After the release of Out Of The Box last year, hopes were high that the full studio album would be impressive. It's still obvious that there is a clinging to the sweetbox past with classicial sampling in two tracks (Unbreakable (moonlight Sonata) & Out In The Sea) but it's a combination that's worked well for Jade. The majority of the album is actually alright, but sadly there are the tracks that do pull the album down, mainly Undone & No You Don't. While Undone has a feel of Out Of The Box, you can help think it was an added extra with hurried production while No You Don't is sung in a style that just doesn't suit Jade's voice. Always Mine on the otherhand just seems to be completely out of place on the album, sounding as if it should have been released in time for Christmas as a single and probably left at that, or at least, added at the end of the album.
It's an album of two halves: the first half full of beautiful lyrics, wonderful melodies and the feel of a flowing theme, while the second half seems disjointed. The only rescuing song of the second half is the beautiful ballad that is Piece of Love (which if performed with piano only could be rather haunting).Sadly more was expected of this album than what we got and one can only hope that future releases are better.
Rating: 2.5/5
Harsh review, I think 'Bittersweet Symphony' is the masterpiece of Jade's career. Still, good on you for reviewing & keeping up with her music.
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