Customer Reviews

Jessie James

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you are considering purchasing this album (for the formidable price of...$1.99), I would go right ahead. All of Jessie's songs are well done and her voice is just fine and dandy. As I was listening to the album all the way through, I found myself singing along, bopping around in my chair and occasionally laughing out loud, not in derision, but in delight at the humor and general fun of some of the songs lyrics. The tunes are catchy and Jessie's singing is just as good or better, in spots, than a lot of the other young women topping the charts. So, perhaps the nay-sayers will give her another listen, with the mind set that she's here to entertain us, not to change our lives and save our souls.

An extraordinary premiere effort by a musical talent who could make it as either a songwriter, or a singer...but gives us the gift, in her eponymous debut, of both. Jessie James possesses remarkable emotional insight for someone so young, a deft manner with both lyrics and melody, and a deliciously rich voice to communicate it all. And, as a couple of the women in my life have observed (when chuckling at me for being enthralled with her music), she's pretty freakin' hot. Obviously, her beauty has nothing whatsoever to do with her music...but it doesn't hurt a thing.

Other reviewers criticize the album as not having a defined "theme." I disagree. The theme, with a couple of alternately playful and earnest self-conscious exceptions (Blue Jeans, and Girl Next Door respectively), represents the range of the young romantic experience. It covers the evolution of the relationship from beginning to end, with some arguably seamy, but emotionally resonant, sidetrips. We start with two fun but self-assertive anthems to what the modern woman seeks--what we would all hope our sisters and daughters find--in My Cowboy and Big Mouth. She gives us two portraits of the burning compulsion of newfound desire, whether lustier in nature (Wanted), or somewhat more idealized (Inevitable, which is also one of the "sidetrip" songs). It proceeds through a thoughtful retrospective on something that was either a pre-empted romance, or might have started, but been ended before it got too serious (Burnin' Bridges). Illicit romance, as pining true love (Inevitable) or something less noble (Guilty). We see permutations of the end of love, both as the one ending things (Burn It Up), and as the one surviving, and flourishing, despite heartbreak (I Look So Good Without You). On the fringes, she shows us the girl who's commitment-phobic (but eventually "broken") in Bullet...another brilliantly fun, energetic pop treat, apparently co-penned with Katy Perry, and slated, at one point, to be her second single. It reverberates with the same pointed post-feminist sensibility as My Cowboy and Big Mouth, but shows glimpses of the reluctant emotional vulnerability of the girl wanting true love. On the other side of that spectrum, there's the girl who's anything but phobic (about commitment): the Psycho Girlfriend. Again, a fun song, without being shallow. We've all known such girls, and would have done better to avoid them...but, as she explains, might have missed out on the best we've ever had.

With the exceptions of a couple of songs, both of them engagingly listenable, they're all of a piece. While I might have ordered them differently, if I wanted to emphasize the evolution of love, I don't see anything out of place. Perfectly in keeping with the theme, and a shame in having been omitted, is her "Liar," another frustrated-love song. Like most of her work, it's melodic, well-written, and emotionally nuanced. (I believe it's available on her myspace page.)

As to those who talk about the album being unmemorable, I submit that the songs are as well-written as Taylor Swift's, cover a much broader emotional spectrum (I like Taylor Swift as a songwriter, but she limits herself to a pretty narrow niche), and much better sung. Billboard refers to Jessie as a hybrid of Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Christina Aguilera. They're right. She has a remarkable voice, although she's sometimes a little heavy-handed on the "country" style in the more pop songs. (Doesn't bother me a bit, but I can see how some would prefer that it be toned down.) That's the price of doing an album with such a broad spectrum of influences, with country, pop, blues, southern rock...overall, a delicious mix.

Look for another couple omissions on the next album, I hope: School Girl, and Turn His Love on Me...or something like that. They both showcase her vocal power, and display more of the varied influences informing her style. And they, too, are love songs.

Order it. Enjoy it. Don't feel guilty about it...or do! Revel guiltily in it, as your Rachmaninoff or Mozart languishes unplayed for days at a time. Beware, though...it grows on you.

Wow...what can I say?..I'm a dance and techno freak so the twang wasn't exactly what i was listening for, but it's not that bad. Sure a little slide guitar and blues guitar was a given, but I do like the album. It's words are funny and the tunes are catchy. I first heard of her music with the song "dangerous" and turned some of the dance crowd on to it..and they liked it!...so yeah its definitely worth the $1.99. Although my hardcore dance friends blow if off as pop, It'll be my secret guilty pleasure.

(Note, this is really a 2.5 star review, but I had to round down or up, and I think it's a LITTLE closer to 2 than 3, I could have just as easily made it 3).

This is primarily a first listen review, and I'll edit if my opinion changes significantly.

About a year ago (in fact, August 3rd, 2008), Amazon put up another album by a rising female solo artist who made notice on sex appeal for a highly discounted price as a DotD. Since then, Katy Perry has had four highly charted singles (I Kissed A Girl [which was active at sale time], Hot 'N' Cold, Thinking of You, and Waking Up in Vegas). Not exactly a critical darling, but even a cursory listen of that album showed several songs with hit potential. Regrettably for Jessie James, her album doesn't seem to hold the same promise.

The current single, "Wanted", is a highly charged and generally positive pop effort. That's not exactly re-writing the pop history books, but it's a relatively edgy, strong first showing from Jessie James. However, as a first listen through the album progressed, the problems began to arise.

First, not enough of the other songs really pop out as individual entities. "Burn It Up" has a somewhat more subtle, but similar style to "Wanted", and seems like a logical counterpart. "Psycho Girlfriend" has a distinctly interesting pace, mostly because it's reminiscent of a 90's song or two. But otherwise, if you quizzed me on the other nine tracks, I would probably have trouble matching titles. It's a mash of songs, without many clear standouts.

Second, as another reviewer mentioned, you don't get a real sense of Jessie James the artist. You get one style on "Burn It Up" and "Wanted", you get a different style on a song like "Bullet" than you would on "Blue Jeans". Then she goes to left field for "Psycho Girlfriend", and a song like "Inevitable" could have been one of Taylor Swift's (weaker) songs. It doesn't help that the songs don't really form a narrative to give you a picture of her as an artist. You get apologetic (Burnin' Bridges), sexy (Wanted), defeated (Inevitable), over it (I Look So Good (Without You)). If Taylor Swift gives you the rollercoaster of teenage love and emotions in pop-country, or Katy Perry can at least give you a party album, Jessie James is very nebulous and could have used a serious editor.

The biggest problem may be that I'm not dying to go back. I'll probably put Wanted and maybe Burn It Up on my playlist, but I have no real reason to go back and re-listen. It's just not a terribly deep album, not that it was to be expected, but I struggle to believe I'm going to find a hidden gem. I may go back to "Psycho Girlfriend" just to find out exactly which artist she is mimicking in the beginning, but other than that, it's not particularly inspired and I doubt I missed a ton on the first listen through.

I may be wrong, it could grow on me, and I'll amend the review if so. For $1.99 (today), it's a pretty safe grab if you hear a couple songs in the samples you feel you may like. And if you're looking for a simple, relatively non-offensive pop-rock-country-sort of album, then it could be worth a look. Just don't expect to find an album you'll constantly be listening to. You could, but I won't.

Edit: It's been a little while since the album release, so I thought I would update the review. I was a bit off on the description of lyrics, and it seems a more cogent picture is painted, but my main point remains unchanged. I listened to this album a few times, but I haven't even been tempted to go back to it. "Wanted" is on a rotating playlist and after a close listen (I misheard lyrics, my bad) to "Inevitable", I feel it is also a very strong track. But it just didn't hook me in. I may have changed it to a 3/5 if I could, but not much has changed.

Most of these songs are fun and upbeat. "Psycho Girlfriend" is outrageously funny.I would describe her as having Jessica Simpsons cheeziness with Christina Aguilara's voice.

What an interesting and fresh sound! The sound is what happens when you put Shania Twain and Christina Aguilera together in a blender! Jessie makes the banjo sexy! You have to check out the previews to hear her sound. I think the album is a great time!! Is is pop/rock or is it country? You decide!

When I first heard about Jessie James' new album, I wasn't sure what to think of it, but after I listened to it, I really love it. Jessie's got a soulful, strong voice and a cool style. Here's my favorite songs on Jessie's cool new album:

1.) Wanted: Bold, sassy, and upbeat. This is one of my favorite songs from Jessie's album.

2.) I Look So Good (Without You): Cool, upbeat ballad with great guitar music and Jessie's soulful vocals.

3.) Burn it Up: Bold and sassy just like "Wanted," but Jessie really sings it with soul and attitude.

4.) Burnin' Bridges: Sweet, soulful ballad that's nice and soothing to listen to.

5.) Psycho Girlfriend: Great song that Jessie sings with attitude and soul. The melody in the song is so infectious, it'll stay in your head after you listen to it.

6.) Inevitable: Nice, upbeat, pop-like song that's good to listen to.

7.) Girl Next Door: Sweet pop song that's nice to listen to.

8.) Guilty: One of my favorite songs from the album. This song is so soulful and has a nice, soothing melody. Jessie really sings it well.

Jessie James is quite a talented singer and this album proves it.

I love her style, I love her mix of different styles of music. Its fun and sassy all mixed into one. Her voice is amazing. and she is adorable to top it off. Anxiously awaiting the next album. :o)

I loved this cd! She has attitude and spunk. :) My brother even liked it...mostly because of the bass level on a few of her songs. :) And of course, I received it on time...Amazon is always quick to ship items. :)

Jessica (Jessie) James is a very attractive woman who knows how to strut what she's got to maximum effect. Unfortunately this is her best talent and while it makes her videos memorable it doesn't come across on an audio CD.

For a one off Jessie can be nice in that sexy-slutty way and when she powers through notes she does sound a bit like Shakira from "Laundry Service." There are two big problems though. Firstly in almost all of her songs Jessie goes right to the power notes and rarely backs off. A song that builds to a powerful wail can be moving, a song that is nothing but power wails starts to get a little rough. Secondly she works pretty much one theme to death. "I am a sexy, high maintenance woman who will drive you crazy but you'll love it." After such songs as "Bullet" "Blue Jeans" "My Cowboy" etc when you get to "Psycho Girlfriend" she isn't telling you anything new, she's just confirming what went into all her other songs.

This is a shame because the one much softer song late on the CD shows more talent but it gets so buried in the other stuff it stands out not for quality but because it is so jarringly different from what the rest of the CD has thrown up so far. Rather than a display of her range it seems more like something the producers made her throw in.

As part of a mix Jessie's sexy slutty style can be fun but it's all she's got and on its own it gets old fast. If the songs reflect the woman then she, like her CD reminds me of an old girl friend who was best described as "a hell of a good time, but only about once every six months." Easy on the eyes she's fun to watch but unless there's a radical improvement on her act I do not expect her to have a long musical career.

I will say though, that this really is good for the i-pod while working out at the gym.