Although not nearly as good as her most recent release My Kind of World, Amber's third album Naked has a style and attitude worth exploring. In general, the album is very laid back and modern. The most prominent characteristic of this album is the sensuality it emits. From the album cover to nearly half the songs, this is a passionate and lustful album with simple but powerful lyrics.
For the first time, Amber opens an album with a mood setting song, titled Yes. Radio stations made the mistake of not playing this song; it could have easily catapulted Amber to superstar status. There's a haunting quality about it; almost as if Amber herself is in a dream. Full of sweeping chords and syncopated backing rhythms, this song is one of my personal favorites of the album. (6/5)
The club hit The Need To Be Naked is the second track; this is the song that got me interested in Amber. Lyrically, there's nothing too innovative about this song. The lyrics are simple and easy to comprehend, and the title pretty much sums up the entire song. Needless to say, there's something special about this track that almost seduces you. Amber's breathy vocals in the chorus are a real tease, and I'm sure any male would love this song. (Personally, I think the Guido Osorio's Virgin Mix from the remix single of The Need To Be Naked is actually a better version than this one, although it's quite long) (5/5)
The third track Anyway (Men Are From Mars) is one of my favorites, and somehow in its simplicity you'll find yourself bobbing your head. It's a very cute track, almost melancholy in a way. The song is very catchy, and Amber does an excellent job of blending the vocal and instrumental arrangements for a complimenting effect. (5/5)
Though the fourth track You're Sent From Heaven is a beautiful song, I don't feel that Amber's vocal talent is best displayed here. There are moments of vocal greatness, but in general, she sounds slightly uncomfortable. Despite that, she still has the same conviction and emotion that you would expect from her when she sings. The end of this track is truly spectacular however, with a choir accompanying Amber on her ad-libbed vocals. (4/5)
Dirty Thoughts, the fifth track, is a song full of guilt, remorse and grief. Amber sounds much more at home here than on the previous track. The lyrics are beautifully written and the acoustic guitar arrangement is dazzling. This is probably the most heartfelt song on the album; the most sensitive song. The strings balance the ballad wonderfully. (5/5)
I applaud Amber for the sixth track He, although it feels somewhat out of place on such a sensual album. Quite simply, it's a song about God guiding her through her life. Such content brought criticism from many of her fans. Clearly, Amber took a risk including this song, however I admire her for it. As far as the musical arrangement of the song goes, it's a very well done dance number. With syncopated echoing keyboards and a jazzy baseline, Amber's vocals shine. (5/5)
The seventh track is yet another sensual anthem called Sex Without Sex. A tender and emotional song, the content could have easily been ruined had it not been written well. But Amber successfully took the idea of being totally in tune with someone's thoughts, feelings, wants and desires and transformed them it into a well written piece. She sounds whimsical in this tune, with very breathy vocals and an easy-going singing style. (5/5)
Love On You, the eighth track, is a little more innocent, but still a very sexy song. Lyrically, the verses are very generic and a little rugged when thrown together, although they still make plenty sense. Listening to this, especially if you have someone special next to you, you really will want to ditch work and `stay home for one day'. More laid back and slower than the previous track, there's plenty of lush chords backing Amber's once again breathy singing. (4/5)
The ninth track will remind older fans of Amber's previous work, and it's titled If There Would Be No Tomorrow. Going back to her more classic dance roots, Amber's vocals stand out in this song as the foundation of a very lively track. She has some fun with her singing, and the balance of strings and rock guitar make this one of the most memorable tracks on the album. This would have made a great single, however it was never remixed. (5/5)
At first listen, the tenth track Heavenly Proximity didn't have any special qualities. However, after listening to it several times, you begin to notice the delicate balance of the beautiful piano, strings, soft keyboard loops and deep bass that make this an inspiring song. In particular, the bridge portion of the song, which builds in volume and intensity, is gorgeous. Unfortunately, the musical descent after the buildup is a bit of a letdown, leaving the listener feeling a little incomplete. (5/5)
Although the title suggests another sensual tune, track eleven, Sex In the City, is a disco dance fest in which Amber vents about the stresses of constant changing relationships. Personally, this song doesn't appeal to me as much as the first two tracks of the album do, but it is very catchy and you'll find yourself humming it for hours. With surprising drum hits and many different types of percussion, this is primarily a drum loop song. The brass in the chorus is refreshing to hear. (4/5)
On track twelve, titled Don't Say Goodbye, Amber puts all her efforts into singing a beautiful slow ballad. As with previous slow tunes, while she never lacks for emotion, she just doesn't sound her best here. The song is still beautiful, with very intense chords and simple but heartfelt lyrics. While it's not one of her finest moments, it's still a very well done song. (3/5)
Track thirteen is the Sexual Afterlife Chillout Remix. This remix was the first version of Sexual I had ever heard, and it's a great warm version; initially I couldn't tell it was a remix. After hearing the original dance version of the song, I still don't prefer one or the other. This remix is very slow and subdued, with no percussion except a light hand drum loop. The lyrics flow smoothly with the sweeping keyboard effects; this song reminds me of something you might hear in an expensive massage parlor. (5/5)
Track fourteen, which is the last official song of the album, titled The Smile of My Child, is very cute in it's own way. Unfortunately, it doesn't sum up the album well, and it sounds like a song from a Broadway stage play. The song itself is nice, with all its live strings and glockenspiel toward the end; the child singing in the beginning and the end (I think it's actually Amber's son) is rather cute as well. The concept of the song is a sweet one and it's very heartfelt, but again, it's one of those songs that doesn't seem to fit with either Amber's voice or the rest of the album. (3/5)
The Thunderpuss remix of The Need To Be Naked is the fifteenth track, and it's a good thing she threw this in at the end, otherwise the album would not have been concluded well. As with all Thunderpuss remixes, it's very danceable, lively and full of impact. (5/5)
After hearing Amber's more recent work, you may notice that she sounds almost muted or timid in many of the songs included on this album. There are many great songs here, but too many experimental tracks that didn't allow Amber to show her true talent. In my opinion, the best songs on Naked are Yes, The Need To Be Naked, Anyway, He, Sex Without Sex and the Sexual remix. I suggest purchasing the remix singles for Yes, The Need To Be Naked and Anyway (Men Are From Mars), as they all have at least one great remix on them. And more than anything, I recommend Amber's newest release, My Kind of World; it's her best work yet!
Amber is back. C'mon, the music is great on this CD, danceclub ready, but I can't believe how stupid the words are. Solid Goop! Especially the song,"The smile of my child." Let's face it, most of the people who listen to this cd are not going to have kids, so this won't "speak" to them, at all!! I was excited about this CD, but as I listened, well...she just needs to get better writers. If you don't care what a song says, buy the album, it really does have great music.
Words can't describe how wonderful Ambers third album Naked is, but I will try. Sexual, Spiritual, Funky, Exciting. I didn't think it was possible she could come back with a better album than her previous, one of my favorites. Including 2 of the years best dance tracks Yes and The Need to Be Naked, Naked is filled with numerous songs that prove once again Amber is the best dance diva in music today. You're Sent From Heaven, He, Sex Without Sex, and Love On You, are all catchy dance pop gems that showcase Ambers strong vocals and sensual lyrics. My personal favorite which should be the next single released is a smash dance club anthem in waiting, is Sex and the City. Heart Pounding beats, clever lyrics, and fierce vocals make this track explode. Also included is a chillout remix of Sexual Lidadi, and the Thunderpuss Remix of The Need to Be Naked, which are nice extras to have. There is not one bad song on this album, and it should please all fans Ambers fans. A Must have for dance music lovers.
I picked this up and kept it unopened so I can exchange it for a remastered Bond cd if I didn't dig the samples I have. First off, I'm not really much of a clubber or a huge dance music fan, but I really like Amber's other two albums. Those albums had strong songs that flowed well and were incredibly infectious. You also didn't need to listen to them over and over just to get into them.
I've listened to this a few times, and I must say, it is quite different then her last two. Even the popular singles don't come close to her past work. This stuff is just bland, if not for her voice, it'd just be generic dance-pop mixed with some generic Adult Contemporary.
I've noticed that with reviews on this site, most everything receives 4 or 5 stars on average. I get the feeling the person who said most of these reviews must be written by diehard members of Amber's fanclub must be right.
There is nothing on the level of "Sexual", "This is your night", or even most of the songs on those last two albums.
Some of the lyrics standout, she's a little more upfront sexually, and the packaging is cool, but otherwise I really can't recommend this at all.
I absolutely LOVE this album. I bought it in December of 2002 and I still listen to it (almost daily) now. The one thing that I love the most about this album is her experimentation with other genres without losing her dance/house roots (like Ce Ce Peniston made the mistake of doing). That brings me to a question I would like to pose to those who said that there isn't enough dance material. What if Naked was more dance-oriented? What if it was basically This Is Your Night part 3 (with Part 2 being her 1999 release)? Then the same lot of you who complained that it was too different that her previous two would complain that it was too similar to her previous two. Make up your mind. And, to be completely honest, the Berman Brothers (the producers of her first two albums) were Amber's blessing and her curse: they helped her become the revered dance diva that she is known as now, BUT they also set her up in such a manner that one only expects her to limit herself to dance material, which is WHY she bought back her contract from them in the first place, so that she can express more of herself. THIS is the real Amber right here. And we also have to remember that, if this music sounds too "adult", guess what? That's because she IS ONE! She's not some teenager, she is a grown woman. So cut her some slack.
