Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] [Explicit Lyrics]

Blu Cantrell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00009PJSU
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,084 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Love You

2. Sleep in the Middle

3. Unhappy

4. Impatient

5. Breathe [Rap Version]

6. Risk It All

7. Don't Wanna Say Goodbye

8. Happily Ever After

9. Holding on to Love

10. Let Her Go

11. Make Me Wanna Scream

12. No Place Like Home

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Despite living in a generation of R&B females overshadowed by the indomitable Mary J. Blige, Blu Cantrell can hang. Blessed not only with a strong voice, but a jazzy style that comes across more subtly on this, her sophomore effort, than on 2001’s So Blu. Bittersweet finds her teamed at various points with a handful of hot producers, ubiquitous dancehall artist Sean Paul, and some predictable lyrics, but nonetheless showcases a supple vocalist with her own mind. At the same time, Cantrell recalls some of the best of her influences on the Stevie Wonder-like "No Place Like Home" and "Happily Ever After," which would’ve fit in on any number of Prince records. If Cantrell continues to get the attention she deserves, she may well prove to be an artist we’ll be following for decades. --Rickey Wright

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bittersweet, June 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] (Audio CD)

Bittersweet is one of the most interesting albums I have heard this year from an RnB artist. Mainly because of Blu Cantrell's origional, sexy voice. She has an edge, a broken heart and also a new found love that you can here in songs like "Risk it All." It's bitter, it's sweet, but most of all, it is filled with great songs that you are sure to enjoy. Here is my song by song rating ot the album:

1. I Love You (8/10)
2. Sleep in the Middle (12/10)
3. Unhappy (9/10)
4. Impatient (10/10)
5. Breathe (10/)
6. Risk it All (8/10)
7. Don't Wanna Say Goodbye (12/10)
8. Happily Ever After (9/10)
9. Holding On To Love (9/10)
10. Let Her Go (10/10)
11. Make Me Wanna Scream (10/10)
12. No Place Like Home (9/10)

Overall, Blu Cantrell's sophomore album, "Bittersweet," is a great buy that you should make no hesitation about getting. You'll enjoy her album from beginning to end.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bitter And Better, October 9, 2003

By 

Joseph (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] (Audio CD)

I was a little reluctant when it came to buying this CD, because when I walked into Best Buy, I had no intentions at all when it came to getting this. I liked her first single "Breathe", and I already liked her as a singer anyway, so I just decided "Oh What the Hell" and bought it.. I was pretty impressed, and glad I had second thoughts about it. Here's my rundown on the tracklisting.

I Love You» This is a nice opener for the album. It's a very positive song about love, and it's also a very true song. Her vocals fit the beat just right. [9/10]

Sleep In The Middle» This album is definately a standout track. It's the second single from the album, and I definately think it would be a nice little hit if enough money would be put into a video for it. It's a very seductive ballad, speaking of heartbreak. Definately one of my favorite tracks. [9.5/10]

Unhappy» This song's lyrics and Blu Cantrell's vocals save this song from being TOTALLY mediocre. The beat is very slow, the vocals very mellow, and it's a sad little track, but it is actually pulled off very nicely. [8/10]

Impatient (featuring Fat Joe & Lil Kim)» Some people out there might actually be a fan of this one, but I just can't stand it. The beat just doesn't work out right with the lyrics, and everything just seems so wrong. I could have definately done without this track.. It's not her style, and Lil Kim and Fat Joe's rap don't help out one bit. [4/10]

Breathe (featuring Sean Paul)» This was the first single for the album, but it originally featured Lady Saw when it was first released as a single. Things were changed a little bit before the album's release, since noone was really reacting to the original mix at all.. it never even received airplay, and I guess they figured since Sean Paul has become internationally popular, people would fall in love with the song.. but that still didn't work out a bit. I prefer the original version with Lady Saw, but both are decent. It samples an old Dr. Dre song, and it's pulled off pretty nicely. [8/10]

Risk It All» This one is my personal favorite.. The vocals and the beat just flow along with eachother so well. This is a great ballad, and I even think this one would go over well with the fans if this one were to be released as another single. Another definite highlight of the CD. [10/10]

Don't Wanna Say Goodbye» At the very beginning this one sounds like it has a very gorey, and a very negative beat (if that makes sense).. it just doesn't sound like anything Blu has done. However, the song turns out very nice, and is done to a pretty nice beat. It's another sad ballad, dont very nicely. [8.5/10]

Happily Ever After» This used to be one of my favorite tracks.. very nice beat, and great bluesy vocals. However, I can't say much for the lyrics on this one. (Happily ever after/Let's start a story chapter).. But it's still a great listen. [7.5/10]

Holding On To Love» This one is a pretty fun track. I'm loving the very original beat on this one, and her voice sounds a little different on this one, compared to the other tracks on the album. I really think it's nice, and very radio-friendly. [9/10]

Let Her Go» I really LOVE the beat to this one. Just the beat alone would make me say that this is probably my second favorite, beside "Risk It All". However, this song flows nicely to the beat, with a nice concept, and it sounds very attitude-packed. Yet another highlight. [9.5/10]

Make Me Wanna Scream (featuring Ian Lewis of Inner Circle)» This track is much like track #4, "Impatient", but to me this track is alot more fun. The beat is actually pretty decent, and the lyrics flow nicely with it as well. I could do without the rapper on this one, but besides that, it's pretty nice, and it's definately worth a listen. [7.5/10]

No Place Like Home» Eventhough this may sound pretty corny after a few listens, this is a nice little closing track for the album. It's very true.. very lovely.. I love the beat.. I lover her vocals on this one.. I just love the track, PERIOD. Definately worth a listen! [9/10]

The CD also includes a DVD, which to me, I could have also done without, especially since it was about two dollars extra, than the copies with no DVD. It features a little biography, weblinks, pictures, the "Oops! (Hit Em' Up Style)" video, and an interview with Wendy Wallace (the one who had the pretty.. rough experience with interviewing Whitney Houston earlier this year).. In the interview, there's alot of cursing done, which is why this CD has a parental advisory sticker! Wendy looks pretty trashy in this one, and there are alot of things revealed, and annoyingly enough, alot of things NOT REVEALED. Just about all the questions regarding her personal life, and about relationships, she would tell everything that went on, but she would always keep the person she was dating confidential news, which got annoying after the first six or seven times.

All in all, the CD is worth all the money, and if you'd like to see the old "Oops (Hit Em' Up Style)" video, you should definately consider trying to get your hands on a limited edition copy with the DVD.. if not I wouldn't really waste my money on the DVD.. I would just grab the CD and buy a coke at checkout.. LOL!

Anyway, this is a nice little buy.. way better than her first album, in my opinion, and I think you'll enjoy it, and think the same.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Arista records should be ashamed.., July 26, 2006

By 

Dance Music Lover (Reading, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bittersweet [Limited Edition w/ Bonus DVD] (Audio CD)

Blu Cantrell has one of the best voices in the industry. "Sleep In The Middle" had the potential to be a huge hit. So why didn't Arista records promote it?? The only single released was "Breathe" which was not well promoted. If you want people to buy your products you need to PROMOTE them!!!! Maybe they should go back to college and take marketing/business classes over again. This underrated cd has some great cuts on it. "Don't Wanna Say Goodbye" and "Holding On To Love" are two more of my favorites. If you like r+b/soul music check this cd out.