Amy J. Bennett

OK, here’s a for some reason very detailed yet spastic review of Blake Lewis’s Audio Day Dream.

Break Anotha – I wasn’t overly impressed with Break Anotha when I heard the sneak peek of his album.  I think he picked the wrong first single.
Gots to Get Her – This is taken from the melody of Puttin on the Ritz.  Very, very catchy.  Totally see it on the radio.  Would be awesome live.  Perfect for working out.  Makes you want to dance.  Might be one of my favorites on the CD.
Know my Name – great beat, sounds like he stole some Justin Timberlake moves in this song.  it’s decent but i don’t see any big  hits out of this one.  
How many words – don’t like so much beatboxing in the beginning but i like the rest of the song
Surrender – Pretty piano in here.  OK, not memorable
Hate 2 Love Her -  could see Maroon 5 or even maybe JT doing this one.  nice falsetto in the chorus.  i like the lyrics.
Without You – nice love song reminded me of the love songs in the late 80s.  one of the better ones i could hear on radio, maybe even on  adult contemporary stations
Here’s My Hello -  lyrics are weak ( "how can i get you and swallow you whole")  except for the hook line "here’s my hello, don’t say goodbye" and it’s pretty repetitive.  the bridge is the best part of it.  i like that raw, less techno sound of him
What’cha Got 2 Lose – I think this song must have been a song Prince or Michael Jackson turned away.  sounds a lot like them but not overly impressed.  it sounds TOO techno/80ish or something
She’s Makin’ Me Lose It – Again, there’s that Prince sound (WOW, i just read on his site it was inspired by Prince, aren’t I smart?). lots of synthesizer sounds.  too much for me again.
Bshorty Grabs Mic! – could have left this off.  Maybe cool to hear in person but just unimpressive on a track.
End of the World – love this song.  felt like he was actually singing.  good beat.  great lyrics.  good backup vocals.  one of my favorites.
1000 miles – another Maroon 5 type sound i think.  the vocals are good and the lyrics are sweet but there’s something missing from this one.  the hook isn’t strong enough or something.  i’m afraid this one is not memorable enough.
I Got U – pretty good, very melodic.  not enough excitement i guess.
I Choose Noise (Outro) – cool i guess but he could have left that off, usually skip it
Human – sounds like a boy band song, didn’t really like it.  i keep expecting 5 boys dressed in white suits to come out and do a dance.  surely not what blake intended for his album.

Complaints

1. Vocals were a little choppy in some parts.
2. Felt like some parts were overly done as far as synthesized/beatboxing
3. Repetitive, especially at the end of songs.
4. The beatboxing transitions between songs are kind of cool in between songs the first time through then it’s just a little annoying and I skip them.
5. I really wish he would have channeled more rock music.  "You give love a bad name" was such a hit I thought it would lean towards that a little more.

General Comments

1. Very 80-ish, techno inspired.  I think of George Michael, Prince, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5 and Justin Timberlake
2. I’m surprised I liked his ballads so much but they were some of my favorites.
3. Blake is definitely unique.  You can tell he knows what he wants and went for it.  I’m not sure how much it will stick with a general pop radio audience.
4. For American Idol fans, it’s going to be worth your time to listen to it all the way through to see what the real Blake sound is like but I doubt the general population will want to buy the entire album.  I expect some singles to do well though.

My favorites:

Gots to Get Her
End of the World
Without You