Liking Jordin Sparks, American Idol's season six winner, comes instinctively. How many 17-year-olds are as self-possessed, as big-smiling, as committed to having a good time and keeping it real? Probably none. Liking Sparks' music has been a different story for fans anticipating her debut CD, though. Her gut-busting Idol performance of "I (Who Have Nothing)" was possibly her only prime-time goosebump generator, yet she's seen an instant progression to diva-dom, as chronicled in reports that found her heading into the studio alongside pop/R&B heavy-hitters Bloodshy, Avant, the Underdogs, and others. Was it a little soon for the relatively green Sparks to be throwing off such big-league, beat-heavy sparks? Well, not hardly, it turns out. The ballads here--songs like "Next To You" and "Just For the Record"--reach out at times with overeager sincerity (forgivable!), but the funkier numbers--"Young and In Love" and the Prince-flecked "Shy Boy," especially--slam home her positives. Jordin may still be a juvie, but she's a bona fide pop star. She earns her props as convincingly here as she did on TV. --Tammy La Gorce
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Good, but not great:
Great vocals, but the songs could be more interesting. Jordin Sparks has a good deal of talent, and I'd like to hear more from her.
I gave in.:
Yes, I voted for Blake, but Jordin is the one who can really sing. Nice bubble gum pop that will get stuck in your head.
Just Average:
I loved Jordin on American Idol, but I found this CD disappointing. There are some good songs, but it really is just an OK album. I felt more could have been done to showcase her voice.
My Daughter Loves This Album!:
I recently bought this album for my 7 year old daughter and she loves it. Every morning when she is putting on her make-up, she cannot stop dancing to "One Step At A Time". She is growing up so fast, and I think Jordin Sparks would make a great role model for her.
