Customer Reviews

The Real Thing

5 star:		(461)
4 star:		(65)
3 star:		(57)
2 star:		(69)
1 star:		(132)

 

 

I know some people have criticized this cd for being more pop than it is rock. I see through all of this, I doubt Bo really had much choice about what he put on this album, but regardless of it being impacted in that manner, It is excellent. I love Willing to Try(Best acoustic ever), My World, Nothing Without You, Lie...It's Alright. They are very catchy, and general songs that just about anybody could love.

I, as many of the other Bo fans did, expected it to sound more like my beloved AI Bo. Especially after seeing him with Sugarmoney for the benefit concert. However, the industry I feel gave him more perks than many new artists. Do I hope his next album has a little more real Bo, yes of course I do, but I still feel that Bo tried to insert himself into many of these songs and made them better than they would've been with another artist singing them. The songs have very catchy tunes and especially the three songs, It's My Life, Hold On, and Valley of Angels have great lyrics. If you are expecting a resurection of older hits (although good ones) like Free Bird, then you'll be disappointed. However, if you are looking for a CD that shows artist flexibility, a great voice, catchy tunes, and an artist that can take most any style of song and still find a way to make it his own, then this is for you. I notice most of the negative reviews list kid review on them. Well, Bo has always appealed to the older more mature audience. I saw this first-hand at the concert when I was among the minority and am 29. I personally love it and my 3-year-old asks me, "Where Bo Bice?" when it isn't playing. The dual disc is wonderful, well worth the extra money. To fellow Bo fans, listen with an open mind, knowing the pressures of the industry, and remember that this is only the beginning! GO BO, I love ya man!! Much love.

I like this CD and Carrie Underwood's CD. Is it a crime to love both? They both offer different styles. Carrie's music is sultry and country - sweet, yet humble. Bo's is pop/rock with a tinge of originality that I love about Bo. I love his acoustic openings. Very nice job! I would buy it.

I must say that I love Bo's new cd. I really do not understand why people have to be so negative, if you don't like the cd just say you don't like it , there realy is no need to personally attack Bo. I think this cd really shows Bo's versatility.

I have to say that I voted for Bo on American Idol because if his great voice and great performances, not because of his Southern Rock style. To me, he was just a Rocker. Therefore, I can't share the angst that some have expressed over the lack of "Whipping Postesque" material. Personally, I think it's a change for the better. Bo can sing the bluesy, soulful material. But I think Joss Stone would have sung "Whipping Post" 10 times better because she has such a smooth and beautiful tone to her voice. Bo has a very thick, heavy, manly, gritty, gravely texture to his. That's more comparable to Chad Kroeger, Scott Stapp, and Bon Jovi which are all Rock. But at the same time, he's neither John Mayer, Dave Matthews, nor Michael Bolton that can pull off the soulful, bluesy material more effectively and skillfully. Their voices are much more fluid. So, I think he's better off doing Pop/Rock. I think the songs are great and he sounds great singing them. I'm not quite sure who the Southern Rock would have really appealed to. At least this album is radio friendly and has a chance of reaching an audience beyond American Idol. Shouldn't that be the goal? Why strictly play to a hardcore niche audience that's the furthest thing away from mainstream radio? Radio sells CD, not personal pet projects that satisfy a small group. I don't think half the people complaining even know who the "real Bo" is that they 1-star so passionately about. Most of those people have personally agendas which will not benefit Bo in the slightest. Why not let Bo be the "Freebird" that he sang about and allow him to stretch his wings and really soar instead of trying to keep him tied down in the same Southern Rock box?

This CD is so catchy, there must be some annoying bashers that are trying to bring his rating down. He deserves 4.5 stars like he had before. Bo rocks! this CD rocks, buy it!

My idol choice done good. My best Christmas present this year. Well worth the wait. Loving all the tracks, some better than others. My personal fav thus far "U Make Me Better". Had it on repeat. This guy can sing. Such tone. I hope he has a very enjoyable, rewarding musical career.

First off, I'm 46 years old, male and a huge fan of this guy. For the most part, I can't stand anything about American Idol, but I watched every week last year just to see what Bo would do next. That being said, I think in all honesty, this album is both good and bad. Bo is an awesome vocalist, and that comes through on this cd, but Clive Davis did him no favors here. I think it's fair to say(as the review on allmusic.com does) that most of what was really great and interesting and unique and rare and refreshing about Bo on the show, and why he had such mass appeal to an older audience, is for the most part ignored here. It seems Davis took a lot of what was great about Bo and threw it away. Gone is that sense of genuine raw, earthy appreciation for classic rock, and specifically southern rock that Bo showed, and it is replaced apparently by what Davis thought would sell. Generally, despite Bo's super vocals, these songs are interchangable in their sound and structure. Most start slow or acoustically and then power into this wall of digitized electric guitar chords. While Bo soars over, and with, a lot of it, even Bo's biggest fans have to admit these songs are pretty sterile and typical formula rock. Even Valley of Angels, a very familiar sounding Gospel-ish sort of song, and the only song not following that formula, is wrecked by Davis production team by adding those cheesy back up singers last heard on Partridge Family albums and the like. If you want to put Bo in front of a gospel choir, do it! Don't use phonies.

Don't get me wrong. I like Bo. I don't hate the cd. Like others, I would suggest buying the Dual disc for the handful of original songs not screwed up by Clive Davis, and for the very enjoyable video.

But I'll also go a step further. If you are disappointed by this cd, but you're still a fan like me, buy Bo's album with his band Sugar Money, Recipe for Flavor, available through www.sugarmoney.net. You'll find that to be more of what you thought this would be. Buy Vehicle, buy I Don't Wanna Be off of the American Idol CD, and pick your favorites off of The Real Thing and put together your own Bo album. Let's all hope Clive Davis keeps his hands off of Bo and lets him be himself the next time around.

It wasn't exactly what I was expecting from Bo but it's still a great album from American Idol Runner Up. I was stunned at how much his vocals and range have improved since the show. He sold a good amount in his first week and should see a successful career, I predict much success for Bice. It will be gentle, but impacting.

The major reason to buy this cd? Bo Bice. The man is a musician's musician, so committed to his craft that it is an imperative not a job for him. He loves what he does and it shows. I cannot recall many artists who have the vocal richness, power and passion of Bo. He reminds me of the great Ray Charles, of Joe Cocker, of Janis Joplin. Why? Because he gives you 200 percent or more of himself. And, that is rare.

So, you have The Voice. It is soothing, exciting, honey and whiskey and Bo growls, he wails, he breaks your heart in the best kind of way.
When I first heard Valley of Angels I was blown away. That one is a Bice homegrown original and it shows. The depth of feeling, the sense of peace he brings us with him to, the soulful vocals. I could listen to it forever and never tire of it.
Then you have Hold On To Me. This one rocks. It is a dark tune but yet it's so hopeful at the same time. I love the words, music and Bo's unique phrasing on this one.
Remember Me, evocative, haunting, sexy. Love lost but not forgotten. Yup, I've been there. Bo excels on this one and it's a really beautiful tune.
I just watched Bo do You Make Me Better Live on Sessions and man was that hot.It is such a great song that I can't wait to see him perform this on tour.
Bo growls through Willing to Try, shows us where he's at in It's My Life and gets playful on You're Everything.
There's just so much versatility and so many good songs, it's hard to not just name them all.
I heartily encourage you to buy this cd. I listen to radio, and in my mind, this is better than anything out there. Besides, you don't just get one or two songs, you get 11 that actually rock.
Oh, and the dual disk with the bonus tracks? Love it completely.
Bo Bice. Dude can sing with the best of them. The Real Thing proves this with each and every listen.
I expect this very charismatic cat to be pouring his heart and soul out and entertaining us all for years and years to come. And I couldn't be more thrilled.