Carly Rae Jepsen, AKA 2012's "it" girl, dropped her debut American album in Mid-September. The album has been modestly successful so far, peaking at No.6 in the US and garnering 170,00 sales there.
Tiny Little Bows: Funky, but not album opener material. C
This Kiss: This should have been the album opener, not the very tiny "tiny little bows." It feels like a lost Dragonette song, with driving synths and the same confusing lyrical-ism that the two share. I still can't figure out what she means by "miss this kiss." Why didn't this song take off? It's every bit as catchy as Call Me Maybe, which is a mighty compliment. A
Call Me Maybe: Speak of the devil, here it is. Don't let anyone tell you different, this song is genius. She brought disco back into the 21st century, along with irresistible sing-along lyrics. I could go on and on about this song, it's undeniably catchy. A++
Curiosity (Kiss Remix): The original version is nothing compared to the Kiss Remix.The lyrics suggest something much darker than what the music illustrates, with lyrics like "You break my heart
just to watch it bleed." Ouch. But the chorus is more light hearted lyrically, with irrestible "oh's." A key change pumps a surprising amount of energy into the song. A++
Good Time (With Owl City): Ahhh. A refreshing piece of pop. It's less disco than the first few tracks on the album, but just as fun. It's almost impossible to be anything but joyous during the chorus. It doesn't require much vocally, which makes it an easy sing-along, adding to overall "catchy" factor. A++
More Than A Memory: The first ballad, sort of. It's an uptempo ballad, no piano to be seen. Unfortunately, the first ballad is easily forgettable. C-
Turn Me Up: "I'm breaking up with you, you're breaking up on me. You kiss me through on the phone, but I don't think it reaches." simple yet genius. Potential single right here. A-
Hurt So Good: It's at this point you realize the entire album is basically the repeat of the same disco-dance track. The insanity begins to set in. B-
Beautiful: It's good to get away from the same disco track that has dominated the first 6 or 7 songs. This guitar driven ballad is simple, perhaps to simple. Slightly forgettable, even with the Biebs. C+
Tonight I'm Getting Over You: Basically the dance floor take on Since U Been Gone. The chorus is ready to take over the local club. This is one of the better vocal moments on the album, which makes her voice look even weaker. B+
Guitar String/ Wedding Ring: When the guitar first kicked in, I swore some how my iPhone switched over to a lost Dragonette album. "If you cut a piece of guitar string / I would wear it like it's a wedding ring / Wrapped around my finger / You know what I mean" No Carly, I don't know what you mean. B
Your Heart Is a Muscle: Carly's "Someone Like You" attempt is actually more remarkable than one would guess. Her voice aches with broken promises, and her lyrics snatch you like a bear trap. "Your heart is a muscle / You got to work it out / Make it stronger / Try for me just a little longer." Best lyrical line on the album. Excellently done Carly. A+
Overall there's not alot of diversity to make this album live up to the potential that our Canadian angel has to offer. Every up tempo sounds exactly like the rest, which makes it feel like Carly's artistic voice is being drowned under Hollywood's production. It's a good album, maybe great, but it's a very safe mainstream move.
Vocals: C
Lyrics: B+
Production: A-
Overall: B