Take It All Away [ENHANCED]

Ryan Cabrera

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 17, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000255J2M
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (259 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,014 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Key to making sense of the Ryan Cabrera craze is the can't-argue recognition that chicks dig him: A gig opening for Jessica Simpson and a rumored romance with her sister Ashlee secured early interest in this debut disc. Fortunately for his record company, behind the cute-boy looks and the teen-driven hype hums something more substantial. Careful listeners will hear it not only in the jangly guitars of the MTV hit "On the Way Down," but also throughout the misty-eyed, mournful "She's"; the bite-off-a-lyric-and-spit-it-out rocker "Illusions"; and the sexy, Carlos Santana-styled "Shame on Me." The CD's producer, lead Goo Goo Doll John Rzeznik, gets credit for sparing Cabrera the career-blowing "It Boy" tag--in addition to pitching in background vocals on a couple of tracks, he steers the set in a Goo-inspired, sunny but still rocking direction. Listeners prone to emotional ODs may take issue with the lyrics, which are often searching and self-involved, but the brightness of the melodies and the loverboy voice rush up to redeem them. Find fault with Cabrera where you will, in other words, but title aside, you can't take it all away from him. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description
Ryan Cabrera's budding career has grown quickly from hobby, to local star status in his Dallas hometown, to the very real promise of international acclaim. And while that might seem like a leap at this early stage, it doesn't seem so far from reality when you see the fan websites that have dedicated themselves to the singer for over a year now. It's this grassroots word of mouth that has been buzzing of late with the release of Take It All Away, the 21-year-old's Atlantic debut. Produced by the Goo Goo Dolls' John Rzeznik and Cabrera, the album features irresistible pop-rock punctuated by one undeniable chorus after another, lifted by the liberal use of soaring vocal harmonies. In addition to songwriting contributions from Rzeznik, Cabrera was joined by Sabelle Breer and Curt Frasca, who penned two tracks on Avril Lavigne's multi-platinum debut; Guy Chambers, who has written for Robbie Williams; and more. Cabrera is managed by Joe Simpson, manager and father of popstar Jessica Simpson.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best CDs I've bought in a while, October 8, 2004

By	Willow (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This CD was an impulse buy - without hearing any songs from it (no, not even "On the Way Down" - it gets no radio play here), I decided to pick it up. I don't know why, but I'm really glad I did. TAKE IT ALL AWAY is a fantastic CD that's been in my Discman for weeks straight, and Ryan Cabrera is my favorite new artist.

Favorite tracks are:
-On the Way Down - The first single off the CD. It's a really nice song to just kind of...chill to. It shows off Ryan's great guitar playing and vocal ability.
-True - This is my absolute favorite song on TAKE IT ALL AWAY. With a pretty acoustic guitar part, beautiful lyrics, and a catchy tune, this song is great. I think everyone can relate to it, which is a plus.
-Exit to Exit - At first I didn't like this song...something about it really bothered me. But it grows on you fast, and it's got some really great lyrics ("Could it be the taste was bittersweet, when it all comes down to your defeat, so high...so low").
- Take it All Away - The title track of the CD. It's another slower song, and it is, once again, really pretty. The ballads on this CD really show off the fact that this kid can sing.

All the songs on TAKE IT ALL AWAY are great, with the exception of the just "okay" track Let's Take Our Time. I'd love to see this guy perform live, because he seems to be an amazing musician.

Overall grade - A+

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars First things first..., February 13, 2005

By	Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

If you're one of those people that think anything shown on TRL is crap, then stop reading this review right now. I don't watch TRL, but I can tell that this is the kind of music that that fanbase would go for. But after listening to this album, I think that adults can appreciate it too.

Ryan Cabrera might not have the best singing voice, but his voice still works well with the music. He does a good job in delivering nice vibes through his songs, whether it be romantic songs like "She's" or metaphors like "On the Way Down". And his latest single "True" might be the best song on the album, because although it doesn't look like much on paper, it's the way the lyrics are sung that makes the song a standout. Other highlights include "Blind Sight", "Echo Park" and "Illusions". You can tell that John Rzeznik had a hand in the latter because it sounds like it came straight from a Goo Goo Dolls album.

The title track is one of those keep-your-head-up songs that really doesn't help or hurt the album. But when Ryan tackles sex, the lyrics can go from tolerable ("Let's Take Our Time") to, well, corny ("Shame On Me" -- "I want to work you out"? *sigh*). "40 Kinds of Sadness" suffers from a corny chorus, too. All that aside, though, Take It All Away is a pretty solid album that should be suitable for teens and adults alike.

Anthony Rupert

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surpassed Expectations, Definitely, August 18, 2004

By	Justin (Corpus Christi, TX, USA) - See all my reviews

Well, the CD "Take It All Away" is much more guitar driven than I had anticipated, as many will agree with me. On first listen, you will like it alot, second listen, love it, and from then on it grows on you more and more.

LETS TAKE OUR TIME 5/10... stupid stupid song. sounds like JC Chasez which is the worst thing you can sound like. yes, thing.
ON THE WAY DOWN 10/10... great lyrics, catchy melodies
TRUE 9/10... great ballad about a girl not liking/loving you back
EXIT TO EXIT 10/10... catchy, fun, great song
40 KINDS OF SADNESS 9/10... awesome but seems to be easily forgotten.
ECHO PARK 10/10... awesome, New York feel to it.
TAKE IT ALL AWAY 10/10... Ryan wrote this on the toilet and its a great song, and a great title for the album.
SHAME ON ME 8/10... I dont like this AS MUCH merely because of the Santana guitars
SHE'S 50/10... dark, slow, painful song that is one of the most beautiful songs I've heard in a while. wonderful. if its not a single, I'd be very suprised.
ILLUSIONS 9/10... catchy.
BLIND SIGHT 10/10... amazing end to the album, saxaphones add emotion and Ryans vocals soar and make you wanna start the album over again, such as I did.

Kickass debut from Ryan Cabrera, amazing musicianship, wonderful songwriting. A great influence for young musicians.