Bittersweet World : Ashlee Simpson : Review : Rolling Stone

It's easy to see why teens embrace Ashlee Simpson. She's lived a John Hughes fantasy, transforming herself from the prom queen's ugly-duckling sister into the hottie main attraction (with a rock-star boyfriend!) worthy of collaborating with hip-hop's powerhouse producers. On her third album, Simpson skillfully shifts her crunchy, guitar-driven pop to Eighties-influenced electro-rock with the help of Timbaland and the Neptunes' Chad Hugo. With songwriting assistance from Santogold, Simpson channels Missing Persons on "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" and swipes Gwen Stefani's formula on the reggae-bopping "Ragdoll." The danceable beats haven’t obliterated Simpson's affinity for chugging riffs, though they may have inspired some ill-advised lyrics: "I ain't got no beef," she boasts on "Rule Breaker." But Simpson's still her own favorite subject, and she's got an excellent coming-of-age anthem in "What I’ve Become," a paparazzi kiss-off with an appealingly honest chorus: "I’ve just begun to find my way."

CARYN GANZ

(Posted: May 1, 2008)

News and Reviews

How to Play This Album

Click the play button.
Register or enter your username and password.
Let the music play!

No commitment.
It's FREE.

Track List

Play All

Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) (New Edit)
Boys
Rule Breaker
No Time For Tears
Little Miss Obsessive
Ragdoll (track not available in Rhapsody)
Bittersweet World
What I've Become
Hot Stuff
Murder
Never Dream Alone

Your Turn

Give us your review of Bittersweet World

Review 1 of 4

1of 5 Stars

so what's left to say about ashlee simpson,or the real talent behind her, her dad.
yeah that old egomaniac man is the one that keeps finding a way to get producers to work with her "acid reflux patient" and not just a producer but the producer of the moment, if you're really honest with yourself you can't possibly say that ashlee shows her unique skills in this album, it's all on timbalands shoulders to prevent this ship from sinking.

Jul 15, 2008 23:57:43

Review 2 of 4

4of 5 Stars

Bittersweet World further proved to me that unlike many young pop singers out there, she's an artist that grows and changes from each album. Although the argument that her vocals are sub-par is completely understandable, but she never attempts to sing songs beyond her singing potential. As a matter of fact, her vocals have improved greatly from Autobiography and I Am Me.

Bittersweet World has multiple upbeat punk, pop, and even dance songs that are generally a lot of fun. The songs that impressed me the most are Hot Stuff, Boys, and Rule Breaker (that isn't to say the other songs are bad).

I did prefer I Am Me simply for it's rhetoric and for showing the biggest transition from Jessica's younger sister to a serious recording artist. The 4/5 stars is given because the short length of the CD (11 songs), and the apparent departure from her pop/punk roots.

Don't judge Ashlee because she hit the worst note in live performance history at the Orange Bowl!

Jun 28, 2008 13:23:25

Review 3 of 4

Not Rated

does old man simpson have some dirt on some record company ceo?how the hell can you explain these bimboes still being on the radar?how bad do you have to suck before you are moved aside for someone with talent?three stars.timbaland er whatever ..its all formula i guess.and rs apparantly falls for it.

May 27, 2008 12:35:17

Review 4 of 4

2of 5 Stars

Oh man...look I haven't listened to this cd but I can tell you just from hearing and seeing her on the today show this morning that this girl is dumb as rocks. I'll give two stars to timbaland alone, but come on...worthy of getting production from them...are you kidding?! This girl has no vocal range. What makes her worthy? Good looks? Rock star boyfriend? Rich, egomaniac dad? Ah yes...that must be it. But hey, I'm not going to judge. I just want to say that the girl alone simply does not have enough talent to be in this business. So for her to get a three star review in rolling stone is just wrong. Sorry...

Apr 18, 2008 10:48:34

Previous Next