Jordin Sparks
Jul.26, 2009 in
Tattoo Information
Liking Jordin Sparks, American Idol’s season six winner, comes instinctively. How many 17-year-olds are as self-possessed, as big-smiling, as committed to having a good time and keeping it real? Probably none. Liking Sparks’ music has been a different story for fans anticipating her debut CD, though. Her gut-busting Idol performance of “I (Who Have Nothing)” was possibly her only prime-time goosebump generator, yet she’s seen an instant progression to diva-dom, as chronicled in rep…
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July 26th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Self-Titled Debut – A Great Album
Jordin Sparks’ self-titled debut album is a great start to her singing career. She sounds amazing on every song and doesn’t over do it.
July 26th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
First off, who knew a record company would put a girl on the cover with clothes on? Jordin Sparks on American Idol wasn’t the best singer … “Living on a Prayer” still causes night sweats, but what she had going for her was a killer personality. She was like your little/big sis who was just so eager and happy to learn and be there that you had to root for her on some level. And when she belted out Bassey’s classic “I (Who Have Nothing)” with enough theatrical flair and pitch perfect notes that would make Mariah Carey pay attention you knew the girl had potential.
This album gives glimmers of that potential. She doesn’t go for any power notes at all on this disc, on every track she gives just enough power to let you know that she’s able to sing. What the disc is heavy on is R&B/Hip-hop created by today’s top producers. It gives her album a current sound without the need to inspect the disc for trashy lyrics you don’t want your kids to hear. The song “Young and in Love” is a great example. It’s stuttery hand claps and cute ditty chorus will get stuck in your head the same way Britney’s “Toxic” did not too long ago — it’s done by the same production team.
The first single “Tattoo” is done by the same producers who gave Beyonce her smash “Irreplaceable.” It carries the same: acoustic guitar and drums. The shocker on the disc is duet with Chris Brown “No Air.” To say that Sparks out sings him is an understatement, but there is a sugary sweetness to the song that’ll work for parents and kids alike.
This is a teen/tween album — and it should be. Sparks is only 17 and the youngest American Idol winner. It almost has everything her personality had but the album lacks any sort of power behind it. There aren’t any show stopping tunes here. But I must give her credit for knowing her image and wanting to make something universal in a time when being a female singer means you can double as a suitcase girl on “Deal or No Deal.”
July 26th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
What kind of album do you get when you give a 17-year-old powerhouse singer an assortment of catchy hooks and well-written lyrics? American Idol-winner Jordin Sparks’ self-titled effort, that’s what. Since wetting fans’ appetites with the Stargate-produced “Tattoo” in August, Sparks is looking to inch her way into the pop music scene with her debut.
Although not every track on `Jordin Sparks’ is worthy of the teen sensation’s vocals, the vast majority are. Obviously, lead single “Tattoo” is a standout thanks to its masterful production, but where Sparks truly shines is the ballad “Permanent Monday.” She uses her signature emotional vibrato and power notes on this Christina Aguilera-esque lovesick track. “Monday” could easily dominate the Adult Contemporary circuit if given the chance.
Where Sparks has the hottest potential hit on her hands is her duet with Chris Brown, “No Air.” The production on “Air” is comparable to anything Timbaland could whip up, and the bridge is one of the busiest, most beautiful “disasters” ever heard because the two teens’ vocals harmonize perfectly despite the complexity.
Another gem on `Sparks’ is “Freeze,” as its instrumentation bears a striking resemblance to Nelly Furtado’s “Say It Right.” Sparks offers an interesting scenario on “God Loves Ugly,” as she takes a stand against discrimination against people not seen as “ideal-looking.” The lyrics on “Ugly” are the best on the entire album, and really strikes a chord no matter what the listener thinks of their body type.
The album also provides a variety of Top 40-ready, catchy mid- to up-tempo tracks like “Now You Tell Me,” “One Step At a Time,” and “Just For the Record,” which are all harmless and age-appropriate for Sparks. “Next to You” is comparable to something an early Mariah Carey would record, and showcases Sparks’ lower register better than any other track on the album.
Sparks’ `Idol’ coronation song “This Is My Now” makes an appearance as a bonus track, which together with the sleep-inducing, tedious “See My Side” create a few speed bumps on the album.
But the two tracks that have no business being included on `Sparks’ are juvenile “Shy Boy” and juvenile-er “Young and In Love.” Sparks’ voice is rendered unrecognizable thanks to the overused synthesizers and the loud, obnoxious 80s’ beats drag the tracks to the lowest of lows. To say these songs deserved to be on label-mate Britney Spears’ latest album `Blackout’ would be considered a low blow.
Thankfully these disappointments are countered by Sparks’ superb performances on the majority of the album, which set the foundation for her still very young career.
July 26th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this CD!
Jordin Sparks is a great singer and this CD has a great mix of her songs!
July 26th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Jordin Sparks cd is simply great, i love it! She is young and talented and I hope she will be a success for many years to come. An Idol. Songs that I can relate to: Permanent Monday and This is my now . She is a rising star *
July 26th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
1.0 out of 5 stars
Jordin is FABULOUS but she DID have formal training!
Hello from Jordin’s former voice teacher MELISSA BLACK – owner of MUSIC BY MELISSA in Peoria,Az. Jordin was my full-time voice and piano student for 9 months when she was 14 and…
July 26th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Light and Easy! Listen while you work!
Well, it was December 17th. I remembers it well. It was a complete convalescence of events in one day.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:08 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
Jordin Sparks album
I like the album. It has some really good songs like “Tattoo”, “One Step At A Time”, “No Air”, and the winning song “This Is My Now”.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:53 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good Album
Great album!!If you like the sound of her voice, definately buy the album. The songs are light and catchy. They are easily related too.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:12 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not great
Great vocals, but the songs could be more interesting. Jordin Sparks has a good deal of talent, and I’d like to hear more from her.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:15 am
4.0 out of 5 stars
I gave in.
Yes, I voted for Blake, but Jordin is the one who can really sing. Nice bubble gum pop that will get stuck in your head.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:22 am
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just Average
I loved Jordin on American Idol, but I found this CD disappointing. There are some good songs, but it really is just an OK album.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:01 am
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Daughter Loves This Album!
I recently bought this album for my 7 year old daughter and she loves it. Every morning when she is putting on her make-up, she cannot stop dancing to “One Step At A Time”.