My December Review

I did a once through of the new album last week. I figured I would allow myself to listen to it just once and get an initial reaction and then wait until the CD came out to buy it and listen again. When I listened to it last week I wasn't all that impressed. In fact, I was a little bored with it. I left it that and waited until last night when I went to Virgin Megastore at midnite to buy it.

I put it on in my car and drove home with the music blasting. This time around I was surrounded by some great rocking songs that caught my attention. I wasn't a big fan of Never Again when it first came out but it really grew on me. I love hearing it now. It's like "Since U Been Gone" part 2.

Next up was "One Minute" which is a 80s sounding pop/rock song. I think this would sound great on the radio right now. I really like this song.

"Hole" is another fast pop/rock song. After these three upbeat catchy songs I was hooked.

Then we get the ballad "Sober". Kelly has said that this is her favorite song on the album and I have to agree. The music is so soft and simple but hearing Kelly's voice slowly crescendo into a full out belting just gives me chills. I love this song.

"Don't Waste Your Time" is another 80s sounding upbeat song that has a catchy chorus. I can also hear this on the radio right now. However, this is the first song where I thought the lyrics were pretty elementary.

"Judas" is an upbeat song that really does nothing for me. Lyrically, nothing stood out. I didn't care for the chorus. And her voice didn't do anything exceptional. This is a skipper for me.

"Haunted" is a crowd favorite from the live shows. A lot of people were hoping she put this on her last album. This song is the most "Evanescence" sounding song on the CD. You can easily hear Amy Lee singing this. It also reminds me a lot of Addicted from the last album. It has a softer verse but a rocking chorus. It's good. However, of the two, I prefer Addicted.

"Be Still" is a ballad. Kelly's voice is very soft on this one and shows some yearning emotion. It's pretty but I feel that it's a little boring.

"Maybe" is another ballad, however this one is much better than Be Still. Again, Kelly's voice really shows off the emotion of the song. This is a strong song.

"How I Feel" is another upbeat song that has a chance at radio play. I think it's a fun song but it does have some twinges of Ashlee Simpson in the vocals (if Ashlee could actually sing). I do like this song though.

"Yeah" kinda bores me so I dont' really know what to say.

"Can I Give You A Kiss" is a midtempo song that never really takes off. I feel like her voice is too big for the song so it sounds a little awkward.

"Irvine" sounds as if it was recorded in a closet. Everything about it is small and cramped; including Kelly's voice. This song is supposed to be very personal but I think it's just a little boring.

"Chivas" is another song that sounds as if it was recorded on the fly outside of a studio. It's a fun little bar type song. I love her little laugh at the end that shows that she's just having some fun with it.

Overall, I like this album a lot more than I thought I would. I can see Clive's concerns with it because it's definitely NOT a radio album (meaning a lot of the songs aren't radio friendly). So for a person that is in it for the money I can see him wanting to make a lot of changes. I feel like this album is much more of a singer/songwriter type instead of pop. Yes, there aren't a lot of radio hits that will have people bouncing around and wanting to sing at karaoke but that doesn't mean the songs aren't good. In fact, about half of the songs are really good. People just need to not be expecting Breakaway again.

Best songs:
Sober
Never Again
One Minute
Hole
Don't Waste Your Time
How I Feel
Maybe
Haunted
Chivas