Guilty Pleasure

Ashley Tisdale | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 28, 2009)
• Original Release Date: July 28, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner Bros.
• ASIN: B00204AA1I
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,905 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

TISDALE ASHLEY GUILTY PLEASURE

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Track by Track Review, August 21, 2009

By 

SylvesterFox007 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guilty Pleasure (Audio CD)

I have a confession: As macho as I try to be, pop's actually my guilty pleasure. I'm a big fan of Tisdale as a performer. That said, "Guilty Pleasure" is an improvement over Tisdale's last CD, "Headstrong." GP is much more modern, while HS sounded like a tribute to late 90's pop.

Tisdale knows how to open a CD. While HS started with a cool, synthetic overture that was a preview of things to come, GP starts with the classy sound of an orchestra tuning. This leads into a big orchestral introduction to opening track "Acting Out." Disappointingly, the song devolves into the pop/rock sound that will dominate the rest of the album. Even though the theatricality works with the theme of the song, it's a shame Tisdale didn't opt to actually perform a big, dramatic opening number.

The next two tracks "It's Alright, It's OK" and "Masquerade" are easily the best on the CD. It's no surprise that "It's Alright, It's OK" was chosen as the first single, with an amazingly infectious hook ("Don't waste your fiction tears on me/Just save them for someone in need"), while "Masquerade" is my favorite track off the CD. It opens with a cool guitar riff followed by a chain of short, quick rhymes. Both have choruses that showcase Tisdale's pipes. The only problem with both these songs is they're too short.

While the next track "Overrated" was co-written by Tisdale herself, it sounds like a weak combination of previous tracks "Acting Out" and "It's Alright, It's OK" (possibly because the composers on those tracks are the same.) "Hot Mess" is wonderfully reminiscent of 80's new wave numbers. This continues, to a lesser extent, through "How Do You Love Someone", which seems to borrow the rhythm of a funeral march and contains somber, dysfunctional family lyrics. Tisdale performs it well, but the track's too heavy for the rest of the CD.

"Tell Me Lies" has a little bit of a punk flavor to it. "What If" and "Me Without You", both co-written by Tisdale, are the obligatory love ballads. They serve their purpose, even if they're lacking the sugary-sweet melodrama that redeemed "Unlove You" and "Love Me For Me" on HS. "Erase and Rewind" is yet another break-up anthem. "Hair" is the next noteworthy track. It's upbeat, fun, and sexy. (There's something appealing about 24 year-old Tisdale saying she actually likes getting her hair mussed while making out.) "Delete You" is another break-up song, and the ever-present Diane Warren-penned number, but has a noteworthy techno vibe.

"Crank It Up" takes the techno vibe to another level. Clearly intended for the dance floor, this's one of the most memorable songs on the CD. The CD ends appropriately with "Switch", the ending credits theme from "Aliens in the Attic." It's another stand-out with a fun, catchy beat. Overall, while Tisdale still deserves something more challenging than generic pop numbers, GP's a must-buy for fans of Tisdale, pop, or both.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars such a great improvement!, October 17, 2009

By 

J. Yoon (California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Guilty Pleasure (Audio CD)

I've loved Ashley Tisdale since her Suite Life of Zack and Cody Days, and I still believe that she was the best vocalist of the High School Musical team. So, I was eager to buy her debut album, which I enjoyed- but after I purchased this one, I was blown away. This album was stunning, and extremely addicting and wonderful. I am reviewing after a decent amount of time because I have reviewed a week after before, only to have my opinion sour.

A fantastic point of this album is that for every one of the songs on "Headstrong," "Guilty Pleasure" has a stronger one!
Below are my ratings of the album.
NOTE: This will definitely be more helpful to people that have the first CD, because much of the descriptions have comparisons and references to the songs on "Headstrong."

1) Acting Out (8.5/10)
Has a dramatic, fabulous instrumental introduction, and is catchy and I would compare it to Headstrong. Although I believe Headstrong was one of the best songs on Ashley Tisdale's debut album, the strong beats of Acting Out would drown it out in an instant. (both seem to have cello elements and both are about being yourself)

2) It's Alright, It's Okay (9.5/10)
Being the first single, it's the epitome of Ashley Tisdale- classy, with major pop and rock influences. It's comparable to So Much For You. Judging by the lyrics, So Much for You seems to be almost a prequel to It's Alright It's Okay. Where as in So Much for You, Ashley seems weak and the kind of girl that would do anything for her boy (...You know that I'd do anything for you/If you want the world, You Go it/If you want the girl, You got it/ I'll do that, baby/I'll do that... If you want it all/You Got it...)
In It's Alright, It's Okay, it seems like she's finally grown up and gotten over him. (...No matter what you say
I wont return/ Our bridge has burned down/ I'm stronger now/ It's Alright, it's Ok/ I'm so much better without you I won't be sorry...)

3) Masquerade (9/10)
Infectious with lot's of rockier elements, I enjoyed playing this one over and over again! There's unfortunately no comparison because this album has one more song (because I excluded the intro on Headstrong)
A great song that really proves that Ashley has changed her style as well as her look for the better.

4) Overrated (8/10)
Although for me, it's one of the more average songs on the album, many people enjoy it very much. It's like a more level Goin' Crazy with stronger vocals and a catchier tune, and an inspirational set of lyrics.
One reason that I don't appreciate this song to much is that I got bored of it soon, and it blends with the first 3 songs- definitely a sign of it being similar to them which isn't good for an album that is trying to promote diversity and change from the first!

5) Hot Mess (10/10)
Hands down one of the funnest, catchiest, best songs on the entire album. Definitely addicting and I had so many songs to compare it to, and settled on Be Good To Me. Be Good to Me was a favorite on "Headstrong," because it was just so addicting and fabulous. Imagine it hyped up, made catchier, and with better vocals. The result is Hot Mess.

6) How Do You Love Someone? (10/10)
A touching song that, for me, was an early favorite that hasn't worn down yet. Love Me for Me was a favorite on "Headstrong" as well, and both have similar elements. This one probably sympathizes with more people, though, and the different style is both interesting and an excellent improvement and addition to this album.

7) Tell Me Lies (9/10)
It's similar to Positivity in that both are infectiously pop-ish, but the difference is that Positivity became annoying right, and someone listening to them can hear the difference in her voice- the improvements are fabulous!
The explosive chorus in Tell Me Lies is a nice change from the almost monotone songs that were included in "Headstrong".

8) What If (7.5/10)
If the album was a plot chart, it would have climbed to the top in the beginning (songs #1-3), then have gone down (song #4), then shot up to the peak again (#5-7)- the rest of the album after this song follows almost the exact same format, as you will see.
This song is not remarkable, nor is it terrible. Don't Touch (The Zoom Song) was a bit boring, as this one is as well. The only big difference is that the meaning seems deeper.

9) Erase and Rewind (9.5/10)
Like Over It, this songs took a little bit to get used to, but it's one of my favorites now whereas Over It has long since faded into the background. Excellent song to listen to in those "whatever" moments. Ashley's vocals are strong here, and don't overpower the tune, nor is it smothered by it.

10) Hair (9/10)
This song was initially very strange, but it got better with every listening. It's sort of obvious that she didn't write it and she sounds a little bit uncomfortable, but the addictive chorus makes up for everything. It's better than We'll Be Together if judging merely by what is catchier- (although it would lose in the lyrics and voice category) and also, it's probably one of the more unique songs out there.

11) Delete You (7/10)
Not a favorite of mine- it seems to have no meaning at all in the lyrics and I find myself enjoying the verses much better than the chorus. Not a bad song, though, and definitely better than Suddenly, which was one of the low points of "Headstrong."

12) Me Without You (10/10)
Unarguably one of the best songs on the entire album. Ashley's voice is so emotional, and strengthens as the song goes on, and is like a new-and-improved Unlove You. Excellent lyrics, gorgeous voice, and it's nice to see a slow ballad on a pop/rock album.

13) Crank It Up (10/10)
One of the most addictive songs on the entire album and extremely enjoyable and fun. The energy in this is comparable to He Said She Said, which was one of her early hits. A fantastic new song- if I could choose to download one song from the album, it would be either this or Hot Mess. May not be for ballad lovers, though. I could sense a Ashlee Simpson, Britney Spears, and Cascada influence on this.

14) Switch (9.5/10)
I'm glad this was included on the album. Interesting and exciting, like Not Like That was for me in the start. I loved the way Ashley used her voice in this song- unlike Not Like That which just got annoying.


Overall, an extremely solid album. This was surprising to see from a Disney star. I see a slight Lindsay Lohan influence (Lindsay's soulful voice and lyrics, as can be found on "A Little More Personal.")
I highly recommend this to lovers of pop, rock, r&b, and dance.
GRADE: A-

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guilty Pleasure is More Than Alright, July 28, 2009

By 

Elizabeth Wonderham (Washington) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guilty Pleasure (Audio CD)

Ashley Tisdale has a great voice, I think the kind of music she does fits her voice. If you like Headstrong you'll love Guilty Pleasure. Guilty Pleasure is different from Headstrong. I think this album has all the goods all in one. If your a new or old fan of her music I think you're going to enjoy Guilty Pleasure. Ashley sure does have talent, and an amazing voice a powerful voice. Some of the songs on this album you can sing along to. All in all this is a great album.
My favorite songs on Guilty Pleasure are:
1. Overrated
2. Hot Mess
3. What If
4. Erase and Rewind
5. It's Alright It's Ok