 | Tracklist:
1. "One Time"
2. "Favorite Girl"
3. "Down to Earth"
4. "Bigger"
5. "One Less Lonely Girl"
6. "First Dance (featuring Usher)"
7. "Love Me"
8. "Common Denominator (iTunes bonus track)"
9. "One Less Lonely Girl (French Adaptation)"
Release Date: 2009 | |
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On 13 Lists
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20 of 20 thought this review was well written
As a reviewer, it is your initiative... nay, your duty, to go into albums with an open mind. Sometimes, this can be a daunting task- particularly CDs like this. Justin Bieber seems to have skyrocketed to stardom in the last four months, becoming the new teen heartthrob for pre-pubescent girls everywhere. His single One Time, for reasons that I can't explain, started this speedy climb to fame, with the music video reaching over 17 million hits on YouTube alone. Of course, any record executive with eyes can see that here is a prime specimen: faux-skater clothing? Check. Pearly white teeth that are just one step away from being unnatural? Check. Average voice that can easily be 'spruced up' using modern technology? Check. Plus, he already has a hit video on YouTube! And who else to pounce on him than... Usher? Yes, that's right ladies and gentlemen- Usher was the one who is responsible for this. He is the reason that the manufactured beats and autotuned vocals of One Time will be heard blaring out of every radio station for the next year. So, in short: it's all his fault.
With all the hype surrounding One Time, the question remained: could he produce a good album? Some people definitely think so- Ashanate Infantry of the 'Toronto Star' gave it 3.5 out of 4 stars, and said that: "With an album that delivers on his promise, the only thing we could ask is more." I am going to go on the record and say Anshante Infantry has no idea what he (she?) is talking about. This album is one of the most mediocre exercises in radio-friendly music that I've ever heard. From the endless onslaught of a pop singer's best friend, Autotune, to the continual reliance on boring, obviously pre-programmed drum beats, there isn't anything on here I want to hear more of for a long time. It also doesn't help that the production company, Mad Mafia, forced Bieber to breathily recite the word 'Mafia' at the beginning of two tracks on the record. If that isn't the definition of 'selling out,' then I don't know what is.
Are there any good moments here? I won't lie, yes. The second track Favorite Girl is actually fairly catchy, although it suffers from the same faults as the other songs; the writing is just stronger here. Unfortunately, that's really one of the only redeeming things about this disc. Down To Earth features a lead guitar with an absolutely horrible tone, causing it to sound like it's halfway to becoming a synthesizer. The lyrics on here are also nearly identical across all the tracks- how many relationships can you possibly have had at fifteen years old? Although, to be fair, I can't really blame Beiber here- considering the only writing he did was on 'Down To Earth,' which he co-wrote. Even Usher's so-called 'guest appearance' on the album is incredibly brief, limited to the start and end of the painful First Dance. The only thing I can say is that, thankfully, the album is very short at just over a half hour- including an iTunes bonus track and a French version of one of the previous songs on the record.
What more is there to say? This album will no doubt sell hundreds of thousands of copies, and I urge you not to add to that statistic. If you take some masochistic pleasure in listening to the same song eight times in a row, then by all means go ahead and blow 10 bucks on this. The rest of us, however, will sit back, pop something else into the CD player, and say: "Damn you, Usher."
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 1
How have I never heard of him? I'm such a phillistine
Digging: Sigur Ros - Valtari | | | Album Rating: 1.5
Consider yourself lucky.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
I cannot get over how awful this album is....the kids actually not bad at singing, its the production
and song writing that destroy this
Digging: Paloma Faith - Do You Want the Truth or Something Beautiful? | | | Album Rating: 1
i do not know the kid yet i want to punch him in the face
Digging: - | | | Album Rating: 1.5
It is terrible. I agree he has some talent when it comes to singing, although the blatantly obvious autotuning ruins it.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
cant be mad at him, it seems to me that he has no control on his career
| | | Album Rating: 1
well i can. i'm not though. i just have this urge. its like theres a magnet on his head and my fists are made of iron
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but dude he has his own world
| | | Album Rating: 1
Not going to subject myself to aural torture. Good review.
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Weird i just searched his name like an hour or so ago to find out who he was here and no artist came up. I saw him in the morning news today and they showed him do a signing in a mall packed with tweens. I guess this guy is gonna be the next thing these days.
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
Im surprised he hasn't jumped on Disney channels bandwagon yet
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
I can see that happening: A Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber tour.
Oh god...
| | | Album Rating: 1.5
AOTY
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I just heard some girl talk about this guy being good yesterday. Didn't really believe her then, and I sure as hell don't believe her now. Good review.
| | | Album Rating: 1
Great Review. I've never so intensely hated someone in my entire life.
FUCK YOU JUSTIN BIEBER.
| | | Album Rating: 1
If you're not from Canada you probably haven't heard of him really.... but yes it hurts that this is popular but what else is new.
Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself Digging: Andrew Bird - Break It Yourself | | |
i've never hated someone so much in my entire life. I'd rather hear about twilight than this guy.
| | | Album Rating: 1
This is worse than any Jonas Brothers album by a longshot
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this kid is from my town and he's a fucking faggot.
| | | Album Rating: 1
He was supposed to play in vancouver but luckily he got flu and show was cancelled
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