Ashlee Simpson: Bittersweet World

Copy at Case Memorial Library
Jon Pareles wrote in the New York Times: "On her third album, 'Bittersweet World,' the defiant pose — 'I just wanna color outside the lines,' she pouts in 'Rule Breaker,' sounding about as dangerous as an unruly kindergartner — gives her fertile songwriting territory. Ms. Simpson is smart enough to work with expert hitmakers, among them the producers Chad Hugo from the Neptunes (his partner, Pharrell Williams, has been working with Madonna) and Timbaland (who squeezed Madonna and Ms. Simpson into his schedule). And she’s shameless enough to mimic Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, Madonna and 1980s hits from Toni Basil, Tom Tom Club and Missing Persons. The shamelessness pays off in songs with crisp beats, teen-seeking choruses and cheerfully obvious lyrics. 'Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)' and 'Ragdoll,' her collaborations with the Brooklyn electro up-and-comer Santogold, are perky, syncopated staccato complaints. … Ms. Simpson ricochets from vampy self-esteem ('Hot Stuff,' 'Boys') to postbreakup sulking. … It couldn’t be more calculated, but that doesn’t prevent it from being catchy, too" (4/21/08).