Jordin Sparks isn't the most talented winner to be crowned the American Idol. Her voice doesn't have originality of Fantasia, the range of Carrie Underwood, or the musical stylings of Kris Allen. However, Sparks does have the uncanny abilty to churn out radio hit after radio hit. Her self-titled debut album succeeded solely on the basis of "Tattoo," the Grammy nominated "No Air," and "One Step at a Time." Now, two years after winning America's most popular talent competition, Sparks is back with a new album, Battlefield - and it's better than her first.
Battlefield goes for broke on and strives for pop perfection. Sparks influences are obvious: "Walking in Snow's" guitar riffs are reminiscent of the best tracks off Kelly Clarkson's Breakway, "The Cure" could've been a Leona Lewis ballad, "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" is a (heartbreaking) Fefe Dobson cover, and "S.O.S" samples Shannon's 1983 hit "Let the Music Play." However, the similarities are irrelevant because the material sounds undeniably current.
While a few tracks are over produced and the album's last half is overly sappy, Battlefield is loaded with radio hits. The title track's repetitive chorus is already playing on stations across the country and there are no less than nine songs that could be airwave successes.
At only 19, Sparks has a huge leg up on her fellow teen and twenty-something pop star competition -- she's proven the ability to make contemporary album that doesn't feel like a Disney soundtrack. Ms. Cyrus, consider this your warning.
Grade: B+
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