Kim & Tiff are the Girls Talkin' Smack and this is our celebrity gossip blog.
Bo Bice See the Light Review
Posted by Tiff on October 24th, 2007 filed in American Idol, Album Reviews
Are you as shocked as I was to hear ‘American Idol 4’s’ runner up, Bo Bice released his second album ‘See the Light’ yesterday? I was skimming through new album releases when I saw it on the list. I haven’t been a Bo fan, so I’ll admit that right now. But, my curiosity got the best of me, when I decided to review his new CD.
Immediately, the song “Witness” has a very classic Southern Rock feel, the kind of sound you would have expected Bo to have post-Idol. I’m guessing this is because he’s no longer a puppet of the system, with the very mildly successful ‘The Real Thing’ under his belt. The Southern Rock continues on the State Fair sounding “Take the Country Out of Me.” “I’m Gone” seems very reminiscent of old-school Lynyrd Skynyrd, of whom Bo is obviously a fan. “Only Words” is very country-ballady, and the funny thing is, the female background singer is really, really distracting, and it would have sounded a lot better without her, whoever she is. “Got Money” sounds like something country act Big & Rich would have done. It’s almost like Bo’s attempt to add a rock song in the middle of all the others, and it just doesn’t sound like the things you hear today, and that doesn’t mean it’s good. “See the Light,” the album’s title track continues the Southern country-rock feel, and it sounds like a marching song. On the next track, “Sinner is a Sin,” it reminds me of when Bo was on ‘American Idol,’ it’s got a very twangy, but easy listening feel, for those of us less inclined toward country, though the harmonica kind of kills that impression. “This Train” actually has a bit of a pop-rock feel, much to my surprise. “Ain’t Gonna Die,” well, yeah, it sounds like all the other songs on the record, honestly. And lastly, “Whiskey, Women, and Time,” yes, the title is atrocious, the song isn’t far behind.
Honestly, I liked ‘The Real Thing’ better, and I didn’t like that very much. I think Bo is better served playing in Southern country bars and at State Fairs, because that’s where his music fits. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Southern girl who was raised on country music, and I can appreciate it, but this album just lacks, and sounds the same over and over.
If you must, download this: “This Train.”
Rating: One and a half of five stars. I’m sorry, not my thing.
October 24th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I knew his album was coming out but I cant believe they released this on the same day as Carrie!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:51 am
I have to agree. I bought the album but wasn’t overly impressed.
October 26th, 2007 at 1:19 am
Congratulations to Bo Bice. I cant wait to hear his new album. Loved Season 4 American Idol. It was the best…
October 26th, 2007 at 4:55 am
I’ve heard STL and love it. I’ve read other reviews and the majority really like it so I quess everyone can’t like the same thing. I think it rocks.
October 26th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I tried to like this cd because I used to enjoy Bo Bice on AI and he’s had all these troubles, blah, blah, blah. But when it comes right down to it, the music is just “meh”.Even in the heyday of Southern Rock, it would probably have been classed as b-side. Here north of the border
Walmart Canada apparently declined to stock this cd, which says a lot.
October 26th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
I took a listen to Bo’s Cd at Walmart. I think if you are going to put out a retro genre album then it has to be better or at least equal to the original sound. This album just does not measure up to any of the old Southern rock.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I agree Harry.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
I think the whole cd sounds like any bar sound around Nashville.
October 26th, 2007 at 10:26 pm
I agree, and like I said in my review, he seems better served to play Southern bars and State Fairs.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:04 am
Bo who? I thought he was a has been in this industry since his first cd was not overly successful. Doesn’t look like this one is much better.
October 29th, 2007 at 2:49 am
I respectfully disagree. I think this CD is terrific! By NOT marching to the American Idol/Clive Davis drummer, Bo is making a statement. While it may not get a tremendous amount of radio airplay, I think the music is many leagues better than the mainstream pop out there!!
October 29th, 2007 at 3:14 am
I happened to like the album. I thought the track, “Take the Country Out of Me” the weakest of the whole, but it just sits with the type of genre. Hank Williams Jr. has a similar song, as does Ray Wiley Hubbard.
It’s obvious you are not a Bo Bice fan, skimming the album doesn’t do it justice. Sit back with a cold one and just listen to it - you might like it better.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:58 am
I picked up the CD the other day and I have to say I totally disagree with your review. In today’s pop music world, Bice really takes you back in time when music actually sounded good and was worth being played. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I find his new CD See The Light to be very refreshing! Good for him!
October 30th, 2007 at 1:00 am
“By NOT marching to the American Idol/Clive Davis drummer, Bo is making a statement. ”
Just like Kelly with her multi platinum 3rd album. Oh, wait….
October 30th, 2007 at 10:27 pm
And that statement would BE that appealing to the masses comes second to recording the music you love.
I think Kelly Clarkson is very talented and I’m happy for her success. Bo Bice just isn’t the same STYLE of artist.
Geez, can’t people just be content with saying something nice (or not saying anything at all)?
October 30th, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Teacher, gasp !!This is not a Sunday school class, it is a music review. Not everyone is going to be pro Bo’s music.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Major oops. Somehow I responded before my brain registered Kimberly’s sarcasm.
I still contend that Kelly Clarkson is more satisfied making HER music, HER way. And I’m still happy for her…and for Bo.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Harry, you’re right–we all have different tastes. It would just be nice to have folks express their views without put-downs and snide comments.
I guess I’m old fashioned that way. Oh well…it’s all good.
October 31st, 2007 at 3:03 am
TeacherChick, I think you give Bo a bit too much credit considering his sellout first album and considering he was dropped from that “Clive Davis/American Idol” label.
As for Kelly, she announced her return to pop about three weeks after album dropped.
I just wish some people would actually live those little brains and stop assuming commercial =/= quality, and playing a guitar + penning a few lyrics does. Not ALWAYS the case.
“It would just be nice to have folks express their views without put-downs and snide comments.”
*coughs and points to the url*
October 31st, 2007 at 10:21 am
With the number of new artists making it on their own versus the giant label, I’ll give Bo an A. This is just the first of many of Bo’s songs that people will enjoy to hear. I have heard his songs from his Recipe For Flavor EP and Ex-Gratia (which is raw passionate rock music only a then 19 year old aspiring musician can make), as well as a compilation put up by his church for charity after Bo competed on American Idol. Bo is short of a prodigy having composed his own music since his early teens and learning every aspect of making music from songwriting, to playing various musical instruments to sound engineering. Inspired by the great classic southern rock artists who lived before him, Bo has re-created that sound that stirred every music lover in the the seventies and added his youthful and rebellious flavor to it. This we can hear in his I Ain’t Gonna Die and Ain’t Got Money. Whiskey, Women and Time tells his story while making music down the road, away from home most of the time. We can see in the lyrics of the songs on See The Light the little stories that Bo is sharing with us while he was out there on the road, doing his own music. I’m Gone, See The Light and This Train are my top favorites. Honestly I have for the past few years not been very happy with the music I am hearing from the radio. Only 10 to 15 per cent of them sound original and heartfelt and everything sounds formulaic to me, like this or that song could be sang by any artist, thus the term generic music. It’s very rare these days to hear songs that have a character of their own.
The world should welcome musicians like him who strive to put out music they can call their own instead of just following the dictates of their label, musicians to whom above all things including money, music is and will always be the only thing that matters in the end. While this cd has been recently released, I am already excited for the music he has yet to put out. Hats off to Bo and likewise to all hard-working and dedicated young musicians like him.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:43 pm
^tl;dr
November 1st, 2007 at 12:55 am
Kimberly, although I’m not sure what “live those little brains” means, I’d like to address a couple of your points. First, Bo’s first album wasn’t exactly a “sellout”; he was under contract through American Idol and fulfilled his obligations. Secondly, the terms of the “parting of ways” between Bo and RCA was not made public; they may have dropped him OR he may have left them. Finally, you made your point in reminding me of the website’s name. I’ll take my opinions elsewhere.
November 12th, 2007 at 5:59 am
I appreciated what Vixen wrote a ton more than this review. This review was based on presuppositions of your own predisposed prejudices toward a guy who sang on American Idol. A nobody to you.
I hate country music, and have no regard for southern rock; but, I’ve listened to this entire CD and have to say as a musician and someone who has loved music for over 40 years - from Beethovan, to Miles Davis, to Led Zeppelin and now Muse - it is rare to find honest musicians who simply make good raw music without trying to figure out how to make the next… big hit.
This CD, See The Light, is comparable to any good CD out there, if not better because of the quality of musicians on the CD.
I’d give it 3 out of 4 stars any day, despite him having appeared on a reality TV show, because I just listened to the music.
And, consider what they are churning out in the top 40. High School Musical? 50 Cent? I mean, seriously, are you going to make a comparison with what people actually waste their money on, compared to simply being a student of good music.
I appreciate the good taste of Vixen. Now, she understands how to do research before a review.
Most musicians appreciate that.
November 12th, 2007 at 5:50 pm
VforVendetta, you’re entitled to your opinion. I don’t like Bo’s music, and I never denied that. I also don’t like standard top 40 pop. If you knew anything about my music tastes, you’d know that. I respect that Bo’s doing what he wants, but I didn’t find the CD as appealing as you did.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Talk about tl;dr, you deserve a medal for taking that one on Tiff.
November 13th, 2007 at 1:06 am
Well, if you already knew you didn’t like Bo’s music, then why’d you review it? Just to take a slap at him? It makes no sense. And frankly, I look at your site and it looks like you’re a fan of Britney Spears, Blake Lewis? o_0 - that’s not even music, and Carrie Underwood.
I’d like to give you the benefit of the doubt, but I see nothing here pre-2000. Are you seriously trying to say you are a well-rounded music critic?
A reviewer has to go into a review without a preset prejudice toward what they are reviewing and knowledge of the subject matter.
Understandably, we all have opinions and music, like all forms of art, is subjective. Why’d you review it if you already knew you wouldn’t like it?
That’s like me having to review a rap CD. Why would I bother if it’s all just the same stuff played on a machine over and over again with words that rhyme.
Sorry Tiff, I think you’re nothing but a Blaker girl, and the review proves it. That doesn’t constitute musical fortitude. Ciao!
November 13th, 2007 at 7:54 am
^Tiff is gonna be oh so bummed that you of all people don’t approve of her musical tastes
Spam away!!! -> vhmowatt@sbcglobal.net
November 14th, 2007 at 6:42 am
I’m sorry I offended you all so badly. Honestly, I don’t want my private email placed for all of your fans to see. Would you please remove it.
I have no desire to spam. I was through here and then I saw this.
You write on your blog that my email will not be published. That is so wrong. Please remove this in the next day.
I am asking you nicely and hope you hold to what your site says and that my personal email will not be published.