This album is a bag of excremental gibberish better suited to be set ablaze and set on Diddy’s porch.
From the mind of Diddy or P. Diddy or Piddy D. or whatever the hell he’s calling himself these days comes Danity Kane, a quintet forged in the reality TV flames of his series Making the Band. The girls sprang out of the third installment of the show and signed to Bad Boy Records. Their first album, a self-titled 2006 “effort,” sold a million copies in the United States but didn’t chart well in other countries where consumers have ears.…
Article comments
26 - Alexis
Your right there is nothing wrong with "some" negative feedback but I think we both know there is a right and wrong way to go about it. You could of said in so many other ways that you didn't like the album or they were too sexy or whatever you said on some parts but you went full for sayin it should be "set ablaze and set on diddy's porch" oh wow was that even necessary along with the other things you said. Plus we all know everyone is not going to like every song but i know there was at least one you liked (heck I didn't like Damaged as much as some of the other songs but there talent was still strong in it)...And once again with PCD you're saying they are a real group but then your calling them a caberet act and on half their songs if not more the rest of the girls besides Nicole are backup you can tell when they perform live. Oh and one more thing I'm not taking it personal I'm just speaking my mind much like you but being rather nice about it right now!
27 - Jordan Richardson
I'll review albums how I choose to review albums, thank you. If you're not a fan of my particular style or manner of speaking, I suggest you don't read my reviews.
I also never claimed that PCD was a "real group" on any means. I didn't even enter that discussion. I said I'd prefer to listen to them. That's all.
28 - Brittany
Dk album rocks can you review more people that can sell 1 milloion albums not the only yhings 5 people know.
29 - Jordan Richardson
No? Yes?
Sorry, I'm not really sure what you mean, Brittany.
30 - jay
well you are in the right for your opinion but damn did you you have to bash them like that you made it seem like it was the worse cd you ever heard and i'm so tired of people comparing pcd to dk they are two differet kind of groups dk has no lead singer which pcd does pcd does pop and dk they can do pop are r&b two differet groups and they are both great but i think you didnt like dk cd because of how diverse they are they mixed everything in so every one would listen to there music
31 - Me
In case you're wondering why you have all these haters...
This review was posted on a lot of DK fan sites. :-P
32 - chase
if you have a problem with Danity Kane, don't bother to listen, look at them, and NOT EVEN THINK about them. And for your own good, just shut your yap and go review albums with optimistic reviews. There are far more DK lovers than DK haters. So have a nice day and grow some ears!!!! WE ALL HATE YOUR DEMEANING COMMENTS! And if you like to review people in a rather mean way, why don't you post some demos of you singing!!!!!! Aloha!
33 - Say it ain't so
THe Supremes and Marvelettes while wonderful did not really sing amazing harmonies. And by that I mean, that they weren't unique. They were tight, but not differnt. They basically sang in block chords. Don't get me wrong. They are of course, the ultimate, but I'm just saying. DK's harmonies are more complex even if they are less tight. I'm not really sure why the beautiful harmonizations that run through Lights Out or Is Anybody Listening or Poetry or Striptease sound like cats to you. Maybe your cats are da' bomb.
I think that this is the type of album that has to grow on you. It is very produced which doesn't seem to be your thing, but it certainly isn't unique to DK. It is the sound that is out right now and includes Justin, PCD, Nelly Furtado, Chris Brown, Rhianna etc. Yes, their vocals are thrown through the computer so is everyone's elses. I personally think you should give it another chance, but in any event, I think it is better than the bottom of the barrel you seem to be offering here.
And DK has plenty of a cappella performances on youtube. You can find them, but these ladies work hard and it shows.
And if it is the case that being a DK fan makes them too close minded to your opinion. Might it also be the case that being close minded to them or this type of sound makes you a little close minded as a reviewer.
34 - Mark
I don't think the album was terrible, albeit a little overproduced, which is hardly more than a subject of preference. I don't think the overproduction makes the songs bad, and most pop groups of the 21st century are going to have computer technology used to enhance the song. I don't think it has anything to do with the artists' capabilities, I think it's moreso to create a certain type of sound that can only be achieved through the use of electronics, which doesn't make it inferior as electronics are just as wondrous as the human singing voice. To each his own I guess.
35 - nea2134
um...yea so jordan basically ur a hater. it's ok tho everybody needs some haters. BUT UH THEY SHOW STOPPING SO STFU WIT ALL UR BULL! danity kane rocks endo of story!! umkay!
36 - dk all the way
im all about speaking ur mind and having ur own opinion but, and this is a BIG A$$ BUT. WHEN U START COMPARING PCD TO DANITY KANE U DONE GONE AND LOST UR EFFIN MIND FOR REAL. FIRST OFF PCD HAS ONE SINGER AND 4 BACK UP DANCERS, MATTER A FACT NAME THE MEMBERS OF PCD OPPS CANT DONT KNOW THEM.
DANITY KANE HAS FIVE SUPER TALENTED SINGERS THAT HOLDS THIER OWN SO PLEASE WHEN U TALK ABOUT DANITY KANE PLEASE COME CORRECT.
37 - Christopher Rose
Please DK fans, get over yourselves. You like a mildly entertaining group that are never going to amount to a hill of beans in the scheme of things.
They are not The Supremes or Destiny's Child, and are about as original as toast.
38 - alisha
i think u have no taste, ur sexist, and u can prolly not dance or sing....u shuld quit wastn ur time bringin other ppl down...miserable fool
39 - Christopher Rose
I think you can't spell...
40 - Jordan Richardson
Jay #30
I didn't compare PCD with Danity Kane. I merely said that I'd rather listen to PCD. And yes, it is one of the worst CDs I've heard lately.
Me #31
I figured as much. The hordes of famished buffalo weren't unexpected, although their brand of social autism is slightly surprising.
Chase #32
I don't have a problem with Danity Kane, but I do take your advice. I reviewed their album. I don't sit around and continue to talk about it or write subsequent reviews about how awful it is. The fans of DK are continually discussing around 450 words (tops) as though it's some sort of ongoing dialogue.
Also, Chase, you should really avoiding the Appeal to Popularity when you make a point. It doesn't matter if there are more fans than not. Voices of dissent are important and by no means should someone simply follow the crowd, especially if their taste and good sense dictates that they do otherwise. Independent thinking is beneficial, especially in breaking the herd mentality many of the commenters seem to be so locked in.
Finally, the idea that I need to be a singer or a dancer in order to critique singing or dancing is simply stunning in the scope of its stupidity. Would you hold me to the same notion if I had loved the album?
Say it ain't so #33
The Supremes were "no different?" Are you nuts? They were innovators and the fine women of Danity Kane would probably be among the first to tell you that. Perspective, my friend.
DK's harmonies are made overly complex by the production. They are, in fact, so augmented by production and technology that they no longer sound human.
I can also handle heavy production. I'm a fan of Rhianna and Justin Timberlake, for instance. I like Timbaland. While there is a considerable amount of production sweetener thrown on those albums, there is also more substance there and Rhianna is more of a complete entertainer, as is JT. DK, at the end of the day, just wasn't interesting to me and I said as much in my review. The production was far from my only critique of the album.
I also didn't say that being a DK fan dampens an opinion, but I find it ridiculous to say that NOT being one somehow also creates the same sentiment. I guess we're both fucked under your system of logic. As I've mentioned already in the comments section, I am not in the least bit closed to this style of music or the group.
Alisha #38
How am I sexist? Duffy's Rockferry is my favourite album of the year and I also flipped over Robyn and quite liked the Ashlee Simpson record. I also gave Mariah Carey a pretty favourable review, am a huge fan of Rhianna, quite enjoy Britney, and believe Madonna to be an icon worthy of my intense 24-hour-a-day worship.
Where's the sexism?
41 - Tom Johnson
Sheively: that's not harmonization, that's a software program now generically called Autotune (specifically by Antares, but also by Melodyne and Waves) that is responsible for the "harmonization" you are so amazed by. It takes vocals and makes them sound perfect - people don't really have to sing particularly well anymore. They just have to be able to roughly carry a tune and this software will even it out to the point that it sounds in-tune. It sounds like a robot, but once the youth of today have heard it enough, they start thinking that's normal. Anyone that is familiar with the sound can pick it out instantly if they're also very familiar with the sound of a really talented vocalist. And it's painful to listen to, but unfortunately it is almost everywhere today. Great singers shun it, but Danity Kane are not great singers. They're so autotuned there it's hard to tell if they're barely even passable. I'm guessing they were picked more for looks than anything.
42 - Jordan Richardson
Incidentally, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton both swear by Autotune.
43 - Say it ain't so.
I wasn't saying the Supremes wer "no different." I was saying that the Supreme's harmonies aren't different i.e. their harmonization is not unique.
We aren't F%^$% to say that you come to this review with just as subjective a viewpoint as anyone else. In fact, i think your bias might have altered your review here. I think we would all be less F%$*#$& if we stopped pretending as if we have an objective viewpoint while others take on close mindedness.
Rhianna -- more of an entertainer. Have we seen Rhianna -- stand there and sing while others dance around me in concert? Rhianna is the epitome of what a good producer with a good song can do for you. I enjoy her, but she doesn't have range. HEr voice isn't unique. She can't particularly dance well. But what she is beautiful with beautiful people around her. And is evidence that clearly it isn't the production that you disdain -- just production that you label as less "substantive." cuz "ella, ella ella is better than "damaged damaged damaged."
What I also think is that you don't really know the group really well so you think everything that they produce is a function of autotune. Autotune can only take ya so far. You've gotta bring some goods with you when you come. And as I have heard them live on numerous occaisions, I know that they have some goods of their own. That doesn't mean, they don't have things to learn and experience to gain, but I think'll they'll prove it to the naysayers because they are hungry and they work hard for it.
44 - Jordan Richardson
I wasn't saying the Supremes wer "no different." I was saying that the Supreme's harmonies aren't different i.e. their harmonization is not unique.
My point stands, same as it ever was.
In fact, i think your bias might have altered your review here.
You know, the DK fanatics keep referring to this apparent bias. I'd really like to know more about it. For instance, what is my bias? Someone define it for me so that I know what I'm arguing against, please.
45 - Christopher Rose
I'm impressed by your patience with the fan-atics, Jordan, Misplaced, possibly, but impressive nonetheless.
46 - Jordan Richardson
I find it most compelling to try to get to the bottom of this odd social attitude, I guess. The waves of pseudo-autistic individuals are fascinating in their lack of comprehension and vitriol towards those who don't share their opinions, making them somewhat akin to religious fanatics. Fun times.
47 - Say it ain't so.
How do you know I'm a DK fanatic? How did you arrive there? Because I disagree with your opinion of the album?
And I think your bias against a produced sound from a group that you percieved as only produced well "dolls" is a bias is it not. And I think you probably went into the album with that bias. For instance, you seem to assume that they can't really sing or they sing at the level of a Britney -- as is evidenced by your responses but offer no proof of that except that the album has autotune. Where of course the autotuning as well as the other effects of the album make up the sound (of more dance ,futuristic pop) they were going for (which I get isn't really rou cup of tea -- kinda sorta) but speaks nothing to their capabilities as singers.
And your point re: the Supremes is the same? Are you saying that the Supremes sang something different than regular block chords? My point is the same. They are tremendous. Gold standard. Often overly produced by a extremely hands on manager who just like pop stars today put the pretty girl out front as opposed to the most talented. And they are also the ultimate in girl groups (well my ultimate is EnVogue) but their harmonies weren't complex.
And I forgot to ask? But what "great singers" are going without autotuning in this day and age? Singers are no more going without autotuning than bands from back in the day are going without studio musicians who play their stuff better than they could. Now, don't get me wrong, I think there was a different level of live singing that was required back in the day than there is now (at least for R&B) but great singers throw on autotuning today like women throw on make up. Studio albums are just that -- created with the tricks of the studio and that's fine by me.
48 - Jordan Richardson
How do you know I'm a DK fanatic? How did you arrive there? Because I disagree with your opinion of the album?
Don't recall being specific in my claim that DK fanatics were on me about an apparent bias. In other words, I didn't categorize you as one of them.
And I think your bias against a produced sound from a group that you percieved as only produced well "dolls" is a bias is it not.
Point out where I said this. In fact, I'll help you out. In my response to you in #40, I specifically say the following:
"I can handle heavy production."
Explain how this represents a "bias against a produced sound from a group that you percieved (sic) as only produced..."
you seem to assume that they can't really sing
Going to refer you to what I said in #24:
Furthermore, Danity Kane may in fact kick ass live. They may be great singers. On this album, in my opinion, they aren't. That's really all there is to it.
And in #14:
Again, I'm not suggesting that they can't sing. I'm more or less concerned with the fact that they don't sing well on the album.
49 - Jordan Richardson
But in other words, you didn't think that saying something like they are as "tasteless as paper plates" was full of vitriol.
My comments, however harshly the DK apologists took them, were not personally related to any specific unknown individual nor did I say that the ladies from Danity Kane were terrible people. Rather, they were comments related to the music created by Danity Kane.
The comments from the DK fanatics are, on the other hand, personally related to me, my review process, an imagined bias, and all sorts of other unrelated nonsensical babble.
50 - Say it ain't so.
Most of us have responded to your process as a reviewer -- the kind of language you chose to use, your process for review. I don't know you as an individual nor do I think most of the comments focus on you in that way. I choose to disagree with hyper critical, denigrating review
The words that you choose to use are part of your job as a reviewer. Whether or not you might have bias is also an inherent question for someone who chooses to engage in reviewing. (I really shouldn't say whether or not. We are all biased in some way) I would gather that if I were to say your reviews are as dry as dirt then that might go beyond what is necessary to say I disagreed with your viewpoint. Or if I were to say that your reviews would only be relevant in places where people actually read, it might be seen as more than a review or your review. Or maybe I could write about the fact that I love seeing what lies beneath every guy who likes to get behind a blog site and tell the world about taste. Tht might seem a bit rude too.
Meanwhile, you have also commented on people's opinion who have disagreed by calling them fanatics psedo-artistic blah blah. It might be that we just disagreed, and chose to use language just as strong as you did in your review. (although I don't really think most of us went that far). So I will say it isn't that I am a fanatic, or that I am incapable of seeing many sides to an argument, or that i am incapable of having disagreement in my life, or that I hate you as a person. I simply didn't agree with your review, and some of your post made afterwards.
51 - Say it ain't so.
[I]"I can handle heavy production."[/I]
Right but saying this doesn't mean I buy it. I mean maybe you do, but your comparison artist don't use the heavy production that you speak of. When the focus of the rebuttal of the argument is to say they relied on autotuned, then that undercuts that argument. At least to me.
you seem to assume that they can't really sing
Going to refer you to what I said in #24:
Furthermore, Danity Kane may in fact kick ass live. They may be great singers. On this album, in my opinion, they aren't. That's really all there is to it.
And in #14:
Again, I'm not suggesting that they can't sing. I'm more or less concerned with the fact that they don't sing well on the album.
Right, but the reason I keep bringing up the fact that they can sing is because when people spoke of their harmonization, you went straight to the fact that autotuned created it and not them. I think I (and others) are suggesting that it was about the sound they are creating not as some indication of their vocal abilities. And I get that it isn't your style. But since I know that they can sing. And since I know that they are musically talented, play instruments, write music. It also helps me k now that autotuned simply provided a sound for what they (and of course with producers) are creating ykwis. Just like I think your liking of say someone like Rhianna has to also do with how you see her as a performer as well as the songs on the album.
52 - Tom Johnson
I think it's funny that people keep saying that these groups sing so great live when many of them either don't sing at all or much on stage (lip-sync) or use Autotune on stage. It's not just a studio tool, people.
53 - Jordan Richardson
Most of us have responded to your process as a reviewer -- the kind of language you chose to use, your process for review. I don't know you as an individual nor do I think most of the comments focus on you in that way.
The majority of the comments assume that "judging a book by its cover" thus "speaks volumes about my character" (#2), that I went in "already hating" (#3), that I "didn't even listen to the album" (#8), that I didn't listen to the album with an "open mind" (#12), that Danity Kane is "better than Jordan Richardson" (#17), that I'm a "jealous fucker who shouldn't do reviews" (#20), that I need to get my "facts, life, and other shit right" (#23), then there's the inexplicable "man smell bitchassness from Jordan" (#25), that my comments weren't "necessary" (#26), that I should review "more albums by people that sell 1 million records instead of stuff only 5 people have heard of" (#28), that I shouldn't even "think about Danity Kane" (#32), that I need to "STFU with all my bull" (#35), that I've "lost my effin mind for real" (#36), that I "have no taste, am sexist, and 'prolly' can't sing or dance" (#38), and so on.
Now if that's not most of the comments after this article, you tell me what constitutes a majority.
You're welcome to review something and be every bit as rude as you like. That's your prerogative and I wouldn't deny you that. I am not taking an issue with the personal comments - as I said in #24 to Katherine after she assumed I got mad at other people's opinions - nor do I care if people found my review rude.
Do you think there's a difference between a personal insult and a rude, derogatory review of one particular musical album? For instance, is the following exchange rational in your mind:
Person A: "Man, that Danity Kane album really sucked and I hated every minute of it."
Person B: "Well in that case, you're a ridiculous human being and you probably didn't even listen to the album."
Is that a reasonable exchange?
Moreover, if Person B really did respond that way to Person A, should Person A proceed with Person B as though Person B is completely rational and socially competent?
As for your #51, Autotune itself didn't come up until Tom Johnson brought it up in #41. I mentioned, prior to that, that my critique of the album extended beyond the production or the over-production as I saw it. The review is there for everyone to see and I shouldn't have to keep going over these relatively basic point.
54 - Jordan Richardson
I think I (and others) are suggesting that it was about the sound they are creating not as some indication of their vocal abilities.
So when countless people are saying "these girls can sing," they don't mean it as an indication of their vocal abilities but rather as an overall sound they create...? That's perplexing to me. Perhaps you could flesh this out a bit further.
Also this:
And I get that it isn't your style. But since I know that they can sing. And since I know that they are musically talented, play instruments, write music.
Why do you keep bringing this line of argument around? I didn't once dispute the notion that Danity Kane may well be able to sing and sing well. I also didn't say that this type of music "isn't my style." I have, in fact, gone to great lengths to say the opposite.
55 - Me
Okay, seriously...
I love DK just as much as you guys. And yeah, i don't really agree with his review...
But give him a break, he's entitled to his opinion!
56 - Mark
Honestly I don't understand why you keep responding to people who clearly aren't going to change their minds, and comments like "The waves of pseudo-autistic individuals are fascinating in their lack of comprehension and vitriol towards those who don't share their opinions, making them somewhat akin to religious fanatics" don't help anyone.
And Tom Johnson, please don't assume you are the only blessed with the knowledge of "auto-tune," it really isn't a big secret performance tool and it is not difficult at all to tell the difference between a record that uses autotune and a record that doesn't. Simply by listening to the album, it's clear that they did not extensively use autotune because mistakes in pitch are evident in a few songs.
57 - Jordan Richardson
Mark, I am neither trying to change anyone's mind or help anyone. I respond because I find the conversation fascinating. What you choose to do with it is your prerogative, of course.
I also naturally know that Tom Johnson can speak for himself, but I saw no evidence to suggest that he was implying or assuming what you claim he was.
58 - Say it ain't so
I know right. If people don't want to engage in teh debate, don't. LOL I don't expect to change minds only to express my opinion. And Tom no one is giving them autotune in the middle of a radio station interview.
My point re: the sound they are producing is that I was saying the production is not about whether DK's vocal capabilities but the sound they wanted to make for this album to follow along with the other dance, house pop hip hop vibe that's out right now.
And of course we are entitled to our opinion. My point is not that everyone has to like WTTDH. Clearly we all don't, but this reviewed seemed a whole lotta harsh but maybe that's me. But that kind of language is going to get a strong reaction.
59 - Lloyd Manning
Listen his total jerk off!
Danity kane is the defination of the new all girl pop/r&b group....they all sing.... and you dont see that any where else....
Pussycat dolls are a dance group who has a good singer..... i love them dearly but thats what it is.....
Girlious Plz die.... the r so weak til that would for gotten quickly!
Welcome to the dollhouse is a wonderful album... so get ready cause these girls r going to be around for a while!
THank u
60 - Jordan Richardson
That certainly is true, Lloyd. There are no other girl groups that feature girls that all sing. Sugababes, Girls Aloud, Cherish, All Saints, Allure, and DRM notwithstanding, of course.
And PCD is a burlesque group with a terrible singer. But they're hot and they're entertaining, so it works.
61 - Christopher Rose
Oh, and what were they called, that other manufactured 5 piece vocal group, the Spice Girls... Not R&B for sure, but certainly the template for many others. Light entertainment the lot of them. That's fine as far as it goes...
62 - Ben
I'm glad to have contributed to your enlightened day Christopher =)
63 - Avia
So wut were u smoking when u wrote this "review" cuz no one can be that stupid w/o being high... Welcome to the Dollhouse had mostly really good songs and Damaged was not "awful"...
64 - El Bicho
Avia, Jordan wasn't high when he wrote this review. Oh wait, that doesn't help.
65 - Tre
I'm a little concerned that this discussion has turned into a session of "bash on Jordan". Regardless of what his opinion of DK is, it is his opinion. I completely disagree with him. I think WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE is a nicely crafted album with flaws and all. A true fan is able to stand up and support an artist without attacking another person because of THEIR BELIEFS!! I am in no way a Danity Kane fanatic. I won't persecute another for not liking their music. It's unnecessary and it obviously isn't going to change what Jordan believes.
66 - Arctic
I will state what Jordan cant;this album blows.DK needs to lose the weak harmony and overblown production,and give Mary J Blidge a call next album.
67 - Breezy
Must I say that this album is amazing this is one of the few cds I can listen to on repeat cause every song is amazing besides 1 but I love "Lights Out", "Secret Plac (Interlude)", "Bad Girls" every song is listanable and I love it.
So haters back up off my ladies bra.
68 - dan
Jordan:
Then there’s “Bad Girl,” the album’s second single behind the awful “Damaged,” features an apparent video featuring WWE Divas. The song is set against an aggravating beat and silly scale-singing that feels more clumsy than controlled. Imagining WWE Divas frolicking around to this nonsense was good for a preposterous mental image, though.
Check your sources.
69 - Jordan Richardson
My source was the press release that came with the review material. From what I could tell with a simple Google search today on the topic, they didn't use the Divas after all. You'll note that I use the word "apparent" to describe the video, however, which doesn't let me or my source off the hook, but it doesn't imply a statement rife with certainty.
70 - sarah
I find it ironic that your site states that "personal attacks are not allowed" when, frankly Jordan, the adjectives you used in your review were personal, acidic and over the top. Really, but for your command of the English language, I might have been reading Perez Hilton! But what really surprises me, is that for a critic you are so defensive. Where is that coming from? Toughen up kid!
71 - Jordan Richardson
I stand by my review and defend my work and my opinion. If that makes me "defensive," so be it.
It's also not "my site" and the policy is not mine. It is a Blogcritics policy to make the commenting process somewhat more civil. I have no problem with personal attacks and will continue to discuss the issues brought up by individuals reading my reviews for as long as I see fit. If people are going to comment my review, I will do them the courtesy of commenting back. "Toughness," therefore, has nothing to do with it.
72 - Danity Kane rocks!
This reviews sucks, and to bash every song on the album shows...that someone needs to get their ears checked, the Album is beautiful, it's the first Album where I love all the songs except for 1 and I never get tired of listening to them, just like i never get tired of listening to Michael Jackson songs, these girls are talented, and that's all i have to say...there's a reason why the album is number 1!!!
73 - Jordan Richardson
The album was number one for about a week, I think. Now it's not even in the Top 100 on Billboard's Top 200. So yeah, there's a reason it charted at number one and then very quickly dropped to obscurity.
To its credit, Welcome to the Dollhouse is sitting comfortably at #85 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-hop charts. It's been there for 21 weeks and started out in the top spot.
Go figure.
74 - loliipop
i think there album was so cool what about girllousics