Review | Allison Iraheta
Credit: Kevin Winter/American Idol 2009/Getty Images for Fox
IN STORES: Tuesday 12/1
It's amazing that American Idol top-four finalist Allison Iraheta is only 17 -- her gritty voice gives her debut disc much-needed moxie. She's a ringer for Pink on "No One Else" and when backed by a piano and strings on "Trouble Is." So what is the trouble? Like many Idols' first efforts, Iraheta squanders her gifts on immature, hastily selected material. Worst offender: "Robot Love," in which she frets that her guy likes his gadgets more than he likes her. (19/Jive)
-- IAN DREW
Tell Us What You Think
16I haven't been this excited about an artist since I discovered Springsteen in 1977. Allison's voice and personna has me so captivated anyway, then she had to release an album of 13 great songs. I can hardly wait to see her in concert.
It is very, the outmost ridiculous thing that has happened in music: Allison's music and videos not being played on ALL pop music stations and TV video channels. Talent SHOULD be given FIRST priority for some artists, as race is an idicator as to who will be requested more. Allison's race is being held against her. Orianthi, Cyrus, Swift, etc., R all doing well. Why not Allison? It's ridiculous!
I love Allison's album! It's one of the best of the year! I love her so much because she really puts so much emotion into her singing, and her voice is a powerhouse. She's beautiful, too. There's something on "Just Like You" for everyone, it's a diverse and wonderful debut from a wonderful artist! We have the next Janis Joplin here!
I guess this review is useless since most of the final reviewers, the fans, like Allison's great first CD. Who is the real immature here? Like someone said she had to reach the masses (teens). Business is business and strategically they did perfectly putting an album that everyone, well almost everyone, can enjoy. This was my first album I buy to support an artist and I am completely happy with my purchase. We need objectivity in reviews not personal taste. If so, I could do that job.
It is such an enjoyable album, a "grower", so give it a couple of spins. Yes, there are two popy (and good) songs - unfortunately at the start, so someone only sampling the start won't get the diverseness and maturity of the whole album.
Thank God Allison's album saved the day....I never was interested in Chris, Adams album is a complete dissapointment and I love Allisons album, buy it, you'll be satisfied.
I'm a 43 year "old lady" and I love Allison's debut CD. Prior to reading any reviews I clearly heard a striking resemblance to Pink (with some Kelly Clarkson thrown in for good measure) in Allison's vocals and I view this as a very good thing. I started out buying two songs from the CD on iTunes and in the end bought the entire CD. No regrets at all and I highly recommend this CD (though I don't think the lyrics to "Beat Me Up" do much to stem violence against women).
her album is the best ive heard so far coming from that AI pack. Kris Allen's cd (the winner) sucked, and i was severealy dissapointed by Adam Lamberts, which was worse than kris Allens.. all in all i believe Alisons cd is WAY better
This article reads like it was written by some grumpy old grandpa. WTF's wrong with u? Her album is the BEST outta the post idol S8 bunck...Get it together. U sound a little jealous of her emerging success.
Squanders her talent? Certainly a minority of one opinion based on other reviews. There is something for everybody on this album yet it holds together as a complete work and for most people it's all very good. There is content for all ages on here. You should be saying how amazed you are at how good it is considering how fast it was put together. This is a great first album in part because of it's wide ranging appeal. It is packed with chart material. Checkout the individual track downloads the two versions of the album on iTunes. Not a single dud on the album and most are very popular. Three hit the peak. Two more nearly there. One in the middle. Three off to a good start. That is 8 individual tracks Showing substantial popularity and it's only been available two days. There isn't a single song I don't like but its easier to chose least favorite than to try to pick a favorite. For Me Friday I'll be over you is the weakest but there are others who say they love it best. Reading the reviews different reviews choose different songs as their favorite and least favorite. What one doesn't like another chooses as their favorite. That's broad appeal. Allison will be smiling at this review as she checks her bank balance.
You begin by saying Allison is "only 17" then go on to criticize that some of the lyrics are "immature." Perhaps you can't relate but many listening to this fantastic CD will. Did you really listen to Scars or Trouble Is? Those two songs, among with a number of others show a maturity lyrically and vocally by Allison. The emotion she puts into her songs is stunning. And instrumentally and production wise the CD is great. Not over produced to where her astounding voice is hidden. Well done, Allison. Its a hit!
Have to agree with all the other commenters. When I listen to the album I hear nothing but Allison. Sure there is a little overproduction, but not nearly as much as I thought there would be. Did you listen to the song "Holiday?" That song is pretty rockin to me. Once you get past the first two songs there is way less pop and some songs with mature lyrics. I think anyone who listens to the album needs to listen to the songs more than once. I know on first listen I was not sure on a few songs, but after three or four spins I could really find something to love in almost all songs. For a debut album, done in a very short time period, this album is fantastic. Far better than what I hear from other singers at her age. Great job Allison!
Get a clue, she needs to appeal to the Tweeners to get out of the gates. Don't expect her career masterpiece in album #1. She is great and will do fine. This album is not bad either.
It is her first offering. To be successful, long term, and get to use her gift for Rock, she has to hasrness the masses, i.e. tweeners. Calm down and wait. She will be the next Rock Goddess. All in all the album exceeded my expectations for her first foray.
I actually think this album is really great. It's really good all the way through. Yes, there are a couple references to text messaging, but that doesn't bother me. Allison wins me over on her album with her emotionally-laden, raw, natural, at times in your face, fun, high-energy, and beautiful songs that go with her amazing voice. I'm truly impressed with her album.
Did we listen to the same album? The fact that 2 out of 13 tracks can be considered young doesn't make the entire album immature. I would hope people reviewing the album would actually listen to the lyrics and remember that while Allison sounds like an adult, she still is a young woman, allowed to sing fun songs every once in a while. I don't get how songs like Scars, Holiday, Pieces and Still breathing are considered "immature".