Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Leona Lewis

  • Spirit [J/Syco, 2008] B
  • Echo [Syco/J, 2009] Dud

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Spirit [J/Syco, 2008]
Simon Cowell's British Idol possesses an exceptionally delicate version of the sock-it-to-'em karaoke-champ voice Cowell has made the gold standard of '00s pop. The subtle flutter of her finest melismatics could give an open-minded person goose bumps. Her coarser melismatics, however, are the usual showoff BS and probably also a commercial prerequisite, like not having a harelip. And because she doesn't write, this is karaoke where nobody knows the originals. Of course, when OneRepublic provided your lead single and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is your literary highlight, it's just as well you don't write. "Forgive Me" would be a tolerable follow-up. Somehow I doubt Cowell cares. B

Echo [Syco/J, 2009] Dud