Anyway, I digress. Knowing my love of actresses-turned-singers ... rather like looking at roadkill, you know it's gonna be icky and make you wanna puke, but you just can't help yourself ... I was very surprised when, in 1998, I saw Jennifer Love Hewitt's two mainstream albums in my local record shop. I had been rather impressed with her soft rock / pop effort "How Do I Deal", and figured that the albums would be just as good. Well, perhaps they weren't quite as good as the afore-mentioned hit, but they were surprisingly good. Her first album, 1995's "Let's Go Bang", is a fairly patchy work ... some great songs (namely "You Make Me Smile" and "The Difference Between Us"), some reasonable ones ("Let's Go Bang" and "In Another Life"), and some absolute clunkers (her diabolical cover of David Gates' "I'm A Want You", being the main offender). On her second album, though, she seemed far more relaxed. "Jennifer Love Hewitt" offered Jennifer material which not only suited but enhanced her vocal abilities. She's quite a natural singer, but the jazz / bluesy sound of "Let's Go Bang" really didn't suit her ... on "Jennifer Love Hewitt", there is a far mellower vibe, offering light breezy pop tunes with a little touch of R'n'B.

The best tracks are the single "I Believe" ... an almost indie vibe happening here ... the "so commercial it hurts" pop tune "Never A Day Goes By" (in its original and acoustic forms), the gorgeous acoustic track "Cool With You", and the Deborah Cox-penned "No Ordinary Love" (how did JLH afford Deborah Cox?!) Also notable is the smoochy ballad "I Always Was Your Girl" and my personal favourite, "Don't Push The River" (great message here, if you're into that sorta thing). There are a few flaws with the album, mind you ... on first listen, many of the songs sound the same and seem to meld together, but after a while the songs really realise their own identities. Also, whoever told Jen to cover the Bee Gees' "(Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away" was quite brave; she pulls it off, adding a sort of R'n'B vibe to it, but honestly, that was a fairly big risk to take!

Overall, "Jennifer Love Hewitt" is a great CD. It's, in fact, my "I'm stressed, I need some downtime just to pleb out and replenish my mind" CD ... very calming. Soulful, mature, and far better than anyone has given her credit for. After listening to this album, Jennifer comes out relatively unscathed ... and so does the listener.


This album is sheer CLASS!   June 6, 2000
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

This is simply one of the best albums i own (out of 62 at the moment, so it IS tough competition) I bought this cd in March and there has not been one day where i haven't played it AT LEAST twice. The best songs are 'No ordinary love', 'Don't throw it all away (our love), The FANTASTIC 'Never a day goes by, 'Don't push the river' and the more indie based 'I belive in..' and 'It's good to know i'm alive'. I do have to say i can underatand how some people think this cd is easy listening as it is directed purely as 'LIGHT' entertainment, you will NOT find yourself permanently swaying and shaking your thang to the likes of 'Cool with you'....


Surprisingly Awesome Album   September 30, 2003
Jonathan (Bronx, NY)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

One day, I walked into a CD store knowing I wanted to buy a CD, but not knowing which one. Anyways, I saw this CD, and thought "Screw it, it can't be that bad." When I got home and played it, I nearly kicked myself for not almost buying it. This album shows just how beautiful Jennifer Love Hewitt's voice is! Songs like "Cool With You", "No Ordinary Love" and "Our Love...." are just magical. There are other great songs on the album which are phenomenal, but I only have 1,000 words to describe this album, and even that's too little! This is a great album, and you should definately check it out and view that Love is more than just a great actress...she can sing her butt off, too!


Totally different but so cool!   February 1, 2000
Teresa (Mission, Kansas USA)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This CD is a completely different style from her first, which rocked! But this new style is really awesome as well! I love this bluesy r&b stuff. I never thought I would before. Whomever referred to it as bubble gum pop needs to have their head examined! This CD is a far cry from bubble gum! It's mature and soulful and absolutely gorgeous! I love how calming this CD is to me when I'm really stressed out. Way to go Love!


The most beautiful voice in the world   September 4, 1999
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Jennifer Love acts well and is very sexy and cute. As I heard that she also is a singer, I bought this CD without ever hearing one of her songs before. But this CD amazing! OK, the music is nothing new, but Jennifer has a wonderful voice. She really is a talented singer! And whose man's heart doesn't melt when Love sings about love? BUY IT!!!!