CD of the Week: Spirit

Genre: Pop

Released: April 8, 2008 (US); April 29, 2008 (Asian Deluxe)

Leona Lewis, whom Brits have come to love through the X-Factor (semi-sequel show to Pop Idol, the show that spawned American Idol), is finally making her way across the pond. Actually, she made her US debut on the Oprah show, and I happened to be watching that day. Simon Cowell, who takes full responsibility for discovering her, introduced her, and after her performance of "Bleeding Love", Oprah declared that a star was born. And, of course, so let Oprah sayeth, so let it be done - Lewis' "Bleeding Love" shot up the charts. And I have to admit, "Bleeding Love" is one of the greatest pop songs I've heard in years (ranks up there with "I Will Always Love You"). However, you can't judge a book by it's cover, nor an album by a single song: does Spirit deliver the same punch as her first US single?

After my first listen, I wasn't very pleased with the album; it seemed like typical 'diva' fare. Many reviewers found it lacking a personal touch, which is too common in CDs put out by divas (Whitney, Celine, Mariah... I'm always disappointed by the choice to sing circles around the listeners instead of adding a shred of emotion). 

However, I think many reviewers were a bit too hasty. The reviewers of this album are (of course) all British, and have most likely watched Lewis on the X-Factor, and gotten to know her personality. In North America, this CD is her first appearance, and, after a second listen, Lewis' personality definitely shines through, just more subtly than is allowed on a reality show. Unlike other 'divas' (I use the term because Lewis has a diva voice, but not a diva attitude), Leona Lewis DOES add a personal touch and a bit of personality to her songs. And that, in my books, makes this album worth reviewing.

Not that it's an amazing album; Leona Lewis follows the typical formula of success. There aren't any songs that I particularly dislike; but there's a strange familiarity to a lot of the songs that keep this album from truly standing out, most notably "Here I Am", a very moving ballad that reminds me of Mariah Carey's "Hero". It's obvious that a lot of attention was given to each track, as the background beats are quite catchy on the pop songs, subtle for the ballads, and always complementary to Lewis' voice. Since the power ballads are signature diva, it's the hipper songs that give Lewis the most potential to become a household name. And luckily for the US audience, the two new songs added, "Forgive Me" and "Misses Glass", are both classic pop songs. 

The conclusion: Leona does nothing new, but that's okay; her voice is amazing and her songs are fun.

Recommended Tracks: "Forgive Me", "Bleeding Love", "Whatever It Takes", "Here I Am", "Better In Time", "I Will Be"

RATING

Melody: 4.5/5 Lyrics: 4/5 "Catchiness" factor: 8/10

TOTAL: 8.25/10