All Artists:Hope Partlow Title:Who We Are Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 1 Label:Virgin Records Us Original Release Date: 1/1/2005 Re-Release Date: 9/6/2005 Album Type: Content/Copy-Protected CD Genres:Pop, Rock Style:Teen Pop Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:724359013428
Females In The Pop/ Rock Genre Are A Dime A Dozen But...
Rocky | Iowa, USA | 11/12/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Hope Partlow proved to me there is potential in that enormous mass of pop/ rock females though. She is one I just happened to hear on the radio and I really loved the song Who We Are. The lyrics mean a lot to a world we live in these days and her voice is actually pretty strong. Then I heard Sick Inside a few times and I grew to really love that song as well for it sounds like such a painful song. I knew then I had to check her c.d. out and hear what she holds. I eventually bought it after hearing such tracks as the amazngly powerful Don't Go, the fun Crazy Summer Nights, and the hearbreaking It's Too Late. Here a short review of the entire c.d. of Who We Are:
1) Who We Are- A- The first song I heard from Hope, and it is still as powerful as the first time I heard it. The Saturday Night Mix at the end isn't much different then the original version- but the original version is better- sounding.
2) Don't Go- A+- This song is probably the strongest on here to me, and just greatly passionate Hope uses her voice just right in this song and the background music fits into the mood right.
3) Crazy Summer Nights- B+- I really like the fun feel to this song after such a serious song as Don't Go, but it definitely pales in comparison as well. It's still a fun song to hear though.
4) Sick Inside- A+- The next most powerful song on here, and now one of my most favorites. The lyrics are very mature and as I said before painful.
5) Girlfriend- B - This song kind of steps Hope back into those old songs from so many other pop- rock females. I've heard this kind of song so many times from so many young women and it's kind of immature to me, but the guitar adds up for the weakness of the lyrics.
6) Like You Do- A- She saves herself in this song. It is a slow and sweet song that I really like hearing from her, it brings back the potential I hear in her.
7) I Believe In You- C- Probably the weakest song on here to me. There's just not a lot of power to this song, I would call it a filler track for there is nothing really to praise about it. Just an average- sounding song.
8) It's Too Late- A- Once more Hope saves herself and makes a heartfelt and beautiful song here. She uses her voice nicely and it blends in well with the background sound.
9) Cold- C+- Not that good of a track either. If you're a major fan of females in this genre it probably is a fav but it sounds just average to me- ntohing unique and Hope's voice is kind of bad to me in the chorus.
10) Through It All- A- I really like the catchiness in this song. You can just really sing along to this song I really enjoy hearing it.
11) Everywhere But Here- A- - Again this song is very similar to so many other female pop/ rock songs but Hope does this song really well I must say. I can't help but know it is a good song to sing to. Not the strongest, but definitely good.
12) Let Me Try- B- Very lovely kind of song, and I think the lyrics are very beautiful, but the way she sings the song makes it also kind of boring. I usually skip this song because it doesn't really interest me and it goes on a little too long. But I can understand why she wanted such a song to wrap up the entire c.d.
So yes there are a few weak spots on this c.d., but there are also plenty of strong spots as well that should be noticed. Hope's power is there and I think if she is truly honest about wanting to make music she can grow into something great. She already is on a good path to me. I recommend this c.d. for people who want smart rock/ pop."
Very Talented Singer Hindered Only By Arcane Copy Protection
Christopher R. Perry | 07/14/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I most strongly concur with all of the very postive reviews!!! However, it truly is regrettable that this supurb and very promising emerging talent will be held back due to the fact that her record label crippled her by placing arcane copy protection on her freshman effort. At a time when they should be trying to maximize her exposure, they are hindering it instead. I will be first in line to buy the album WITHOUT copy protection, if that ever happens. It inexcusable that Hope is subjected to being penalized for the ignorance and backward thinking of Virgin Records. I wish the very best to Hope and look forward to her future releases without Copy Protection."
Taking Me Back to my Teenaged Years
Shelia M Goss | Entertainment Writer & Author of Young Adult Books | 10/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hope Partlow's Who We Are is a great debut album. I would recommend it for your teenagers and it'll make good Christmas gifts. The lyrics are good and are not "too grown up" that you have to sit and monitor every song before allowing your child to listen to it. There's an equal balance of songs where the listener won't get bored. In fact, I look at this CD as an empowerment CD for teenagers, especially young women. Listening to the lyrics might even make you understand what some of your teenaged daughters are going through.
Shelia M Goss
BellaOnline Women in Music"
Wow!
K. Bowers | 10/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have to admit it, Hope Partlow has talent. She isn't just your average wanna-be-Britney; she sings from her heart. The album starts off with her first single, "Who We Are" which catches you with its anti-material girl lyrics. Then comes "Don't Go" where she longs for a lost love. "Crazy Summer Nights" and "Girlfriend" are fun and bubbly with a little bit of country twang. "Sick Inside" is an emotional ballad where Hope bares all. "Like You Do" brings back memories of first love with its sweet melody. "I Believe in You" and "Through It All" are HOPEful songs, while "It's Too Late" is a slow, sad song. Hope then turns up the volume with her sassy, right-back-at-ya track "Everywhere But Here" and "Cold" which sings about falling out of love. "Let Me Try" is melodious and soft like a lullabye. The ending hit single remix spices it up. Overall, this record is fantastic. The lyrics are well-written without any references. To parents, Hope should be fresh face from all of the adult content found in most songs today. The CD is playful and sweet, without being too childish or immature and Hope is completely relatable. This is a great album for someone who wants to listen to someone with talent who isn't suggestive. In all, Hope Partlow is just plain great."
Hope Is What I'm Hoping to Find
Scooter McGavin | Ohio | 09/11/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"It seems like every week there's another, young, female, singer-songwriter hitting the album shelves. This week's entry into the "Bring back Lilith Fair" brigade is Hope Partlow. The Tennessee native's approach is a little different from those that have come before her in that she has infused the genre with a dash of country. There are no banjos, fiddles or yee-ha's, but you can definitely hear the southern charm in her voice most notably in the slower songs.
Partlow's debut album, Who We Are, starts off with the title track, a great song for today's climate that tells us not to take things for granted with lines like, "It doesn't really matter what care you drive, it's good to be alive." The album actually ends with the "Saturday Night Mix." Granted it sound exactly like the original with just an exaggerated bass line and doesn't bring anything new to the album like many "remixes" that are thrown in at the end. The only song that ever really sounded different is Babylon on David Gray's White Ladder.
Elsewhere on the album Don't Go is a last ditch effort to keep a loved one and when she sing "I believe this is killing me, don't go" it almost breaks my heart. Crazy Summer Night is a great party song to play when the title suggests. But unfortunately, its starting to dip into the 40's at night around here so hopefully this song will be brought out next May when it is more appropriate. Unlike many young girls today who like to brag about stealing other girls' boyfriends, Hope is actually apologetic as heard on Sick Inside explaining, "I'm so sorry about last night," and saying wish she had more self control. Partlow show a good vocal range on the slow love song Like You Do. And Hope goes in pure Avril mode (but without the pretentious punk thing) on Everywhere but Here where she sing against louder guitars that the rest of the album. Overall, Who We Are, is a solid debut from a girl that can only get better with age and more experience."