Jordin Sparks - Jordin Sparks
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CD Details
Artist: Jordin SparksBrand: Jive
Edition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2007-11-20
Music Label: Jive
Soundtracks:
- Tattoo
- One Step At A Time
- No Air duet with Chris Brown
- Freeze
- Shy Boy
- Now You Tell Me
- Next To You
- Just For The Record
- Permanent Monday
- Young And In Love
- See My Side
- God Loves Ugly
- This Is My Now
Music reviews of Jordin Sparks
Music Review: A Spark That Never Truly Ignites (3.5 Stars)
Rating: 3 Stars
After a seven-season run, it's no surprise that interest in American Idol and all its by-products is beginning to dwindle. Combined with an overbearing tendency to make younger artists "family-friendly", it's really no wonder that Jordin Sparks' debut album failed to garner much attention. At only seventeen, Jordin is the youngest contestant ever to win Idol, and unfortunately, that is reflected in her material. And not in a good way. Despite her powerful voice which often belies her age, Jordin became stuck with immature and watered-down material which did little to demonstrate her abilities. Anyone who had real-life experience with people Jordin's age would quickly realize that her material seems to have more in common with the thought-processes of a younger age group. It seems that once again, the battle to make an artist "age-appropriate" did nothing but detract from an otherwise great potential artist.
Although lead single "Tattoo" gives Jordin ample opportunity to shine vocally, it falters slightly due to the lyrics. Aside from some musical similarities to Beyonce's "Irreplaceable", the lyrics seem far too immature coming from someone Jordin's age. Despite the catchy hook, it is hard to get past the juvenility of the track, especially due to its overly positive sound. Very few seventeen year olds who have just broken up with a boyfriend would sound so sunny about it. With that said, the bridge steps things up somewhat, although it is not enough to save the track from mediocrity. "One Step at a Time", inexplicably described by reviewers as "funky", follows the trend of songs with an overly positive message. In this case, the verses fare much better than the rather cheesy bridge. This is still far from the best Jordin has to offer, but it is a step in the right direction (no pun intended), especially as it gives Jordin more of a chance to shine vocally. To be fair, the message is easy for younger listeners to relate to. "No Air" is the first true gem of the album, featuring the ever-popular (albeit overrated) Chris Brown. Chris and Jordin sound beautiful together, and the lyrics are some of the best this album has to offer. However, it is truly the passionate delivery, Jordin's particularly, which sells this song.
"Freeze" is quite a haunting and innovative track, and clearly demonstrates Jordin's strengths. This darker style is what suits Jordin's voice best, and the lyrics again are some of the best the album has to offer. This is a key track that showcases how an artist can be age-appropriate while still maintaining her appeal to a crowd older than middle school. "Freeze" is a true album highlight. Unfortunately, the streak of excellence is broken with "Shy Boy", a track that is saved almost exclusively by its chorus. This song seems to be describing a club, which is puzzling in itself since Jordin is not old enough to be in most clubs. Jordin's voice is also overly processed, which does nothing to add to the appeal of the track. It's intended to be a club-banger, but instead remains thoroughly underwhelming. "Now You Tell Me" is a hidden gem of the album, as it is one of the most widely overlooked tracks. This is another song that is easy for the age-group to relate to, as it describes a situation where the girl is confused about how a guy feels about her. Here again, Jordin demonstrates that it is possible to make a strong track that is still "clean" enough to be appropriate. Although it's nowhere near as good as Freeze, it remains one of the album's stronger offerings.
"Next To You" is a sweet R&B ballad, which features a solid vocal performance by Jordin. Although it remains somewhat anticlimactic, this song again demonstrates age-appropriate material done right. However, it remains one of the less memorable tracks, as very little is done which makes it stand out. The tune remains identical throughout, and even the adlibs seem slightly lacklustre. "Just for the Record" is similarly decent but nothing really special. It has a slight country vibe, especially with the whistling in parts of the background. Like the previous track, it is passable but ultimately forgettable. The track as a whole comes across rather repetitive and doesn't really go anywhere. It's definitely not the kind of track one would be drawn to play the album just to hear. "Permanent Monday", despite the cringe-worthy title, is another step toward the kind of material Jordin should be using. Like "Freeze", it has a darker vibe that suits Jordin's vocals beautifully. More mature efforts like this track truly give Jordin an opportunity to shine, especially when compared to other mediocre tracks offered here. Even moreso than "Now You Tell Me", this track is the true hidden gem. "Young and In Love" is one of a few songs that shows Jordin's age, and not in a good way. This seems like it would not sound out of place on the most recent Britney Spears album. Vocals are overly digitalized, which is baffling since Jordin definitely has a strong enough voice to carry out a song like this. It seems that "club" (in the lightest sense of the term) tracks are far from Jordin's strong point.
"See My Side" is a valiant attempt at a positive message, but falters simply because there is little to capture interest. The vocals start out sounding rather sweet, but end up getting slightly grating. Here, Jordin is singing in a more subdued manner, with a kind of "repeat-after-me" chorus. Where it could have been beautiful in its simplicity, the track instead falls into being rather plain and repetitive. "God Loves Ugly", despite being yet another cringe-worthy title, actually stands out as one of the stronger tracks. This is one track where Jordin's youth works to her advantage. Such a track would hardly be acceptable from an artist any older, simply because of the potential to be incredibly cheesy. However, Jordin actually manages to pull it off rather convincingly, especially as it builds to a climactic crescendo. Finally, the winning song from Idol finales are always patchy affairs. "This Is My Now" remains convincing purely due to Jordin's performance. Although this would arguably be a stronger track if there hadn't been so many other attempts at uplifting messages on the rest of the album. Here, Jordin's voice really gets a chance to shine once more. The vocals and obvious passion truly sell this excellent closing track.
Overall Mark: 3.5/5
Albums like this are always quite frustrating. Despite the obvious talent of the artist, as well as sneak peeks at the kind of material there should have been, the album as a whole remains a disappointment. Jordin has an amazingly powerful voice, especially given her age, and with the right material had the potential to make one of the best Idol albums. Unfortunately, her youth worked against her in that she became saddled with too many uplifting yet immature tracks which sound unconvincing coming from a seventeen year old. However, with more age and experience, it could be hoped that her next offering will grant Jordin some more creative control and a style more appropriate to the age of the singer. Even if it is an album for "tweens", that doesn't mean the material should be completely watered down and glossed over with a dose of sunshine. Jordin is capable of better, and her fans deserve better.
Description of Jordin Sparks
Outline 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 reLiking 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 reports that found her heading into the studio alongside pop/R&B heavy-hitters Bloodshy, Avant, the Underdogs, and others. Was it a little soon for the relatively green Sparks to be throwing off such big-league, beat-heavy sparks? Well, not hardly, it turns out. The ballads here--songs like "Next To You" and "Just For the Record"--reach out at times with overeager sincerity (forgivable!), but the funkier numbers--"Young and In Love" and the Prince-flecked "Shy Boy," especially--slam home her positives. Jordin may still be a juvie, but she's a bona fide pop star. She earns her props as convincingly here as she did on TV. --Tammy La Gorce
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