Customer Reviews

Jordin Sparks

5 star:		(73)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

First off, who knew a record company would put a girl on the cover with clothes on? Jordin Sparks on American Idol wasn't the best singer ... "Living on a Prayer" still causes night sweats, but what she had going for her was a killer personality. She was like your little/big sis who was just so eager and happy to learn and be there that you had to root for her on some level. And when she belted out Bassey's classic "I (Who Have Nothing)" with enough theatrical flair and pitch perfect notes that would make Mariah Carey pay attention you knew the girl had potential.

This album gives glimmers of that potential. She doesn't go for any power notes at all on this disc, on every track she gives just enough power to let you know that she's able to sing. What the disc is heavy on is R&B/Hip-hop created by today's top producers. It gives her album a current sound without the need to inspect the disc for trashy lyrics you don't want your kids to hear. The song "Young and in Love" is a great example. It's stuttery hand claps and cute ditty chorus will get stuck in your head the same way Britney's "Toxic" did not too long ago -- it's done by the same production team.

The first single "Tattoo" is done by the same producers who gave Beyonce her smash "Irreplaceable." It carries the same: acoustic guitar and drums. The shocker on the disc is duet with Chris Brown "No Air." To say that Sparks out sings him is an understatement, but there is a sugary sweetness to the song that'll work for parents and kids alike.

This is a teen/tween album -- and it should be. Sparks is only 17 and the youngest American Idol winner. It almost has everything her personality had but the album lacks any sort of power behind it. There aren't any show stopping tunes here. But I must give her credit for knowing her image and wanting to make something universal in a time when being a female singer means you can double as a suitcase girl on "Deal or No Deal."

... and by "smolders" I mean that she glows and is smokin' hot, but thanks to some damp material she falls just short of igniting the fiery album I was expecting.

Pretty, bubbly, young, a great performer and with an amazing voice, Jordin Sparks nails some winners in this album, which already has three hits under its belt:

1. This is My Now - the song she sang to take the American Idol title from Blake Lewis (Granted, he was at a disadvantage due to not being able to change up the song to better suit his style)
2. Tattoo - Definitely mainstream pop, a catchy song geared towards radio and television saturation. (I still like it) Co-written by Sparks.
3. No Air - Hot, hot song with hottie Chris Brown (need I say more?)

Other songs to look out for:

One Step at a Time - An upbeat, funky song, well suited to her voice

Now You Tell Me - An ideal pop song for an Idol graduate

Next to You - Mid tempo song carried by the chorus

Just For the Record - Another mainstream pop song

Not that hot:

"Freeze" - Self-explanatory. She sings well, but it's not a really good song. Co-written by Sparks

"Shy Boy", "See My Side", "God Loves Ugly" - Monotonous

"Permanent Monday", "Young and In Love" -Unmemorable


This debut album proves that Sparks has the voice to soar to greater heights, but she needs some edgier material to push her above the rest of the mainstream crowd.




Amanda Richards, March 20, 2008

Got this cd for my wife at christmas. Thought she would like it but turned out to be alittle too teenie bopper for her. However she does like two songs on it so was not a total waste.

Her talent is wasted by such bland songs. It seems the Idol franchise is intent on making very bland cd's. All personality is lost. Not much here but very generic, bland, pop.

For many "Idol" alumni, the debut album is a hit-or-miss situation; Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry have scored platinum, multi-million selling debuts, while Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee disappointed in sales. Jordin Sparks falls in the middle of the spectrum, with catchy, poppy modern R&B flavored songs and boasting beautiful ballads. The style on her album does not stray far from Beyonce or Mariah Carey, and yet Jordin manages to make each song her own. The catchy songs combined with her AMAZING voice turn this into an album that's sure to please.

1. Tattoo - The first single is slowly but surely climbing the charts. Cheesy yet catchy, about moving on from a past love who is "on my heart just like a tattoo." Great choice for a first single, but bland compared to other songs. 3/5

2. One Step At A Time - Destined to be a hit, from the catchy beat to the inspirational lyrics. This song is about acheiving your dreams, one step at a time; "There's no need to rush/It's like learning to fly/or falling in love." Should be a single. Mid-tempo. 4/5

3. No Air - If THIS isn't a single, I don't know what's wrong with the world. Anything Chris Brown touches turns to gold including this song, about two people unsure of how they can live without each other. "How do you expect me/to live alone with just me/'cause my world revolves around you/it's so hard for me to breathe." Jordin and Chris both showcase their vocals, resulting in a beautiful song destined for radio. I could do without some of the wailing though. 5/5

4. Freeze - Ew. Although Jordin did co-write this song, and the lyrics are great (about freezing a moment in time), I can't bring myself to like this song at all. The "Freeze" part in the backround sounds like a dying chicken, and the beats are recycled Nelly Furtado confections. 2/5

5. Shy Boy - VERY different from what I'm used to hearing from Jordin. Almost Britney-esque, from its juvenile lyrics to the beats. But...it's so addicting! Could be a club hit. "I've got my eye on this other guy/Back in a booth with his boys, he's all mellowed out/and tonight I don't mind me a shy boy/So I gotta know..." The synthesized vocals kind of work. 3/5

6. Now You Tell Me - My absolute favorite song. Very mature compared to "Shy Boy". The verses build up to a dramatic chorus, and Jordin really makes this tune her own. "You're in love/but that's not what it was/All those times that passed by/with no sign/And now you're telling me..." You'll be singing along in no time. 5/5!

7. Next To You - Feels like a recycled track from Christina Aguilera's first album. Also feels like filler, but good filler. Everyone will be able to relate to this pretty ballad. "Maybe we're friends, maybe we're more.maybe it's just my imagination/But I see you stare just a little too long/And it makes me start to wonder." Pretty good, but forgettable. 3.5/5

8. Just For The Record - Talk about filler! This track is incredibly bland and forgetable. Her voice sounds pleasant, but it's really quite boring. I can't even remember the lyrics. 2/5

9. Permanent Monday - WOW. Amazing, amazing, amazing. The lyrics are top-notch, but the music and Jordin's voice really help to sell this song! Yo can really feel her emotion. "Everytime you go away/The sunshine starts to fade/Frozen by the hands of time into a permanent Monday." My favorite ballad. Brilliant. 5/5

10. Young And In Love - WTF? Coming after Permanent Monday, this song sounds like a cheap Britney knock-off--and not even half as addicting as "Shy Boy". Jordin doesn't even sound like Jordin, her voice sounding much too high-pitched. However, the chorus will be stuck in your head for days. 2.5/5

11. See My Side - This song is slowly but surely growing on me. At first, it was extremely boring and I was tempted to skip it, but it sounds more and more beautiful as it goes on. The echoing effects in the chorus sound great. "See (see) my (my) side (side)/And I'll see (see) your's (your's) better." 3.5/5

12. God Loves Ugly - Beautiful song with a beautiful mssage. About how despite the fact that we all have imprefections, God looks past them. I don't believe in God in the slightest, but I love this song. It's gorgeous. "But God loves ugly/he doesn't see the way I see/God takes ugly and turns it into something that is/beautiful/Apparently I'm beautiful/because you love me." 5/5

13. This Is My Now - The corny song that HAD to be tacked on at the end. I hate this song, it's cheesy to the max and ruins the flow of the CD. Jordin sings it great, but the production and lyrics suck. 1/5

Definitely buy this album! Or, if you can only get a few, buy No Air, Now You Tell Me, Permanent Monday and God Loves Ugly. I can only imagine Jordin's sophomore effort will be even better.

What kind of album do you get when you give a 17-year-old powerhouse singer an assortment of catchy hooks and well-written lyrics? American Idol-winner Jordin Sparks' self-titled effort, that's what. Since wetting fans' appetites with the Stargate-produced "Tattoo" in August, Sparks is looking to inch her way into the pop music scene with her debut.

Although not every track on `Jordin Sparks' is worthy of the teen sensation's vocals, the vast majority are. Obviously, lead single "Tattoo" is a standout thanks to its masterful production, but where Sparks truly shines is the ballad "Permanent Monday." She uses her signature emotional vibrato and power notes on this Christina Aguilera-esque lovesick track. "Monday" could easily dominate the Adult Contemporary circuit if given the chance.

Where Sparks has the hottest potential hit on her hands is her duet with Chris Brown, "No Air." The production on "Air" is comparable to anything Timbaland could whip up, and the bridge is one of the busiest, most beautiful "disasters" ever heard because the two teens' vocals harmonize perfectly despite the complexity.

Another gem on `Sparks' is "Freeze," as its instrumentation bears a striking resemblance to Nelly Furtado's "Say It Right." Sparks offers an interesting scenario on "God Loves Ugly," as she takes a stand against discrimination against people not seen as "ideal-looking." The lyrics on "Ugly" are the best on the entire album, and really strikes a chord no matter what the listener thinks of their body type.

The album also provides a variety of Top 40-ready, catchy mid- to up-tempo tracks like "Now You Tell Me," "One Step At a Time," and "Just For the Record," which are all harmless and age-appropriate for Sparks. "Next to You" is comparable to something an early Mariah Carey would record, and showcases Sparks' lower register better than any other track on the album.

Sparks' `Idol' coronation song "This Is My Now" makes an appearance as a bonus track, which together with the sleep-inducing, tedious "See My Side" create a few speed bumps on the album.

But the two tracks that have no business being included on `Sparks' are juvenile "Shy Boy" and juvenile-er "Young and In Love." Sparks' voice is rendered unrecognizable thanks to the overused synthesizers and the loud, obnoxious 80s' beats drag the tracks to the lowest of lows. To say these songs deserved to be on label-mate Britney Spears' latest album `Blackout' would be considered a low blow.

Thankfully these disappointments are countered by Sparks' superb performances on the majority of the album, which set the foundation for her still very young career.

I really like Jordin Sparks. She's young, fresh, gorgeous and bubbly, and most importantly for this review, she has an amazing voice.

She's also (at least when making this CD) only 17 years old, and I think that is the key to understanding and enjoying this album. The themes are growing up and learning about love, done in R&B-flavored pop. The songwriters and producers wisely gave Jordin material that she could identify with and sing about from experience, and I think Jordin did a great job of connecting with the feeling of the songs. I feel about 17 listening to the CD, which is not a bad thing - kind of nostalgiac. If you didn't like being 17, well...(sorry.)

Key tracks:
*No Air - Duet with Chris Brown, rumored to be the 2nd single. Nice interesting beat, strong melody, really catchy.
*Freeze - My favorite track, midtempo, a little different melody than you'd expect, interesting use of some vocal effects that don't overpower the song.
*Next To You - Traditional pop ballad but extremely well done.
*See My Side - Almost sounds like a lullaby - fragile melody and spare production make Jordin's vocals stand out, her voice is mainly in the higher range for the song which I think really reflects the sentiment of the lyrics.

There are a couple of Britney-ish electropop tracks that might've been added to grit up the album a little but in my opinion they don't work as well as the rest. My main criticism for the album is that while each song is nice on its own, taken all together (being mostly midtempo) they start to sound similar.

Overall, sweet and light pop that's still definitely enjoyable. I wouldn't mind kicking back and spending afternoons with this album. This is what Jordin should be singing at this point in her life. I do see the potential for great things here and will be looking forward to future music from her! (4/5)

Jordin Sparks cd is simply great, i love it! She is young and talented and I hope she will be a success for many years to come. An Idol. Songs that I can relate to: Permanent Monday and This is my now . She is a rising star *

Jordin Sparks climbed the ranks of Idols after she brilliantly performed Ben E King's "I (Who Have Nothing)", and eventually she went all the way winning the entire competition, the youngest of all winners at only 17. Jordin was a very likeable charachter, just like a little sister she was enthusiastic and always eager to learn and improve. And for each week she just got better. But apart from previous winners like Carrie Underwood (county) Taylor Hicks (Rock) and Kely Clarkson (first winner) she doesn't have the obvious style or image to make an album that truly feels like her own. And like most of us already knew, Producers always have a huge impact on the debut albums of an American Idol winner. Jordin is still very young but it feels like this is the case with her debut album, even more then by previous winners. With 13 songs, her debut album can be divided into 2 parts, ballads and pop with a few rock exceptions. Most of the ballads come from Norwegians Stargate (Because of You, Irreplacable, Hate That I Love You) while Emanuel Kirakou and Underdogs also get production credits. The pop/uptempos mostly comes from Bloodshy & Avant that recently produced half of the songs from Britney's Blackout. Having said that The sound is rather fammiliar and feels like the works of producers not Jordin but unfortunatley the hit singles are rather few even if there are no bad songs on this album.

The first song is her first single "Tattoo" a ballad from Stargate that is currently climbing the charts and it's really good. The album continues with another strong number a midtempo called "One Step at The Time" that is an obvious single in my opinion and perhaps the best song. The Underdogs stand for the most exciting moment with "No Air" a duet with fellow teenager Chris Brown. Like most Underdogs cuts, this is also a ballad and a highlight. Stargate continues with "Freeze" and later "Just for the Record", the latter sound like Stargate ballad with accoustic guitars and Rock/Pop sound. Swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant produce "Shy Boy", "Young And In Love" and "See My Side", the first two continue the trend of songs they did for Britney with exciting futuristic produtions but less memorable lyrics. "See My Side" is actually a ballad and was co-written by Swedish singer Robyn that also sang backround vocals on Britney's album. Some people will like this one, others find it boring. "Now You Tell Me" is a rocky power ballad and so is "Permanent Monday". "Next To You" another classic ballad while "God Loves Ugly" a serious ballad about god's love for everyone. Bonus song is the Idol song "This is Me Now".

Overall, Despite the fact that no song is bad and around 4 are hit warnings it end up feeling like the work of producers and rather typical for a winner of an reality show where the producers and Ceo's have a major impact of the end product. It also kinda borrows the sound of Ne-Yo and Britney and doesn't feel too personal either. However, Jordin is still young and she's a skilled singer and likeable person. I'm sure that her next album will be a major improvement with more personal impact. Should you buy it or not? I say yes. It's a decent album and the hit singles are really good and there are plenty of growers aswell. The album is also very safe with nothing controvercial or unexpected, so it should apply alot to a younger audience and perhaps as good xmas gift.

I knew that Jordin Sparks was the winner of "American Idol", but since I do not watch the show and had not heard much of her music aside from "No Air", I didn't pay much attention to her. But after I saw her open for Alicia Keys, I liked what I heard, so I wanted to buy her album and see what she was all about. She was a good performer with nice stage presence.

As a unit, this album has many genres of music interpolated within it. You have pop, R&B, country and a lot of rock. Honestly, there are many influences of Kelly Clarkson on this record, but that is understandable. She probably studied Clarkson to some extend since Clarkson won "American Idol" and Sparks won several years after. What's cool is the fact that she even sounds like Clarkson on most of these songs, but, fortunately, there is a distinction between the two lovely voices. Sparks delivers all of her songs well. She's never breathy and her vocals are very clear and she should be applauded for that. About half of the songs are impressive and the rest are mediocre or not quite mediocre. "No Air" features Chris Brown. The song took some time to get used to, but it's a nice song. Sparks and Brown sound really good together, the song is a little sappy, though. Nevertheless, it is one of the best moments on this album. There is a lot of that "space" sound on this album, sometimes it worked, sometimes it did not. "Freeze" has that sound, but I enjoy that song. It's a mid-tempo number with a nice hook and good lyrics. Besides "No Air", my other favorite song on this album is "Just For the Record." This track has a huge R&B/pop influence. I listened to that song quite a few times. "Shy Boy" and "This is My Now" are missteps, though. The lyrics on "Shy Boy" are decent and Sparks sounds great, but there is nothing outstanding at all about that song. Sparks sounded a little too much like Kelly Clarkson on "This is My Now." In fact, it sounds like "A Moment Like This." In the end, this song does not work for Sparks.

Overall, I enjoyed this piece of work. I will support this young lady in her future endeavors because she has a great spirit and lots of talent. Once she really finds her way, she could become on of music's greats.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Next to You"
2. "Just for the Record"
3. "No Air"
4. "Tattoo"
5. "Freeze"