Chrisette Michele’s recently released her latest effort Let Freedom Reign to a plethora of fans who seem to be relatively pissed off about it’s pop direction. Unlike all them bitches, I like the album.
Her first album, I Am, had a jazzy-feel which highlighted her sultry voice. Her second album, Epiphany, saw a shift towards urban pop. Unfortunately that album was forgettable for me. Her third album, is an even bigger move towards mainstream pop but Chrisette is quite experimental when it comes to incorporating other genres and styles. This has people urked because they like the I Am Chrisette and want more of where that came from.
Funnily enough, Chrisette claims that on this album she’s letting go and being herself. She says, “let is a verb meaning to allow, to make room for. Freedom, we know what that is. And Reign means to be supreme. Freedom can’t reign unless you allow it to. Let Freedom Reign is a challenge to the people who are listening to create freedom and truth in their lives.” So…does that mean that in real life her fans wouldn’t actually like her music taste? Harsh.
I personally like the album because of how musically diverse it is. Her first single on the album “I’m a Star”, written by Ne-yo, is definitely a bubbly R&B/pop radio track which people will tire quickly of but will nonetheless probably make it onto the soundtrack of some chick flick. “Number One” is still pretty settled in the pop genre but it’s a little more fierce, featuring Chrisette’s raspy voice. On “Let Freedom Reign” featuring Talib Kweli and Black Thought, Chrisette alternates between rapping and singing a Mediterranean-sounding chorus. Great track, probably my favourite. Other stands out are “Unsaid” with it’s electric guitar, and the ballads “Nobody Sang” and “I Know Nothing” where you can truly hear Chrisette singing her heart out.
Only really negative thing I have to say is kill the interludes: what are they for other than to be skipped and take up valuable disc space? Oh and what’s up with the circus-esque attire? It’s not that I mind it but I’m starting to think that there’s some sort of rule in the music industry that at some point in your musical career, you have to visit the circus (Christina Aguilera, Britney, Pink, Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga….those are just a few circus goers).
Like any album there are a few forgettable tracks, but for the most part it’s a pretty solid effort so I’m not quite sure what the naysayers are going on about.
Rating: 7/10
Label: Def Jam
Favourites: Number One, Let Freedom Reign, I Know Nothing
Review by Sandy Wei
When I first sat through Ne-Yo’s fourth album Libra Scale I let it play in the background while I was busy doing some work and when it finished playing I questioned if it was one long ass song. Released on November 22, 2010 in the States, Libra Scale is what you should expect if you are expecting more of the same ol’ Ne-Yo.
With that being said, the album is overall quite safe for Ne-Yo. “You want to know the one thing that really inspired this whole idea? Boredom,” says Ne-Yo. Oh, that explains my feeling exactly. But, then again, maybe being safe works for an R&B artist such as Ne-Yo. Apparently, Ne-Yo wrote and recorded 60 songs in the span of four months with 12 of the songs making it onto the album. What is also impressive is that Ne-Yo throws in some Michael Jackson feel and does so tastefully, especially in “Cause I Said So”. You can definitely hear the influence and sometimes Ne-Yo sounds a tad like MJ himself? Anyway, pretty productive work for being bored if you ask me. Ask me!
Ne-Yo teamed up with StarGate again to produce the lead single, “Beautiful Monster”. Of course this is my favorite track on Libra Scale and it’s no surprise as StarGate has also created some of Ne-Yo’s other classics such as “So Sick” and “Miss Independent”. “Champagne Life” and “One in a Million” follow up as the second and third single. They are aight.
Conversely, what’s not aight is the album cover. Take a good look at it. Album covers are important to criticize because they offer visuals and themes. This one offers giggles and then feelings of embarrassment on behalf of Ne-Yo. The album cover does his songs no justice and is so incomprehensible that it makes his songs at least three times better. Or maybe this was the strategy all along! Ooo, Ne-Yo is a wise-ass.
Rating: 7/10
Label: Def Jam
Favorites: Beautiful Monster, Cause I Said So, Know Your Name, Telekinesis
Review by Sandy Wei
Everyone who knows me knows Rihanna’s my girl. I’ve stated before that if I could posses any music artist’s body, style, music and life it would be Riri’s without a doubt. Well, you know, after the CB incident. Anyway, I change my mind. I want everything but not so much her music. Harsh, I know. Don’t come running at me with sharp scissors just yet.
Loud released this month as Rihanna’s fifth studio album with a heavy sound of pop-rock. I was already not a fan when the first single produced by StarGate, “Only Girl (In the World)”, hit the airwaves. The singing was borderline yelling. Really pretty yelling. But, still yelling. The second single featuring Canadian rap artist Drake, “What’s My Name”, was much better. The music video helped.
Naturally, I feared I wouldn’t be into the rest of the album based on the first two singles. The rumored third single is “S&M” with more angry hollering. I personally prefer Rihanna’s signature lazy singing voice which we hear in “Cheers (Drink to That)” that is interestingly mixed with Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You”. A song that I can see myself blasting on my (standard) stereo system as I cruise on the roads (to work) in my drop top (that I don’t have).
Acoustic ballad “California King Bed” has quite a nice country vibe to it. If I can imagine Taylor Swift singing it I am going to go ahead and throw it under country-pop. Another curious track is “Love the Way You Lie (Part II)” featuring Eminem which serves as a response to the original hit single. It’s curious because… IT’S THE SAME. I mean, okay, it’s not exactly the same. But the chorus is disappointingly the exact same. The only track on Loud that makes me want to bust a move and c-walk in heels is “Raining Men” featuring Nicki Minaj.
I getchu, babygirl. You want to give the rock genre a taste. I applaud any artist that can step out of their comfort zone and be open to crossing boundaries. How else will art evolve, amirite? I know lately you’ve been telling the media that this album is about you doing you. I respect that. So I hope it’s been worth losing my interest in wanting to posses you. Trust me, you want me to want to posses you. Because that means… not much.
Rating: 5.5/10
Label: Def Jam
Favorites: What’s My Name, Raining Men, Cheers (Drink to That).
I don’t get it. Earlier this year Fabolous released There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service, which people could download for free. Why would Def Jam decide that it would be a good idea to sell an album that includes mostly already released tracks and a few news ones? Did they really think slapping on a new title and cover art would make them millions? Sounds like a break-even project to me. Either Def Jam needs a new Marketing Manager or people are way dumber than we all think they are for buying into this shit.
To add insult to injury, There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music Mixtape is supposed to hype people up for Loso’s Way 2 slated for release in November of this year. I have officially been de-hyped.
I’ve listened to this cd over and over again, thinking that the tracks might grow on me and that my feelings toward the album as a whole might change. Nope, nothing. I don’t know what else to say other than I would never go out of my way to buy There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music Mixtape. Almost every track is backed by creepy synths. Amateur creepy synths. I get the funeral “theme” of the EP, but the repetitive synths are overkill.
Despite my overall dislike for the album, I do really like “You Be Killin’ ‘Em”. Many argue that this track is too “girly” and “mainstream”. I on the other hand think it is the saving grace of the entire EP. “Tonight” is also alright but because it was on There Is No Competition 2: The Funeral Service, hearing it again on There Is No Competition 2: The Grieving Music Mixtape does nothing for me.
Rating: 2/10
Label: Def Jam
Favourites: You Be Killing ‘Em, Tonight
All right folks, Sir Lucious Left Foot The Son Of Chico Dusty hands down is the shit! The intro says it all and Big Boi even lets us know that “damn, that what nothin but the intro”.
The thought process and level of creativity that went into this album completely leaves me in awe. This album reminds me of the night sky full of endless shooting stars and undiscovered planets. The way the album is thought out and orchestrated is inventive and a gift to all of us that have always been fans and for those who are just becoming fans.
It begins with “Daddy Fat Sax”. It is all the goodness you expect from Big Boi full of solid beats and quick-witted flow. “Turns Me On”, is an instant head bobbing, feet tapping, hips moving tune. It takes a simple beat and uses vocals as the main instruments. Mimicking trumpets and turns it in to a sort of sing along to the drum machine. “Shutterbug”, damn! When I first heard this song, my body went into convulsions I couldn’t control. It is that good. I love how Big Boi takes a beat and layers it with a vocal so similar. His vocals are crisp and hard hitting your heart could jump out of your chest. Seriously try listening to this song and not break out with some dance move, impossible! Next up is “General Patton”, I almost can’t handle how badass this song is. Earth shattering is the how I would describe it. It’s got horns that sound like elephants stomping and charging fighting a war and Big Boi is there leader conquering anything that gets in his way, as he becomes someone that will live through history for generations to come. Stories of a General Patton will drift through towns and countries about how he fought the greatest war and conquered.
“Hustle Blood” features Jamie Foxx. His voice is nothing but sexy and the combination of Big Boi’s vocals would make any girl and maybe even some men drop there panties in an instant. Big Boi’s voice stretches into a level of flawlessness as it starts to sound scratchy to the perfect moment of the song.
Janelle Monae a gem that should get more recognition then she does is featured on the next song called “Be Still”. It’s a pretty song with Janelle’s never ending distinctive voice. It’s an ideal duet between Janelle and Big Boi taking a country boy and pairing it with tenderness. The song goes through different genres from 80s pop with the fat synthy bass to peeps of jazzy piano chords to just a straight up R&B ballad.
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Let me start by saying that I’m a fan of The Roots. With that said I honestly haven’t liked an album of theirs since Things Fall Apart, Game Theory had me come back, but then Rising Down had me leave again. With How I Got Over, The Roots are back with an amazing album. Something about this album sounds like some of their early work but more refined, while the guest appearances on this album are incredibly strong. The guests all come on a lyrical level thats’ equal to Black Thought, which makes the songs and the context of the songs a lot more fluid.
More of the lyrical content. One of my favorite songs “Dear God 2.0″, one of the verses goes:
Why is the world ugly when you made it in your image?
And why is livin’ life such a fight to the finish?
For this high percentage
When the sky’s the limit
A second is a minute, every hour’s infinite
Chorus from “How I Got Over”
Out on the streets
Where I grew up
First thing they teach us
Not to give a fuck
That type of thinking can’t get you nowhere
Someone has to care.
BOOOOM. Mind. Is. Blown. There’s a ton of great verses and lines littered through the album that ignite thought within yourself, which is how I felt with Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart. And now How I Got Over can be added to that list.
Hiphop records tend to over do it with the whole “Featuring” guest spots, but for this Roots record, it just simply works. All of the guess appearances make huge impacts and lyrically as I mentioned above, they all rise to Black Thoughts level, which isn’t exactly an easy thing to do.
Rating: 8.5/10
Label: Def Jam
Favourites: Walk Alone, Dear God 2.0, The Day, How I Got Over, Right On.
Terius Youngdell Nash better known as The Dream released his third studio album on June 29th, 2010 called Love King.
The album heads straight into Love King the albums self-titled name, it’s the type of song that is expected from The Dream nothing surprising and safe. Makeup Bag starts off with finger snaps that give the song an immediate ease that can never go wrong. It’s topped off with The Dream’s intimate voice. His voice could be compared to soft whispers that you wish could be spoken all over your body. Towards the end of the song TI breaks it up in a complimenting way. Yamaha, is a modern day Prince song but watered down. One of best song on the album besides F.I.L.A. has to be Florida University. I felt like this song brought it back to I Luv Your Girl off the Love Hate album. The rhythm of the song is consistent with poppy drums and thick layered synths. It’s fun and everything we love about The Dream. The song ends in a hilarious fashion of him saying “I did it again mother fucker” and he did with that particular song. Take Care Of Me is a soul bearing song coating it with cymbals, piano chords, and peaks of heart moving guitar sounds of him confessing how his love is consuming and willing to let go if you are. The album ends with Sorry acapella style in the most charming way. This is the type of song that can define an artist and The Dream is definitely gifted.
Love King fell short of what it could have been. It had the potential of being the best album of 2010. One of the main disappointments of this album was the constant overlaying of vocals and not taking more risks musically. Having said that I have always cherished The Dream and had a personal connection with most of his lyrics relating to what was going on in my life, but in an unbiased opinion it could have been better and more memorable.
Rating: 6/10
Label: Radio Killa/Def Jam
Favorite Tracks: Make Up Bag, F.I.L.A., Florida University, Sorry
