Delta Goodrem Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Following her dark second album Mistaken Identity, and the tumultuous events that ensued during the recording of it, 22-year-old Delta Goodrem came back with her self-titled third album, Delta, more mature and classy than ever. From the cover of the disc to the content of its lyrics, Goodrem has grown quite a bit in the few, young years which troubled her prior to this release. Her voice is still crystalline and fierce, and her breezy personality still shimmers on the many tracks, which are mostly jovial and refreshing. Delta is an album much more reminiscent of her first album than her second, which is a smart move by her production team. The main difference between the first and third album, however, is the quality of song. On Innocent Eyes, the tracks were earnest and raw, with Goodrem's voice illuminating and sparkling over live instruments. On the flip side, Delta is a slicker production overall, with many of the songs well-oiled and ready for mainstream radio. While in some cases the transition is welcome (including the dancefloor prepped "You Will Only Break My Heart"), on others Goodrem seems to be branching out into unfamiliar territory that doesn't fully suit her. The only negative trait that might occur because of the transition to a more mainstream audience is Goodrem's ability to stand out, but her level of talent and charm might get her over that hurdle with grace. It's on tracks like "In This Life" and "Brave Face" that Goodrem sounds her best; the drums and strings allow her voice to soar to new heights (whereas the synthesized beats on other tracks limit her to certain capacities). The true, poignant ballads are slightly scarcer on this disc, although because they are rarer, they are more satisfying when they come. "The Guardian" is a breath of classic, fresh Delta Goodrem (which may be why it's not on the American release of the album), and the midtempo anthem "Woman" rips into Goodrem's more sensitive side. Overall, Delta is a mostly consistent sampling of a new, mature, smoothed out Goodrem, whose new vocal explorations with minor digital enhancements make her welcome by an even broader pop audience. Even if it isn't always classic Delta; everyone can use a little change. ~ Matthew Chisling, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
As stated in many interviews and press releases, Mistaken Identity, the second release by Australian beauty Delta Goodrem, was fueled and inspired by a central event that occurred in the young star: her tumultuous battle with lymphoma and the struggles of remission. Therefore, it is without surprise that the second release by Goodrem is a much darker, introverted look at the pain and emotional issues handled in her life. Mistaken Identity, contrary to Goodrem's first release, Innocent Eyes, is a ballad-packed album with dramatic beats, moodier lyrics, and deeper meanings beneath the singer's icy pure vocals. The result is chilling, turning the Mandy Moore-esque tones on Goodrem's first release into haunting Celine Dion power ballads. In many cases, this transition works well. Goodrem's voice is very well suited to the adult contemporary market, and the spot-on delivery bodes well for her, since her public battle with cancer validates many of the tough topics tackled on this second release. However, since this is only Goodrem's second album, her need to be more artistically expressive at such a young age might tend to be written off as immature and vapid, particularly since words like "emotional suicide" don't fit with gorgeously talented 20-year-old starlets with enough pop potential to make up for all the schlock in the market. The album is an odd misstep in the sense that Goodrem falls far from the market that made her a pop star, and though the tunes on a song-by-song basis are probably equal on each album, this dark spin on pop music doesn't truly reflect the market where Goodrem might find the most success. Still, when the talent is too good to be denied, like on "Extraordinary Day" or "Almost Here" (a duet with Irish pop singer Brian McFadden), Goodrem's sophomore outing isn't as much a slump as it is an entirely detached spin on the Australian's pop career -- a sidestep on the road to stardom that needed to be made to make sense of the pain that affected her life at such a young age. In that sense, this album is not a mistake at all; however, in terms of making Goodrem a multi-dimensional pop star, Mistaken Identity stalls her career, since it is not accessible enough to market on the bulk of mainstream radio, which could easily hold back a pop artist who needs to be as accessible as possible. However, it's quite reassuring to see a genuine talent possess such grace and maturity in the face of a health challenge that entered her life at such a young age. ~ Matthew Chisling, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Following in the wake of dozens of promiscuous pop queens and wannabe good girls gone bad, Delta Goodrem's presence in the music industry is a refreshing change. From the title of her album to its cover image, Innocent Eyes reflects a mature yet clean display of true vocal talent in the slush of today's overproduced pop. With an entourage of live instruments (as opposed to synthesizers), Goodrem's piercing voice washes through the meticulously penned and planned tracks. Her style bears a cute chill that satisfies the ears and teases them for more at the same time. On poignant ballads like "Butterfly," Goodrem's emotional depths arise in a Mandy Moore style; while during "Predictable," Goodrem's devilish side trickles through one of just a few aggressive pop tracks. The songs don't feel dated, they're more Celine-classical, which gives them staying power for many years to come. The ballads, and there are plenty on this album, aren't overly schmaltzy and don't seem to weigh down the upbeat numbers, partially due to Goodrem's ability to infuse personality into some of the lazier tunes. Highlights on the album include "Longer," "Born to Try," and the title track, which are pop gems in purest form. With five smash number-one singles and several co-writing (or sole writing) credits, the debut release by a bright future pop star is a more-traditional creamy creation, with layers of talent that should keep listeners pleased for many years. ~ Matthew Chisling, All Music Guide
