I like the first or second CD better, but I am definitely into this CD. I have already given it 3 listens.

Starting with "Change" - a song that should make an appearance on VH1's Top 20 countdown this weekend, I HOPE! "Change" is a beautiful single. "Trust" is also a great - more rock type - single. I think "Trust could get radio airplay, as well. "Supawoman" - as far as I recall - was to have be the first single from this CD. I'm not sure if it was ever officially released. "Fall" - another pretty song. "Talk About Us" - has a cute r&b feel to it. "You Don't Have To Be Strong" - is one of my favorites from this CD. Very soulful: Kimberley's voice songs amazing on this one. Finally, the last song on the CD, "Band of Gold" - True K Lo fans will remember her strong duet with Frenchie and then her final 3 performance of this great classic.

First of all, I don't typically write reviews for albums, nor am I the typical AMerican Idol album buyer. However, if you are looking for a great album, with a great voice, great songs, and something to listen THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH, then buy this album.

If you like "8th world Wonder," you will love this album. Most songs are similar in sound as "8th," what I would call Adult Rock. Kimberly not only has a great voice, that is very powerful, she co-wrote most of the songs.

I can't pick a favorite, but I will give you a rundown of the tracks on this album:
1. Change - This is an amazing song, amazing voice. Most artists now when you listen to their vocals, there are several layers of their voice to make it stronger. She does not have that....her voice is that powerful.
2. Any Which way - Rock song with a great chorus and a soaring bridge at the end! It will get you going.
3. Trust Myself - again, another rock song. This one will have you believing in yourself. Again, awesome bridge at the end!
4. Supawoman - to be honest, when this song was released last year as a fast song, I didn't like it. However, this is a slowed down version and I have found myself addicted to it. Listen to the lyrics.
5. Doin' It tonight - a simple dance song. At first is seemed too simple, but I love her lower range in this song. You will start dancing when you hear it.
6. Friend Like You - DOn't be fooled by the title....this is not a happy song, however, she uses the Rock sound perfectly here. A great song.
7. Fall - This will bring tears to your eyes. Beautiful slow song with amazing, powerful vocals.
8. I don't wanna know - Again, the rock sound works so well for her. Good song.
9. Talk about us - this is more R&B than the rest of the album, but it is a nice change up.
10. You don't have to be strong - Blues song, very nicely done.
11. Everyday Angels - A feel good anthem! Nicely done
12. Band of Gold - WOW! She truly has a gift to make any song great!

This album is worth it. It's not like any other AI album. You will be listening to this album over and over. Let me know if you can pick just one favorite!

I can't believe how much I love this album. Every song is great. She has one of the best voices in the buisness.

It's a shame that not so many people will hear this album - it's amazing, and there are a lot of potential hits here. "Change," which is doing well on AC charts, is a brilliant song. "Any Which Way" and "Trust Myself" are catchy songs that are actually memorable (her first CD was good, but memorability was something it lacked). "Supawoman," which didn't sound good when I first heard it on her myspace, sounds much better in context of the album.

"Doin' It Tonight" is a great dance track - while "Fall" is really powerful, strong song that sticks with you. "I Don't Wanna Know" is a personal favorite of mine, great song. "Talk About Us" is good, though probably the least memorable. "You Don't Have to Be Strong" is very blusey and cool, while "Everyday Angels" is a truly amazing song. "Band of Gold" is just icing on the cake.

Overall this is a superb pop album with elements of all different genres. Great album and definitely a great buy.

I love this Cd especially the song " friend like you". Kimberly just needs to get with the right promtion team becuase she is really talented. To me this is a must have cd.

Usually, American Idol contestants that don't win the competition are lucky to even get a debut album recorded. But Kimberley Locke did just that with One Love, an album that didn't really contain any bad songs but still didn't come off more than just average. And I have to say the same about her follow-up, Based on a True Story.

Actually, this album IS a tad better, but there still really isn't much in terms of excitement. For one thing, Kimberley's voice isn't quite as good as it was on her first album (see "Change" or "Any Which Way"), not to mention that a few of the songs use recycled ideas. "Doin' It Tonight" is the obligatory goin'-out-to-the-club-with-my-girls-after-bein'-done-wrong-by-my-man song, and "I Don't Wanna Know" is a little too similar to the bland Mario Winans song of the same name. And a few of the songs could use some better lyrics, like "Friend Like You" and "Supawoman".

The only songs that really stand out to me are "Everyday Angels" and "Talk About Us". Her cover of Freda Payne's "Band of Gold" is also pretty decent (I like the original better, though). In short, Based on a True Story is basically one of those albums that you'll look at and say, "Well, since it's here, I might as WELL listen to it." It's not classic but it's not garbage either, so borrow it first.

Anthony Rupert

I hope she continues to climb the ladder of success because she deserves it. Her voice is so smooth and this cd is even better than the first I think. People of all ages like to listen to Kimberley Locke. My daughter who is 28 likes her and my son who is 21 as well as my husband and myself who are 56.