'Closer to the Truth' by Cher Album Review
Cher is finally releasing her first album in ten years. To say that the excitement and hype for this album is at an outrageous high is an understatement. She is the Goddess of Pop and one of the biggest icons in the world. Closer to the Truth is an album that can reintroduce her to a younger generation, but it's also one that will please the fans that have been with her since the Sonny and Cher days. I think the album is fantastic, mainly because it brings together so many different facets of Cher that make her who she is. There are tracks that are reminiscent of Living Proof and Believe, and then there are Heart of Stone and 'Half-Breed' style tracks as well as country songs. It's a glorious mixture that defines Cher in a way none of her previous albums have ever done. That being said, it's not as good as Living Proof (which I think is her best album) but it's still pretty damn phenomenal.
1. Woman's World - 9/10
There really was no better way to kick off this album. 'Woman's World' is one of my favorite Cher tracks. It's just this great club song that she sounds fantastic on. You can't go wrong with it. And having listened to it since Thanksgiving last year it still sounds fresh and new. Check out my full review HERE.
2. Take It Like a Man (feat. Jake Shears) - 8/10
Going from one club hit to another, 'Take It Like a Man' is a bombastic dance track that will have you screaming the chorus at the top of your lungs upon the first listen. Cher sings that "if you want my heart, you better take it like a man." Cher wants you to be prepared for this commitment because she's a hard bitch. This reminds me so much of the Living Proof album. And if you didn't know, Jake Shears is the lead singer of the Scissor Sisters.
3. My Love - 8/10
The song starts off as a ballad with Cher delivering some beautiful vocals, but then when it gets to the chorus it picks up and becomes this great mid-tempo. Cher's voice powers over the beat, and it actually made me tear up at a few points. It's a great song, and whether or not you've been in this situation before I think everyone can relate to it. The bridge really brings everything together and it becomes a little slice of heaven.
4. Dressed to Kill - 8/10
This is the track that Cher is naming her upcoming tour after, so it has to be pretty great, right? Actually, it's not one of my favorites. It's got a lot of auto-tune, to the point where it's hard to hear Cher's vocals sometimes. The song also has this '70s vibe to it, kind of like 'Half-Breed' but very current. It's interesting, but doesn't pack the punch that I think it has the potential to.
5. Red - 8/10
Wow, what a different sound this is! Cher speak-sings some parts of the song, something that Ke$ha is famous for, adding a cool dimension to the song. But then she belts out the chorus, and it's classic Cher. This one makes her sound very very young at times, which is cool but I don't think she needs to cater to the younger fans. She's a living legend and always will be. The way she sings "red" gets me. It's perfect.
6. Lovers Forever - 10/10
This is the only track on the album that Cher herself wrote, and I think it shows because it's got an awesome arrangement and I love the lyrics. It kind of has a disco vibe to it at times, but then it also has a beautiful orchestral undertone to it that makes it memorable. It sounds dated, but in a good way because this is classic Cher. And the bridge is pretty damn awesome. I think this is going to be one of my favorites off this album.
7. I Walk Alone - 6/10
Cher basically has not stopped talking about the fact that P!nk wrote two songs for this album since she announced her return to music, and now we finally have our first offering from Alecia Moore. 'I Walk Alone' doesn't sound like any P!nk song I've ever heard, but it definitely has a rockier pop vibe to it that P!nk is known for. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this one. Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. Hopefully the second P!nk track will be better.
8. Sirens - 9/10
'Sirens' is the song that Cher has had for years and wanted to release more than any other. The track was written about 9/11 and so it is powerful. The song goes back to Cher's alt rock time where she made it big backed by guitars and drums. I like it because I can see it as one of those classic rock songs that makes the whole arena come together and join in solidarity. It's very anthemic, and I'm sure when Cher performs it there won't be a dry eye in the room.
9. Favorite Scars - 8/10
This track is something much different than the rest of the album; very Sara Bareilles sounding in parts. It's got a very "feel good" vibe to it which makes it a great track to bop to. I really can't say anything bad about this. It isn't a dance track, but it's pop-y and fun.
10. I Hope You Find It - 9/10
For the second to last track on the standard edition of the album, Cher makes a bold move and covers a Miley Cyrus song from The Last Song soundtrack. I'm not going to compare the two because that's like comparing apples and oranges. I really like hearing Cher singing over the country pop tune, adding yet another dimension to this already diverse album. Cher dueted with her mother on Georgia's album Honky Tonk Woman so this is yet another country flare from Cher. I think it works well, and Cher brings some great emotion to the track. Fantastic.
11. Lie to Me - 8/10
For the final track of the album, Cher strips things back a bit and does a more acoustic type song with a bit of country rock flare to it. Cher has a domineering and unique voice, and when it's allowed to shine like it does here you can't deny why she is the goddess of pop. This is the second P!nk contribution, and I like it far better than 'I Walk Alone'. It's a beautiful song and brings everything to a nice close.
Bonus Tracks:
12. I Don't Have to Sleep to Dream - 8/10
For the first of the bonus tracks, Cher brings back the '80s in the classic type of dance song. Nostalgia at its finest. Big hair and shiny clothes galore, and I can totally see Cher singing this song. It's just a fun one meant to get you up dancing.
13. Pride - 8/10
'Pride' is the gay anthem people have longed for which is awesome because this is like a love letter from Cher to all her fans. It's a huge dance track, that have Cher pushing her vocals to their limits, belting over the track, barely staying afloat. It's got an awesome, and while the production may be a bit basic, how can you not like it?
14. You Haven't Seen the Last of Me - 10/10
The final track is actually Cher's big musical number in her most recent film Burlesque in which she starred opposite Christina Aguilera. Even though I've heard this song a million times, it still gets me every time. It's Cher at her ballad best, belting and bringing the pain and emotion with every syllable that leaves her lips. It's beautiful, and I actually woke up singing it today. go figure. Awesome way to end an incredible album.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Tracks to Check Out: 'Take It Like a Man', 'Red', 'Lovers Forever', 'Sirens' and 'I Hope You Find It'
1. Woman's World - 9/10
There really was no better way to kick off this album. 'Woman's World' is one of my favorite Cher tracks. It's just this great club song that she sounds fantastic on. You can't go wrong with it. And having listened to it since Thanksgiving last year it still sounds fresh and new. Check out my full review HERE.
2. Take It Like a Man (feat. Jake Shears) - 8/10
Going from one club hit to another, 'Take It Like a Man' is a bombastic dance track that will have you screaming the chorus at the top of your lungs upon the first listen. Cher sings that "if you want my heart, you better take it like a man." Cher wants you to be prepared for this commitment because she's a hard bitch. This reminds me so much of the Living Proof album. And if you didn't know, Jake Shears is the lead singer of the Scissor Sisters.
3. My Love - 8/10
The song starts off as a ballad with Cher delivering some beautiful vocals, but then when it gets to the chorus it picks up and becomes this great mid-tempo. Cher's voice powers over the beat, and it actually made me tear up at a few points. It's a great song, and whether or not you've been in this situation before I think everyone can relate to it. The bridge really brings everything together and it becomes a little slice of heaven.
4. Dressed to Kill - 8/10
This is the track that Cher is naming her upcoming tour after, so it has to be pretty great, right? Actually, it's not one of my favorites. It's got a lot of auto-tune, to the point where it's hard to hear Cher's vocals sometimes. The song also has this '70s vibe to it, kind of like 'Half-Breed' but very current. It's interesting, but doesn't pack the punch that I think it has the potential to.
5. Red - 8/10
Wow, what a different sound this is! Cher speak-sings some parts of the song, something that Ke$ha is famous for, adding a cool dimension to the song. But then she belts out the chorus, and it's classic Cher. This one makes her sound very very young at times, which is cool but I don't think she needs to cater to the younger fans. She's a living legend and always will be. The way she sings "red" gets me. It's perfect.
6. Lovers Forever - 10/10
This is the only track on the album that Cher herself wrote, and I think it shows because it's got an awesome arrangement and I love the lyrics. It kind of has a disco vibe to it at times, but then it also has a beautiful orchestral undertone to it that makes it memorable. It sounds dated, but in a good way because this is classic Cher. And the bridge is pretty damn awesome. I think this is going to be one of my favorites off this album.
7. I Walk Alone - 6/10
Cher basically has not stopped talking about the fact that P!nk wrote two songs for this album since she announced her return to music, and now we finally have our first offering from Alecia Moore. 'I Walk Alone' doesn't sound like any P!nk song I've ever heard, but it definitely has a rockier pop vibe to it that P!nk is known for. Honestly, I'm not a big fan of this one. Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. Hopefully the second P!nk track will be better.
8. Sirens - 9/10
'Sirens' is the song that Cher has had for years and wanted to release more than any other. The track was written about 9/11 and so it is powerful. The song goes back to Cher's alt rock time where she made it big backed by guitars and drums. I like it because I can see it as one of those classic rock songs that makes the whole arena come together and join in solidarity. It's very anthemic, and I'm sure when Cher performs it there won't be a dry eye in the room.
9. Favorite Scars - 8/10
This track is something much different than the rest of the album; very Sara Bareilles sounding in parts. It's got a very "feel good" vibe to it which makes it a great track to bop to. I really can't say anything bad about this. It isn't a dance track, but it's pop-y and fun.
10. I Hope You Find It - 9/10
For the second to last track on the standard edition of the album, Cher makes a bold move and covers a Miley Cyrus song from The Last Song soundtrack. I'm not going to compare the two because that's like comparing apples and oranges. I really like hearing Cher singing over the country pop tune, adding yet another dimension to this already diverse album. Cher dueted with her mother on Georgia's album Honky Tonk Woman so this is yet another country flare from Cher. I think it works well, and Cher brings some great emotion to the track. Fantastic.
11. Lie to Me - 8/10
For the final track of the album, Cher strips things back a bit and does a more acoustic type song with a bit of country rock flare to it. Cher has a domineering and unique voice, and when it's allowed to shine like it does here you can't deny why she is the goddess of pop. This is the second P!nk contribution, and I like it far better than 'I Walk Alone'. It's a beautiful song and brings everything to a nice close.
Bonus Tracks:
12. I Don't Have to Sleep to Dream - 8/10
For the first of the bonus tracks, Cher brings back the '80s in the classic type of dance song. Nostalgia at its finest. Big hair and shiny clothes galore, and I can totally see Cher singing this song. It's just a fun one meant to get you up dancing.
13. Pride - 8/10
'Pride' is the gay anthem people have longed for which is awesome because this is like a love letter from Cher to all her fans. It's a huge dance track, that have Cher pushing her vocals to their limits, belting over the track, barely staying afloat. It's got an awesome, and while the production may be a bit basic, how can you not like it?
14. You Haven't Seen the Last of Me - 10/10
The final track is actually Cher's big musical number in her most recent film Burlesque in which she starred opposite Christina Aguilera. Even though I've heard this song a million times, it still gets me every time. It's Cher at her ballad best, belting and bringing the pain and emotion with every syllable that leaves her lips. It's beautiful, and I actually woke up singing it today. go figure. Awesome way to end an incredible album.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Tracks to Check Out: 'Take It Like a Man', 'Red', 'Lovers Forever', 'Sirens' and 'I Hope You Find It'
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