Allison Iraheta CD Review: Nothing New, But...

If Kelly Clarkson and P!nk had a daughter she would be Allison Iraheta. Her appearance, her demeanor, and especially her voice are the spitting image of both of them combined…

And although I mean that as a compliment to Allison it is also a bit of a problem for her on her debut CD, “Just Like You.” Because even though it is a strong effort, you can’t get over the feeling that you’ve heard it all before…

In fact, several of the tracks sound like hidden tracks/castoffs from P!nk’s or Kelly’s latest CDs. Opening single “Friday I’ll Be Over U” is pure Max Martin (“My Life Would Suck Without You,” “Since U Been Gone,” “So What”). The ballad “Scars” is very much in the vein of “Sober,” but it’s so perfectly suited for Allison’s voice you can overlook it. “Trouble Is” allows Allison to completely showcase her vocal ability, but if you heard it on the radio it would be a good minute and a half before you realized it wasn’t P!nk (if you did at all).

Ironically, one of the least P!nk-sounding songs on the CD is “No One Else” which P!nk co-wrote with Kara DioGuardi and Greg Wells. It’s pure Kara though (which I mean as a compliment), so it’s got that pure pop sound to it that could make it a big hit for Allison.

My two favorite tracks on the CD are the two sillier songs—“Robot Love” and “D is for Dangerous.” Although I’m still a little unclear on the meaning of “my boyfriend’s in love with a robot,” “Love,” which samples Gary Glitter’s “Rock & Roll Part 1” is a great song with a super catchy chorus you’ll be bopping to for hours. And “Dangerous” adds some much-needed funk…

The funk does not work, however, on the Kevin Rudolf co-write, “Beat Me Up.” The verse is ok, but the chorus just doesn’t work and the song sticks out like a sore thumb.

“Just Like You,” “Don’t Waste the Pretty,” “Pieces,” “Still Breathing” and “You Don’t Know Me” are all mid-tempo numbers in the lighter P!nk/Kelly Clarkson vein, while “Holiday” gets a little grittier…

The bottom line is that this is a strong debut for Allison with plenty of pure pop ditties that radio should eat up. But if you’re looking for a lot of originality, you’re not going to get it.

But when it sounds this good, maybe that’s okay…

“Just Like You” hits stores Tuesday, December 1st

Photo Credit: Jive/19