Jordin Sparks - Battlefield
List Price:
Our Price: $4.48
You Save: $14.50 (76%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $0.90 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Jordin SparksEdition: Music CD
Music CD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2009-07-21
Audience Rating: Unrated
Music Label: Jive
Soundtracks:
- Walking On Snow
- Battlefield
- Don't Let It Go To Your Head
- S.O.S. (Let The Music Play)
- It Takes More
- Watch You Go
- No Parade
- Let It Rain
- Emergency (911)
- Was I The Only One
- Faith
- The Cure
Music reviews of Battlefield
Music Review: Great Vocals, Some Very Uninspiring Material At Times...
Rating: 3 Stars
Let me begin with the positives about Jordin Sparks. She has an overall remarkable voice, great range, and stunning, "star" quality looks to accompany her unrequited vocal talent. However, her sophomore album Battlefield does not contain the same remarkableness that its vocalist retains. On BATTLEFIELD, Sparks sounds exceptional, however, her exceptional vocal timbre and aerobics used liberally throughout the album don't counteract the blandness that pervades the album. Here, you will not find another hit the caliber of "Tattoo" or the Grammy-nominated duet between her and Chris Brown on "No Air". "Battlefield" is the highlight and it is a great single bridging pop and R&B. The problem with the album isn't just one singular problem nor is it completely the artist. The problems that cause this album to be somewhat lackluster are the material and the fact that producers seem to confuse the listener by not clearly marketing her as a pop artist or an R&B artist. Sure, Sparks convincingly pulls off both, despite the bland material at times, but she's not squarely centered within one genre and she doesn't quite pull off the "crossover" effect that producers obviously are trying to achieve. I actually like Jordin as a vocalist, but I'm not crazy about BATTLEFIELD.
I didn't buy Sparks' first album, but I got the opportunity to hear it. Much like Battlefield, it placed Sparks in the middle of being a pop or R&B artist. What I had hoped for BATTLEFIELD was that Sparks would make a slightly more adult album (since she has gotten older) in the R&B vein. However, when I heard that Ryan Tedder would be contributing to the production, I knew this would be more similar to Leona Lewis or Beyoncè adult-contemporary driven I Am...Sasha Fierce (Deluxe Edition). Opening song "Walking on Snow" features an excellent groove, but the songwriting itself is boring. Sparks sounds fine, but because of the confines of such a bland sounding song, particularly it being the album opener, Sparks sounds like "plain Jane". "Battlefield" redirects the focus, even if it fails to allure like "No Air" from Jordin Sparks. The production on this particular track is great, poppy enough to suit pop fans, but R&B enough to appeal to some R&B listeners. Sparks sounds great hear, if nothing else.
"Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is better than "Walking On Snow", though it took me a couple listens to truly see its "competence". Don't get it twisted, it is no "hit", but it is enjoyable enough. It is certainly catchier than "Walking On Snow", which heightens some sense of excitability, which is hardly present on this album aside from the anthemic choruses. "S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)" proves to be annoying and rather unoriginal. Could I see it being a popular single? Yes, as a separate entity from BATTLEFIELD, it could compete with other "pop tarts". However, I feel like I have heard "S.O.S." one too many times from one too many people. Is that Jordin's fault? No, with the focus being on the commercial sales of music, this move to make Sparks into Lady Gaga or Katy Perry is a bit sloppy.
"It Takes More" continues a streak of "similar sounding tunes", all steeped in the adult-contemporary vein of pop. "It Takes More" is no better or worse than the majority of BATTLEFIELD, though that may not be saying much. "Watch It Go" is well produced, but even sound production fails to save it from becoming powered pop that lasts too long. Things grow better on "No Parade" in which a more competent, sincere "songwriter's" track appears for one of the first times on this effort. Again, I caution to say that this isn't a clear-cut hit, but it stands out among a pool of mediocre tracks on BATTLEFIELD. "Let It Rain" isn't horrible either, though average overall. Again, the production is good, but it shows how bland an album with production almost solely by or influenced by Ryan Tedder can be. Sure, Tedder has had some major hits (Beyoncè ["Halo"], Leona Lewis ["Bleeding Love"]), but he certainly doesn't turn everything he touches to gold, and I mean that in the most respectable, but honest way (Kelly Clarkson's All I Ever Wanted featured a few of Tedder's misses).
"Emergency (911)" is meant to be fun like Rihanna's "Disturbia" or Pink's "So What", but instead it turns out to be an `embarrassment'. The production is ok (Red One might've have produced this?), but it doesn't touch anything that appears on Lady Gaga's The Fame or Rihanna's Good Girl Gone Bad: Reloaded. "Was I The Only One" features lovely strings (most likely a synthesized string patch) and subtle acoustic guitar. On a positive note, "Was I The Only One" showcases a vulnerable Sparks, proving to be an authentic, sincere performance. "Faith" also turns out to better showcase Sparks than many of the other "empty" songs from BATTLEFIELD. The production is simpler and the songwriting is slightly more intact. Here, Jordin achieves some exceptional grit, showing off her brilliant range. Similarly, closing track "The Cure" seems more potent than some of the earlier tracks. This leads me to believe that maybe the order of this album might've been reconsidered to make it slightly more even, among other things.
I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of this album. I think that Sparks needs a slight change of pace, at least for her third album. I would love to see her in a more "urban" setting and with better, more sound "songwriting". Right now, too many songs sound too similar or sound like they are just "trying" to get played on the radio. I wish her success, but I personally don't "feel" this album, which is unfortunate as I hoped to very much like it. Maybe it will grow on me, but otherwise, I find this album to be merely average and some of the songs slightly below par.
Description of Battlefield
2009 sophomore album from the American Idol winner. Battlefield takes her to another level and introduces us to a more mature voice surrounded by pure pop perfection. She has collaborated with an impressive list of producers on this album including Dr. Luke & T-Pain on 'Watch You Go' and Harvey Mason Jr. of the Underdogs on 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head'. Jordin also co-wrote several of the tracks on the album, including 'Was I The Only One' and 'Faith'.Broadway & Vocalists CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Broadway & Vocalists CDs
George Shearing, Mel Torme - Elegant EveningSHEARING,G/TORME,M; Release date: 1990-10-25; Music CD
Best price: $6.39
Price in other shops:
Stan Getz - Spring Is HereRelease date: 1993-01-11; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Rosemary Clooney - Girl SingerRelease date: 1999-04-01; Music CD
Best price: $8.97
Price in other shops:
The Blenders - NogRelease date: 1998-10-20; Music CD
Best price: $8.77
Price in other shops:
Brave Combo, Tiny Tim - GirlTIM,TINY/BRAVE COMB; Release date: 1996-03-19; Music CD
Best price: $15.06
Price in other shops:
Belleville a Cappella Choir - Southern Journey, Vol. 11: Honor The Lamb - The Belleville A Cappella ChoirRelease date: 1998-02-10; Music CD
Best price: $84.05
Diane Schuur - Love SongsRelease date: 1993-05-11; Music CD
Best price: $4.25
Price in other shops:
![Love Is the Thing [Vinyl] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
Nat King Cole - Love Is the Thing [Vinyl]Release date: 1996-11-19; Music CD
Best price: $169.99
Linda Ronstadt - Linda Ronstadt: Greatest HitsRelease date: 1998-01-13; Music CD
Best price: $19.99
Price in other shops:
Buddy Rich, Sammy Davis Jr - Sounds of 66Release date: 1996-09-17; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Carrie Underwood - Carnival RideBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2007-10-23; Music CD
Best price: $4.85
Price in other shops:
Carrie Underwood - Some HeartsBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2005-11-15; Music CD
Best price: $4.46
Price in other shops:
Kelly Clarkson - BreakawayRelease date: 2004-11-30; Music CD
Best price: $4.67
Price in other shops:
Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (Deluxe Version)Release date: 2011-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $9.32
Price in other shops:
Kelly Clarkson - Thankful by Kelly Clarkson (2003)CLARKSON,KELLY; Release date: 2003-04-15; Music CD
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops:
Katharine McPhee - UnbrokenRelease date: 2010-01-05; Music CD
Best price: $6.64
Price in other shops:
Leona Lewis - SpiritColumbia; Release date: 2008-04-08; Music CD
Best price: $5.48
Price in other shops:
Carrie Underwood - Blown AwayRelease date: 2012-05-01; Music CD
Best price: $8.71
Price in other shops:
Leona Lewis - EchoBaker & Taylor; Release date: 2009-11-17; Music CD
Best price: $4.01
Price in other shops:
Jordin Sparks - Jordin SparksJive; Release date: 2007-11-20; Music CD
Best price: $3.26
Price in other shops: