Customer Reviews

Public Affair

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(23)
2 star:		(26)
1 star:		(61)

 

 

I think Jessica had the potential to make a great album, but this album is terrible! The first single, A Public Affair, is catchy and fun. The rest of the songs on this album are dreadful. I don't even know what style she is trying to do on this album; it is such a mess!! I was excited to purchase this album, but after one listen, I feel I made a terrible mistake. Just very disappointing, because I was expecting SO much more.

The title song, "A Public Affair", is great. It was a wise choice for first single and showed off her fun side and how she could be creative and sing something other than ballads and love songs (which seemed to be the focus of many of the releases from her last album, 'In This Skin'). Yet, the first single fools you.

The good side of this release is that Jessica Simpson is all over the place musically. The lyrics aren't all about love or relationships; "A Public Affair" is just about going out and having a good time, "You Spin Me Round (Like a Record" is a nice take-off of an old song about being caught up in someone, "Fired Up" is about going to the club and just letting loose. The down side to having such a wide range is that the really good songs stand out and then when compared to others that aren't as strong, you're in for a disapointment and let down. The first three tracks are great; fun, light, creative for her. A lot of the others seem weak and come off as filler tracks or B-sides to past works.

"The Lover in Me" is a nice sort of power ballad with the Jessica Simpson big-voice, runs, showing off that you'd expect from her. She's also joined by a choir on that track. "B.O.Y." sounds interesting, like a song out of the 1980s era. "Swing With Me" has rather tongue-in-cheek lyrics with a big band era production that really stands out and shines on the album. "Between You and I" will remind you of a song like "Unchained Melody" and it's okay, but the music is a bit better than the lyrics. Yet these mild to good tracks are brought down by others like "Push Your Tush" which sounds as if it wasn't well thought out and recorded quickly. They're forgettable, or sound under-produced. "Back to You", "I Don't Want to Care", "If You Were Mine" and "Let Him Fly" all come off as sleeper tracks; rather dull and slow moving and simply uninteresting.

The 2 stars are just for inconsistancy. You can tell that some of these tracks were recorded a while ago and just tossed in with more recent recordings. It would have been great if she'd done a complete upbeat pop album, as it seems like she's doing with the first three songs. For once, the ballads and love songs just don't really seem to work for her. Her heart and creativity comes through when she's being upbeat, playing with different sounds and styles, having fun and dancing. Not sure if it's completely worth buying but there are some really good songs on here that you should check out. Just know that all of her songs aren't like 'A Public Affair' which may be a good or bad thing, depending on what you're looking to get out of listening to her.

Either she is getting bad business advice or she really is this clueless. To be this young and doing so many remakes is not a smart move. On this cd, she covers dance rock group Dead or Alive and country artists Patti Griffin and Dixie Chicks. She also uses many samples from many artists, including Madonna.

The other thing that irritates me about her is Jessica can sing, but she has always lacks uniqueness in her voice. That is why her previous albums never sold anything. Therefore, it is my opinion she decided to go for a kitty-like voice this time so she could sell records. It is clear to anyone listening to this cd, that Jessica looks up to Madonna. What Jessica fails to see is Madonna has never been a powerhouse vocalist, but her voice is unique and she has amazing star quality which is something Jessica lacks. Jessica also fails to realize is Madonna is no longer the force she used to be and copying her at this point is not a smart idea.

This cd is worthless! Jessica, please find your own backbone and just be yourself on your next record.

I would like to start my review off by stating that I have always been a fan of Jessica Simpson. I have alway found her to be an underappreciated talent with an impressive voice. I even enjoyed her TV show with now ex husband Nick... With that being said, let me continue on to "A Private Affair."
This album is complete and utter garbage. And not in a positive Shirley Manson kind of way, either...
Jessica's voice sounds, to put it politlely, stretched a little thin here and she relies too heavily on recycled samples of so many other artists that I won't even start to list them. The only track on this disc that is listenable (and even that is an acquired taste) is the first single, "A Public Affair," and it goes quickly downhill from there. I am so disgusted with this album that I doubt I will ever buy another Simpson CD again - ever! Out of the 100+ music purchases I have made here at Amazon over the past year, this is definitely the biggest waste of money ever ... this CD is a waste of time, energy, and a perfectly good blank CD that will be in the 1 cent bin before you can say "Newlyweds."

As everyone know, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey recently divorced and Nick released a album "What's Left of Me" which pretty much reveal the purpuse just by reading the title. Most songs dealt with the pain of the divorce and things going wrong and he's somewhat trying to throw away the blame on Jessica's shoulders. Jessica's album is the opposite, while she may not have got over the bitter divorce yet, she's trying to put it behind her with a happy vibe feel good album where the majority of songs got nothing to do with her divorce and most are uptempo party tunes with hypnotic beats & melodies and addictive hooks kind of like Kylie Minogue's recent neo-disco albums. Oyt of 13 songs only 3 songs are classic ballads and the rest pure and simply feel good pop. 2 songs are directed to Nick though, "I Don't Want To Care" and her version of Patti Griffin's "Let Him Fly".

This album is full of samles and recycled tracks and even a few covers, I won't mention them all, just check the songwriters on the liner notes. It starts with the best song the uptempo "Public Affair" together with song number #4 "If You Were Mine" that respectively recycles Madonna's "Holiday" and Janet's "When I Think Of You" or is ir Nu Shooz "I Can't Wait" or both!?! But both those songs are good on their own with a great hook that match the sound well. Next song is a cover of Dead or Alive's "You Spin Me Around" a passable version of a great 80's track. "B.O.Y" is another decent club song and samples the Cars. "Walking Round in Circle" samples Fleetwood Mac and is a decent mid tempo, but why all this sampling?. "The Lover in You" is another good midtempo with backing vocals, a potential hit maybe. "Swing With Me" is a cover of Louis Prima's classic "Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)" a 50's inspired big band version. Next up is "Push Your Tush", country pop. Number 9 is finally a ballad "Back to You". "Between You & I" follows the same trend and is a ballad. "I Don't Wanna Care" is a midtempo which is dedictaed to Nick I think. It gives the message "The marriage is ended, let's move on with our lives". Scott Storch penned "Fired Up" as some call Jessica's appempt to make a "Dirrty" is dreadful. She sounds like a mix of Britney and Gwen Stefani and the R&B inspired song is not one of Scott's best. "Let Him Fly" a cover of one of her favorites, Patty Griffin. Another ballad.


Overall, Jessica's first post divorce album is mostly a lightweight "feel good" album with lots of catchy club songs. There are only 3 ballads on the album, so those of you that wanted another "I Wanna Love You Forever" will get dissapointed, the ballads here are not in the spotlight. But it isn't anything bad with that, "Public Affair" is a decent album with 2 excellent songs that should become hits, but there are also some horrific songs included aswell and lots of sampling/covers. It's not very original, but it is fun nonetheless and it's best moments and great. Enjoy!. 3'5 stars.

If not for her looks, this woman would not get recorded. The music is shallow .

When I first read about Jessica Simpson heading back into the studio, months ago, she described her new CD as wanting it to sound "fun" and "light" and she did just that. There is quite a diverse mix of songs, sounds and music included on this set. Also a bit of a more mature sound as well.

I have to admit that I was not too impressed with the first single: "A Public Affair". Yea, it's a fun, poppy, summer song but, it just reminded me too much of one of Janet Jackson's many older song's. But, since I have been such a big fan Of Jess's since her debut back in 1999, I knew I was going to purchase this CD no matter what. I am glad that I did. After her very publcized breakup and divorce with Nick Lachey it was nice to hear what her "post-marriage" music would sound like. Instead of going with the gut-wrenching sadness, that Nick took, Jessica decided to keep it very top 40, fun, bubbly, light and airy. She experiments with various different sounds and genres on this CD, such as: pop, dance, a little country, 80's-synth pop, a little swing music along with her trademark ballads.

1. "A Public Affair" - I must say this song has grown a little bit on me but, again not one of my favorites. A bit cheesy for me and, again, reminds me too much of a few Janet songs. 3/5

2. "You Spin Me Round (Like A Record)" - Not a complete remake, first of all!! Jessica takes the classic 80's Dead Or Alive song and uses musical elements from the original and the same chours but, all the verses are new and original. Has a nice club/dance beat throughout the song. I like it a lot. 5/5

3. "B.O.Y" - GREAT song!!!! Another fun, radio friendly, pop song! MADE for radio!!! Has a guitar sample from The Cars hit: "Just What I Needed". She is talking about how bad she needs this boy - over a nice synth beat. 5/5

4. "If You Were Mine" - Another radio friendly song. A light, fluffy and very likable song. Strong beat! 5/5

5. "Walkin' 'Round In A Circle" - Not one of my favorites on here. Very bland and boring. A midtempo song with not too much to offer. I can tolerate it but, I tend to skip over it. 2/5

6. "The Lover In Me" - My absolute favorite song on here!!! Beautiful lyrics, beautiful voice and beautiful music. LOVE the choir on this song - that combined with Jessica's voice gives me goosebumps!! This song has HIT written all over it! It's a cross between a ballad and a midtempo song. VERY GOOD! 5/5

7. "Swing With Me" - VERY FUN SONG!!! A nice swing song. Very upbeat and it just makes you want to dance. Basically her singing about dancing. Lots of horns and bongos....OUTSTANDING! A very infectious song!! 5/5

8. "Push Your Tush" - Ok.....HORRIBLE!! YUCK! lol Very country....sounds straight out of Dukes Of Hazard. She is mostly speaking her way through it with some whispers. It's a mess. I gave it a few spins....Now, I just skip it. It actually makes me cringe. 0/5

9. "Back To You" - Anice slower jam. Nothing too remarkable about it. Kind of bland. This song just leaves you waiting for her HUGE voice to break through and it never does. 3/5

10. "Between You & I" - BEAUTIFUL song!! Nice 50's melody and music styling to it. Love the lyrics. I can listen to this song over and over again! Another standout on this CD. 5/5

11. "I Don't Want To Care" - LOVE it!! Nice beat - midtempo! Her voice is great and the music is great. Such catchy lyrics. Another one I seem to hit repeat on when it comes to an end. 5/5

12. "Fired Up" - HOT!! WOW! The beat is FIRE! The most upbeat song on here. Ready for the dance floor and the radio! Sounds like a beat Beyonce' would sing to or Lil' Kim could rap to. VERY HOT!!! I dare you to not dance to this song! 5/5

13. "Let Him Fly" - Another classic remake. Beautifully done. A great, ballad, closer to this CD. A country infused ballad. Perfectly sang! This is the song where her voice really shines and soras on. 5/5

This CD is a bit different than Jessica's previous releases. To me it's more grownup. More mature. I Think it really reflects what is going on in her life right now and it conveys happiness. It's a breath of fresh air.

I am a Jessica Simpson fan, just from her show, and select singles...well, I was pleased with "A Public Affair" and couldn't wait to see what her new cd had...

It is not that this is a bad cd...it just sounds like someone told her to do this style on this song, this style on that song etc. There is not really a flow to the cd. It is part dance, part country-esque (on "Push Your Tush" which obviously is capitalizing on "These Boots Are Made For Walking" type sound..ballad, etc..

Some of the songs are good, like "A Public Affair" and my favorite on the album "If You Were Mine"... "Push Your Tush" is cute...and IMO this album is her best so far..

In summary, I just think that it is a mish-mosh of songs, some good, some...not so good and some in the middle. I don't think this cd will be a favorite of mine, but it won't be in the trash either..listen first before plunking down your money!

My rundown on each song:

1-"A Public Affair" (4/5) I really enjoy this song. I was so hyped when I first heard it. It really goes with Jessica.

2-"You Spin Me Round (like a record)" (5/5) I looooove this song. I feel it is better than the original version. Go Jess!

3-"B.O.Y." (4/5) It's an o.k. song. I like the beat, but the lyrics could be a lot better.

4-"If You Were Mine" (3/5) For some reason, I just don't see what all the hype is about when it comes to this song. On or off the album....makes no difference to me. It just wasn't made for Jessica to sing it.

5-"Walkin' Round In A Circle" (4/5) Unfortunately since I don't understand a word she says in her verses, I don't have much of an opinion on this song. I can just say I like the chorus, and once I read the lyrics or listen to it a few more times, I know I'll enjoy it completely.

6-"The Lover In Me" (5/5) Definitely one of the highlights of the album. It's great lyrics and it's wonderful beat make it deserve 5 stars. It's one of those songs you just want to hear over and over again.

7-"Swing With Me" (3/5) A o.k. song. I really like the way she sounds in it but the lyrics don't do much for me.

8-"Push Your Tush" (2/5) Acronym.... WTF?! Only thing I like about this song is the chorus up into the point where she stars singin' "push your tush"... there she kills it. Should have definitely put "I Belong To Me" here instead of this junk.

9-"Back To You" (4/5) I really like this song. I love the chorus and the feeling Jess invokes throughout the song. It takes me back to Jessica's best album: In This Skin. Again, once I read the lyrics, I know I'll love it even more.

10-"Between You & I" (3/5) I don't know what it is about this song, but there are parts of it I really enjoy and others I simply don't. Overall the lyrics are sweet but I'm not really feelin' it.

11-"I Don't Want To Care" (4/5) When I first heard this song on Jessica's website I didn't think much of it. But after really listening to its lyrics I've begun to appreciate it more. It is definitely a beautiful song that I can relate to.

12-"Fired Up" (4/5) Yea she sounds like Britney Spears, but who cares? Jessica should do more work with Scott Storch coz he suits her right. Great beat, cool lyrics. What more do u want?

13-"Let Him Fly" (4/5) Very sweet song that had me in the verge of tears. Great lyrics and her voice is beautiful in this song.

***Bonus Track***: "I Belong To Me" (5/5) The BEST song Jessica on the album. Why it isn't included in the original dics, I do not understand. As soon as I voted for it to be Jessica's 2nd single I knew it was worth paying the extra money for at Wal-Mart. Jessica made a huge mistake by not putting this song on the album. Penned by Diane Warren and everything! What is WRONG with u Jessica?

Overall, a pretty good album. Not as good as In This Skin. But it'll do. I always stick to Jessica, no matter what because she is one of those very few artists with talent. So yea, buy it and give it a try.

MY FAVES: "You Spin Me Round (like a record)"
"Lover In Me"
"I Belong To Me"

ON SKIP MODE: "If You Were Mine"
"Push Your Tush"

I agree with the majority of posts. I am dissapointed in Jessica's new album and I own all of her albums. Why does she have to sing all "breathy"? What happened to the "belt-out-I Wanna Love You Forever" Jessica? She lost a lot of fans when she didn't want to split her earnings 50:50 with Nick. She wouldn't even be popular today if she hadn't gotten married and been on a tv show. Next time, I think she should try an edgier sound, kinda like Kelly Clarkson or her sister, Ashlee. Jessica can sing. I just don't know why she tries to do the sexy whisper on all her songs anymore! And I think the song "Walkin Round" sounds like it is from a Stevie Nicks song. Why so many samples?