Jesse McCartney debuts and reveals his Beautiful Soul
Written: Feb 28 '05 (Updated Feb 28 '05)
Product Rating:
Pros: Strong songs like "Beautiful Soul" and "Come To Me".
Cons: Other songs are typical boy-band filler material that pass through the ears quickly.
The Bottom Line: Jesse McCartney's debut album, "Beautiful Soul" is a musical experimentation for the new soloist. Musical topics are predictably about love, but several tracks must not go without merit.
imprimis2's Full Review: Beautiful Soul by Jesse McCartney
Even though Jesse McCartney was once a part of the boy band Dreamstreet, his musical potential alone is enough for him to make an indelible impression upon the pop music culture. Most of the pieces contained in “Beautiful Soul” are experimental, I think--since it’s his first album, there are varying styles and compositions that affect the overall taste of his debut. But don’t put him on the “boy band back burner”--he’s got an amazingly crystal clear voice, which has the potential to become a superstar, especially among young girls. American Idol, your competition has arrived…or has it?
And now, we break down “Beautiful Soul” in full.
BEAUTIFUL SOUL---TRACK TITLE, TIME, AND OPINION
Song One--She’s No You--Time--3:35
This is an up tempo song where Jesse discourses to the listener that even though his girlfriend may not look as good as the woman on the glossy cover of a magazine, he’s still in love with the real thing. This track is fairly shifty--I like the bass beats in the background, but the composition is a little too fluffy for my tastes. It smells like bubble gum (strawberry flavored). A flavor that’s a little too sweet and leaves you with a sticky taste in your mouth. Another thing that grates on my nerves is the speed of Jesse’s line reading--it sounds more like rapping than actual singing. Try again!
Song Two--Beautiful Soul--Time--3:35
You’ve heard this on the radio before. It’s a catchy little tune about a young man’s unquenchable desire to vocalize his affections. He doesn’t want another pretty face or anyone to hold--his love is valuable and should not be wasted. Instead, he wants to chase and hold the girl of his dreams. Yes, the song is addicting…well, sort of. However, I think there are other songs on this album that are of much higher quality. Background effects are pretty decent, and the bridge also sounds nice, with the breakaway “sassy” singing style presented----
”Do you see things the way I do? I just wanna know that you feel it too.”
Yes, Jesse. We are well aware of your wanderlust. We all experience it at one time or another. Good luck in finding the right partner. I’m rooting for you.
Song Three--Get Your Shine On--Time--3:12
This song reminds me of a party song by Aaron Carter…I think it was “Come to the Party” or something. This is a fast paced ditty about busting a move on the dance floor. Dance Dance Revolution, anyone? Other artists spring to mind when I listen to this song--like New Kids on the Block. Don’t ask me why. Maybe it’s the cheesy reinforcing background vocals; either way, it sounds too airy for me, and turns my head into a wind tunnel. Background hollow drums, handclaps, and “uhhs and ahhs” add to the effect, but don’t really add to the already false verve this song has.
Song Four--Take Your Sweet Time--Time--4:03
The fourth track starts off softly with strumming guitars and background effects. Sometimes fluffy music sounds better when it’s slower, and this is one of those lone exceptions. Jesse, standing as a rock, simply states to his love that he’ll be there for her if she ever changes her mind. I like that. You know, that’s hard to find these days. Jesse, I hope you’re real…I hope you’re real. Overall, this ballad is a little sappy, but it’s probably one of the best pieces we’ve trekked across so far. If you want to hear a slower song by Jesse, be sure and pop “Take Your Sweet Time” into the play list. You and Jesse can take your time together. Not bad!
Song Five--Without U--Time--3:13
Before I go off on a long rant--I’ll just state it flat out. What is it with the “U” in track titles? Anyway, this song has some interesting background effects, and one of them sounds like one of those spinning and jumping fireworks…it’s really irritating. The chorus contains saving grace, because it’s where the strongest bass and drumbeats are felt. Mr. McCartney sings to us that he cannot be complete without his girlfriend--he cannot live, breathe, or otherwise function in any way, without her. The overall lyrical composition is also lacking here--it sounds forced when you just read it instead of hearing it in a song. Another gripe; overused cliches riddle the landscape with verbal bullets---”open the door”, “throw away the key”, and “can’t begin and can’t end without you” are just a few of the problematic phrases which should have been discarded. Don’t be fooled, though. The song is not difficult to listen to, it’s just a little weak and uninspired.
Song Six--Why Don’t You Kiss Her?--Time--3:22
Another slow ballad crawls onto the scene. What sounds like a moody guitar starts off this quiet piece. If you haven’t noticed by now, the lyrics here are also about the burning teenage question about love. Jesse pretty much says that if you don’t show someone your true feelings, you won’t get anywhere. Before she slips away, tell the girl that you love her! It’s that simple.
I apologize for my lack in musical instrumentation knowledge tonight, but I can’t identify what that is plucking in the background…there also appear to be violins which help to deepen the softening effect. Personally, this song isn’t very remarkable--it needs something to give it momentum, and I just don’t know what that is. Oh well.
Song Seven--That Was Then--Time--3:44
Sound effects that sound like water dripping against a soft, quick-tapping drumbeat start out this track. Love is (again) the main focus of this track, but at least there’s a little spin on it this time. Jesse promises that he has changed, and he apologizes for the mistakes he’s made in the past. One of the strongest influences in this song is the bass effect, as it adds depth to the entire song. Without it, this song would be a disaster--however, since it has made a home here, the song sounds much, much better. Thank God for bass! Jesse also says that he must give proper attention to his girlfriend…just in case you missed that point. I like this song, and it’s in a tie for second and third place on the album.
Song Eight--Come To Me--Time--3:50
Easily my favorite title on the album, “Come To Me” has creative genius and bass on overdrive. I like everything from the progressive change in pitch in the background effects, to the original lyrics, such as “under the silver stars”, and “sharing the smiles and tears you’ve cried”. Jesse is a heartthrob in this song, and his sweet voice whispers to your inner child. Can’t you remember those damp starlit nights when you discovered each other? I’m sure this song will bring back memories for all of us, if we try hard enough. This is a beautiful ballad--and to be honest, it outshines “Beautiful Soul” by a mile or more. I hope this track becomes his biggest hit. Perfect!
Song Nine--What’s Your Name?--Time--3:32
If you like to begin your song with static, this track is for you! Handclaps and the ever-familiar hollow drumbeats chirp their way into the scene here, as they have before. This song is one of those throwback lazy pieces. If Jesse didn’t write this, whoever did must have been in a really flighty and unusually happy mood. The lyrics are all about Jesse’s attempts to “meet up” with his girlfriend, but every time, he’s one second too late. It’s a little frustrating, but I don’t exactly feel the frustration here. What I hear more of is a drawn out voice of a desperate horny boy. I apologize in advance, because I’m sure Jesse is not one of those types of teenagers. Yeah, and I sleep under my bed.
Song Ten--Because You Live--Time--3:19
A rare appearance of the piano delights your senses here. It always amazes me how much attention people can give to such a grand musical instrument, but then, the piano truly is a work of art. Unfortunately, as the song grows on, the piano’s influence wanes and it is eventually drowned out by the bass and drums. McCartney praises his girl for making his life so much better, simply by being alive. Guitar makes a very strong impact on this song in certain spots, and for that alone, I can appreciate it.
Song Eleven--Why is Love So Hard to Find?--Time--4:11
This was my favorite song at first, but after listening to it 587 times in one day (well, close), I kind of grew tired of it. If you want to appreciate this song for what it is, please do not overplay it. Your ears will become accustomed to every nook and cranny of the song, and eventually you’ll end up hating it. Thank goodness I took a break from hearing it before I wrote this review. Main point here-- earning love is difficult. I like Jesse’s recognition of love in general, as per the lyrics:
“If we hear so much about it,
And we can’t go on without it,
Is it fear that makes us blind?
Let the mystery unwind!”
Yes. Finally someone who understands you have to take a chance every now and then. Hey, life is about risk-taking sometimes!
Song Twelve--The Stupid Things--Time--3:38
Again, we have a piano on entrance. This time it’s more moody, though. Heh. I laugh because Jesse mentions charging something to his account and then realizing how high interest rates are. I’m not sure what place this phrase has in the song, but it makes for an interesting segue into the rest of the track. Oh yeah…the stupid things! Oh, how stupid of me. By the way…Jesse and I both want to let you know that all the stupid things I do have no reflection on how I feel about you. I’m glad we’ve got that matter settled. All we want to do is please you, and please ourselves by living our lives too. Yeah, Jesse. Thanks for that, I needed to use that line somewhere. Overall, the song falls a little flat--sort of like a cake from the disqualified Little Miss Martha Stewart’s Bake-off Competition. But if you like flat cakes, you won’t mind this track at all.
CONCLUSION, FINAL RATING, AND RECOMMENDATION
Jesse McCartney has provided the general public with his first album, “Beautiful Soul”. I think Jesse has a wide range of material here, even if it is all about love. Well, that minus “Get Your Shine On”. One of the main problems with this album is that Jesse borrows too much from his boy band background--a lot of tracks sound particularly fluffy and are filler material. Unnecessary cliches and phrases leave some of the songs dry and inartistic. Other tracks just have a crucial unidentifiable missing element that would help round out the quality of the track. Unfortunately, for many, there will be several songs on the album that would leave something to be desired.
I think Jesse still hasn’t found his inner voice. One day, when that voice breaks the surface, you will have a superstar. Maturity goes a long way in making a lasting impression. While Jesse certainly has the maturity, his musical style is certainly in its newborn years. But it’s okay, he’s taking big strides already.
Jesse, don’t let me down! I have faith in you!
Overall, I give the album “Beautiful Soul” a rating of three and a half stars. You’ll want to have this album in your collection to remember him by, when you go back and say, “and this is when he was just getting started”...
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