Customer Reviews

Forward

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am simply shocked by some of the reviews I've read here - obviously from ill-willed youths totally into so much of the crap music that overwhelms the pop/rock scene these days. This album is totally entertaining, pleasing, and shows talent and ability that I (and many of us) knew was apparent when they so eagerly boosted her off the show too early. These songs, along with her singing ability totally blows away some very popular artists - such as Britney and Jessica. Ayla may not be Katherine, but she shines with talent in my eyes, and even my 20-yr old daughter. I highly recommend this CD.

Ayla shows how determination and perserverence pays off not only in sports but also in achieving insurmoutable goals such as pulling off recording a cd in less than 2 weeks due to contract constraints. Because of the quick turn around time, this cd has the unique quality of being a pop genre cd with minimal sound effects and digitized production gimics.Thatis other than "Breaking Away" which has rhythmic sounds of basketball dribbling and a voice over by Ayla's dad, both which I find a lot of fun and a refreshing surprise. "Forward unplugged" and "Miles Away"show her pure raw emotion and vocals that you seldom hear on the radio these days. I also love the other version of "Forward" and frequently flip back and forth to hear the differences in the two versions. It is especially enjoyable to know that Ayla helped write "Thanks to You" and "Falling Into You". I'm not as crazy about "Sugah" or "Know You Better" but I get a kick out of "I Quit" These three are radio friendly and the refrains pop into your head at random times. All in all a great first cd out of the gate for Season5 Idols. A must by for the Idol collection

I have been listening to, and reviewing music for almost 20 years, and Ayla Brown has floored me to the back of my seat and left me speechless.
The young x-idol contestant has done a simply miraculous job in an obvious short amount of time, and came out with a smash album.
The production on the CD amazes me as well, for the amount time her production team and record label had. There seems to be no customary flares, like most of todays material, in my case, it's a breath of fresh air, simply done, not over produced.
From start to finish this album takes you on an emotional rollercoaster.
Yes, there are some songs that are better left for the younger crowds, but overall it is an amazing achievement by the young Miss Brown. Her voice soars and cries, and in other places, simply just gets the message across.
I believe with radio play the song "Forward" would result in a gigantic AC market smash hit. "Know You Better", and "Sugah" are instant grabbers from the start.
I can see youg girls everywhere singing, "sugah, sugah come to me, I'll give you something you'll believe" these two are radio hits in the top 40 market for sure.
"Falling Into You" WOW!!! where did this come from, it's slightly askew from the rest of the CD, but it packs a R&B punch with melodies and vocal riffs that will surely wow the listeners, this song is another radio smash hit as far as I am concerned.
"Miles Away", this song is a tear jerker, Ayla obviously put great emotion into this performance. The harmonies are simply brilliant, the raw emotion of the track puts you visually on the top of a mountain range far from anyone, and leaves you feeling hopelessly distant from the one you love.
"Ten Cent Wings", I am quite familiar with Jonatha Brooke, being from the Nashville area, where she spends alot of her time. Ayla's vocal lacks some emotion in this take, though she hits every note beautifully, and her falcetto's are stunning, there's a small amount of emotion missing. The entire track was brilliantly produced, the piano, and the entire feel of the song is a 180 from Jonatha's version. "If I was A River", Diane Warrens ballad. Once again, not over preoduced, but flows like river. Ayla's low round vocal quality through the verses give us the true feel and range of her vocal abilities, from the second chorus her vocals soar into the bridge, and into the big modulation of the last chorus. She hits some Mariah-esque vocal highs as the song fades out, and shows us once again, her impeccable vocal qualities.
"Thanks to You", a well done song that Ayla thanks her friends, fans, and family in many heartfelt lyrics, a true message right from Ayla's heart.
Forward (unplugged), once again simplicity is the key. she obviously sang this wonderful song straight from the heart, sounds like she sat in a room with a piano player and just SANG the song. it is breathtaking! we could use more of this in todays music.

Idol finalists, as well as professional artists in the pop, and R&B world everywhere have some competition as far as I can see.

Ayla Brown is her name.

Although she did not make the finals on the fifth season of FOX's hit show 'American Idol,' Ayla Brown struck a chord with many Americans due to her immense talent, both vocally and athletically. Ayla finished 13th, being beat out by Melissa McGhee for the final female spot in the Top 12. Though she undoubtedly deserved to go further, it seems things have worked out quite nicely regardless.

'Forward' is littered with ballads, Radio Disney-esque pop hits and soulful tracks. Considering the album was recorded in one a week, it is amazing to see what has transpired over the past few months. Of course the highlight of the album is Ayla's voice, which is enough to make any song amazing.

1) "Know You Better" (8.5/10) A cover off of UK popstar Ruby Amanfu's 2002 album 'Smoke and Honey,' "Know You Better" is a great track to start off the album. It's catchy, fun and very radio-friendly. I think the bridge could have been re-written, but it works regardless.

2) "If I Was a River" (9/10) Originally written for Tina Arena by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren, "If I Was a River" is truly an underrated song. This ballad shows off Ayla's range, as she magnificently reaches some high notes near the end of the song.

3) "Sugah" (7/10) Another cover, "Sugah" again was originally sung by Ruby Amanfu. Though it is uptempo, this song sounds a little dated. It's fun and poppy, just not one of the standouts for me.

4) "I Quit" (6.5/10) A cover of the British girl band Hepburn, this is one of my least favorite tracks. This is the one song where Ayla's vocals are stretched too thin, especially during the chorus. It sounds like a second-string Kelly Clarkson song. Again the bridge is lackluster, as it is filled with 'da da da da''s instead of lyrics.

5) "Forward" (10/10) This is my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are meaningful, and Ayla sings with such passion. The gospel choir in the bridge adds a great feeling of emotion. This could be a huge hit at adult contemporary radio.

6) "Breaking Away" (6/10) My least favorite track on the album. Although the song takes a unique approach and tries to be different by including basketball-themed sound effects, it doesn't do much for me. It's a fun song and it shows the connection to Ayla's basketball talents, but it does nothing to showcase her range and instead sounds as if it were to come straight out of a Disney Chanel original movie.

7) "Falling Into You" (9.5/10) "Falling Into You" completes the album for me. Ayla sounds amazing on this R&B-tinged cut, and it has 'hit' written all over it. It is everything radio is looking for, and is one of the most contemporary songs on 'Forward.' Hearing what Ayla can do with this kind of material, I hope she further pursues R&B in the future. Also, the fact that Ayla co-wrote this is quite a feat in itself.

8) "Thanks to You" (8/10) Also co-written by Ayla, "Thanks to You" is the most personal song on the album. The song is a 'thank you' note to all those who have supported Ayla, including her family, friends and fans. The sentimentality of the song overrides the clichéd lyrics, and the melody is pretty catchy.

9) "Miles Away" (8.5/10) The simplicity of "Miles Away" is refreshing. In an era where overproduction of tracks is as common as Dunkin' Donuts messing up your coffee, it's nice to hear a song that lets the artist's vocals do the talking. Ayla proves she can hold her own with limited assistance and the finished product is a testament to what true talent can accomplish.

10) "Ten Cent Wings" (8.5/10) The album's final cover, "Ten Cent Wings," is similar to "Miles Away" in that it is not over-produced, which is a plus. The piano accompaniment adds to the rawness of the song.

11) "Forward (Unplugged)" - 10/10 - The most basic song on the album, it is also the most impressive. Untouched by any enhancements, this version of "Forward" is nothing short of amazing. I'd like to see other artists Ayla's age try to pull this off. Just beautiful.

As you can see, I'm impressed with Ayla's first studio effort. Yes, there are both high and low points on 'Forward,' but realistically, is there any album that doesn't have them? I truly think we will all get to look back on this album one day and marvel at the fact that Ayla was able to pull this off despite having little formal vocal training. Ayla can move 'Forward' from this.

Ayla is a great role model for the young and old. She's only 18 and she's already so mature. This album obviously proves all of that. The entire album is awesome. I love and enjoy every day each song of the CD with the exception of two songs, but hey, you can't always get a perfect CD that everyone will adore.

I gave this CD five stars because I totally think it deserves it. Well, actually that was a lie because I believe it deserves six stars but unfortunatly that's not one of the ratings. Believe me when I say that when you buy this album you won't regret it. You are not wasting your money by buying it. The whole CD brings out her personality. Ayla is a person who loves her fans and actually cares about them and isn't all fake towards them. If you don't support her or aren't a fan of her this CD will make you want to become one. If you don't have this album, you're missing out!.....BIG TIME! :)

0n the court Ayla can weave through defenders with the greatest of ease to go up for an uncontested layup while leaving her opponents in the dust. 0n the album, she weaves a tapestry of words and music with the greatset of ease as well.

0n the court, Ayla gets in your face and blocks shots and prevents opponents from getting anywhere near the basket. 0n the album, the emotion Ayla sings with hits you in the face just as hard.

So when your describing Ayla's performance, you could be describing either her music or her basketball abilities.

I really thought this little gal had a GREAT voice, well, at least of what I heard of it. She was gone too soon for sure. I didn't know she had an album out and I just went thru and listened to the previews. Great vocals. I'm probably going to purchase it. We've got to keep these wonderful talents heads above water! These short little cuts sure beat the heck out of alot of the crapola I heard on The Grammy Awards tonight. Go figure.......

Although she did not make the finals on the fifth season of FOX's hit show 'American Idol,' Ayla Brown struck a chord with many Americans due to her immense talent, both vocally and athletically. Ayla finished 13th, being beat out by Melissa McGhee for the final female spot in the Top 12. Though she undoubtedly deserved to go further, it seems things have worked out quite nicely regardless.

'Forward' is littered with ballads, Radio Disney-esque pop hits and soulful tracks. Considering the album was recorded in one a week, it is amazing to see what has transpired over the past few months. Of course the highlight of the album is Ayla's voice, which is enough to make any song amazing.

1) "Know You Better" (8.5/10) A cover off of UK popstar Ruby Amanfu's 2002 album 'Smoke and Honey,' "Know You Better" is a great track to start off the album. It's catchy, fun and very radio-friendly. I think the bridge could have been re-written, but it works regardless.

2) "If I Was a River" (9/10) Originally written for Tina Arena by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Diane Warren, "If I Was a River" is truly an underrated song. This ballad shows off Ayla's range, as she magnificently reaches some high notes near the end of the song.

3) "Sugah" (7/10) Another cover, "Sugah" again was originally sung by Ruby Amanfu. Though it is uptempo, this song sounds a little dated. It's fun and poppy, just not one of the standouts for me.

4) "I Quit" (6.5/10) A cover of the British girl band Hepburn, this is one of my least favorite tracks. This is the one song where Ayla's vocals are stretched too thin, especially during the chorus. It sounds like a second-string Kelly Clarkson song. Again the bridge is lackluster, as it is filled with 'da da da da''s instead of lyrics.

5) "Forward" (10/10) This is my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are meaningful, and Ayla sings with such passion. The gospel choir in the bridge adds a great feeling of emotion. This could be a huge hit at adult contemporary radio.

6) "Breaking Away" (6/10) My least favorite track on the album. Although the song takes a unique approach and tries to be different by including basketball-themed sound effects, it doesn't do much for me. It's a fun song and it shows the connection to Ayla's basketball talents, but it does nothing to showcase her range and instead sounds as if it were to come straight out of a Disney Chanel original movie.

7) "Falling Into You" (9.5/10) "Falling Into You" completes the album for me. Ayla sounds amazing on this R&B-tinged cut, and it has 'hit' written all over it. It is everything radio is looking for, and is one of the most contemporary songs on 'Forward.' Hearing what Ayla can do with this kind of material, I hope she further pursues R&B in the future. Also, the fact that Ayla co-wrote this is quite a feat in itself.

8) "Thanks to You" (8/10) Also co-written by Ayla, "Thanks to You" is the most personal song on the album. The song is a 'thank you' note to all those who have supported Ayla, including her family, friends and fans. The sentimentality of the song overrides the clichéd lyrics, and the melody is pretty catchy.

9) "Miles Away" (8.5/10) The simplicity of "Miles Away" is refreshing. In an era where overproduction of tracks is as common as Dunkin' Donuts messing up your coffee, it's nice to hear a song that lets the artist's vocals do the talking. Ayla proves she can hold her own with limited assistance and the finished product is a testament to what true talent can accomplish.

10) "Ten Cent Wings" (8.5/10) The album's final cover, "Ten Cent Wings," is similar to "Miles Away" in that it is not over-produced, which is a plus. The piano accompaniment adds to the rawness of the song.

11) "Forward (Unplugged)" - 10/10 - The most basic song on the album, it is also the most impressive. Untouched by any enhancements, this version of "Forward" is nothing short of amazing. I'd like to see other artists Ayla's age try to pull this off. Just beautiful.

As you can see, I'm impressed with Ayla's first studio effort. Yes, there are both high and low points on 'Forward,' but realistically, is there any album that doesn't have them? I truly think we will all get to look back on this album one day and marvel at the fact that Ayla was able to pull this off despite having little formal vocal training. Ayla can move 'Forward' from this.

I purchased this album when it first appeared on iTunes on October 6th and it is the only CD I have been listening to since. The first time I heard this entire album I was speechless. Ayla has a true passion to put nothing less than her utmost ability into everything she does. You will undeniably hear this in her music. My favorite on the album is the title track `Forward'. The emotion that Ayla instills in this track is truly sublime. There are two versions one with full accompaniment and one "unplugged" with only vocals and a piano. Either version is a shoo-in for a Top 40 slot. The album is a very even balance of ballads catchy pop tunes with a little R&B mixed in. Some of my other favorites would include `I Quit'. This song assimilates a controlling relationship to that of a rat-race job in the working world where the only option is to get out before it utterly consumes you. `Thanks to You', which Ayla co-wrote, encourages self esteem and inspires people to follow their dreams no matter who tries to take them away. Ayla also thanks all of her fans for supporting her. I am not a music critic or writer by any stretch of the imagination. I am just a fan who completely loves this album. I can assure you however, that is only the beginning of Ayla Brown's music career. Ayla experience on American Idol only sweetened her desire to sing write and record music. I suggest you buy this incredible young singer, songwriter, and student athlete's album now so do not miss a note. She will have more albums in her future no doubt about it. I would like to thank Ayla Brown, her producer(s) and record company whose dauntless efforts made this album possible for all her fans.

Ayla should have gone much farther, certainly as far as Kat McPhee, on AI. Her voice is just as strong without the aloofness of KM. I prefer Tina Arena's version of "River" but overall, the CD is a good 1st effort and sadly, better than Taylor Hicks post AI CD and I like Taylor Hicks. He's cool live so catch him that way. On this CD, standouts are Forward, Falling into You and Know You Better. In fact, Falling Into You could easily be hit on the radio, big time. I'm conflicted over Suga. It's catchy but really hard to nail down the beat. I guess that makes her a better singer because I could never sing along with it. The song Breaking Away however; is very high school musical. It should be in a Disney TV original about b'ball. Ten Cent Wings doesn't thrill me, either but I do hope she comes up with more.