Disco de Ashlee Simpson: “Bittersweet World”

Ashlee Simpson's third album is a collection of pop/dance tracks sleekly produced by the "popular guys" like Timbaland and Chad Hugo. To her credit, Simpson co-wrote all the songs on the album, and barring any lip-syncing accidents, it should do just fine.

Not the strongest of vocalists, Simpson relies on dance beats and catchy choruses, a prime example being first single "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" which has both. A better song that's a little more Avril Lavigne pop/rock-y is the second single "Little Miss Obsessive", which is about a break-up for which reconciliation isn't quite out of the question.

"Boys" is a funny upbeat track, while "Rule Breaker" sounds like something intended for Gwen Stefani, as does "Ragdoll". "Hot Stuff" is another funny dance track, and you won't be able to resist the disco beat. "Murder" has an interesting Eastern vibe which partially makes up for lyrics. The album ends with the simple and unimpressive ballad "Never Dream Alone", but the weakest track in every way is the title track, sorry to say.

Completely and thoroughly mainstream pop, get this one just for the fun of it.

Amanda Richards, May 3, 2008

I'm not ashamed to say i'm a fan of Ashlee Simpson. I've been a fan since her first album and have stayed a fan even through her 'SNL moment.' I loved the first album. Her second was hit and miss for me. This, I believe is her best so far. One thing about the lyrics they have in the booklet thingy it comes with(or whatever they call the thing) most of the lyrics that are in the thing aren't the same words they're saying in the songs. If you're gonna learn the words to the songs don't rely on the words they give you. So whoever put that together should be fired their job can't be that hard, but i digress.

The music is great, it really is and Ashlee really does sound good. The music isn't about how she's been in some sort of shadow behind her sister and no whining about how nobody understands her. It's got great beats and it's definately got a different sound than what she's experimented with before and it works for her. Nothing on the album is bad and there are at least 4 or 5 that i like to crank the volume to but she's still got some room to grow. I'll leave it at that.

My main point:Give her a chance, at least she's not as bad as Hilary Duff or[sorry to say this] her sister Jessica Simpson. If you're going to buy any of her albums this one is probably your best bet.

Finally, Ashlee has decided to stop pretending that she is a punk rocker. With Bittersweet World, the younger, more tone-deaf Simpson sibling has wholeheartedly embraced the `80s, beat-tastic sound that has been gaining speed in the pop world over the years. With Timbaland and Chad Hugo of the Neptunes producing the majority of the record, it comes as no surprise that her latest is a far cry from the faux-rock that characterized her last two albums.

The result is a mixed bag. Luckily, the emphasis on heavy production and synthed-up beats tend to bury Ashlee's vocals in the mix, and her voice sounds almost as doctored as Paris Hilton's did. Lead single "Outta My Head" is built on a nagging guitar beat and a simple drum machine, but sadly the lyrics are ridiculously inane ("what you lookin' at me for huh? / show me respect or I will show you the door"), and Ashlee fails miserably at sounding sassy.

The album isn't totally worthless, however. For every cringe-inducing break-up song ("Little Miss Obsessive") and pointless bad-girl posturing ("Rule Breaker"), there are a couple bright spots: the dark pulse of "Murder" and the whirling guitar pop of "Ragdoll," and no one can ever accuse Ashlee of lacking energy. All in all, Bittersweet World is more of a party than her earlier efforts, but still a plastic, manufactured one at that.

Ashlee Simpson makes fun, listenable, pop-rock albums and that's why she has sold millions of records. People may not like her for whatever reason (I think a lot of it is jealousy), but you can't deny the results. On her new album, she takes a different turn to 80's inspired dance-pop with mostly good results.

Personally, I prefer the more rock oriented tracks like "Little Miss Obsessive" (my fav on the album), "No Time for Tears", and "What I've Become", but the bouncy tracks like "Boys" and "Outta My Head" are also fun. "Murder" has a unique beat that gets better with every listen and "Never Dream Alone" is a solid piano ballad that shows Ashlee can really sing. "Bittersweet World" is another cool tune that has a definite Broadway influence. However, there are some throwaway tracks like "Ragdoll" and "Hot Stuff", which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.

If you liked "L.O.V.E." from her last album, you will like this one. Even if you didn't, I would still give this album a listen as it differentiates itself from most of the bland pop on the radio nowadays. Bravo to Ashlee for taking a new direction in her music and not just copying the (successful) formula of her first two albums.

Granted Ashlee Simpson's vocal talents are limited at best, this CD was by far a complete and total waste of my money in buying it and my time in listening to it. Her other CDs, over-processed though they may have been, at least were catchy and listenable, but this time around she makes only a 1% effort to actually sing and the music is something of a 12-year-old playing with a Playskool keyboard. If I could go back in time to stop myself from buying it, I would. From a vocalist's perspective, this is beyond mediocre. How she's famous is nothing short of a miracle (for her; not so much for me or anyone who appreciates real music)

To put it simply: DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!!