- Release date:
- April 22, 2008
- Artist/Band name:
- Ashlee Simpson
- Record label:
- Geffen
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.ashleesimpsonmusic.com/
- Overall User Rating:
-
(0 ratings)
Why you should care: Ashlee is a far more interesting and fun pop star than Jessica. True, she can’t hit the same power high notes that Jessica leans on, but Ashlee’s relative restraint is actually a more praiseworthy quality. Plus, Timbaland fans get to enjoy him stretching beyond his usual zone to craft playful, electric-guitar-heavy cuts like “Murder” and the underrated “Out of My Head (Ay Ya Ya).”
Verdict: Of all her albums, this one feels most like music that Ashlee genuinely enjoys, and she sells it better because she wasn’t entirely controlled by outside songwriters. She’s not a good singer, but the song choices make sensible use of a limited range. The best tunes, such as the cute and surprising “Hot Stuff,” are infectious candy creations that bear repeated listens. At its weakest, like sing-songy single “Little Miss Obsessive” and the thin vocals of faux sad piano ballad “Never Dream Alone,” “Bittersweet World” feels like more of a put-on than it really is, a too-obvious attempt to be middle-of-the-road and radio friendly.
X-Factor: “Bittersweet World” is getting lots of promotion thanks to Simpson’s constant appearances in tabloids and blogs. She’s confirmed her engagement to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, but not the rumor that they’re expecting. For now, Ashlee has said that the only baby she’s giving birth to is the album.
