After (There's Gotta Be) More To Life, an excellent example of what a pop track can be, I was expecting great things from Stacie Orrico's latest single, I Promise. Unfortunately, as is frequently the case, and with no offence to Mr Dickens, great expectations often disappoint.
I Promise is a bland pop ballad of the kind beloved by manufactured bands everywhere. It has the lot: trite lyrics, obvious (but not memorable) melodies and backing singers so high in the mix you wonder why they are not given co-billing. Orrico's vocal abilities are evident towards the end but in a grating way, unless you enjoy the seemingly endless warblings that the likes of Whitney Houston so favour.
Miss Orrico may have to dig a little deeper if she is going to find lasting success in the fickle world of pop.
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