Invariably with Christmas comes the dreaded gifts from my Auntie's, every year I seem to come home on Christmas day with at least 2 CDs or Videos that I've either a) never heard of or b) certainly never asked for and this year was no different! Driving home on Christmas day, fed up of the traditional Christmas songs I plonked my latest acquistion into the CD player and listened with dread...
Now I'm not the biggest Jessica Simpson fan, for those of you who haven't heard of her she's a purer and somewhat more angelic version of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera - she originated just after the former two and has managed to keep her pure and innocent image over the years. "In This Skin" is Jessica's 3rd album and was released in April in the States and then in September in the UK.
The first track is a remake of the classic "Angels" by Robbie Williams and in my opinion
that's one track that should have been left well alone. I'm sorry to say that her voice really doesn't do it justice, yes she does have a strong voice but it's not quite got the strength or sincerity to carry off this song. The backing music is roughly the same as the first one, if anything it's been faded out slighly to let her voice reign through. She does sing forcefully and with conviction but it's a little too "loud" almost at times as her voice soars where Robbie's didn't - yet that's always the trouble with doing a remake - the criticism! Another remake on this CD is the third song "Take My Breath Away" from the film Topgun and once again I have to admit I don't think it's quite as good as the first edition. There's almost an element of soul coming out here - a new spin on the song?!
Now onto her original material, the first one up is her first release over in the UK from this album "With You." This reverts back to the quirky pop princess music I've come to associate with Jessica Simpson. It's one of those songs that it's impossible not to sing along to, it's catchy with a good beat - it had me humming along right there in the car on Christmas Day! The following songs "My Way Home," "Sweetest Sin" and "I Have Loved You" are all reminiscent of artists such as Mandy Moore or Britney's slower and earlier tracks - very much focused on the genre of love and her marriage to singer Nick Lachey. There's nothing wrong on the surface with these songs but they're just a little too similar to each other for my liking.
The mood in the following song "Forbidden Fruit" completly changes, it's more depressing, the beat is harder and her voice is sultry and sexy. It's quicker paced than the previous songs and although is still safely routed within the pop field it is heading towards the dance genre too. It's much more sexy and raunchy than we're used to - a welcome change!
All too soon we're back to the typical, girl next door, voice of an angel & lyrics of love type song with "Everyday See You," "Underneath" and "You Don't Have To Let Go." If you do stop to listen to the lyrics, firstly they make you sick with love, but they can also be quite emotive and meaningful "Sometimes it's hard, when you're so deep inside, to see all you can loose, in the blink of an eye, dreams could be shattered, you could be gone, how would I survive, cos you're where I belong." (taken from "Underneath") There is one thing that cannot be doubted throughout and that's the strength of her voice - it can adapt from the highest notes to the lowest and really is like the voice of an angel.
The last two tracks, firstly the title track "In This Skin" is slightly more upbeat and optimistic followed by the soaring vocals within "Be."
So who would this album be suited to? I'd have to say pretty much anyone who likes pop music, if you like the tones of Mandy Moore, Angela Ammons or Britney's earlier material then it'd be worth checking out Jessica. Her voice and music has certainly matured over the past 3 years and in my opinion it's a good all rounded album, ideal for relaxing to!
Available on Amazon for £9.97 or Play.com for £8.99.
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Doesn't sound too bad a present to receive. Maureen
Dizzy_Lizzy 28.12.2004 11:06
I'm not a fan of "Take My Breath Away" or "With You" so I doubt I'd pick this up. Great review, though. ~Liz
Delicate_Orchid 27.12.2004 21:58
LOL. This is indeed a gift I could expect from my uncle... luckily, I did not get it. Might have been pleasantly surprised as yourself, though. Desiree x
Advantages: familar songs such as 'Angels' and 'Take my breath away'feature on the album,strong and powerful voice to complement the catchy songs ,you can link the songs to personal experiences, Disadvantages: can be compared to other albums already on the market.
Advantages: familar songs such as 'Angels' and 'Take my breath away'feature on the album,strong and powerful voice to complement the catchy songs ,you can link the songs to personal experiences, Disadvantages: can be compared to other albums already on the market.
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