ROCK AND A GOOD PLACE: Much better returns of the day are found in new rock-'n'-roll albums. A lot of the material, especially the power ballads, seem emotionally vacant and contrived. More likely, it's those designated songwriters working from the soft spot in their wallets rather than their hearts. Clearly she envisions herself as the heir to the Barbra Streisand throne, tackling everything from the sitar-flavored, hip-shaking "Eyes on Me" (look out Shakira) to the spiritual "New Dawn," hard-rocking "Can't Fight the Feelin' " and Memphis-soul-stewed "That's Just the Woman in Me."īut apart from the last two, I'm not feeling a lot of grit, or love from Dion. The whole thing blends together and, to my ear, seems generic as all get out.Įxceptions to the rule - "Just for the Record" lets out some soulful Sparks, while "God Loves Ugly" has a curious lyric angle, coming from (and addressed to) a girl with low self-esteem.Īs an album "bonus," because it doesn't really fit with the rest of the grooves, Sparks serves up that tear-inducing, big-production power ballad, "This Is My Now," which brought home the victory for her.ĭUELING DION: Major pop chanteuse Celine Dion, by contrast, shows nothing if not versatility on "Taking Chances" (Columbia, B).
Some of the most active teams in contemporary pop today - Stargate, the Underdogs and Bloodshy & Avant (doesn't anybody use their real names anymore?) - have contributed tracks, so you'd think there would be some sonic variety.īut the set is chock-full of bouncing, same-sounding tunes laced with music-box-style tinkling keyboards, synth strings and endless hand-clap percusison effects.
Sparks' album is targeted strictly to young girls with romance on their minds. His skewing-old, mixed-bag album proved a marketing dud. But the producers of her debut album, "Jordin Sparks" (19 Recordings/Jive/Zomba, B-), ain't taking any chances this time, as the label did last year with oddball winner Taylor Hicks. IDOL WORSHIP: This year's "American Idol" won the day with her pliant, effortless singing and musical versatility, appealing to multiple age groups. Right Here Right Now hits stores and online on Friday, August 21st.Some big-name divas, some hip rock-'n'-roll bands, and some concert audio/video treats are newly yours to have and hold on CD and DVD. She’s also collaborating more than ever, with features on the album coming from Elijah, Shaggy, B.o.B, and 2 Chainz, who was featured on the set’s lead single “Double Tap.” Most of the songs on the album we’re sampled on the December release of her mixtape #ByeFelicia and leans to a more R&B side than previous releases. Now at 25, Jordin has a lot to say on her new album, which features production and songwriting by Dem Jointz, DJ Mustard, KeY Wane, Babyface, D’Mile, Ty Dolla $ign and Elijah Blake.
Since leaving RCA Records (after Jive formed into the label) that same year and dating Jason Derulo for two years before their public split late last year, Jordin has been stronger than ever with her new label situation with producer Salaam Remi‘s imprint Louder Than Life in conjunction with 19 Recordings and Sony Music as well as her new relationship with rapper Sage The Gemini. It’s the American Idol-winning alum’s first album since 2009’s Battlefield when she was just 19 years old and still signed to Jive Records.Īfter a failed start at her third album back in 2011 with the Ryan Tedder-produced “I Am Woman” failing to gain momentum, Jordin took a break from music to focus on her growing fragrance collection and acting, starring along side the late-great Whitney Houston in the 2012 remake of Sparkle. Just as soon as she premiered her new sultry video, Jordin Sparks has FINALLY unveiled the cover art and tracklist for her third studio album, titled Right Here Right Now.