"Listen Up!" - Reviews Thread

[My Alter Ego]

Very nice and sweet review, up to the part where the reviewer says, "sincere admiration of and tribute to 1940s music."

I'm not even sure what 1940s music is! Bing Crosby and Glen Miller, maybe?

Oh well. Nice review but that part made me laugh. I guess to people 25 and under, there's not much of a difference between the 40s and 60s-70s, eh?

Mr. Bill, I would agree that the review, while sweet, is sorely lacking in accuracy.

You're on the right track in terms of '40's music: I would have said big/swing band in general, and Sinatra did emerge on the scene in the 40's. (Thanks to my mother, that's what I grew listening to.)

But the reviewer also seems to miss the mark when stating "in the last few years, the contestants have had a great deal more control of their sound coming out of the studio...." As I read other boards (and because I have Crystal's CD), I would say that for those who seem to have more control, that either happened after Jimmy Iovine came onto the scene, or, if before J.I., then their recording contracts probably weren't with AI/Interscope label(s).

[LovinDaHaley]

^ Agreed FM. Unfourtunately it looks like the idol association is doing her more harm than good at this stage of the game. But what the heck, it helped get her this far, I'm sure she'll handle it nicely from here. Go Haley

[buzzenator]

Not a review but a plug for Listen Up...

From Studio 12, posted May 28th

Haley gets first spot out of 3 albums for summer.

[My Alter Ego]

Not a review but a plug for Listen Up...

From Studio 12, posted May 28th

Haley gets first spot out of 3 albums for summer.

Interesting that the 3rd give away album is of Slash/Myles Kennedy. Do we now get to play the "6 Degrees of Separation" with Haley now?

[buzzenator]

Lightyears review...blog at Wordpress.com

June 3, 2012

http://lightyearsofcy.wordpress.com/tag/haley-reinhart/

"It has been a long time since I have actually anticipated the arrival of an album, and this time, it is definitely worth the wait! I have been waiting for Haley Reinhart’s album ever since her Idol days, especially after she really found her identity in the later half of the season. She should have won, but I guess America had a different view. Oh well, I am really glad she managed to release an album!

The whole album is sort of retro-sounding, and her vocal performance on the tracks are almost flawless. “Free”, her first single, was sort of stuck in my mind ever since I heard it performed live on Idol...

...“Listen Up!” is like a breath of fresh air amidst all the dance and R&B music that are played massively on the the airwaves in today. What’s even better is that she is a great singer. And she is such a great (sassy) performer as well. For some strange reason she does remind me a bit of Mariah Carey. Well, ”Listen Up!” by Haley Reinhart is sure to be one of this year’s best albums. So grab your copy today!"

[buzzenator]

“Listen Up!” for Haley Reinhart

Emily Blank, Entertainment Editor
June 4, 2012

http://www.thea-blast.org/arts-entertain...-reinhart/

"...It’s safe to say her new CD is full of countless lyrical and melodic songs that will be ringing in your head throughout the day. Her voice is very unique, unlike anyone on iTunes today. If you are looking for a fun, breezy, sultry playlist for this summer, Reinhart’s new album is sure to fill the void for you. She brings out fun and relaxing beats and a wide range of tracks on her album to keep you entertained. The sounds off of this album are unlike anything on the radio today, so Listen Up!"

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Popflares

Dim: Haley Reinhart - Listen Up!
June 3, 2012

http://popflares.blogspot.com/2012/06/di...en-up.html

"...Reinhart has delivered a solid set of catchy, dance-oriented cuts that maximize her sexy, playful persona and come off a lot hipper than you'd expect from a major label AmIdol release. Vocally, Reinhart has a cherubically gutsy, deeply resonant vocal sound perfectly suited for these boomy, '60s pop-influenced productions.

In that sense, tracks like the punchy leadoff cut "Oh My!," the sultry lil'-diva single "Free," and the equally as swaggering and funky "Liar" are catchy, post-Amy Winehouse dance-soul productions that mix scratchy vinyl-sounding beats, blurty horn sections, driving piano lines, and some sassy backing vocal parts. Elsewhere, we get the pumping Motown-esque "Wasted Tears," the similarly engaging disco anthem "Now That You're Here," and the swoony girl group meets soft rock number "Wonderland." Definitely an ear-grabber, Listen Up! ultimately posits Reinhart as a kind of old-school pinup, a mini-Mariah Carey if she'd grown up listening to a mix of Dusty Springfield, Lisa Stansfield, and En Vogue."

2-1/2 stars

[Miguel]

Emily Blank, Entertainment Editor
June 4, 2012

^^ High-school newspaper

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2-1/2 stars

^^ The body of that review is actually the AllMusic review, which gave "Listen Up!" 3.5 stars.

The "popflares" blog gets 2.5 stars by this odd method:

Based On Public - 7/50
Based On Critics - 35/50
Based On Hype - 15/50
Based On Pop Flares - 37/50
Overall: 2.5

I have no idea where that low "public" rating comes from. In any case, I don't find this blog particularly credible.

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[Miguel]

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Idol finalist Reinhart inspiring in pop debut

Haley Reinhart Listen Up! 19/Interscope B+ Haley Reinhart flirts with Bruno Mars’ turf on her debut. Listen Up! is a smartly arranged and well-produced modern soul/pop throwback that may, upon hearing, surprise American Idol detractors. Its Motown and Philly rooted sound is great for the singer’s powerhouse voice.

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[Flask Man]

Still waiting for Haley to be recognized by Metacritic (http://www.metacritic.com). Not enough nationally recognized reviews yet, I guess.

[Miguel]

The Undercard is a musical mixed bag consisting of news, videos, profiles, & reviews. The Undercard is produced by Aaron Potter with contributions from others.

Reinhart was a contestant on Season 10 of American Idol and ended up placing third. While I don’t watch the show, I was lucky enough to hear about her through an ad on Spotify. I took a listen to her first single, “Free”, and liked what I heard. She has a very soulful voice that reminds me of several other notable singers, like Adele and Debbie Harry of Blondie. Mostly, she sounds like a more tonal Janis Joplin. They both have very powerful, raspy voices. The best thing about Reinhart is her musical style. It blends rock, blues, and soul but still has the allure of pop music. This is very evident in Reinhart’s debut album Listen Up!. Hopefully, with the success of Adele, radio stations will take notice of Reinhart and we hear more from her.

http://theundercard.tumblr.com/