Ana Johnsson is a pop/rock singer from Sweden. Some have labeled her "The Avril Lavigne of Sweden" because of their similar music styles. Before Ana became a solo artist, she was on the Swedish version of "Popstars" where she made to the finals and became a part of a pop band, "Excellence". The band scored five top ten hits in Sweden with their first single "Need to Know (Eenie Meenie Miny Moe)" being a number 1 hit. However she later left the band and became a solo artist. She released her first album, "Cuz I Can" in Sweden and it was later released worldwide as "The Way I Am" with a different cover and track listing. I'll be reviewing the Japanese Special Edition of "The Way I Am", which has more tracks than the original. Here's my track by track review.
1) We Are: The first single from the album, fourth overall. The song was used for the movie "Spider-Man 2". It's her biggest hit single to date. I always get the lyric in the third verse wrong which is "breaking the will and raping the soul", I keep thinking that it's "breaking the will and breaking the soul." Still an amazing song. 10/10
2) Don't Cry for Pain: The second single from the album, fifth overall. The song is a rock ballad that talk about a woman who lives with her abusive husband and then gets the strength to leave him. Interesting subject to talk about but it's good to hear a song about how enough is enough. 10/10
3) The Way I Am: Her first official single from "Cuz I Can" that was added on the album. The song is about who Ana is and how she's proud to be herself. I love this song and I think it was a perfect first single. 10/10
4) I'm Stupid: When I first heard the song, I had no idea that she covered it. The song was originally recorded and released as a single by the band "Prime STH". The differences between both versions is that Prime STH's has a pop/rock sound to it while Ana's version leans a little more towards a grunge sound. There have been rumors that this was a single. 10/10
5) Life: Her second single from "Cuz I Can". The song was originally supposed to be on the "Spider-Man 2" soundtrack but Ana was given the song "We Are" so "Life" wasn't put on the soundtrack. It became a hit in Sweden and is a very uplifting song. 10/10
6) 6 Feet Under: This was the first song I ever heard from Ana. I went on youtube and this song was recommended for me since I had had been listening to Marion Raven's song, also titled "Six Feet Under" a few days prior. I figured why not listen to the song? I did and I'm so glad I did. It made me become a fan of hers and it's my favorite song on the album. 10/10
7) Coz I Can: The third and final single the album as well as the sixth overall single. The original version of the song, "Cuz I Can", was the third single from "Cuz I Can". The song talks about how you can be sweet, kind, and everything someone wants you to be but you won't and will but the complete opposite just because you can. I love listening to this song! 10/10
8) Crest of the Wave: Boring song. 4/10
9) L.A.: "All the roads lead to L.A.". That's the opening lyric to the song. The lyrics are good but the isn't very memorable. 6/10
10) Now It's Gone: A beautiful ballad. A song talking about ending a relationship because you're giving your all in the relationship and aren't getting much in return. 10/10
11) Here I Go Again: this song is my guilty pleasure. Even though the verses are so so, the guitar line in the beginning and the chorus are fun to listen to. Plus the lyrics are pretty fun. 9/10
12) Black Hole: Like "I'm Stupid", "Black Hole" was rumored to be a single as well. The differences are that "Black Hole" is a digital single on iTunes. The song is okay but for some reason I don't like it much and I don't know why. 8/10
13) Tame Me: Now we begin with the bonus tracks. It feels like a lighter, poppier version of Miley Cyrus' song "Can't Be Tamed" despite being released six years before that song. The song is pretty funny in a good way. 8/10
14) Bring It On: I love this song. It's only downside is that it's too short. It was also released as a b-side for "We Are". 10/10
15) What Is a Girl to Do: The song has a haunting sound to it and at first I ignored it but then I listened to the whole song and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. The verses start slow until the chorus comes in being little more up-tempo. 10/10
16) Anything Goes: An acoustic song! I love acoustic music but this song isn't as exciting as the other songs on the album are. The lyrics are very relatable though. 8/10
17) Just A Girl: The final track on the album. I love the honesty of this song and how she feels like there's something wrong with her when she's not interested in the stuff the girls are into, when nothing's wrong with her at all. If only there were more songs like this. 10/10
Since the release of this album, Ana released another album "Little Angel" (which I'll review sometime this month) and was supposed to record an album in 2012 but nothing been heard from her since. My favorite songs on the album are: "6 Feet Under", "Coz I Can", "The Way I Am", "We Are", "Don't Cry for Pain", "Just A Girl", "Now It's Gone", "What Is a Girl to Do", "Life", "Bring It On", "Here I Go Again", and "I'm Stupid". Out of 170 points I give the album 153 which is 90%, an A. Awesome job Ana!
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