The most anticipated album of 2012 (well, I guess depending on which demographic you’re asking) has finally arrived. Yes that’s right, Justin Bieber’s Believe finally hit stores and iTunes today, where it immediately took the top spot in album sales. A lot was expected from Biebs in this album but did he deliver? I’m no music expert and if you looked at my iTunes you’d think it was that of a 15-year old girl but I can appreciate good pop music so let’s see if he does.
1. All Around the World (f/ Ludacris)
The first thought I had when I played this song was Britney Spears. The second thought I had was of Britney in her ”Baby One More Time” outfit. The next thought I had was of her in her “Oops…I Did It Again” outfit. Then of her in her legendary VMA performance. Then of her kissing Madonna. Wait, what are we talking about here again? Seriously though, some parts of this song remind me of “Till the World Ends.” Not that that’s really a bad thing because both songs are pretty catchy. Bieber and Ludacris had the impossible task of coming together again and following up their hit “Baby” (ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS EVER). This song is definitely no “Baby” but it’s decent I guess. It’s pretty obvious this song was made to play in the clubs with its electronic sounds, synthesized voice, and simple lyrics. It’s a pretty good song to dance to, but I’m just not sure if 20 and 30-somethings are ready to party to Justin Bieber. A few weeks ago, I somebody tried playing “Never Say Never” at a party and the song got changed immediately. So the song itself is pretty good for what it’s supposed to be, but I’m just curious to see how it will be accepted in the clubs (if it gets played at all). I’ll let you guys know in the future. (Translation: my cooler friends will tell me whether or not they hear the song being played in the clubs.)
Questionable Lyric:
You’re crazy girl, crazy girl, you should know it
You’re crazy girl, crazy girl, don’t control it
You’re expecting a girl to know she’s crazy? C’mon, let’s be SOMEWHAT realistic here. And telling a girl NOT TO CONTROL HER CRAZY???? One of the worst things you could tell a girl. Besides calling her fat.
2. Boyfriend
The lead single off the new album, “Boyfriend” to me represents most what Bieber’s future new sound will be and that would be more of a blazin’ hip-hop & R&B sound. When the song first came out a couple of months ago, I dug the beat and thought the song rated pretty highly on the catchiness scale, but it did take me a while to get used to Bieber’s rapping/whispering. Truth be told, it made me kind of uncomfortable. But in the end, my Bieber Fever won out and the song won me over, whispering and all.
Questionable lyric:
Swag, swag, swag on you
Chillin’ by the fire while we eatin’ fondue
I’m sorry. I like the song but that shit makes me shiver every time I hear it.
3. As Long As You Love Me (f/ Big Sean)
Essentially a slower version of “All Around The World” and it’s a better song in my opinion. I would actually say it’s one of the two best songs on the entire album, along with “Die In Your Arms.” This song definitely puts the more “mature” Bieber on display and he pulls it off. To me, if this song can’t sway the opinion of the Bieber haters (the same 20 and 30-somethings I referenced earlier) to make them think, “Okay…maybe this kid can be pretty good” then I’m not sure if their minds will ever be changed. Regardless, the hearts of 14-year old girls around the world will be melting whenever he performs this song.
Questionable Lyric:
You can be my Destiny’s Child on the scene girl
I have no clue what this means.
4. Catching Feelings
Pretty standard Bieber ballad. Not great, not awful. Mediocre on the catchiness scale I suppose. But I can picture him performing this song at his concert, being all Bieber on stage, while his adoring fans sway and sing along. After looking up the lyrics though, I am struggling to understand who the lyrics are directed to. Some verses are directed to a girl and others it seems like he’s talking to himself. There’s even one verse where he starts talking to the girl and ends by talking to himself…which leads me to…
Questionable Lyric:
I’m just trying to see where this can take us
I am wondering myself where this is gonna go…
‘Cause everything about you girl is so contagious
Hopefully not EVERYTHING…
I think I finally got it done
Wait…what did you get done…
Now it’s left to do now, let’s get out the mirror
“Now it’s left to do now”? What the hell does that mean??? You’re gonna get out the mirror? For what?
And say it to her
SAY WHAT??? Who are you talking to now? Yourself? I thought she was with you??? You need to say something to her reflection? I need some ice cream.
5. Take You
I think out of all the songs on the album, this is the one I’d identify most with the other Justin – Justin Timberlake (maybe along with “Maria”). I could totally picture JT singing this one instead of JB. It might actually work better with him too.
Questionable Lyric:
Nothing egregious here. Moving on…
6. Right Here (f/ Drake)
It’s no surprise the most R&B of all the tracks on the album is the one with Drake on it. And if anything, this seems more like a Drake song than a Bieber song. Bieber’s singing style and flow seem to be pretty similar to his fellow Canadian’s. Which is what I’m kind of noticing now. Six songs in and I’m not really sure what Bieber’s style is…I don’t know if Believe is supposed to show off his new, individual sound, or his versatility? Or is his new sound supposed to be pretty much anything?
Questionable Lyric:
I just wanna put it on you
If you want to, baby tell me what you gon’ do girl
I can make you feel perfect, girl you’re worth it
I just need to see you work it girl
Bieber’s first foray into sexual lyrics (at least to my knowledge)…enough said.
7. Fall
When Bieber’s next documentary comes out, I can already imagine a flashback montage with this song playing in the background. And myself trying to hide my tears from all the 12-year old girls in the theater.
Questionable Lyric:
Sorry I can’t think of anything. Every time I listen closely to the lyrics I start crying.
8. Thought of You
Biebs reaches for his inner Adam Levine in the chorus of this one. I cannot wait to hear him sing this one live. But this one probably ranks pretty low on the Bieber Power Rankings.
Questionable Lyric:
So clear to me now, can’t explain what you’re doing to me
It’s clear to him that he doesn’t know what she’s doing to him.
9. Beauty and a Beat (f/ Nicki Minaj)
I am wondering if this song will be released as a single. It’s pretty catchy and has the additional star power of Nicki Minaj but the only beef I have is that Nicki rhymed “Bieber” with “weiner.” HOW DID BIEBER’S HANDLER’S LET THIS HAPPEN? If it does get released, will “weiner” be edited out??? And what if Justin and Selena break up? (Please God no.) Will “Selener” then get edited out too???? My mind is about to explode. I need some ice cream.
Questionable Lyric:
We gonna party like it’s 3012 tonight
Aside from the Bieber/weiner line above, we have this little gem. I’m still trying to figure out what this partying like it’s the future means. Is partying gonna be better in the next millennium? Can someone explain this to me?
10. One Love
Reminds me of a cheesy ’80′s song. With that said, I love cheesy ’80′s songs and will listen to this one.
Questionable Lyric:
Cause I don’t want want nobody body when I got got your body
Baby no no nobody has got what I need tonight
Isn’t this supposed to be a love song? And you’re saying nobody has got what you need tonight?
11. Be Alright
Required guitar ballad. The Beliebers will love it. Pro tip to guys who know how to play guitar – learn this song and sing it to your boo and just say you wrote it yourself. Seems simple enough and easy to sing. She’ll never know and will totally be in love.
Questionable Lyric:
Pretty standard love song stuff. Nothing to see here.
12. Believe
The title track of the album. Bieber has said all along this album is for the fans and this song represents that. If there’s something that he always does, he always thanks his fans and seems like he truly and genuinely appreciates their support. The Beliebers will definitely eat this one up knowing the song is for them and it’s a great move on his part to have this song. The choir part kind of caught me off guard but it’s alright I guess. It kind of reminds me of a Disney song. Not a song from a classic Disney movie like The Lion King or Aladdin. But maybe like a Hercules or something along those lines.
Questionable Lyric:
I guess it doesn’t matter what the lyrics are. I just have to believe in them.
13. Die In Your Arms
As I alluded to earlier, “Die In Your Arms” is one of the two best songs on the album. It’s catchy all the way around – from the beat to the verses to the hook. In my opinion, it’s the best combination of the younger Bieber and the older Bieber. It’s a catchy, poppy song, but with a different kind of sound than he provided in his older albums. It’s very, dare I say it, Jackson 5-ish. I also would’ve thought the parts where Bieber is speaking would be kind of awkward but it works in the song. It’s just a fun song to listen and sing along to. I will be adding this to my karaoke playlist.
Questionable Lyric:
Ooh baby, I know lovin’ you ain’t easy
But it sure is worth a try
Loving you is so damn easy for me
C’mon bro. Make up your mind.
14. Out of Town Girl (Deluxe bonus track)
The most out of place song of the album. He might be reaching too much into the hip hop pouch with this one.
Questionable Lyric:
All you gotta do is swag
Call me a nerd, but isn’t he not using swag properly?
15. She Don’t Like the Lights (Deluxe bonus track)
Another dance track. I guess at least the subject of this one is a tad different of the others (famous guy going out with regular girl who doesn’t like all the fame). This would be one of those songs where I have this album playing on a long drive and I don’t skip it, but I don’t really pay attention to it either. Good zoning out music.
Questionable Lyric:
She said if I loved her, I’d give it up, won’t think twice
I can’t do that
Goodbye to her I guess.
16. Maria (Deluxe bonus track)
Clearly trying to be a “Billie Jean” clone and obviously there can’t be a comparison. This song is kind of catchy but “Billie Jean” is an all-time classic. Bieber even seems like he’s trying to sound a little like MJ in the beginning and clearly tries to sound like him at the end. There are also clear similarities with Justin Timberlake in this one. The Bieber haters will come out in full force for him trying too hard to sound like MJ and JT. Also, I bet Matt Lauer didn’t think he’d ever find himself making his way onto a Justin Bieber album.
Questionable Lyric:
You throw this, you throw this
Your foolness, seduces
…
(I was wondering this whole time that these last three songs didn’t really seem to fit into the entire album. They tried to touch upon different topics than the regular “love me” stuff. But upon further investigation I found out that these were added onto the Deluxe album.)
Simply put, I’m a little disappointed with this album. Despite this, my Bieber Fever is still strong and my support for him is unwavering. To be honest, I was not expecting this album to blow me away and it didn’t. I had some hope when “As Long As You Love Me” and “Die In Your Arms” released but it wasn’t enough to make me think Believe would be Justin Bieber’s career-changing album. I think he still doesn’t have a type of sound that really defines him and maybe that’s what he wants. But this album is all over the place with its R&B, pseudo-EDM, and the regular cheesy stuff. If it was up to me, I would’ve had him come out with more of a pop album that was closer to some of his older stuff because well, he’s still pretty young and the older crowd that he’s trying to appeal to now still isn’t really taking him seriously. I would’ve then taken some time for him to really figure out how he wants to sound and then make that happen in the next one. His team obviously knows about all this stuff much better than me though so we’ll see now where he goes musically. I’ll be listening to some of the songs on Believe of course, and who knows, maybe in time I”ll come to like some of the others one I don’t right now. Believe is a decent enough offering that will keep the Belieber’s happy, but his next album is the one I’ll be waiting for and the one where I expect him to “sway the haters.” (Unless it’s another Christmas album.)
