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

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  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), 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 beginsWe 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.… Collapse
  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 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
  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.
  4. Steven
    Jul 16, 2009
    10
    Bittersweet World is definitely an improvement on I Am Me. Songs like Boys, What I've Become, Ragdoll and Murder are catchy as hell!
  5. patj.
    Jun 10, 2008
    0
    Pure, cynical marketing. They've taken a girl with a name but no talent and tried to sell her to us. Not sure how anyone could give this anything other than a zero.
  6. SteveO
    Jun 8, 2008
    0
    Can crap smell or sound any worse? Who else wants her to die already? We already know from Saturday Night Live that shes a fake. Who is she kidding?
  7. ZaneS.
    May 13, 2008
    7
    It's alright, I guess. Could've been worse (I Am Me). I like "Rule Breaker" and "Hot Stuff."
  8. TajS.
    May 8, 2008
    7
    The reviews for this album have been brutal. Even the positive ones manage to bash Her. It's a cool pop album, It's not like it's supposed to have any real substance. This is Ashlee Simpson, not Nina Simone. Just as entertaining as Madonna's "Hard Candy".
  9. SilverL.
    Apr 30, 2008
    1
    That smaller nose should allow her to go balls deep at least... best way to keep her from trying to sing...
  10. Musicfreak!
    Apr 30, 2008
    8
    It's very funny, catchy and different, I've never thought that she could be able to release this but I have to admit that surprise me. This is a huge step in her career, but I don't think this album will be as successful like her previous efforts, maybe her fan base prefer her rock sound than this. My pics: Boys, Ragdoll, Bittersweet world, What I've become, Hot Stuff It's very funny, catchy and different, I've never thought that she could be able to release this but I have to admit that surprise me. This is a huge step in her career, but I don't think this album will be as successful like her previous efforts, maybe her fan base prefer her rock sound than this. My pics: Boys, Ragdoll, Bittersweet world, What I've become, Hot Stuff and Never dream alone.… Expand
  11. AkashR.
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Ashlee truly has her ways of exciting her fans with surprises everytime she pops up with a new record and same is with Bittersweet World. With a wide range of hip-hop beats to the teen-oriented tracks, there ain't any need of skippin' any tracks in this album! Way to go, Ashlee cause all of your songs are hard to get "Outta My Head"! A Perfection indeed!
  12. TomasM.
    Apr 28, 2008
    7
    I own every Ashlee album, and with the first two, specially with Autobiography, I liked the songs in the first or second play. But I keep listening to Bittersweet World and I´m not sure if I want to hear it again... (Sorry for my bad english, I´m from Argentina) XD
  13. RobR.
    Apr 28, 2008
    0
    Hey Brendan, If you divide 100 by 5 you get 20. That would be 20 percentage points for each rating point. Therefore, a 3 ratings is equal to 60. Get your head out of the bong bowl.
  14. LeeK.
    Apr 27, 2008
    7
    3/5 does equal to 60!
  15. Bob
    Apr 26, 2008
    0
    Brendan H. you dumb ignorant shit 3 out of 5 = 3/5 = 6/10 = 60 %. I mean did you even finish high school? That's just pathetic.
  16. Damian
    Apr 26, 2008
    0
    To BRENDAN. H. 3/5 IS 60% YOU DICKWAD.
  17. SteveS.
    Apr 26, 2008
    1
    Doesn't 3 out of 5 equal 60%, can someone do the math for me? I'm an Ashlee Simpson fan and we don't need to know these things.
  18. SethG.
    Apr 25, 2008
    5
    LOL, Brendan H., you ought to double check your math. 3/5 IS a 60/100 if mathematically adjusted to reflect an out of 100 ratio. Metacritic has it together, trust me. And a 4/5 would be an 80/100 (etc.) Anyways, the CD is of course pretty unexceptional, but this should come as no shock to anybody.
  19. ChristianS
    Apr 25, 2008
    10
    Perfection
  20. robxblue
    Apr 25, 2008
    4
    Looking at the reviews, it makes it seem like Ashlee's new CD is actually pretty good. Surprisingly, I bought it and I was very dissapointed. The songs are just ANNOYING, choppy, and not very melodic or catchy except for maybe "Boys," which is a decent cut. The rest are CRAP! Timbaland must have just given her his leftover beats that weren't good enough for his A-listers.
  21. HunterL
    Apr 25, 2008
    9
    This cd is absolutely fantastic. The reason i think it is getting some negative reviews is because of its low key content. This CD is meant to just be fun and great to party to. I give Ashlee major props because she created a CD where her hilarious personality shines through on every song! Definitely her best effort yet!! go buy it!!!
  22. JarrellC
    Apr 25, 2008
    6
    I am HUGE Ashlee Simpson fan, and I have come to accept the fact that the best that she can do is a 3-star album. This album is by far my least favorite of any of her albums. I LOVE Ashlee slow songs, but the one's on this album are pretty much lackluster. However, I am highly satisfied with Bittersweet World. The productions on this album are ridic, and it's just overall fun, I am HUGE Ashlee Simpson fan, and I have come to accept the fact that the best that she can do is a 3-star album. This album is by far my least favorite of any of her albums. I LOVE Ashlee slow songs, but the one's on this album are pretty much lackluster. However, I am highly satisfied with Bittersweet World. The productions on this album are ridic, and it's just overall fun, which is what Ashlee wanted. My favorites include "Rule Breaker," "Hot Stuff," "Murder" and "Ragdoll." This album is by far my least favorite of any of her albums. I LOVE Ashlee slow songs, but the one's on this album are pretty much lackluster.… Expand
  23. haroldb
    Apr 24, 2008
    0
    This album reminds me of Spinal Taps "Shark Sandwich", or at least should have the same review.
  24. JavierD.
    Apr 24, 2008
    10
    This album is perfect and is her best by far.She works with Timbaland but she stay true to herself with her rock style and thats something i like
  25. ChrisV.
    Apr 24, 2008
    4
    this cd sucks.. i tought it was going to be great, because of little miss obsessive is excellent, but, the whole cd blows!! Boooo Ashleee... get the hell out of here!!!!!
  26. BrendanH.
    Apr 24, 2008
    9
    who the hell averages these scores?! rolling stone gave the album 3 stars out of 5! HOW IS THAT THE EQUIVELANT OF A 60?!?!?! this site doesn't know how to work properly stupid shits this albums great though really different it kinda rules
  27. CalaodniaK.
    Apr 24, 2008
    0
    Horrid. Absolutely horrid.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Bittersweet brims with polished--and similarly Gwen-esque--hooks and pretty melodies.
    Read full review
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
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