Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Makes Me Happy, December 5, 2006
First of all, let it be known right off the bat that this review is being written by a 30-something-year-old man who loves music, but still thinks "Drake & Josh" is a decently amusing and somewhat entertaining program. I bought Drake Bell's first album, the independent release "Telegraph", out of curiosity, when I found out that he was an aspiring musician. I was quite impressed that a teenage heartthrob could actually compose songs, play instruments and sing so well.
I am even more enchanted with this album, and I've only just moments ago finished listening to it for the first time. Every song is a gem, with Bell's crisp yet supple vocals aurally dancing right along with the endlessly catchy melodies. The overriding sound is definitely contemporary pop-rock, but there are overtones of vaguely Tin-Pan-Alley-inspired '60s and '70s pop whimsy -- reminiscent of The Mamas & The Papas and, to a lesser degree, Herman's Hermits and the Beatles -- that often decorate the songs.
I'd love to know how much input Bell himself had in the overall sound of the resulting album; if he was the chief contributor to it, then his potential as a recording artist is tremendous. As expected with a major-label release, this album has probably been polished and "radio-friendlied-up" for the masses, but that doesn't stop me from thoroughly loving it! The only disappointment is the CD's running time: just 35 minutes. It does, however, come with a DVD (which I haven't watched yet) and has a very attractive price tag.
So, if you don't like to be immediately consumed with catchy tunes in your head and a big bounce in your step, then you might as well stay away from this CD. On the other hand, if you want to get an early glimpse of a serious musical talent, you should pick up this CD ... your ears will thank you.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This dude is GOOD, December 16, 2006
I don't know how old this guy is, but his musical maturity is no-doubt far beyond his years. Drake's music sounds a whole lot like the band, Jellyfish from the 90s...although a bit poppier. Great music, good singing....good lyrics...good stuff.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's Fun Pop Without That Plastic Feeling, February 20, 2007
Put any of today's pop stars' discs into your CD player and you'll notice that most of them sound exactly alike. There are few exceptions in the cluttered, cookie-cutter, plastic pop world of today. Even the supposed "punk" bands sound manufactured. One exception to the rule comes from the least expected place: Nickelodeon. "Drake and Josh" star Drake Bell's "It's Only Time" is his second foray into mainstream music. I haven't heard "Telegraph," Bell's first album. "It's Only Time" is pure pop fun. It's full of infectious hooks, fun chorus lines, and seemingly easy to digest lyrics. However, look beyond this surface of polish and sheen, and you'll find that Bell is a tad bit deeper than his strategically groomed contemporaries. For one, he can actually play musical instruments. Secondly, he knows his influences well and acknowledges them in style and musical delivery. Others have referenced the Beatles during their "Yellow Submarine" days and rightfully so. However, I think that Bell's sound is more of a mix of two heavily Beatles-influenced groups: Crowded House and Christian rockers, PFR. "Rusted Silhouette" and "Makes Me Happy" scream of Crowded House. PFR comes through the most on songs like "I Know" and "Do What You Want." I can also hear a tad bit of Squirrel Nut Zippers influence in the ragtime closer, "End It Good."
There's a DVD that comes with this particular album. It features two guitar lessons in which Bell teaches viewers how to play and sing "Found A Way," the theme song from "Drake And Josh." Teeny-boppers will eat up the outtakes from the album photoshoot and the "I Know" video. There's also an enjoyable acoustic performance of Bell. Overall, the DVD is a fun companion piece to the album, but the meat of this project is on the album itself.
For your information, I'm a thirty-year-old male with a five-year-old daughter who absolutely loves "Drake and Josh." I must say that I enjoy it myself since it is one of the few shows that I can actually watch with my daughter and not worry much about what's on the screen. Some here have stated that the songs on this album are to "steamy" or "racy" for young ears. Firstly, this is not a "Drake and Josh" album. It's a Drake Bell project. Secondly, only one song, the supposedly sex-tinged tune, "Up Periscope," has any questionable lyrics for youngsters at all. In fact, if a parent doesn't go out of their way to point out the lyrics in question, most kids will probably not even notice them since the music is so catchy and fun. Parents who worry over this one song will find it hard to purchase ANY albums from today's pop stars for their children. Give Bell a break. He's one of the safest popsters out there AND he happens to be one of the most talented in the bunch. Skip the song if it bothers you that much, but don't give the entire album a poor review for one song that offends you in some way.
Good job, Drake Bell. I look forward to your next album. Highly recommended.
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