Bittersweet World
by Ashlee Simpson
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Apr 22, 2008
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Bittersweet World is the first time that she has made a record that lives up to her happily empty persona, something that's truly fun junk.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    The prevailing impression is that she has grown up and lightened up, the earnest, angsty moods replaced by an exuberant fusion of crunchy 1980s rock and noughties pop.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Bittersweet brims with polished--and similarly Gwen-esque--hooks and pretty melodies.
  5. The New York Times
    70
    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.
  6. Billboard
    70
    Bittersweet World is a party worth attending, but not much is missed if your invite got lost in the mail.
  7. Boston Globe
    70
    Simpson has always been the most appealingly self-aware of her pop-tart peers, and for the most part, she works wisely within her simple, spunky skill set.
  8. The Boston Phoenix
    63
    Fans and detractors alike get exactly what they expect with bratty rockers like 'Outta My Head' and 'Rulebreaker,' but things seem to “get real” a bit with a more-introspective (if you can call it that) track like 'Murder (I Get Away With).'
  9. Rolling Stone
    60
    On her third album, Simpson skillfully shifts her crunchy, guitar-driven pop to Eighties-influenced electro-rock with the help of Timbaland and the Neptunes’ Chad Hugo.
  10. Blender
    60
    In the quest to make overly bronzed twentysomethings sweat, this endearing pseudo–rebel loses much of the little–sister angst that made her so appealing in the first place.
  11. Dot Music
    60
    She's got an album which for all its sing-along moments is neither catchy nor extreme enough to be exceptional.
  12. Slant Magazine
    50
    Bittersweet World is another step in the right direction for Simpson; now if only she'd learn that real rule breakers don't write songs about it.
  13. NOW Magazine
    40
    No matter how glossy the production, it’s impossible not to notice that Simpson can’t sing well enough to carry an album, while her peppy, Avril-lite personality comes off as contrived and as obnoxious as Lavigne’s.
  14. PopMatters
    40
    Predictably, adhering to the tacit rules of pop (succinctness, all star production, glossy sound and packaging with twist of street styling) has not produced any surprises but has instead cemented her position in the realm.
  15. Los Angeles Times
    37
    She has to, you know, sing. You can tell she's not into it.
  16. Drowned In Sound
    30
    There’re dudes out there (Google them) who will try and tell you this album has some relevance, that it represents pop, that it’s important. That it’s good. They’re wrong.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Most Discussed Album of 2008
76
#76 Most Shared Album of 2008

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 39 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 66
  3. Negative: 19 out of 66
  1. matthewmirliani
    Sep 10, 2022
    9
    We need to revisit this album. It came a year after Timbaland dominated the pop scene with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake (2006-2007),We need to revisit this album. It came a year after Timbaland dominated the pop scene with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake (2006-2007), but it can very much be regarded as the younger cousin of Furtado’s Loose. The 80’s references, the spectacular opening number, the strength of Timbaland’s production - this was a well-made pop album. While it doesn’t end as strongly as it begins (though the closing track is pleasant), tracks 1-8 are as strong as any pop album from this era. “Boys,” “Rule Breaker,” “No Time for Tears,” “Ragdoll,” “What I’ve Become” - all gems.… Full Review »
  2. BabyJane
    Mar 18, 2015
    8
    Track by track review:
    1. Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) 10/10
    2. Boys 10/10 3. Rule Breaker 10/10 4. No Time for Tears 10/10 5. Little Miss    Track by track review:
    1. Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya) 10/10
    2. Boys 10/10
    3. Rule Breaker 10/10
    4. No Time for Tears 10/10
    5. Little Miss Obsessive 10/10
    6. Ragdoll 10/10
    7. Bittersweet World 10/10
    8. What I've Become 10/10
    9. Hot Stuff 2.5/10
    10. Murder 5/10
    11. Never Dream Alone 9.5/10

    Highlights: No Time for Tears, Boys
    Potential singles: Never Dream Alone, Boys    … Full Review »
  3. DavidIsOverHere
    Jun 7, 2011
    8
    One incident on lip-syncing and people are still hung up over it... seriously people, that was 7 years ago, I don't she she has lip-sycned ever since.
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