"Before the release of Nick Lachey's new album, "SoulO", I had recently downloaded the entire CD 2 months before its release date (shame on me). All of the songs that Nick recorded are phenominal, with a few exceptions.
1. Shut Up - Nice, up-tempo song. Great first single.
2. Let Go - Interesting story for an interesting song.
3. This I Swear - Best ballad on the album! Very heart-warming.
4. Could U Love - Pop sound with some techno.
5. Carry On - Nice acoustic guitar. Not one of the best songs on the album
6. You're The Only Place - Another nice ballad. Somewhat of a tear-jerker...not really.
7. Can't Stop Lovin You - Great song to learn on the guitar. Nice pop song.
8. Edge of Eternity - Ok song. Not the best song.
9. It's Alright - Dance, kind of song with some techno, drums, and trumpets!
10. Fall In Love - 3rd ballad. Nice ballad. Not the best ballad on the album.
11. Open Your Eyes - Probably the best up-tempo song on the album.
12. On and On - 2nd best ballad. TEAR-JERKER! PASS THE TISSUES!"
Aside from a few unnecessary songs, a beautiful album
Matthew B. Fallabel | State College, Pennsylvania | 12/15/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Wow, everyone on this site is being much harsher than Nick Lachey deserves. This album has many catchy songs, for example, "Could You Love", "Carry On", & "Edge of Eternity" are very good songs and probably should have been released as singles, as opposed to the opening track "Shut Up".
"It's Alright" is an extremely danceable and catchy tune, making use of horns and several layers or electronica.
Aside from these catchy rhythms, however, this album is gorgeous in another way. Nick has such a beautiful voice, and I believe people forget about this when they think of him. "You're the Only Place", "I Fall In Love Again", "Open Your Eyes", and "On And On", are beautifully written and executed ballads that showcase Nick's amazing voice. I just love these songs.
On the other hand, "Can't Stop Loving You" & "Let Go", in my opinion, sound way too 98 Degrees-esque for me and I think they should have been omitted from the album - however you don't see many 10 track albums out there nowadays. "This I Swear", although it is a nice song, has been way overplayed with Newlyweds, and I think this also sounds like what we're used to Nick singing.
All in all, I think this album was a great solo effort from Mr. Lachey, and it definitely deserves more credit that it has gotten. I would personally love to see Nick do an album of all soft ballads, much like the last three tracks on this disc. I think his voice is more meant for this type of music anyway.
Definitely give this album a listen, or a second chance if you already have. :-)"
NOT BAD
MUSIC MANIAC | Oregon | 11/29/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I'd really like to see Nick get his due. What is up with his music career? Hopefully, now that he is away from Jessica, he can become a star in his own right. This album had some really good songs on it. "Carry On" and "Edge of Eternity" could have become hits had they been given a chance. Instead, the label went with "Shut Up" as the first single, and it went nowhere. Again not a bad song, but given that it was written by the Matrix who had been cranking out hits for others, they most likely thought they had a hit on their hands. "This I Swear" is the most recognized song on the album, but again not a hit. Maybe it sounded too boy bandish at a time when that sound was nowhere to be found on the radio. I will always route for Nick. He seems like a nice guy, he has genuine talent, and let's face it, the man is HOT!"
Nick has a great voice, it's a shame his music is so bad
MisterMusicFan | 12/30/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"A solo career was inevitably in Nick's future-he was, well, basically, the ONLY vocalist of 98 Degrees-and there is no denying that he has a stunning voice-one of the most beautiful male voices I've heard in a long while-but he needs to heavily rethink his music's content before he can catch my attention. The relatively catchy "Shut Up" is easily the album's biggest-possibly ONLY-highlight, but its embarrassingly corny lyrics-'when we take our clothes off, don'tcha know the world stops/you bite my neck, I pull your hair, next thing we know, no underwear'-serve as an effective turn-off. The album then delves deep into a seemingly endless pool of lovelorn balladry, which, though beautifully sung, could not keep my attention for long. "Shut Up" is the only fairly upbeat song on the whole album, so those hoping for some 98 Degrees-esque get-downs will be left cold with the sadly titled 'SoulO.' Nick's powerful voice profoundly outshines whoever else he sings with, whether that be wife Jessica or the rest of 98 Degrees, but if what he's singing is uninspired in all other areas, where's the appeal? I must admit, I do admire the fact that he co-wrote almost every single song here (with the exception of the album's biggest hit, the Newlyweds theme song "This I Swear"), and he wrote "On And On" by himself. But the dull, uninteresting content and foolish lyrics are what cause this album's true downfall-and its dreadfully slow pace, mixed with ho-hum beats that fail to lift it off the ground make it ultimately unfun. This is a flop, Nick.....try again, though, that voice of yours could be put to far better use. And you might wanna hurry, before your star is entirely eclipsed by your wife."
Gorgeous voice
gemz1175 | 03/26/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Nick has one of the most soothing voices in pop at the moment, the album I have to say isnt the best he's ever done. Some really beautiful love songs, obviously influenced by Jessica. But not the album I was expecting. Would recommend buying just for the love songs on this album!"