Jesse McCartney Album: “Right Where You Want Me”

Jesse McCartney is definitely one of the prominent so penned "heartthrobs" of today. He is a talented actor as well as a talented, credible enough singer. Jesse doesn't so much have the problem of say Lindsay Lohan or Ashlee Simpson in releasing an album; he was a member of the lackadaisical, underrated Dream Street prior to becoming a serious actor. Also moreso than Lindsay or Ashlee, the boy can sing, even if this album in particular does have its flat moments. Having not heard BEAUTIFUL SOUL, I don't have the ground to compare this album, but based off the single "Beautiful Soul" compared to the songs here, this album doesn't necessarily have song nearly that strong. It isn't a bad album though in the least, and it has many shining moments.

"Right Where You Want Me", the title track features soulful production with a very minor-dark feel during the verses. The chorus though takes on "cliche proportions" as the guitars are overproduced and tend to cover up McCartney's vocals. His falsetto here is particularly notable, and almost makes up for the more indicipherable vocals by McCartney at the chorus.

"Just So You Knew" is a rather unexciting, uninspiring track. There is nothing new here to draw you in; at times infact, McCartney sounds a bit thin. Despite that, McCartney does sit on top of the production vocally well here, but quality supercedes production with this track making it filler material in my eyes.

"Blow Your Mind" is the track that you've been waiting for McCartney to record (yeah I know he's only released 2 albums). What is particularly exciting is the soulful-rock quality of this track that just might give McCartney a bit of rock-credibility. This track is the strongest rival where quality is concerned to "Beautiful Soul". Also, an "electrifying" guitar solo makes this track all that much better than it already is.

"Right Back in The Water" is another solid track exploiting the best facets of McCartney's vocals. Unfortunately by this song, you do start to wonder how nice it might be if McCartney stepped outside of his comfort zone to try to sing a different type of song. "Anybody" showcases an over-exerted performance by McCartney meaning that his voice here sounds like McCartney is working to hard. Despite the faux-pas, "Tell Here" almost completely makes up for the uninspiring, predictable "Anybody".

The only other major standout of RIGHT WHERE YOU WANT ME is the penultimate track "Invincible" which is among the top echolon where quality of the tracks are concerned. Here McCartney sounds great, the lyrics are exceptional, the string orchestration is lush, and it makes for perhaps the best track or one of the best tracks on the entire album. Otherwise, the ball is dropped on such tracks as "We Can Go Anywhere", "Feeling You", or "Just Go" while other tracks are above average, though nothing to write home about ("Daddy's Little Girl" and "Can't Let You Go").

It is hard for some of the strongest material here to assign a rating of just 3 stars, however as whole, the album has its phenomenal moments and its dull moments making it average. However, I believe Jesse McCartney has more than his looks going for him, meaning vocally, he isn't a bad singer; he is one with great potential. 3 stars.

Just received my copy of this CD today, well ahead the arrival date suggested by Amazon, and my goodness what a record it is.

Talented actor, superb singer, Jesse McCartney has got it all.The artwork on the CD shows that Jesse is looking great.More importantly, the sound in the grooves indicate that Jesse, a couple of years down the line from the fabulous "Beautiful Soul" is sounding better than ever.

The arrangements are superb, the musicianship is excellent, but as was the case with Beautiful Soul, it's Jesse's voice that shines through, and what a superb and thrilling singing voice he has.

It is hard to pick a favourite, but the heartfelt "Invincible" has to be right up there, along with "Feelin' You" , "We Can Go Anywhere" and the wonderfully catchy "Right Where You Want Me".

Jesse , if I was allowed to give you ten stars or more this CD, I would do just that.You just now have to get yourself over to the UK and prove to everyone else what a damn fine entertainer you are.Your fans don't need telling.They've known for long enough.

But I'll say it anyway and I'll say it again later on your myspace page.You are a very fine young actor and a really first class singer.Long may you continue to rock my world.

Now, you normally wouldn't find a 26-year-old black man listening to Jesse McCartney, but as people should know by now, I try to give everything a chance. And while I enjoyed Jesse's debut solo album Beautiful Soul, Right Where You Want Me blows it out the water.

Speaking of which, one of the best songs is "Right Back In the Water". The breakup song "Just Go" is also a highlight; and although "Anybody" uses an otherwise clichéd topic, it also works well. Jesse even does a good job when he ventures into sexual territory (hey, you can't be a teenybopper forever), as evidenced on the title track and especially "Blow Your Mind".

But it's not all fun and games: "Invincible" is a poignant story about a woman that got killed in a drunk driving accident. But you should be cheered up with further good songs like "Feelin' You". In fact, the only reason I knocked off half a star is because "Tell Her" is hard to get into. Everything else is great and is proof that Jesse can last in this business, so in your stereo should be right where you want this CD.

Anthony Rupert

I may be a teenager, and a Jesse fan, but my area of expertise is music.

I bought this album off of iTunes for 10 bucks, and I think it's safe to say that it should have been more.

I enjoy every song on here, and I definitely am not sick of it yet.

I own "Beautiful Soul" as well, and it is quite a bit different from this album. It's not as edgy, and the tracks are all about falling in love. This album, however, is quite a bit different...

Blow Your Mind is about Jesse being sexually attracted to a woman {NOT on Beautiful Soul...}, Invincible is about drinking and driving, and Just Go is about Jesse pushing a woman away {on Beautiful Soul he was embracing them}.

I like this album, just because Jesse makes the music his own.

jesse was 15 when he recorded BS and he had a lot of fans at that age who were 12 or 13 ...4 years latter...he's 19 and those fans are 17 or even older they don't wanna listen to those stuff anymore.

BS was a little unreal all the songs were about a guy who loves a girl

but this record is more mature and more REAL...listen to the track 11.

it's about his friend who died in a drinkin' and drivin' accident he

wanted to put this song on the album for the others to know how bad it is to d/driving...all the songs r cool...and about the lyrics:what another singers are singing about??? what do exept him to sing???

anyway all the lyrics (from any singer) r about relatinships or love or loosing sombody etc.

I am really 16 but I used kid's review because I don't have an amazon account...:)