Following two flop albums (namely 1995's 'Let's Go Bang' and 1996's eponymous release) I'm surprised the 'Barenaked' project ever got off the ground. It's a lucky thing it did, however, because the album is a gutsier, more honest, loving project than anything else Jennifer has produced in her career. It would not be out of line to call this record Love's opus, for it leaves the other "milestones" in her short but productive career.

The title track is the first single to be lifted from the album. Not quite as strong a track as her 1998 single 'How Do I Deal', but its incessantly catchy hook, earthy guitars, and introspective-come-uplifting lyrics make it perfect FM radio fodder and easily one of the best tracks in Love's steadily-increasing catalogue. The follow-up, 'Can I Go Now', is equally if not more pleasing, with a punchy chorus and a chance for Love to really show off her pipes. It effortlessly fuses a reggae base with a soft rock sound, creating one of the most interesting pop singles in a long time.

'Hey Everybody' delves into Shania Twain territory, with stupid lyrics about "chocolate in the bank account" and "cheese in her purse"; but similarly, it adopts a Shania-style sing-a-long which even the most straight-faced of us will not be able to resist. 'First Time' is so Dawson's Creek it hurts, but who hasn't ever bopped along to those female-vocals, guitar-and-drum songs during a Joey and Dawson love song?

The ballads here are aplenty, but all far above average. 'Stand In Your Way' is a glorious slice of pop, harking back to those eighties soul ballads - over a backing of electric piano and guitar, Jen's voice slips and slides over the captivating melody like a pro. As for 'You', this is a definite single contender with a melody slightly similar to the Bangle's hit "Eternal Flame". The verses feature a relatively laid-back vocal over filtered drum beats, with a raw intensity breaking through during the choruses. How were we supposed to know this girl could really sing?!

The rest of the record is bluesy rock, with Love offering up the Motown-influenced "Where You Gonna Run To". Imagine Dusty Springfield reinterpreted into the modern music scene, and you're not far off. Jen's self-confessed favourite "I Know You Will", complete with record scratches and a [nice] groove slithering under the melody as Love coos "don't tell me that you won't do me, `cos I know that you will", is also a rather notable inclusion. However none of these tracks stand up to the mindblower that is Jennifer's cover of "Me And Bobby McGee". Accompanied only by a bongo drum (I am deadly serious), the girl lets loose like you would not believe, interpreting the song as her very own. Janis Joplin may not be around to experience Love's cover, but I bet she'd be darned proud.

"Barenaked" marks a significant transition in Love's music career. For the first time, she sounds very much in control of the direction she's going. It's a shame that an influential music magazine has already criticised her "wee little voice" and poked fun at this record's more 'rock' feel. My question is, why don't these journalists do their research? Their criticism of Love's foray into the rock arena is unfounded, as her last single "How Do I Deal" certainly had a rock vibe ... it's a natural progression. Secondly, as for her voice, well she's never sounded stronger, and our "wee little" Love blows her contemporaries out of the water. As Billboard said, "Love Hewitt's maturity over the current crop of female singer / songwriters is obvious - she is in a world apart from the other girls".

I think that says it all.


Jennifer Love Hewitt strips down for this GREAT RECORD   October 10, 2002
Melissa Sanchez (Wichita Falls, TX United States)
9 out of 10 found this review helpful

First of all, the first time you listen to the cd, you are gonna hear that all of the songs are very different. I had to listen to it for a second time to realize I loved it.

1.Barenaked- This is one of those songs that has a really catchy chorus that you can't get out of your head. This is of course her first single. This song shows lots of power from her, and she does a great job in the video as well.

2.Can I go now- When the song first starts, it has this kind of R&B beginning that kind of confusing, but she then starts singing and the song comes together. Even throughout the song, there is a small hint of "Underneath It All" by No Doubt. This song has a good rythm, and the words are about a girl leaving.

3.You- What can I say about this song. IT IS FANTASTIC! One of my friends came in and asked if it was Kelly Clarkson, and that is a great compliment if I've ever heard one. It is a very slow beautiful ballad.

4. Hey Everybody- This song makes you wanna jump up and down to the song. The words even say "Can you listen to the beat?" and it's really catchy. The chorus makes you happy. The lyrics are very inventive, comparing chocolate and cheese.

5. Where are you Gonna Run To?- This is a fun song. It's about facing your boyfriend about problems. Her songs all have very catching choruses, and this is one of the most memorable.

6.I Know You Will- This song has a kind of blues/B&B/Porno beat. I'm not sure if it suppossed to be dirty, or if it is suppossed to be a boyfriend going places he says he wont. I think it's suppossed to be both. You can hear the soulful background of a couple of black women singing. This song is cathy, but can possibly get a little annoying, but not really.

7.Rock The Roll- First of all, this song is not Rock and Roll, is Rock The Roll, and it's not one of those rockin out songs. The Lyrics are very inventive. Right at the begginging, there is this kind of scary voice. Keep listening though, it goes away. It's a fun song though. The chorus is inventive.

8. Stand In Your Way- This song is a very mellow song. It has very good. It's about you man not wanting the same thing anymore, and both having different opinions on subjects. The chorus is kind of song, but impowering to women. A great song.

9. First Time- This song has a very rock sounding beat. Theres nothing I can really say about it. It's a good song, you just need to listen to it for yourself.

10. Stronger- This song was completely written by Jennifer, and it is amazing. It gives woman so much power, and show that people need to be stronger. The chorus is VERY good. The lyrics are very good. This is the sh**. This is the song that brings everything together.

11. Avenue of the stars- GREAT GREAT SONG. It's about going after you dreams. It talkes about going to LA and making them come true. Good song. I cant stress that anymore.

12. Me and Bobby McGeee- This song is really cool. The backgrouns is only drums. The song was originally done by Janis Joplin, but Jennifer shows her stuff. This is a great song. The end even has some sound from the sound booth, and people cheering after she finishes singing.

GREAT GREAT CD.


Don't be so hard on jenniifer!   November 3, 2002
Rodrigo Medina (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro Brazil)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

...This CD was produced by Meredith Brooks. I'm not sure jen chose the right person, but the album is not bad.

"Barenaked" is the first single. A good song with a catching chorus. Jennifer sings about the feeling of being barenaked, as if everyone is looking at you, in a day when everyhting goes wrong.

"Can I go now?" is a good track, with a reggae beat which fits in jennifer's voice.

"You" is a romantic ballad, and shows jen has a powerful voice and can have a musical career, just like the other girls who are recording CDs nowadays. She sings beautifully and also gives a remarkable interpretation to this songs lyrics.

"Hey everybody" and "rock the roll" are joyfull songs. The melodies catch you and it goes along. Easy lyrics without serious intentions.

"Where are you gonna run" is one of my favorite tracks of this album. The chorus are great and seems like those old songs, from the 60's, with ladies backing vocals. Interesting.

"Stand in your way" is a cool song. Good lyrics and another remarkable interpretation of love.

"First time" is the typical meredith brooks song. It reminds me of her debut single "bitch". Don't get me wrong, it is a good song, with a commercial appeal. I hope jen releases it as a single, because it can really push this album. It's a little rocky and pop at the same time.

"Stronger" has nothing to do with Britney's song, with this same title. Great chorus and another song about complications in a girls love affairs.

This CD is good and will please pop listeners. Jennifer has a good voice and should invest in her musical career.


"Hey everybody" Get this album now!   October 26, 2002
Jeremy Blake (USA)
10 out of 12 found this review helpful

I wish people would realize that Jennifer is a great artist, and her music is great. Out of all her albums, this is definetly the strongest. There are no filler tracks on this one, and the music is awesome. Jennifer actually helped write most of the album, and she wrote "Stronger" all by herself, and it is one of the best songs on the album. "Barenaked" is the well-known first single, it rocks, but it is not the strongest track on the cd. The lyrics are strong though, I think anyone can relate to them, I know I can. "Can I Go Now" will probably be the next single, and it should be, because it is right up there with "Barenaked", the lyrics and original and catchy at the same time. A great track! "You" is one of my favorites, the message is so true, I can relate to it, definetly. An awesome ballad. "Hey Everybody" used to not be one of my favorites at all, but you have to listen to it more than once, it will grow on you. Now, I love it. "Where You Gonna Run To?" is an awesome track, I love everything about it. "I Know You Will" is a definete, solid track, the lyrics are so true. "Rock the Roll" is very catchy, I love it. The effects and lyrics rock!! "Stand In Your Way" is another one of my favorites. This is a change, most of time in a song like this, you hear the artist saying "If this is what you want, I won't stand in your way." Love is singing "I am gonna stand in your way." A very nice track! "First Time" is my ultimate favorite on the whole album, I love the lyrics and music, it's the best. I hope it's released as a single! "Stronger" is probably my 2nd favorite, I love the beat, and yet again, the lyrics. The lyrics rock. "Avenue of the Stars" is the most original track on the album, and it really got my heart. The lyrics "Some dreamers will never go home" are so sad. An awesome song about trying to make it in Hollywood, one of my favorites. "Me And Bobby McGee" is THE track that Jen shows of her talents on, an awesome acapella. I love the end when everyone working on the record claps for her. She is one of the nicest, still down-to-earth people ever, to be so famous. She deserves success, so support Love. Buy her album! You won't be disappointed! It's actually a breath of fresh air!


LURVE IT!   November 9, 2002
Natasha (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

BareNaked is a fantastic album!The songs are really catchy,melodic and very haunting (in a good way!).I always find myself singing along to the memorable tracks like 'BareNaked','Can I Go Now?' and 'Stand In Your Way'.
Let me just say this: Stand In Your Way is absolutely AMAZING!!The music is so beautiful and the lyrics are great!It's one of my favourite songs now!The song is about a girl who will not let her boyfriend go...it's just really, really sad...
First Time is also a very catchy tune.It's about being in love with The One. A very happy,melodic song!!!
Other easy listenning tracks include:Stronger,Avenue of the Stars (as in Hollywood), Where Are You Gonna Run To?and I Know You Will.
Though, there are tracks which i just can't stand!Take, Rock the Roll, for instance...what's up with that weird voice in the middle of the song? It's kinda scary!!..not really,but it's weird.
In all,i never regretted purchasing this album.It's has a lot of catchy and fun tunes,which are very memorable,indeed.
Move Over J.Lo, it's J.Love ,We Want!