Customer Reviews

Joy

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

'Sunday Love' is FeFe Dobson's original sophomore record, but unfortunately, her label Island dropped her before they released it, meaning that it was shelved. It was very post-grunge, and she collaborated with music legends Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper, and Courtney Love. Unfortunately, since it was shelved, Island had the rights to those songs, and they sold them to very tween-pop singers. But amazingly, they weren't bastardized! They still worked. None of this seemed to affect FeFe, and she continued to do her own thing. She went back to the sound of her self-titled debut, but incorporated a lot more indie, jazz, and blues elements to the new songs she was crafting. These songs became the second half of 'Joy,' and they deserve that position. They are truly the best part about this record, and they form a FANTASTIC euphoric climax. The first half of 'Joy' are the songs that she wrote after being resigned to Island (Which I personally feel was a mistake. The indie\jazz\blues elements were completely left out of these new tracks, and Island postponed the release of the record for 2 more years.), and they very much reflect the tween-popstars that covered some of her 'Sunday Love' songs. There is definitely a disconnect. 'Joy' is essentially two EPs from two different labels stitched together to form one LP. But it works. It show's FeFe's diversity, and the newer, more produced songs, are SUPER catchy.
So while this may not be the record that I would have liked to have seen released (I really wish 'Sunday Love' was released, and that 'Joy' stayed true to it's indie roots), it's still a good record none-the-less, and I recommend it to any music-lover. Even music-snobs will find something to enJOY about 'Joy!'

NOTE: 'Sunday Love' was completely finished, produced, and mastered. There is an official track listing, including a bonustrack. There were two different kinds of sample CDs released (for reviews), but neither included all of the songs. However, all of the 'Sunday Love' songs have been leaked onto the internet, and FeFe even stated in an interview that she hopes her fans can find a way of getting them. If you know how to do that, then I recommend following her advice. ;]
NOTE 2: iTunes has a "Deluxe Edition" of 'Joy' which contains 4 additional bonustracks. If you don't feel the need to own the hardcopy, then I STRONGLY urge you to buy the 'Joy (Deluxe Edition)' off of iTunes. It is WELL worth it!

Don't judge me, but as a child of the 90s--this album just brings back so many memories which is kind of odd seeing as this album was released in 2010. But the sound is that fun punk rock feel reminiscent of Blink-182, Lillix, or even Letters to Cleo, yet it's more mature and as an adult now I feel no shame in blasting Fefe with the windows down. This album is fun, upbeat and doesn't take itself too seriously.

"Stuttering" is an immediate standout though I might add the chorus sounds slightly too much like "Behind These Hazel Eyes" by Kelly Clarkson for my taste. "Ghost" which was the first official single is also a great track and shows the direction that Fefe went with musically. It's power pop/punk infused with an underlying dance vibe. It's sort of in the middle of a Good Charlotte and The Veronicas album.

I love this album already and if you enjoy pop/punk and or happy exciting music, then this album is for you too.

**note, my definition of punk is more along the lines of Third Eye Blind, American Hi-Fi etc... and not The Sex Pistols or The Clash. If that's what you're into-then this album is not for you.

I love Fefe Dobson's album Joy it's fun pop rock, just as good as her first album. The lyrics are great and love the nice melodies too. My favorite songs are: Ghost, Stuttering, I'm a lady, You bitch, Set me free, & Can't breathe. I like the whole album anyway it's rocks!!!

i LOVE this album!!! great job fefe...this girl has talent...she s really raw and so very down to earth and i love how she cn jus be herself in her music and jus make it her own...u guys should really check it out!!!

Just wanted to say, after all the years of waiting for her new album to actually be purchasable, I gotta say this is some of her best work yet. Don't be put off by her song Ghost, which is really club-like(and good), because most of the album is actually very true to her rock roots, as well as venturing into alternative and punk.
Here's hoping more songs will be played on radio.

"Joy" is a catchy set of anthems dedicated to living life to its fullest. That may sound pretty rarefied, but I mean it. You can hear Fefe's enthusiasm and joie de vivre on every track, and it's infectious. I use music to motivate me as I exercise, so I'm mostly interested in the seven most up-tempo pop songs: Thanks For Nothing, Stuttering, You Bitch, Watch Me Move, I Want You, I'm a Lady, and Joy.

Nitpicking: "I Want You" was released 7/2009, long before the album (OK, fine) but the earlier version had a simplified introductory bass line, which initially sustained a single chord and seemed to fit the song's direct message better. And not that song order matters much these days, but "Joy" is such an inventive and fun song that it deserves top billing as the first track on the album.

Finally, Fefe, we need more Dobson. Your web site says "There aren't any scheduled tour dates." Get out of the borough and onto the road!

My daughter has enjoyed listing to this CD since the day she opened it up for Christmas. It's always nice when they enjoy the gifts you get them....

Finally! FeFe Dobson has returned. This album is fantastic. I love 10 of the 12 songs and the other 2 aren't bad at all. This is a skip-free cd. "Thanks For Nothing", "Stuttering", "Ghost", "You Bitch" and "Can't Breathe" are the stand-outs. 10/10. I love "Can't Believe" because it features Orianthi on the guitar and she is amazing.


1 Ghost - the first single, 9.8/10
2 Thanks For Nothing, 10/10
3 Stuttering, 9.7/10
4 Can't Breathe 9.6/10
5 You Bitch 10/10
6 Didn't See You Coming 8.5/10
7 Watch Me Move - didn't like at first, had to grow on me 8.8/10
8 I Want You - didn't like at first, had to grow on me 8.7/10
9 I'm A Lady 9.5/10
10 In Your Touch 10/10 beautiful song
11 Set Me Free 8.6/10
12 Joy just plain fun 9.4/10

I would have liked this cd to had a few more tracks on it, since it took two years to get released, but I am happy with the outcome.

I cant believe I waited so long for something that was just... okay. I loved Fefe's debut, my hell, I lived and breathed it for months after it was released. I still can pop it in and sing every word. It was amazing from Stupid Little love Song to We Went For A Ride... and then Sunday Love was sposed to come out... never did!! Now there is JOY... and its only okay. Ghost and Stuttering made me get so amped for it, I loved both as singles and can jam endlessly to them, but the rest of the album... kinda is blah except for maybe two more tracks, that i cant even recall. I miss old Fefe, I want Sunday Love!

I recommend buying the I Tunes Deluxe Edition for $11.99, You get four bonus songs, and three music videos, and a digital booklet. It's been along time waiting for this album, it was pushed back several times this year, which made me mad, thanks to Island Records. I still think she is better off with out Island Records, because of the way they have treated her the last few years. The only good thing about Island Records is that they finally realized how good she is. I wasn't happy when she was dropped from Island Records right before Sunday Love was supposed to come out. Sunday Love is an amazing album, so I don't understand why they dropped her. I've been a fan of Fefe since day one. She deserves her place in the music industry, because she is talented, and different. I'm more than over joyed that this album is finally out! I'm going to support her extra by buying the I Tunes Deluxe Version, and buying a copy in the store. She deserves the extra support, after all she's been through the last few years. I still hope to see the day when Sunday Love is actually released. Fefe has evolved a lot since her debut album in 2003, which came out seven years ago. This is one of my favorite albums of the year.