Music : Spirit

Rating: - Enjoyed it a lot
I enjoyed this a lot but didn't love it. I wanted to like it more, maybe with so more listening but it didn't grab me the way Carrie Underwood's CD did or Mariah's debut for that matter but still very good.

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Rating: - Beautiful Voice
Probably one of the best voices i've heard since Christina Aguilera. One of the best albums i've heard since Mariah Carey's Butterfly.

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Rating: - Leona Lewis- "Spirit"
Leona Lewis is a good singer that can be described as a cross between Tina Arena and an early Mariah Carey. There are some nice melodic "standout tunes" on this album but there is nothing that's really original here. The USA version has 2 exclusive tracks: "Forgive Me" (which is a pleasant uptempo number that sounds a bit like Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape".) Also "Misses Glass" (the other exclusive track- also uptempo) is ok but nothing really special. Most of the album is made up of melodic mainstream pop ballads. Some of the songs are excellent and show that this singer has a wide vocal range. The 16 track Japanese pressing is probably the best version to get as it includes the Leann Rimes favorite "A Moment Like This" and an amasing Alisha Keys style song called "You Bring Me Down". (The UK version also has the Leann Rimes song.)
I rate the album as 3 stars. It's a pleasant album that you will enjoy listening to. However, don't play it too often or you may find yourself losing interest. Having said that, I think with the right material, this singer could soar to the top and be around for a while as she does have an excellent voice with an amasing vocal range.

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Rating: - Excellent
I ordered this cd based entirely on her single (Viewed on VH1) "Bleeding Love"...and was I completely satisfied with the entire CD. This girl has got "chops" (Tracy Nelson look out)...way out there..most of the cuts on this Album are fantastic...the one that I would call out is "The First Time Ever"..which is a song I have never liked that much because of its saccharine sentimentality..listen to Leona do it...unbelievable..listen to it over and over...got to go...buy this cd

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Rating: - Decent Debut from Mariah's replacement (thank God!)
Could Leona Lewis outsing 90's Mariah? Of course not.

Could Leona Lewis outsing E=MC2 Mariah? Of course!

I think people should really not compare the two. They sound completely different. Leona still has a voice, whereas Mariah's left a decade ago.

I think the main problem with this album is the material. Since she is new, she had no control over anything she sung (despite her claims in a VH1 interview). This album lacks originality or depth. Since it's her first release, it's no big deal, but rather expected.

She can sing, indeed. Which is why I wish she would have used her voice in this album. Certain tracks sounded too much like what other people (who can't sing (i.e. Mariah, Rihanna, Nicole Scherzinger, etc.) are singing already. Listen to "Take a Bow", "Whatever it Takes", "Misses Glass".

She also should have NEVER tried to sing "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Celine did this years ago and she took it from anyone who sung it before or after her (pick up or sample her release of "All the way..A Decade of Song" to hear a vocal masterpiece).

Overall, the best tracks are "Bleeding Love", "Footprints in the Sand", and "Here I Am". That's all that's here.

She can do much better. Hopefully, we will hear that in her sophomore release. I'm rooting for you Leona! REPLACE MARIAH PRONTO!

~sP