Search - Jordin Sparks :: Battlefield (Deluxe CD/DVD)

Sparks' Finds Success on 'Battlefield'

Antoine D. Reid | Durham, NC United States | 07/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jordin Sparks' second cd release is an improvement over the forgettable first release. 'Battlefield' is definitely still heavily based in the pop genre but the production value is definitely better than on the self-titled first release 'Jordin Sparks'. Also, the songs themselves are much more improved - better instrumentals, the songs feature her wide range and great voice, and they're catchy. 'Battlefield' only features a few filler or weak tracks and, surprising to me, those were the more stripped down, slower songs 'Was I The Only One' and 'Faith'.



What works best with many songs are that they are pop song with a lot of attitude and yet they have an air of maturity to them that I felt was missing from the first release. Jordin Sparks' voice really shines through in many songs, such as in the pop anthem 'Battlefield' that features both her middle range and her reaching for higher notes. 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head' is another catchy slower pop ballad, while 'No Parade' has her hitting all the right high notes and adding a lot of feeling into the song. Many of these songs sound like something you'd expect to hear from Kelly Clarkson and I think that is a good thing. The songs are relatable, they make you smile, you can hear that she actually has made a connection with many of the songs and materials, a rare quality with many artists.



There are some few misses song wise that just didn't appeal to me as much, but even so, no tracks are unlistenable and nothing is truly skip-worthy. Unlike many cds, the sound and production is consistent up until the last three songs which aren't as interesting and catchy as the earlier tracks. As for the bonus tracks, I found 'Postcard' to be the superior, album-worthy track while 'Papercut' did come off as a bonus/filler track. In all, definitely would recommend this release to pop fans. If you were less than impressed with her first cd that only had one or two good tracks and was riddled with an inconsistent sound, give this one a try. It was definitely a surprise in that the production was given a lot of attention and I simply loved hearing Jordin's full range displayed throughout the release rather than being kept to only one or two tracks. Definitely worth checking out.



Listen To These: 'Battlefield', 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head', 'Let It Rain', 'Emergency (911)'"

Jordin Avoids the Sophomore Jinx and Scores!

KC | CT, USA | 07/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The youngest American Idol winner and platinum selling artist Jordin Sparks returns with her sophomore album Battlefield. Sparks made a splash on the scene not when she AI, but more so with her hit "No Air", a duet with Chris Brown. While the song granted her a Grammy Nomination, her debut only peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200. Now, she's back with a hot new single and an even more impressive second album. I have spent days listening to the album and here's my track by track review:



Walking On Snow: The first guitar line of this track sounds a lot like the beginning of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" and leaves you to believe that a hit the opening track of this album will be a hit. Unfortunately, the extremely poppish song is only mediocre. The song has a nice beat that will certainly have you moving and Jordin naturally sounds good on it but the track isn't an example of her talent. I can easily see someone like Hilary Duff on this...the only difference is that Jordin's vocals are much better. (3/5)



Battlefield: The Ryan Tedder produced track serves as Jordin's lead single. Surprisingly, this only peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The lyrics and Jordin's vocals match perfectly to deliver an extremely catchy pop song with a slight rock edge. Easily one of the better tracks on the album. (4/5)



Don't Let It Go To Your Head: The album's third track is a cover of the original song by Fefe Dobson. Fefe's version is much edgier and has a rock sound while this version focuses more on Jordin's vocals and has a more simple production. But there is no doubt that Jordin delivers. The only thing is that Fefe's version coincides more with the lyrics. As Jordin sings to her lover telling him not to let how she feels about him go to his head, you still get the feeling that she can't do without him. Overall, Jordin's vocals are on point and it's a nice track. (3.5/5)



S.O.S (Let The Music Play): This is dance-pop at its best and you can't listen to this without moving. The track will serve as the album's second single and is inspired by the 1983 hit "Let the Music Play" by Shannon. Simply put, S.O.S is a track to listen to if you're in the mood to dance. (3.5/5)



It Takes More: In this Andrea Martin produced track, Jordin sings to her lover that he's "the only one not worth waiting for" because he basically comes in and out of her life whenever he pleases. It's good to see Jordin doing more tracks like this that empower females rather than the Hannah Montana sounding tracks that were on her debut ("Shy Boy", "Now You Tell Me", "Young And In Love"). She's moved to tracks that are a bit more mature and they work for her! (3.5/5)



Watch You Go: One of the best songs on the album! If you're going to sing about loving someone, this is how it should be done! The production is on point and vocally, Jordin more than delivers (especially on the bridge where she sings her heart out). I've never seen a pop song sang with such emotion and at this point, you'll probably why Jordin is still doing pop when her vocals can clearly carry R&B. (4.5/5)



No Parade: A beautiful song and easily one of the best on the album. Immediately when the piano begins, you know it's one of those songs to listen to when your heart is broken and Jordin's vocals don't make it any better. She sings with raw emotion and makes you feel the song, whether you want to or not. If you're going through a breakup and are listening to this, have a box of tissues close; especially the last time she sings the chorus. (5/5)



Let It Rain: A nice song about letting go of all the tears and fears you once held and "[letting] it rain". The track is co-written and produced by Toby Gad ("If I Were A Boy"). The build up to the chorus pays off once it starts. Enjoyable track you can bob your head to but the production of it kind of takes away from the meaning. (3.5/5)



Emergency (911): I would never have imagined Jordin doing a pop/rock/dance song like this but she pulls it off well. She sings to her lover that she's dying of "dance deprivation, emotional starvation" and that she needs him there with her. Jordin also co-wrote the song along with Roby Gad and Lindy Robbins. (3.5/5)



Was I The Only One: Another ballad where Jordin asks if she was the only one who fell in love because she doesn't understand why they are saying goodbye. Vocally, she sounds very nice and keeps it simple by not hitting her usual high notes. Jordin also receives credit for co-writing the song. (3.8/5)



Faith: Jordin pens this next track with Gad and Robbins. It's a gospel-inspired ballad that showcases her vocals while telling those in desperate times to have a little faith. Another track makes you wonder why she isn't doing R&B. (4.5/5)



The Cure: The last track on the standard edition and also my favorite track. Jordin sings to a guy that's been left by his woman that she will be his cure if he comes with his heart. I can leave this song on repeat and never get tired of it. The production and instruments are amazing and when matched with Jordin's vocals, the song is flawless. The song makes you feel like whatever you're going through will end and you'll be on top of the world. This track should definitely be the third single! I can see this doing amazing on the charts! I'm even more surprised that she is co-writer of the song. (5/5)



Papercut: This is the first bonus track on the deluxe edition. Penned by the team that wrote "Faith", Jordin compares her hurt to a paper cut singing that even though it's deep and burns, she's okay and will survive. Nothing special and I would have rather seen a track like "The Cure" or "Worth The Wait" (a bonus from her debut) as an extra track. (3.5/5)



Postcard: Another track that could have been traded. Naturally, her vocals are amazing but the song isn't anything special. With the title of the track, you can easily tell what the song is about. (4/5)



There is no doubt in my mind that with the right promotion and management, Jordin Sparks will stay in the game for a while and will eventually take to the top. Her sophomore effort is an example that the "sophomore jinx" doesn't happen to everyone. Battlefield is easily superior to her platinum debut. Her songs have gotten more mature and she's written four of the best songs on the album. Vocally, she effortlessly beats out some of the top artists currently out. She is reminiscent of a young Mariah Carey and with time, she will only get better. I would really like her to try an R&B album. She has the vocals to do it and it might suit her. Simply put, Jordin has established herself as a real artist with Battlefield and hopefully this album will see the success that it deserves.



Overall, I give the album a very solid B."

New must have....

Luke J. Hollands | Australia | 07/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I firstly heard the lead single and title track of this album on the radio, needless to say the station didn't let the audience know who sung the song but her voice was so familiar, I had heard enough of the lyrics to be able to type them into Google and then I got my answer, it was Jordin, I was a fan from when I had first heard Tattoo...But this was better.



The grinding sound of Battlefield fit well with the texture of Jordin's voice, she commanded the song, it got stuck in my head...I wanted it, and more-so I wanted the album, but it wasn't released however the wait was well worth it.



From the get go it proved to be powerful, electric, fun, deep and mostly charming. Battlefield is the standout track, closely followed by Let It Rain, also I find I keep coming back to No Parade...I purchased the deluxe version with the bous dvd, a quick insight to the making of the album and her journey through it. The bonus film clip of Batttlefield is brilliant...very clever filmclip for a song of that name.



Jordin has done her fans proud with this, but as always you have to wonder, what are they gonna come up with next?



I'll be waiting."