Jordin Sparks Reviews

• Fresh and Clean.

  
  By A1DTCJV6KOMJOA on 2007-11-20
  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."
  
  

• Talent In The Wrong Hands

  
  By A375NHE4L5104B on 2007-11-20
  American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks is so much better than the material she's been given on her debut CD. She deserves a better cover too. I must agree with other reviewers that the CD was obviously rushed. But where's the integrity in neglecting talent for the sake of sales?
  
  Two songs are good - "One Step At A Time" sounds like a pop hit in the making, and "Next To You" is a good but inferior ballad compared to JoJo's "Too Little, Too Late". The other songs just blend into one another in one big old pot of bland, mid-tempo pop stew, mostly due to the songwriting/production. She is too immensely talented, and there are far too many musical styles for her to be painted with so few colors. The CD plays it safe at the sacrifice of a soul. Remembering that she is only 17, I think that maybe I'm being too harsh. But considering the work of other artists when they were her age or younger such as Brandy, Christina Aguilera, and Monica, it's difficult to give Jordin Sparks the benefit of the doubt. Yet we all grow at different paces. And as she gets older, she'll certainly have more of life's experiences to tap into. Without a doubt, she has a remarkable voice. But when she uses it as a vessel and an outlet for what's on the inside, that's when she'll make a connection. That's when she'll tap into hearts and souls of more listeners. The right songwriters/producers will help her do that. Just keep on singing, Jordan, and keep on living.
  
  

• What a waste!

  
  By A2MOZZCTN2RJH3 on 2007-11-23
  Jordin has so much talent, so why did they give her such bad songs to sing? This CD seems very, very rushed. Way to bubble-gum pop for my taste!
  
  

• Pretty much really BORING!

  
  By A2NL95Q6HLJVCX on 2007-11-21
  My sister bought this cd and we were listening to it in the car and it really just made me car sick! The cd is full of INTENSE in your face BALLADS that even a DIE HARD fan will agree, gets old. If she would have had more of a variety of music it would have been a way better album. I think Blake Lewis totally should have won cause i just heard his new music "BREAK ANOTHA" and its totally awsome! Best freakin song ever! Anyways i dont hate jordan i just really dont like her cd....... Probably worst idol album in my opinion.
  
  ANyways just thought ide write a review to help out those who are debateing if they should buy the album or not!
  
  

• Another Disappointing AI Debut!

  
  By A1YAFLTYMGX4SQ on 2007-12-04
  This is, without a doubt, one of the most boring CDs I've ever heard. I've been a fan of American Idol since Season 1 but know that what we hear on AI will not be repeated on the winner's CDs. This is yet another in a series of disappointing debuts from an AI contestant. (Only Taylor Hicks, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry, Kimberley Locke, Bo Bice, LaToya London and Elliott Yamin have released listenable debuts worth more than one spin - and even those were not what they should and could have been. Sorry, but I'm no Carrie Underwood fan and Kelly Clarkson's, Justin Guarini's, Rueben Studdard's, Katherine McPhee's and other's debuts from Paris Bennett to Diana DeGarmo were just plain awful...Kelly Clarkson at least redeemed herself with her 2nd release.) But back to Jordin's debut. This CD was so boring I actually started falling asleep while listening to it. I am among those who believed the woman who should have won - Melinda Doolittle - could have sung the phone book and made it sound good. But, even though the wrong contestant won (in my opinion) I still wished the best for Jordin as she does sing well (not great, but well). The problem with this CD is actually not her fault. She does the best she can with the material she was given. There is no way this could be a five star recording. Those who gave this five stars must be young teenage girls who have no knowledge of other music other than what is shoved down their throats on today's poor excuse for Top 40 radio and MTV. Not only do the songs on this CD sound way too much alike, they also sound like everything else that is out there now. No imagination! Nothing unique! I guess if you think Britney Spears has talent then you will be offended by this review because it will be people like you who will think this is a great CD. I can assure you - this CD is not a great one! I actually feel sorry for Jordin because she was done a great injustice by being given the same crap that every other American Idol contestant has been given for debut CDs (with the exception of Taylor Hicks, Daughtrey and Kimberley Locke who actually stayed more true to their musical styles than any other contestants. I guess you could include Carrie Underwood too if you go for that type of country music she does which also sounds just alike.) This release is geared strictly for young teenage girls who know nothing about music before the year 2000. I gave this two stars for these reasons only: 1 star - Because I feel sorry for Jordin and know she can do better with better, more decent material and 1 star - Because she can sing. She's no Melinda Doolittle, but she can sing. The songs on this CD are the same generic, assembly line kinds of unimaginitve, forgettable snoozers recorded by everybody from Mariah and Christina and Gwen to the multitude of tweens and teens who are here today and gone tomorrow. They all sound alike. Sorry, Jordin, but the music on your debut CD puts you in the same category as the rest of the forgettable, boring crap everyone else is recording these days. Nothing special; just something to sell to young people to make another dime. Long gone are the days of music being made for music's sake and to touch and move lives. It is now nothing but a business which I find as abominable as this CD. If you are looking for better American Idol CDs, I suggest the following: Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway, Clay Aiken's Measure Of A Man, Kimberley Locke's One Love, Kimberley Locke's Based On A True Story, Jon Peter Lewis' Stories From Hollywood, LaToya London's Love & Life, Bo Bice's The Real Thing, and the debut CDs of Elliott Yamin, Taylor Hicks and Daughtry. If you want to listen to women who can actually sing with distinctive voices (not those who you can't tell one from another because they all sound like everybody else) and who record or recorded well-crafted songs, I suggest Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Anne Murray, Phoebe Snow, Diana Ross, Patti LaBelle, Karen Carpenter, Olivia Newton-John, Gladys Knight, Heart, The Pointer Sisters, Cher...Yes - Women Of Song who actually recorded before the turn of this musically boring new millenium.
  
  
• 'Jordin Sparks' mixes positivity with pop
  By A1U3578NPBLM1E on 2007-11-20
  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.
  
  
• Jordin Sparks - The Latest American Idol Winner
  By A3SV72ZAHH2IDH on 2007-11-22
  Jordin Sparks climbed the ranks of Idols after she brilliantly performed Ben E King's "I (Who Have Nothing)", and eventually she went all the way winning the entire competition, the youngest of all winners at only 17. Jordin was a very likeable charachter, just like a little sister she was enthusiastic and always eager to learn and improve. And for each week she just got better. But apart from previous winners like Carrie Underwood (county) Taylor Hicks (Rock) and Kely Clarkson (first winner) she doesn't have the obvious style or image to make an album that truly feels like her own. And like most of us already knew, Producers always have a huge impact on the debut albums of an American Idol winner. Jordin is still very young but it feels like this is the case with her debut album, even more then by previous winners. With 13 songs, her debut album can be divided into 2 parts, ballads and pop with a few rock exceptions. Most of the ballads come from Norwegians Stargate (Because of You, Irreplacable, Hate That I Love You) while Emanuel Kirakou and Underdogs also get production credits. The pop/uptempos mostly comes from Bloodshy & Avant that recently produced half of the songs from Britney's Blackout. Having said that The sound is rather fammiliar and feels like the works of producers not Jordin but unfortunatley the hit singles are rather few even if there are no bad songs on this album.
  
  The first song is her first single "Tattoo" a ballad from Stargate that is currently climbing the charts and it's really good. The album continues with another strong number a midtempo called "One Step at The Time" that is an obvious single in my opinion and perhaps the best song. The Underdogs stand for the most exciting moment with "No Air" a duet with fellow teenager Chris Brown. Like most Underdogs cuts, this is also a ballad and a highlight. Stargate continues with "Freeze" and later "Just for the Record", the latter sound like Stargate ballad with accoustic guitars and Rock/Pop sound. Swedish producers Bloodshy & Avant produce "Shy Boy", "Young And In Love" and "See My Side", the first two continue the trend of songs they did for Britney with exciting futuristic produtions but less memorable lyrics. "See My Side" is actually a ballad and was co-written by Swedish singer Robyn that also sang backround vocals on Britney's album. Some people will like this one, others find it boring. "Now You Tell Me" is a rocky power ballad and so is "Permanent Monday". "Next To You" another classic ballad while "God Loves Ugly" a serious ballad about god's love for everyone. Bonus song is the Idol song "This is Me Now".
  
  Overall, Despite the fact that no song is bad and around 4 are hit warnings it end up feeling like the work of producers and rather typical for a winner of an reality show where the producers and Ceo's have a major impact of the end product. It also kinda borrows the sound of Ne-Yo and Britney and doesn't feel too personal either. However, Jordin is still young and she's a skilled singer and likeable person. I'm sure that her next album will be a major improvement with more personal impact. Should you buy it or not? I say yes. It's a decent album and the hit singles are really good and there are plenty of growers aswell. The album is also very safe with nothing controvercial or unexpected, so it should apply alot to a younger audience and perhaps as good xmas gift.
  
  
• Bland. Bland. Bland
  By A1USJTGFLQ3IIT on 2007-12-04
  Her talent is wasted by such bland songs. It seems the Idol franchise is intent on making very bland cd's. All personality is lost. Not much here but very generic, bland, pop.
  
  
• Sparks smolders
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2008-03-20
  ... and by "smolders" I mean that she glows and is smokin' hot, but thanks to some damp material she falls just short of igniting the fiery album I was expecting.
  
  Pretty, bubbly, young, a great performer and with an amazing voice, Jordin Sparks nails some winners in this album, which already has three hits under its belt:
  
  1. This is My Now - the song she sang to take the American Idol title from Blake Lewis (Granted, he was at a disadvantage due to not being able to change up the song to better suit his style)
  2. Tattoo - Definitely mainstream pop, a catchy song geared towards radio and television saturation. (I still like it) Co-written by Sparks.
  3. No Air - Hot, hot song with hottie Chris Brown (need I say more?)
  
  Other songs to look out for:
  
  One Step at a Time - An upbeat, funky song, well suited to her voice
  
  Now You Tell Me - An ideal pop song for an Idol graduate
  
  Next to You - Mid tempo song carried by the chorus
  
  Just For the Record - Another mainstream pop song
  
  Not that hot:
  
  "Freeze" - Self-explanatory. She sings well, but it's not a really good song. Co-written by Sparks
  
  "Shy Boy", "See My Side", "God Loves Ugly" - Monotonous
  
  "Permanent Monday", "Young and In Love" -Unmemorable
  
  
  This debut album proves that Sparks has the voice to soar to greater heights, but she needs some edgier material to push her above the rest of the mainstream crowd.
  
  
  
  
  Amanda Richards, March 20, 2008
  
  
  
• Great Talent, Wrong Hands = Generic Sound
  By A2DMO51OLUKNG3 on 2007-11-21
  I loved Jordin on American Idol - she has a beautiful voice that strength, lie in the fact that it was mature beyond its years. However, it seems as if her producers have put her on some "Pop Rock" level thinking it would = a hit record. Jordan has enought talent to be more than just an American Idol - if groomed properly with a staff which creates the type of music she sings best that really shows off her best qualities- she can make it into the ranks of the Mariah and Whitney. "Pop", almost Britney Spearish type music is an insult to her voice since its quite obvious that you can take any random girl off the street and put a machine to her voice and shes a "singer." I am really disappointed - not in Jordin because I know shes capable- but whatever incompetent management team which is robbing her of the opportunity to really begin a true, respected career with this "pop rock in a can" nonsense.
  
  
• Jordin Sparkles on her debut
  By A3NKOXASQATQQ9 on 2007-11-24
  For many "Idol" alumni, the debut album is a hit-or-miss situation; Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry have scored platinum, multi-million selling debuts, while Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee disappointed in sales. Jordin Sparks falls in the middle of the spectrum, with catchy, poppy modern R&B flavored songs and boasting beautiful ballads. The style on her album does not stray far from Beyonce or Mariah Carey, and yet Jordin manages to make each song her own. The catchy songs combined with her AMAZING voice turn this into an album that's sure to please.
  
  1. Tattoo - The first single is slowly but surely climbing the charts. Cheesy yet catchy, about moving on from a past love who is "on my heart just like a tattoo." Great choice for a first single, but bland compared to other songs. 3/5
  
  2. One Step At A Time - Destined to be a hit, from the catchy beat to the inspirational lyrics. This song is about acheiving your dreams, one step at a time; "There's no need to rush/It's like learning to fly/or falling in love." Should be a single. Mid-tempo. 4/5
  
  3. No Air - If THIS isn't a single, I don't know what's wrong with the world. Anything Chris Brown touches turns to gold including this song, about two people unsure of how they can live without each other. "How do you expect me/to live alone with just me/'cause my world revolves around you/it's so hard for me to breathe." Jordin and Chris both showcase their vocals, resulting in a beautiful song destined for radio. I could do without some of the wailing though. 5/5
  
  4. Freeze - Ew. Although Jordin did co-write this song, and the lyrics are great (about freezing a moment in time), I can't bring myself to like this song at all. The "Freeze" part in the backround sounds like a dying chicken, and the beats are recycled Nelly Furtado confections. 2/5
  
  5. Shy Boy - VERY different from what I'm used to hearing from Jordin. Almost Britney-esque, from its juvenile lyrics to the beats. But...it's so addicting! Could be a club hit. "I've got my eye on this other guy/Back in a booth with his boys, he's all mellowed out/and tonight I don't mind me a shy boy/So I gotta know..." The synthesized vocals kind of work. 3/5
  
  6. Now You Tell Me - My absolute favorite song. Very mature compared to "Shy Boy". The verses build up to a dramatic chorus, and Jordin really makes this tune her own. "You're in love/but that's not what it was/All those times that passed by/with no sign/And now you're telling me..." You'll be singing along in no time. 5/5!
  
  7. Next To You - Feels like a recycled track from Christina Aguilera's first album. Also feels like filler, but good filler. Everyone will be able to relate to this pretty ballad. "Maybe we're friends, maybe we're more.maybe it's just my imagination/But I see you stare just a little too long/And it makes me start to wonder." Pretty good, but forgettable. 3.5/5
  
  8. Just For The Record - Talk about filler! This track is incredibly bland and forgetable. Her voice sounds pleasant, but it's really quite boring. I can't even remember the lyrics. 2/5
  
  9. Permanent Monday - WOW. Amazing, amazing, amazing. The lyrics are top-notch, but the music and Jordin's voice really help to sell this song! Yo can really feel her emotion. "Everytime you go away/The sunshine starts to fade/Frozen by the hands of time into a permanent Monday." My favorite ballad. Brilliant. 5/5
  
  10. Young And In Love - WTF? Coming after Permanent Monday, this song sounds like a cheap Britney knock-off--and not even half as addicting as "Shy Boy". Jordin doesn't even sound like Jordin, her voice sounding much too high-pitched. However, the chorus will be stuck in your head for days. 2.5/5
  
  11. See My Side - This song is slowly but surely growing on me. At first, it was extremely boring and I was tempted to skip it, but it sounds more and more beautiful as it goes on. The echoing effects in the chorus sound great. "See (see) my (my) side (side)/And I'll see (see) your's (your's) better." 3.5/5
  
  12. God Loves Ugly - Beautiful song with a beautiful mssage. About how despite the fact that we all have imprefections, God looks past them. I don't believe in God in the slightest, but I love this song. It's gorgeous. "But God loves ugly/he doesn't see the way I see/God takes ugly and turns it into something that is/beautiful/Apparently I'm beautiful/because you love me." 5/5
  
  13. This Is My Now - The corny song that HAD to be tacked on at the end. I hate this song, it's cheesy to the max and ruins the flow of the CD. Jordin sings it great, but the production and lyrics suck. 1/5
  
  Definitely buy this album! Or, if you can only get a few, buy No Air, Now You Tell Me, Permanent Monday and God Loves Ugly. I can only imagine Jordin's sophomore effort will be even better.
  
  
• Too Britney S./Christina A. esque - no originality
  By A37QY4K1PB8SQS on 2007-12-01
  A great disapointment and waste of talent, I'm sorry I bought it!
  Jordin Sparks is a great talent and has a bright future and will achieve great things if she finds the right songs and the right producers, who will allow her to be "Jordin Sparks" and not try to make her sound like every other female singer in the business today, Jordin is not a "cookie cutter" artist and shouldn't be treated like one.
  She has the potential to be as big as B. Streisand or C. Dion, but not with a debut CD like this one, it sounds like it was designed for the typical record industry "manufactured" singer who will be here today and forgotten tomorrow (sorry Brittney/Christina ... no I'm not) Jordin can become a music legend, but only if she is given the chance to find her own voice and is not forced to be just another record company puppet!
  Is this a bad CD, not by todays standards, but that's the problem, today everything sounds the same and in order to stand out and have lasting appeal, you MUST be something special and Jordin IS something special, it just doesn't come through in this release and if the powers that be aren't careful, they will throw a potentially legenday career straight into obscurity!!!...
  There is one glimmer of hope on this CD, track 9, Permanent Monday, it is a good track and is the only one where at least a small spark of the "true" Jordin brilliance comes through I think it should be her next single release, but it is not worth buying the CD just for that one track.
  If you are looking for the Jordin from American Idol, you won't find her here, EVERY song she sang on Idol out shines what you'll find on this CD, if you are looking for a clone of every other female pop singer on the charts today, then you'll get what you're looking for.
  As for me, I prefer the "real" Jordin Sparks, not the one the music industry wants to create!!!...
  
  
• What a complete disappointment...
  By A3PDAJ7XUIJ13Z on 2007-11-28
  a bright future... perhaps, but certainly not off to a good start. This material is a waste of time and money. Hopefully as she continues to grow her material will too.
  
  
• Jordin has a gift
  By AQL13WF76ZQQJ on 2008-02-07
  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 *
  
  
• Major disappointment
  By A2HZ43P6B6UNWU on 2007-12-07
  First of all,except for one performance, I loved Jordin on American Idol. I thought her voice was magical. What was so great was how she interpeted those classics and made them fresh.
  This is just another CD from this era of mediocre song writing. It does not do her voice justice at all.
  
  
• teenie bopper cd!!
  By A2CIQEY05SPHTZ on 2008-02-07
  Got this cd for my wife at christmas. Thought she would like it but turned out to be alittle too teenie bopper for her. However she does like two songs on it so was not a total waste.
  
  
• Jordin sets the bar high on her eponymous debut album
  By ATLM6LTMHMNN9 on 2007-11-20
  Jordin Sparks' eponymous debut album is an incredible showcase of her versatility and top-notch vocals that ensure her a place at the top of the charts. Almost every one of the songs is a high-quality radio-friendly potential hit and it is truly a consistent album with very little filler. Jordin showcases her beautiful and powerful voice on tracks like "Permanent Monday" a rock-edged ballad, as well as "God Loves Ugly" and "Next To You" a throwback to Maria Carey's We Belong Together. However, Jordin's shining moment comes from "Now You Tell Me" which is certainly a standout on the album. Of course, there are also the more fun and upbeat tracks which could easily be hits such as her infectious duet with Chris Brown ("No Air") and the Britney-esque "Shy Boy" Jordin also shows off her songwriting skills on one of my personal favorites "Freeze" a mid-tempo but radio-friendly track. Jordin's first single "Tattoo" is definitely a keeper achieving the perfect balance of melodic and current similar to "One Step at a Time" which could do just as well as "Tattoo" on the charts. It is hard to find much to criticize, although I'm not much of a fan of "Young and In Love" which is a synthesized track that doesn't work nearly as well as "Freeze" or "Shy Boy" Jordin should be proud of her debut and I am confident that she can hold her own on the charts.
  
  
• Banal and Insipid
  By A2F3TBNM88GAYD on 2007-11-20
  This album is geared to an average 10 year old - the lyrics are silly and the music is uninspired. Been there, done that. Save your money, folks.
  
  
• Jordin beats Carrie!
  By ABHFP9ZPQCKJM on 2007-11-21
  Jordin and Carrie Underwood are my 2 all-time AI favorites. So being that they both came out with new CD's in the same month, I wanted to listen to every song and see what I thought. Both of them were excellent CD's, but I ended up adding 6 of Carries's songs to my "play often" folder, and 9 of Jordin's songs!
  
  This CD has exceptionally catchy and exciting tunes. There is only 1 song that I didn't enjoy (Shy Boy). It seemed like it didn't fit with the others. Then there was 1 song that really, really surprised me (No Air). Not being a major fan of duets, Jordin's duet with Chris Brown blew me away. But like I said, I found 9 songs that I'm going to play over and over and over again, and mix them with other hot songs from other artists.
  
  The bottom line is that Jordin's 1st CD is a hit with beautiful vocals and music arrangements, and is a great addition to any music lovers collection.
  
  ...........
  
  2ND DAY REPORT: I just listened for the 2nd day, and I must give some more commentary. These songs are vibrant and uplifting. I can't believe some of the other reviews that are less than 5 stars. Jordin gets to use her full vocal range, with excellent and varying styles of background music. Of course she's not going to be standing alone on a stage and belting out power ballads like she did on AI. That would only appeal to a small segment of music fans. This CD is enjoyable for everyone who likes pop and light R&B.
  
  As far as my comparison to Carrie goes, I'm sure that hardcore country fans would compare things a little differently.
  
  
• Jordin Sparks Sings Kelly Clarkson
  By A1IU2OXIVNCR74 on 2007-11-25
  What a complete waste of Jordin Sparks' talent. Jordin is way too talented to be hamstrung with what sounds like a bunch of Kelly Clarkson rejects. I had high hopes when it became obvious that Jordin was the one that "American Idol" wanted to win...even though she wasn't the strongest vocalist in the competition (that would have been Melinda). I figured in the right hands, in no time she would be challenging Beyonce for the title of Queen of Pop/R&B. Boy did they miss the mark on this one. After hearing this and seeing how they have totally mishandled both Ruben and Fantasia, I wouldn't want my child to win American Idol. I'd prefer they stick around just long enough to get a little exposure and then go out and hand pick my own handlers.
  
  
• Modern Music Marvel : Jordin Hits it Out the Park
  By A2ULSA0IRUE09E on 2007-12-04
  First of all, I cannot believe the zero star and one star reviews here. Has anyone really listened to the album? I don't think so. There is no way someone in their right minds, and someone who appreciates music as art could give this wonderful album a negative rating.
  
  Let me be clear - this album, alongwith Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway", is the best thing to come out of the entire American Idol Franchise. As someone who owns the album on Itunes, I can say that it excels the Kelly album in patches, but unlike the Kelly album this DOES have some filler. However, as a whole, substantial piece of work, this is musically flawless.
  
  Some have criticized that Jordin sings only about immature and boring things such as falling in love for the first time ("Young and in Love"), or unable to get over a lover ("Tattoo"). Well, first of all, shes only 18 years old and I can hardly expect to start putting out songs against global warming at that tender age. All her songs here are suited perfectly to her jazz-soaked voice, and yes, while they are typically hip-hop and R&B Oriented, there is nothing generic or 'usual' about this album at all.
  
  I could go on about the music itself, but I will limit myself to the two best tracks. "No Air" and "Freeze". The former, "No Air" is a minor pop miracle. Tailormade for radio, you could listen to this ten years later and still be swayed - I think this will be the song that sells this album in the long run.
  
  "Freeze" on the other hand, is by far the most stunning song on the entire CD. Why? First of all, it sounds like an early Moby track (with swoons and atmospheric effects awash). Imagine that same Moby track layered with some Deep Forest instrumentation, with a very late Gwen Stefani vibe to the whole thing. The haunting chorus, the clipped verse and chorus - everything just WORKS. Seriously, get the CD for this one song alone and you will not be disappointed.
  
  I think too many people review this album based on the first single, "Tattoo" alone. Not fair. That track is possibly the worst thing on this album, relatively speaking. Every other song is memorable, and whats really interesting is that no song falls into any one genre.
  
  Never really a fan of Jordan, this is easily a proud moment for everyone associated with American Idol - mighty hard to top this one for years to come.
  
  Don't read the negative reviews - buy and judge for yourself!
  
  Five Stars.
  
  
• Another sad debut for AI.. overproduct pop junk
  By A1YW0MZ8D850DM on 2007-12-04
  How sad that American Idol feels it necessary to overproduce albums for their stars. I agree with the reviewers who say that this sounds rushed and unpolished, much like Kelly Clarkson's first album. I'm very disappointed that they digitalized Jordin's voice so much - here is a talent that can actually SING and they cover that up with special effects (which I feel should be reserved for those who CAN'T BLOW like Jordin Sparks, Kelly Clarkson, etc)
  
  All that said, I think this will appeal to the pre-teen group - the Hanna Montana, Cheetah Girls set. It's cute.. not a deep, well-planned, masterpiece we all know Jordin is capable of.
  
  
• No surprises here :(
  By A3OBFW1JNG7XRV on 2007-12-07
  I had hoped against hope that Jordin could rise above the masses and produce something special with her debut CD because it's clear the girl has talent. But that was all for naught. I suspected after that insanely unfair stunt the AI producers pulled on the showdown episode last season that they would cram Jordin's CD full of songs just like that God-awful This Is My Now, the song that was clearly meant to push her into the winner's spot. And sadly, I was right.
  
  This is one of the most boring, uninteresting, and unoriginal CDs I've ever listened to. As others have pointed out, every song sounds almost exactly the same as the one that preceded it. It's so tough to review a CD like this because it leaves you with barely anything to hold on to, except for those few songs that are just painful to sit through (Shy Boy, See My Side, God Loves Ugly, Virginia is for Lovers, and the aforementioned This Is My Now come to mind).
  
  The only, and I mean ONLY, recommended standout here is Just for the Record, which is kind of pretty, but that's the best I can offer.
  
  It's a shame, really. Jordin didn't deserve to win the contest last season, but she clearly can sing. And she doesn't deserve this material, either. Happily, I was right about one other thing: That between the last two contestants, Blake's CD would be far more interesting than Jordin's. Let's hope her follow-up separates her from every other corporate teeny-bopper and capitalizes on her talent. Granted, I'm not a fan of this type of music, but the reasons why should be obvious from this review. What a waste.
  
  
• garbage
  By A3CU65V65GBT51 on 2007-11-21
  this album is a waste of time,beats are terrible.just sounds like they put on a beat,have her sing just to sing.i wouldent take this album for free.don't waste your money
  
  
• Yikes!
  By AT4LFZOAPO4U8 on 2007-11-23
  I hate to give a bad review to Jordin, but this CD is terrible! I think she is very talented, and has a very beautiful voice, but the songs are terrible! I think they rushed getting this CD out so fast that they forgot about quality.
  
  
• I hate that I don't like this.
  By A1DF03Z7PC73LW on 2007-11-26
  I bought this CD the day it came out. My daughters (8 & 10) loved Jordin on the show, and we couldn't wait to get our hands on her debut CD. Imagine my dismay when we excitedly took the CD out of the package and put it in the CD player in the car only to dislike all but two songs. The only songs worth listening to are "Tattoo" and "This is My Now". The rest are over-synthesized, bubble gum pop songs. Even my kids don't like it. They asked me to load the two songs we like onto the computer and sell the CD on Ebay, so they can buy something they like.
  
  I definitely don't recommend this CD. I love Jordin, but this definitely doesn't showcase her talent. Hopefully her second CD will be better. Until then, I await Phil Stacey and Chris Sligh's solo albums which will be coming out early next year.
  
  
• What a voice!!!
  By A2O9GND31PWB1D on 2007-11-26
  Wow, I was expecting your typical teeny bopper album when I popped this one in my CD player. Boy was I wrong!!! This girl has chops! My favorite song is "Permanant Monday". She blows the roof off the building with her soaring pipes in this track. I have to keep hitting repeat because the song and the way Jordin sings it is so amazing. I'm a 50 year old woman who loves American Idol but what's more I love it when the show actually produces a talent like Jordin........anybody heard from Reuben Studdard lately?? This girl will be around for a long time!
  
  
• Try Again Jordin....
  By AE9IMYT4BDOQ4 on 2007-12-01
  I loved Jordin Sparks on American Idol. I'm extremely disappointed in this album. It sounds like something you'd hear on Disney. Although she's a kid, there's no exception because Christina Aguilera's debut was much better than this. I really don't know what to say about this one. On American Idol, she had so much grace and vocal control. However, this record doesn't display anything. Maybe it's the songs she chose to record. Don't know...it just doesn't seem like Jordin Sparks. Although I'm not really a big fan of Blake Lewis, I think he's going to outsell Jordin Sparks with his debut. Sorry.
  
  
• Nice debut, signs of great things to come ;)
  By A1KOPQMRT5RDHA on 2007-12-06
  I really like Jordin Sparks. She's young, fresh, gorgeous and bubbly, and most importantly for this review, she has an amazing voice.
  
  She's also (at least when making this CD) only 17 years old, and I think that is the key to understanding and enjoying this album. The themes are growing up and learning about love, done in R&B-flavored pop. The songwriters and producers wisely gave Jordin material that she could identify with and sing about from experience, and I think Jordin did a great job of connecting with the feeling of the songs. I feel about 17 listening to the CD, which is not a bad thing - kind of nostalgiac. If you didn't like being 17, well...(sorry.)
  
  Key tracks:
  *No Air - Duet with Chris Brown, rumored to be the 2nd single. Nice interesting beat, strong melody, really catchy.
  *Freeze - My favorite track, midtempo, a little different melody than you'd expect, interesting use of some vocal effects that don't overpower the song.
  *Next To You - Traditional pop ballad but extremely well done.
  *See My Side - Almost sounds like a lullaby - fragile melody and spare production make Jordin's vocals stand out, her voice is mainly in the higher range for the song which I think really reflects the sentiment of the lyrics.
  
  There are a couple of Britney-ish electropop tracks that might've been added to grit up the album a little but in my opinion they don't work as well as the rest. My main criticism for the album is that while each song is nice on its own, taken all together (being mostly midtempo) they start to sound similar.
  
  Overall, sweet and light pop that's still definitely enjoyable. I wouldn't mind kicking back and spending afternoons with this album. This is what Jordin should be singing at this point in her life. I do see the potential for great things here and will be looking forward to future music from her! (4/5)
  
  
• Why Bother?
  By A1JMD2K9SUYOS6 on 2007-12-08
  No doubt that Jordan Sparks can sing. No doubt that she's talented. But this is a review about why I should lay down cash for this cd when there are many many others out there. There is nothing distiguishable or special about the way this cd was put together. Download the 1 or 2 decent songs and don't waste your money on a cd you'll only play once. Jordin will have to find her groove next time around I guess.
  
  

• Spirit
• Carnival Ride
• Audio Day Dream
• As I Am
• Pocketful of Sunshine