Inspiration to all awkward, misunderstood, painting-bedroom-black teens everywhere, who don't want to relate to Christina's arse or mini-Morrisette Avril Lavigne's brat angst, 'Shut Up' has more in common with Hole and Blondie and shows up something rotten in the Prince William-hears-Blink 182 unpleasantness that is Busted. And as Kelly sings on 'Coolhead' - "I'm not here for your amusement" - you know that she actually means it (man). Think about it, if you'd grown up surrounded by people who thought your dad ate bats, you'd have an attitude too.

The title track and current single 'Shut Up' gives a false impression of the rest of the album - fine, snotty and precocious it may be - but a whole album of it would've been hard to stomach, and worse, would be in danger of placing Kelly on the musical evolutionary scale beneath Shampoo. Look beyond that and you get a cracking collection of new wave Buffy-punk-pop: Ace opener 'Disconnected' sounds like Kim Wilde's 'Kids In America' on multi-track fire, inventing stadium garage in the process, the shouty 'Come Dig Me Out' is about being buried alive, which is as near to her dad's 'ouevre' as she gets, and 'On Your Own' is metaltastic Strokes.

The lighter-waving moment comes in the form of 'More Than Life Itself', written about her mum - the formidable Sharon - and spectacularly fails to turn into a cheesy schmaltzy blub-fest. You want power ballads? Look elsewhere. Even with Top Five smash 'Papa Don't Preach' as - mystifyingly - a 'hidden' track (probably seen as a bit embarrassing ...now) this first, and probably only album, is a neat summation of what makes Ms Osbourne tick.

It'll [upset]her sister, give her brother plenty to get stroppy about, but is unlikely to gain her a slot at Daddy's Ozzfest. However, 'Shut Up' is better than you may at first think. If she doesn't take her own advice, Kelly will be the first proper superstar to have gained fame through the monster that is reality TV.


This Review Must Be Read In A Robotic Monotone   April 2, 2003
Sandra Waldrop (College Park, Maryland United States)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I watch MTV. I see Kelly Osbourne's album being advertised on MTV. I see lots of other artists being advertised, and lots of times, they're the same ones hour by hour. I got Kelly Osbourne's album based on the daily ads I saw on MTV. It felt like brainwashing, but at the time I wasn't quite sure; all I could hear in my head were the lyrics from "Shut Up." After I bought the album, I was pretty angry because the album basically sucked. I was certain that my sixth grader sister could come up with better lyrics and come off sounding more authentic. I'm not so sure Kelly Osbourne has so much to complain about compared to other people in this world but I'll keep watching MTV and buying albums. Tony Mottola would want it that way.


Kelly Osbourne Proves She Can Hold Her Own With Debut Album   December 1, 2002
Edward (New York City)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

Here's a track by track breakdown:

01-Disconnected
-The music in this song rocks. The chorus is great too. I didn't really like it at first, but now it's a lot beter. Rating: 4/5

02-Come Dig Me Out
-One of my favorite tracks. This song fits Kelly so well. Rating: 4.7/5

03-Contradiction
-The chorus is the highlight of this song. Rating: 3/5

04-Coolhead
-This song is really ummm groovy. Which isn't a bad thing. Rating: 4/5

05-Right Here
-Kick [butt] song. Has a great beat. Rating: 4.5/5

06-Shut Up
-Great second single. I love when she says blah blah blah. Rating: 4.3/5

07-On The Run
-The lyrics are good. The music just goes over Kelly's vocals. Rating: 3/5

08-On Your Own
-The vocals are great. This song just plain old kicks [butt]. Rating: 4.5/5

09-Too Much Of You
-This song is the best track. Great vocal and great music. Rating: 5/5

10-Everything's Alright
-I think this is the only song she curses in. Unless you count the little talking before On Your Own. Rating: 4/5

11-More Than Life Itself
-Great ballad. I love it, it just kicks [butt]. Rating: 5/5

Bonus Track:
-Papa Don't Preach
-This song rocked on radio, it's still rocking now. Rating: 4/5


Shut Up, Give Up, Grow Up. . Your Choice!   December 1, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I was expecting the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne to have a little more talent than this! The album material is average and so is her singing in a world of pop stars like Britny Spears Kelly stands about a snowballs chance in Hell. I think that she should have taken this big chance more seriously. I hope that her next album (if it ever happens) is alot better.


Terrible Music from a Clueless Girl   January 3, 2003
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

poor kelly. does she know how bad she sounds? She must be surrounded by YES people all day that kiss her butt and make her think shes a rockstar.

The music is terrible, the lyrics are something a 4th grader would write on the back of a notebook, and her voice could make you vomit.

She should tattoo a barcode on her forehead because she is a product for sale, not an artist or musician. she is a scheme by her mother to exploit and milk the osbourne fame found with their TV series. kelly - go away. your music sucks.