Skye Sweetnam: Sound Soldier Album Review

 Yesterday I reviewed Skye Sweetnam's first album, "Noise from the Basement", today I'm reviewing her second album, "Sound Soldier".  "Sound Soldier" was released 3 after Skye's first album and was mainly produced by the production team, "The Matrix", who worked on Avril Lavigne's first album.  Very strange when Skye had felt she was "Avril-lyte" in "Hupocrite" and had an "Anti-Matrix" sticker on her guitar.  The album was much different from her first album but very enjoyable to listen to nonetheless.  Here's my track by track review:

1) Music Is My Boyfriend: This song is about how Skye considers music to be her boyfriend and doesn't need anyone else.  The song had a video that Skye herself directed.  The song as well as the video are strange and I feel it is a weak song.  5/10

2) Human: The first single from the album.  The music video was inspired by the film "Tank Girl" which was also the inspiration for Avril Lavigne's "Rock N Roll" video a few years later.  How interesting.  The song is basically saying that "we're only human" as well as using things to market products is is shown obviously in the second verse.  It was a great choice as the first single.  10/10

3) Boyhunter (featuring Ak'Sent): This is my favorite song on the album.  Skye talks about sneaking out night meeting boys but you get caught.  Rapper "Ak'Sent" makes an appearance on the song and her verse is perfect.  Wish it was a single.  10/10

4) Ghosts (featuring Tim Armstrong): One of the few songs on the record that wasn't produced by The Matrix.  This song was produced by Tim Armstrong who is not only from the band "Rancid" but is also featured on the song.  I love the lyric, "there's some things you're gonna miss, going up in a small town like this" but that being said I have no clue what the song is about!  9/10

5) My Favorite Tune: In this song Skye compares her lover to her favorite song.  I'm sensing a theme with this album.  It also feels like it could've been on her first album, given that it's a straight forward pop/rock track.  10/10

6) Scary Love: The only ballad on the album.  The song is beautiful in some parts but a little "scary" in other parts.  It's about finding that one person that you love but you're afraid it may end given your previous relationships.  Really cute.  10/10

7) (Let's Get Movin') Into Action (featuring Tim Armstrong): The second and final single from the album.  There are two versions of this song.  The version that's on this album and the version that was a single on Tim Armstrong's album "A Poet's Life".  The song is a weak to me and a bad choice as a single.  5/10

8) Cartoon: This song is a little strange with the "pretty kitty" lyric but that being said the song is really good.  I wish it had a video.  I loved it from the first time I heard it and I still love it to this day.  10/10

9) Ultra: Another strange song.  I kept thinking she was saying "knuckles" in the chorus but it was actually "not girls" and "not guys".  I love the part where she sings "my river runs deep but your quite a big fish, if you're willing to try and understand me."  Her vocals on that part are amazing.  10/10

10) Make-Out Song: This song is very in your face.  It is completely different from Skye's previous record.  I don't know how else to describe it.  7/10

11) Kiss a Girl: In this song, Skye is so sick of her boyfriend being annoying that she's tempted to kiss a girl because she feels it's be less drama.  I didn't listen to the song that much at first but I like it now.  Strange how a few months after this album was released, Katy Perry released "I Kissed a Girl" and both artists were signed to Capitol Records at the time.  Coincidence?  10/10

12) Babydoll Gone Wrong: This song had a video that Skye directed herself.  The lyrics are a little creepy and it makes me relieved that there aren't any dolls in my house.  But that being said I still like the song.  10/10

13) Girl Like Me: This song was a bonus track on the Japanese version of the album.  In this song Skye is saying "what you get is what you see" with a girl like her.  Despite being a guy I like the song and I wish it was a single given that it's a strong song.  10/10

 Skye had said that "Sound Soldier" was meant to be Britney Spears meet Nine Inch Nails, while I'm not sure if that's how the record is I still like that she tried something new.  My favorite songs on the album are: "Boyhunter (featuring Ak'Sent)", "Cartoon", "Human", "Girl Like Me", "Babydoll Gone Wrong","Kiss a Girl", "Ghosts (featuring Tim Armstrong)", "Scary Love", and "Ultra".  Out of 130 points I give the album 116 points which is 89%, a B+.  Awesome job Skye!