"To feel beautiful in this skin" -- these are the song lyrics Jessica Simpson's album would probably sing if it could talk. Simpson's album "In This Skin," which was originally released in August 2003, underwent some nipping and tucking and was recently re-released with notable changes: two new songs and a bonus acoustic version of a favorite.
Although the two versions of "In This Skin" are virtually the same, the success of each has been drastically different. When "In This Skin" was released in 2003, the album debuted at number 10 in its first week and began to gradually plunge to the bottom of the charts. The reissued version of the album debuted at number two, its highest position since entering the charts 30 weeks ago. The album is currently holding strong at number three.
Several factors have contributed to this incredible rebound. First, there's a little show on MTV called "Newlyweds," the highest rated show on cable television. After America's favorite tuna- (or is it chicken-?) eating housewife found herself in the national spotlight, album sales immediately turned around for the better.
The other factor contributing to the re-release's success is a hit single that the original lacked. The first single off the album, "Sweetest Sin," was in fact a sin against the album -- it received almost no airplay, and the video made very few appearances on MTV. Simpson's current single, "With You," has proven to be just the opposite. The song has been a smash hit, gaining much attention on radio and TV and sitting comfortably in the number 15 spot on the charts.
And new songs can never hurt either. Added to the track list of the re-release are the Robbie Williams song, "Angels," and a remake of the love theme from Top Gun, Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" (which will be released as "In this Skin's" third single). It also includes a bonus acoustic version of "With You" and a bonus DVD that has footage of Simpson's wedding and the first season of "Newlyweds."
The new songs add a lot to the already great album. "Angels" definitely stands out on its own. Although the song was originally recorded by Robbie Williams, it sounds as though it was meant for Simpson to sing. Her voice is so full of soul and passion that you literally get chills listening to it. It is evident in this song that Simpson's roots were in gospel music. She also adds some rock flare to the song as her voice gets that Steven Tyler-like rasp when she hits the high notes. Although the song is slow and ballad-like, it possesses much energy and power; Simpson's incredible vocals are integrated with strings, piano and even a church organ to create possibly the best song on "In This Skin."
The other track making its debut on "In This Skin" is the recognizable love theme from Top Gun, "Take my Breath Away." The song was recorded as both a Simpson solo track (which is the version featured on the re-release) and as a duet with husband Nick Lachey. Simpson wanted to do a remake of the Berlin classic because it was the song playing the first time she and Lachey kissed.
Although the song sounds more acoustic and just overall "pop-ier" than the original, it retains the recognizable synthesized line that made the original loved by many. The tempo of the song is also faster than the original. Again, Simpson's voice never ceases to amaze. On this track it is her impressive held-out notes that stand out. As she belts out the refrain, "Take my breath away," you begin to think the song literally takes her breath away because she can hold the notes out for so long with such a great amount of control. Although there are other songs on "In This Skin" that would have made better singles, this one should be a crowd pleaser.
As an extra incentive for fans to buy the re-release, an acoustic version of Simpson's smash single "With You" was added as a bonus track. The best thing about this version of the song is that all the animation and manufacturing of the original has been stripped away to create a purer sound. Not to say that the original is bad (it's actually a pretty good song), but the acoustic version of the song is able to reach a level that the original couldn't. Because the song only uses acoustic guitar, bongos and a violin, it provides a more natural environment for Simpson to showcase her voice. This version of the song also gives off a more romantic and intimate vibe. When you hear it, it paints a picture in your mind of two lovers in a field or at the beach under a beautiful sunset just sitting and looking deeply into each other's eyes.
Overall, the re-release of "In This Skin" is an improvement from the 2003 version. It's this past year's little album that could. It has been able to move past its seemingly bleak fate and rise to the top of the charts. This is one makeover story that has a happy ending.
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