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Members COMMENTS & REVIEWS
Undeniably intense and enjoyable. (4/5)
Submitted by:
10.05.2008
It's hard not to feel underwhelmed by this follow-up to Legend's major-label debut "Get Lifted", which secured three million sales through a judicious blend of his gospel roots and hip-hop ties.
The lunge for the mainstream is too pronounced, and probably ill-advised, inasmuch as it places him in direct comparison with more expressive, adept singers.
The better tracks make best use of Legend's vocal mix of Bill Withers' warmth with the reflective nature of Donny Hathaway: the smooth, Philly soul-styled " Each Day Gets Better", and " Slow Dance", whose sleek early-Sixties R&B sound recalls The Impressions and "Groovin'" -era Young Rascals.
But too many seem like water-treading cast-offs from Legend's high-profile producers Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq and will.i.am.
Subtle Tropicalia influences, such as the backing vocal section of " Save Room" and the bossa nova groove of "Maxine", add colour, as does the quietly discursive, Hendrix-esque guitar on "Show Me"; but elsewhere the tracks seem bland and hurried, and in the case of the bizarre blend of chamber music and cabaret ballad that is "Where Did My Baby Go", simply wrong-headed.
HIGHLIGHTS : 'Slow Dance', 'Show Me', ' Save Room', ' Maxine ', 'Another Again ' and ' Heaven '.
Back to the Past (3/5)
Submitted by: eclecticist
05.08.2008
This CD has a nice retro feel. There's a lot of the Walker Brothers in there (a stated influence), but I also heard an occasional Moody Blues sound in the songs' orchestral choruses. I thought most of the tunes were semi-fun throwbacks to the '60s (except for such relatively unlistenable cuts as "I Don't Like You Anymore" and "Only The Truth"), but the band & this disc have two major problems. First, the songs are relatively mundane, lacking any real degree of catchiness. It's sort of like a bunch of 2nd-rate Yardbirds or Zombies out-takes or something. Second, it's very hard to imagine this '60s-ish music generating any degree of interest in today's rock-buying public, at least in the USA. There are a few other problems, such as some bad song outros, especially the bizarre, spacey-spooky coda on "The Chamber," which undermines any impact the song may have created. I mildly enjoyed listening to this CD as an historical exercise, but I don't expect it to have any lasting value in the 21st Century.
great Album (5/5)
Submitted by: musiclover
05.08.2008
This album is one of Lyfe's Best. I was so glad when it came out Tuesday. Its been a long time coming.
LYFE DID NOT DISAPPOINT ON THIS ONE (5/5)
Submitted by: Toni
05.08.2008
I am a huge Lyfe fan and I still don't understand why people are still sleeping on him. I have been waiting on this CD for awhile and I was not disappointed at all. This CD is beyond hot. I haven't stopped listening to it yet. I will definately say go out and buy this now!!!
Good but more of the same (3/5)
Submitted by: Atlanta
02.06.2008
With the Pat Metheny group, there is color, imagination and more organic structures (i.e., The Way Up). As a trio, the overall result is curiously dry and monochromatic. Pat basically performs with his hollow body (as opposed to his guitar synth) and he essentially employs the traditional head-solo(s)-head format, which gets old after a few tunes. While bass player Christian Bale's solos are jaw dropping indeed, I find Pat's soloing while fluid, is not very inspired. I'll play it a few more times and hope it grows on me.
My two cents.
Music Review: Pretty Ricky's Eighties Babies: Album Review
12.24.2008
Pretty Ricky are known as one of the raunchiest groups in all of modern music. Their extremely explicit lyrics and subject matter have given the group a broad fan-base. One of the original members Pleasure P left the group and was replaced by another R&B crooner 4Play. Will the absence of Pleasure P be noticeable on their latest album Eighties Babies or will 4Play step up to the plate to fill the void?
The first single off of Eighties Babies is Cuddle Up featuring Butta Creame. The song the typical vibe that you would expect from a Pretty Ricky song; yet the song is not as explicit or as successful as typical Pretty Ricky singles. The song however is well produced and fairly well performed.
Knockin' Boots '08 is an updated cover of H-Town's classic of the same name. The track was one of the better tracks of the early 90's and feels appropriate being covered by Pretty Ricky. 4Play gets the chance to showcase his vocal ability on the track and Slick'Em, Spectacular and Diamond Blue deliver their raunchiest lyrics.
4 Play is another 1980's inspired track. The song leans more to the R&B side of Pretty Ricky as the production is very R&B inspired. On the track 4Play shows off his falsetto.
Marry Me (Down On My Knees) is probably the most G-rated Pretty Ricky song ever. The song definitely is 1980's inspired and a very solid track.
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Music Review: Akon Freedom Album Review
12.06.2008
Akon is one of the most highly sought after artists and producers in all of music. He has collaborated with some of the most powerful artists in music including Michael Jackson, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani. Now Akon is back with his third album Freedom. Will Freedom be yet another international smash for the head of Konvict Music?
The first single off of Freedom is Right Now (Na Na Na). The single is what you expect from an Akon radio first single. The track is catchy, non-offensive and appeals to a wide audience base.
The second single is I'm So Paid featuring rap stars Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy. The song is what you expect from a rap posse track. The song features catchy production and a memorable chorus. All of the artists involved with the track deliver strong verses.
Holla Holla features label mate T-Pain. The song is more of the same that you expect from a collaboration between T-Pain and Akon. The song will be playing on a nonstop rotation of the radio in the near future.
We Don't Care channels some vintage 1980's Michael Jackson. The track works and Akon's vocals shine on the track.
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Music Review: Christina Aguilera Keeps Gettin' Better - a Decade of Hits Early Album Review
11.13.2008
Greatest hits albums are never the easiest task to pull off. Most of your original fan base already has all the artist's albums so it has to include something more. Christina Aguilera is the latest artist to tackle the greatest hits genre with Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade Of Hits. The first single off of Keeps Gettin' Better - A Decade Of Hits is the title track Keeps Gettin' Better. The track is produced by Linda Perry and features a co-writing credit for Christina.
Genie 2.0 is a remake of one of Christina's biggest songs Genie In A Bottle. The track is an interesting take on the original. The song has a more melodic and techno sound to it unlike the original.
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Music Review: Seal's New Album Soul: A Review
11.13.2008
Soul is a vast departure for recording artist Seal. His previous album 2007's System took Seal back to his dance club days with a very interesting progressive album. However, due to poor sales, Soul features Seal creating in a totally different genre. Soul is an album of cover songs produced by legendary hit-maker David Foster. Will Soul be able to top the charts with its soulful interpretation of classic songs?
The first single off of Soul is Seal's rendition of Sam Cooke's classic A Change Is Gonna Come. The song is the perfect first single. The track is extremely well done and Seal shines along with the David Foster arrangement.
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Music Review: David Archuleta Self Titled Early Album Review
11.13.2008
Every year it seems as is if two American Idol albums are bound to be released before the holiday seasons. This season the first released on deck is from American Idol runner up seventeen year old David Archuleta. Will the young talented vocalist be able to release a strong debut album on the self titled David Archuleta?
The first single off of David Archuleta is Crush. The song is produced by Emanuel Kiriakou and produced by Jess Cates, Dave Hodges and Emanuel Kiriakou. The song is the standard fare pop track. The track is well produced and written and extremely catchy.
The second single is a cover of Robbie Williams' Angels. David delivers a very strong vocal delivery which is expected however the song lacks the punch that the Robbie Williams version delivers.
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Music Review: John Legend Evolver Early Album Review
10.23.2008
It has been two years since John Legend's platinum second album Once Again. Now John Legend is back with his third studio album Evolver. Instead of just sitting behind the piano, Evolver finds John Legend experimenting with different genres and styles. Will Evolver be a commercial success?
The first single off of Evolver is Green Light featuring Andre 3000 from Outkast. The song is completely different than what you expect from John Legend. The track is a solid mid-to-up-tempo track. The song features a strong verse from Andre 3000 and is all around very well done.
The second single is If You're Out There. The song has been featured in Barack Obama campaign stops. The song is an extremely positive track and is extremely necessary song in these trying times.
Kanye West teams up with John Legend on the Pharrell Williams produced It's Over. The song is probably the catchiest track on the album. The up-tempo retro vibe is one of the furthest things you would expect from John Legend yet he delivers on the track. Kanye West delivers a strong verse which just adds to the commercial appeal.
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Music Review: The D.E.Y. The D.E.Y. Has Come Early Album Review
10.23.2008
Divine, Elan and Yeyo make up the hip hop hybrid ground The D.E.Y. The Spanish-Urban group based out of New York has been compared to the Fugees and the Black Eyed Peas based on the group makeup. Will The D.E.Y. be able to deliver on their debut album The D.E.Y. Has Come?
The first single off The D.E.Y. Has Come is the J.R. Rotem produced Give You The World. The song samples Earth, Wind & Fire's hit Fantasy. The song is the perfect single as each member gets their time to shine. The song is extremely catchy, well produced and well performed.
The second single is And I Miss You. The song samples the popular hit by Everything But The Girl Missing. The song is yet another well done track. The D.E.Y. has found a suitable genre for them; re-making old songs into current ones.
Get The Feeling was featured in the popular video game NBA Live 2008. The song is a solid mid-tempo track with a lot of energy. The song showcases each of the members in their strongest light.
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Music Review: Robin Thicke's Something Else Early Album Review
10.11.2008
Robin Thicke is still running off the runaway success of Lost Without You. The song catapulted him from an underground favorite to a mainstream media darling. Will the added pressure of retaining his newfound stardom get in the way of his creative process? On his new album Something Else, Robin has a tall task to face, is he up for the challenge?
The first single off of Something Else is Magic. The song is much more up-tempo and danceable than Robin's traditional singles. The song is very 1970's and features a strong horn section. The song was a good choice to reintroduce Robin to the audience.
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Vanessa Hudgens' Identified: Avoid at All Costs
07.08.2008
Vanessa Hudgens might be known as Zac Efron's main squeeze from the High School Musical series; however ,Vanessa is also a solo recording artist. Her first album was a fun, upbeat journey into pop music. Will her second album, Identified, help Vanessa stand out as a solo star?
The first single off of Identified is Sneakernight. The track has a retro-jazz...
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Coldplay's Viva La Vida
06.24.2008
Coldplay is one of the biggest rock bands out today. Fronted by Gwyneth Paltrow's significant other, Chris Martin, Coldplay plays its hits in stadiums around the world. Drawing adulation from the widest variety of audiences, Coldplay is back with its latest album, Viva La Vida. Will Viva La Vida position Coldplay to even greater superstardom?
The first single off ...
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Ashanti's The Declaration Contains Only a Few Strong Songs
06.15.2008
It has been four years since Ashanti's last album, the commercial failure Concrete Rose. After four years of hard work, Ashanti is prepared to release her latest album, The Declaration. Will The Declaration put the former princess of Murder Inc back on top?
The first single off of The Declaration is L.T. Hutton produced The Way That I Love You. The song ...
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Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III Doesn't Live Up to the Hype
06.15.2008
Tha Carter III has been one of the most anticipated albums in recent years. The album is supposed to crown New Orleans, Louisiana, rapper Lil Wayne as the undisputed best rapper in the game. Now that Tha Carter III is finally near release, has Lil Wayne lived up the larger than life hype?
The first single off of Tha Carter III is Lollipop featuring the l...
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John Legend Evolver Early Album Review
10.23.2008
It has been two years since John Legend's platinum second album Once Again. Now John Legend is back with his third studio album Evolver. Instead of just sitting behind the piano, Evolver finds John Legend experimenting with different genres and styles. Will Evolver be a commercial success?
The first single off of Evolver is Green Light ...
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The D.E.Y. The D.E.Y. Has Come Early Album Review
10.23.2008
Divine, Elan and Yeyo make up the hip hop hybrid ground The D.E.Y. The Spanish-Urban group based out of New York has been compared to the Fugees and the Black Eyed Peas based on the group makeup. Will The D.E.Y. be able to deliver on their debut album The D.E.Y. Has Come?
The first single off The D.E.Y. Has Come is the J.R. Rotem produced Give You The World. The ...
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Robin Thicke's Something Else Early Album Review
10.11.2008
Robin Thicke is still running off the runaway success of Lost Without You. The song catapulted him from an underground favorite to a mainstream media darling. Will the added pressure of retaining his newfound stardom get in the way of his creative process? On his new album Something Else, Robin has a tall task to face, is he up for the challenge?
The first single off of <...
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Jennifer Hudson Self Titled Debut Sneak-Peek Review
10.05.2008
A few years ago, Jennifer Hudson was best known for her stint as a contestant on the omnipresent American Idol. That all changed after her career changing roles in Dreamgirls and Sex & The City. Now the Academy Award winning actress returns to her first love in music with her self titled album. Will Jennifer be able to conquer the pop charts the way she conquered the...
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G-Unit's Terminate on Sight: Solid Group Effort
07.08.2008
It seems as if the rap group G-Unit is destined to find controversy. Recently, the four-man rap group became a trio after member Young Buck was kicked out of the group. Now the original three-man group is back together. However, some of Young Buck's verses remain on the album. Will the controversy help G-Unit reclaim their success on their latest album, Terminate on Sight?
The fir...
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