Neon Reviews: Allison Iraheta – Just Like You
December 14, 2009 by TJ
Filed under Album Reviews
Allison Iraheta - Just Like You
Something’s got to give. On American Idol season 8, 17-year-old Allison Iraheta was a flame-haired pistol shooting off spunk, sass, and soul with her weekly performances. She tackled big numbers like “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin with such conviction, you’d believe she was once a downtrodden woman with real pain to sing about.
On her debut album, Just Like You, her own personality is zapped and she’s more like a pussycat imitating a tiger, or worse yet, a little girl imitating her idols Pink and Kelly Clarkson.
While the album is listenable, even down right enjoyable in parts thanks to the expert production of pop masterminds like Max Martin who kicks off the set with the rockin’ 80’s inspired “Friday I’ll Be Over U,” and Iraheta’s voice is a gleaming gem to be treasured, nothing about the album separates Iraheta from her peers, or carves out an identity all her own. The title-track is a soaring kiss-off ode that could have easily been tossed from any of Clarkson’s albums, and the vocals on “Scars” sound almost identical to Pink’s in any of the tracks from her repertoire.
“D is for Dangerous” and “Beat Me Up” try the hardest to reintroduce the sass we grew to love from Iraheta on Idol, but fine moments like these are all too fleeting. Maybe on her next album she’ll stop trying to be just like Clarkson and Pink, and more like Allison Iraheta.
I completely disagree with this article. “Just Like You” did a great job highlighting Allison’s voice and personality, particularly spunky ditties like “FIBOU,” “Holiday,” “Just Like You,” “Robot Love” and the more soulful “Trouble Is.” And Allison definitely has enough in-your-face attitude to pull off all of these songs – a lot more than a Kelly Clarkson does (not to say Kelly isn’t a great artist who doesn’t sing with passion, conviction and angst)
The review even get its praise wrong. The one song that didn’t fit on the album seemed to be “Beat Me Up,” a song in which the typically strong-willed Allison Iraheta uncharacteristically sings about staying in a relationship with a guy who emotionally abuses her cause he “heats her up” – it’s also strange that the track was placed late on the album, after “Don’t Waste the Pretty” which is about not staying in relationships like that.
If you don’t like the songs on the album and wanted some harder-stuff or more soulful stuff on the album, given what Allison sang on idol, that’s fine. Don’t claim that Allison has spunk and then say that when she sings songs that have attitude, she sounds like a “kitten” trying to imitate Kelly Clarkson. And definitely don’t call “Beat me up” a song that highlights her sass … her humor? perhaps.
I agree! To much imitating of P!nk. She isn’t unique nor has her own style.
Allison is totally unique. She sings like noone else. Article is a knock off who cannot hear or did not listen to album. Quit comparing allison. She is a new rising star.
I am not a big Pink fan. Kevin when i heard Allison at first i thought she was unique. But than she said she’s a Pink fan and i did tell myself well duh-meh. That is where she copies the husky souful voice from. About time an article writes what alot of us see and hear. The girl has talent. But to imitate other singers. She is still young and hasn’t found her own unique style. Many songs on the album do sound like Pink. Example “Scars”. This is not about hating Allison she seems like a sweet person yet hasn’t found her own unique style of voice. We opinion on the truth on what we hear. Pink is all i think about when i hear her. She’s very talented on hearin the sound of her ears. Maybe when she was younger her parents would make her practice songs alot and would tell her that she needs to sing like the artist. To be that perfect. That is all i hear imitating.
I see you around looking for anything Allison related just to put her down, same with her youtube videos. For not being a fan you sure spend a lot of time following her.
Wow, are you serious! As I listen to this album, no way do I feel like she is trying to imitate Kelly Clarkson or Pink. She has nothing to gain from imitating them. Her voice may sound similar to them in some songs, but that doesn’t mean she is imitating them. So her voice is similar to Pink and the genre similar to Clarkson, doesn’t mean she is imitating them. Each song is amazing in its own way and her voice is what makes it special. You never mentioned songs like Trouble Is or Still Breathing either. You are correct to say that this cd is very enjoyable to listen too, but theres more to it that meets the eye. I’m glad Allison chose the songs she did because people can relate to them. None of the songs she is singing is like “Ohh I love you and you love me”; the collection of songs are all about what people go through in relationships. Trouble, heartbreak, and healing. Instead saying she sounds like this singer and imitating this one, speak about the music more. I feel she is being herself, especially for the short amount of time she had to create this album. I find this CD a lot better than most out there today
I agree with you completely! As I listen to the album, I do not find myself even thinking she’s a rip off of Pink or Kelly Clarkson….Are these people listening to the same album we are?
I have no clue, but I hope more people start feeling the same way as we do! Love the album, can’t wait for more music videos for the songs.
People just feel the need to put down others because it makes them feel better. Instead of highlighting the positive, they like to criticize because it makes them feel like they’re knowledgeable.
You just hit it in the right point. They just want to pretend they are knowledgeable by pretending “my taste is hard to please” and people who can stand for their own opinion end up being brainwashed by these “reviews” without even really giving it a try.
She might sound like Pink or Kelly but that doesn’t mean she is imitating them. Like someone said what she gains by imitating others. I bet she is smart enough to know that nobody wants another Kelly or Pink sound alike. The songs are great in my opinion and she will prove these people wrong, just as Simon himself ate humble pie and apologized to Jennifer Hudson.
I AGREE…SHE SOUNDS IDENTICAL TO PINK ESPECIALLY IN “SCARS”
The problem is the girl sings sounds just like Pink.
to top it off they used Pinks and Kellys style of songs.
that is the reason behind the low sales.
Adam sounds like many 1980’s screechy,castrati-like-screamers, and some fifth-grader little boy doing Xmas songs at Coir. So, PLEASE!
Kris has smooth vocals, and also sounds like some contemporaries.
Allison may sound like some contemporaries, BUT SHE HAS THE BEST VOICE AND VOCALS OF THE BUNCH, regardless if, statistically, she is bound to sound like others–who have amazing vocals themselves…To all three of these: statistically, we are bound to sound like others…But, to this article, why not pick on the weakest one, U know, her being Latino, Young, and Female…It seems the way of things…Sounding like others is not a musical sin, if that’s how we NATURALLY sound. I DO BELIEVE THAT ALLISON WILL GROW AND BECOME A ROCK AND ROLL SUPER ARTIST. I CAN FEEL IT. Whether she sells massively or not, she will be a respected ARTIST. I have NO illusions.
Allison i totally herself. Her voice is not imitation of anyone. Quit comparing her . She is an incredibly gifted talent. She is better than PInk. I prefer Allison. Ever who did this article needs their hearing checked. Maybe they need too listen to the album.
I can’t pay much attention to a review that praises Beat me up, which is a really catchy song with a not so nice message but ignores the totally spunky and in your face Holiday, the gorgeous and moving Trouble is and You don’t know me, a song written by Allison that completely highlights her personality and spunk. You want spunk and fun? How about Robot Love? You want sass? How about Just like you?
If Allison’s voice sounds like Pink, it’s not something she can control, given that it is, you know, her voice. She sounds nothing like Kelly Clarkson though, not a knock at her, she just doesn’t sound like Kelly. All three are very talented women and I wish people would stop trying to compare Allison to anyone because she is amazing on her own.
The problem for me with Allison is that she’s just not credible as a rocker. Yes, of course, she can sing her face off, but she’s way too young to pull these songs off in a believable fashion. At 17, she’s hardly yet begun to experience life, let alone relationships gone bad and heartache, which is what most of her songs are about. Hence, I believe this is where the wannabe Kelly Clarkson and Pink comparisons come in. Hopefully she’ll find her own identity on her next album, assuming she’s given a second chance.
How in the heck do you know that? Do you personally know Allison and what she has been through? Do you know if she has experienced heartache? Just because a person is young, it doesn’t mean she hasn’t lived. Many 17 year olds have already been through hell and back. Age isn’t what determines life experiences. Allison herself has said in interviews that she has indeed experienced heartache and bad breakups, so unless you personally know her, you can’t judge.
Hey Dakkota there is a song for you in her CD written by herself “You don’t know me”
Perfect!
HAH. Perfect. Pre-judgement really sucks. And those people that put her down are people that don’t know her at all. She has such an awesome personality. She isn’t P!nk, she isn’t Kelly, she is the one and only Allison Iraheta. =)
I totally agree with this review. Loved her on Idol. This is a watered down mess. All of the originality in Allison’s vocals has been lost. She sounds like a weak Pink and the Kelly Clarkson genre doesn’t fit her. I don’t know where her niche is, because I don’t really see her as a genuine rocker either. I do think she’s mega-talented though, just wish her album showed that more. Still bought it, because I believe in her future.
I agree with this article completely. Yes she has a nice voice, but she is just so awkward on stage. her movements drive me crazy, especially her flailing arms.
Her interviewing skills suck big time.
idk- she lacks an identity. i think that she should have gone on AI 2 years from now.
For a 17 year old, I think Allison is in fact very sure of who she is and completely comfortable in her own skin. Throughout all this she has remained true to herself and that is pretty admirable for such a young person.
Kelly and Pink wish they had Allison’s booming timbre. Allis tone has so much bottom-end, it resonates speaker grills – with tremendous power – and while others upper register gets thin, Allison delivers strong high notes with gut behind them. Pink/Kelly never sounded this good at 17 or in their debut albums, and to compared Allison to these 2 artist at the peak of their game, is a compliment to Alli and she’ll take it. It’s a testament to her tallent and rich album she put out in a span of three months. Allison never took a minute of theatre lessons – what you see on stage is what you get – authentic rocker at heart. Max Martins input in this record were probably the weakest on the album. The CD sounds nothing like Kelly, especially Pink.
I whole heartily disagree with this article. I have Kelly Clarkson and Pink albums and Allison’s voice is completely unique, and song choices were great…She chose the songs that she would connect with and enjoy performing, so a pussycat imitation? Thats just ridiculous! I love the album…..
I disagree completely with this review. Are we were listening the same album? Allison is UNIQUE, she might have some similarity with Pink and Kelly but she got a lot of Allison. It is easy to know when she is singing. People must stop comparing her with these singers and with Kris and Adam because this is not a competition anymore.
Allison is very talented and her voice is unique, the only thing missing with her is the promotion, people don’t know her. When people know her they will appreciate the real talent and she will be able to build her own fan base from her real AI fanes and with the new one. Anyway, some AI fanes get influenced easily by “critics†and will be in love with the next “pretty†face boy and will forget the current ones
Allison definitely has the vocals. And…she does great with songs with tones of grit: Janis Joplin, Pat Benator, Lita Ford, Heart, and such.
The only thing that I find unusual is…look, she’s going to be 18 in April.
She started singing at age 3 or so. Then mom took note and started to groom Allison for the big times. I’m OK with that too…but, why is she not able to be her own artist?? Everyone knows that she is always trying to imitate someone else. Why is this?? I like Allison and her voice. Beautiful.
But, she was swaying towards Lambert’s style (did anyone catch that on IDOL), Pink’s style, Clarkson’s style.
Infact, with this whole Lambert-Iraheta (Adison) thing, it seemed like she was more interested in being a runner up!! She was admiring more than being!!!
This is why she did not win IDOL. She appears to be very nervous at times. She has admitted to that. She doesn’t do well with simple interviews. But yet there is this great talent. What doesn’t she get??? Why the insecurities??
For a gal who has been singing for so long, something or someone has held her
esteem in some shell or cacoon. Now she is out and can’t be on her own (in regards to her talent and career move. Can anyone relate?? I don’t mean to sound harsh. However, Allison comes across like she can ‘fall down’ very easily. And, even though this is all BIG right now and moving fast, I believe that other artists her age are and were more ‘ready’ and ’secure’ in their own skin and talent. Hope Allison breaks out of whatever it is that is holding
her down. I luv you Allison.
She is being her own, that IS how her voice sounds. She can’t change that. Just because her voice sounds similar to Pink in ONE song doesn’t mean she’s not her own. Try listening to other track beside Scars. Also, I don’t remember Pink or Kelly either singing in Spanish or playing the guitar, so while the voices may sound similar to some, Allison definitely brings a lot more to the table than simple comparisons based on vocals. She can also emote like nobody else.
I have no clue what American Idol you were watching but I did not see Allison trying to copy off of Lambert. The only time she tried something like Lambert was on Hot Stuff with that last note, other than that, she was herself through out the whole competition. Maybe you can give a better explanation on how she was acting like Lambert because I am have trouble figuring that out.
Again, she is being herself, not imitating Pink or Kelly. Just because they have similar voices does not mean Allison is acting like them. Seriously, it’s getting really annoying that everyone keeps comparing her to others. Allison should take it as a compliment, but when people say she doesn’t have her own identity, its just wrong. blah, I just know she put out an amazing CD that lots of people can relate too and she sung her heart out in each track.
You just reminded of Melinda Dolittle who is probably way older than Allison and was also lacking confidence at the beginning of Idol. Allison is just starting to believe that she is that great and at the same time being humble. I prefer her awkwardness and insecurities instead of a cocky-manufactured one who thinks is the real deal. Let her be! If you listen to her songs, you’ll realize that all the criticism she is getting have an answers, “Pieces” and “You don’t know me” are just the perfect example for you.
Allison’s voice may be similar to Pink’s and Kelly’s, but only Allison is able to interpret the songs she sings so passionately. At the end of the day that’s what counts…youtube kelly’s live performances for “already gone” and even beyonce’s “halo” and do the same for allison on any of her live performances such as scars and you will see that no other artist out there is able to transmit the feeling as she does when she sings.
I agree with this review completely. I like her more on idol. in Idol she did not remind me of Pink. It could be cause i never listend to Pink jaja! But now that alot of mentioning it. yeah she sounds just like her.
she never should of mentioned Pink. Now she has me thinking she’s a copy cat.
Come on people give the girl a break, she is only 17 and got mad talent and an amazing voice. Have you listened to the other singers out there? You can listen to 10 songs in a row and you won’t be able to know who is singing because they sound very similar. At least she got influenced by two outstanding singers but if you give a not biased shot to her CD you will notice she is different to them too.
The author says that “nothing about the album separates Iraheta from her peers, or carves out an identity all her own,” but it seems that the “peers” the author is comparing her to are “idols Pink and Kelly Clarkson.” Forget about whether or not she sounds like or is imitating Pink or Kelly. Allison’s a newbie, and they’re obviously not her “peers.” The peers she should be judged against are the other teenage singers out there, like Miley and Selena, and her worst song outstrips their best by miles. The only other peer near Allison’s level is Demi Lovato, and although she is also very talented her voice is uncommon but not unique (e.g. Haley Williams from Paramore, the Veronicas). Allison’s voice is sometimes similar to but is not the same as that of Pink or Kelly, and it has a Janis-esque quality that Pink and Kelly’s voices do not have. I completely disagree with the author’s remarks on “Scars,” as Allison’s voice shines, reflecting a rawness and vulnerability that Pink does show in “Who Knew” yet is perhaps more powerful because of the stripped down accompanying instrumentation. Just Like You is an amazing album and, unfortunately, its artistry and the talent that Allison shows on the record will be overshadowed by sales that are deemed as disappointing by those whose sales projections were unrealistically high to begin with, much like it was for Kelly Clarkson’s My December.
I totally agree with you Zach! Everything you wrote is what I am thinking too!
I like her sound..but ya she’s not that special when it come to “a sound”..if you want a pop rock feel just grab up some Kelly. Its not like I’m putting her down, she just have to come out with something new if people are gonna take a liking to her. That’s what TJ saying in this review. I feel her completely. Good Job!!
Allison is a current and future star. Did you expect the career masterpiece from a 17 year old just out of the gates? She has to go a bit “poppy” to harness the teenage girl market in her first album.
Listent to the comments of some of the other artists. She has wow factor out the wazoo.
As for the Album? It has some absolutely stunning performances, it will continue to catch on and be a moderate success. Someday in the next 5 years or so, she will hit mainstream with a big hit or four.
How can we compare her to miley or selena? What do you mean? That isn’t the point. The point is she sounds just like her idol P!NK. every single part of her sound,style,voice. Since she has been a big pink fan. That explains why she copies her. Allison isn’t unique. I cannot hear scars and not think of Pink. And stop saying that if im not a fan i shouldnt’ judge. I could judge because i expected originality out of her CD! a unique voice like on idol. But i dont know if its because they made songs like pinks style that her voice is sounding too much like her or if its again because she’s a big pink fan that she goes as far as to copy the huskyness rnbish techniques. I cannot say she sings better than Miley or Selena! why? because i do not hear a unique style of voice to say that yet. yeah she’s 17 and she’ll probably come along to end up finding her own style of voice. But no i can’t compare her to teens singers when all im hearing is PINKS voice in her. nothing different. She could of change something to make it more hers. But she’s used everything about pink in her voice.
Her voice sounds like that because that is her voice, it’s as simple as that. What would you like for her to do? She’s always been husky, ever since she was a little girl. I guess it’s a compliment to Allison that people wish to put her on the same level as established artists like Pink and Kelly who’ve been doing music professionally for longer than 10 years. While Allison is 17, Kelly is 27 and Pink is 30. How did they sound when they were 17? Could they play guitar? Could they sing in Spanish?
People act as if Pink and Kelly don’t sound like other artists that came before them. In a sea of artists, they all sound like someone else at times.
Why would you compare Allison to Selena or Miley? Simple, because those are her PEERS; they are in the same age group. Now if you want to talk about genre, then you can compare her to Pink and Kelly. And how is she supposed to change her voice, the voice that she was BORN with. I have no clue why people keep saying things about changing her voice and if she wants to be unique she needs to have a different style. If she changes her style, she is not being herself and being yourself is being unique. Her voice is different than many singers out there and will of course rival those in the business today. With people saying such ignorant things she wont be able to become a huge star she is destined to be.
There is only one Kelly Clarkson. Allison sounds nothing like her. Kelly is a true artist who can sing anything and everything.
So is Allison. They’re both great artists. You don’t have to put one down to raise the other.
Agreed. Well said.
I have to disagree. I’m a huge fan of Kelly Clarkson, and to tell you the truth, as much as I enjoyed Simon’s compliment that Allison gave off that Kelly vibe, I don’t think she sounds like Kelly.
“JLY” is a debut album from a girl who is almost 17. Of course “Robot Love” and “FIBOU” may not be a favorite of older fans, but the album itself rocks hard and showcases great potential. Allison is a rare talent, and “JLY” displays it beautifully. I highly recommend the album.