Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Lowland Lullabye
unfortunately, there are no videos of this song online, but you should definitely check it out.
Songs of the Day
Only two songs to start off this album, "Nubian Lady," and "Lowland Lullabye," so it's gonna be a short review day. "Nubian Lady" is a pretty groovy way to start the album off. Sounds like I should be strolling down the street in the 70s with this playing behind. I could definitely picture this being in a movie back then, probably a blaxploitation film. Dig that Yusef is nice and prominent in the forefront - you definitely know this is his track. I really like what the keys are doing in this, especially how they harmonize with Yusef on the flute. Yusef definitely has a dope solo going on here, I think the middle eastern flare he throws on a couple riffs is a nice touch on things. A cool tune, but I think it might go on just a tad too long, as it becomes a little repetitive at 6:39. Otherwise, solid way to start off the album. I think "Lowland Lullabye" is a pretty cool tune. It's only Yusef and cello, and the two together have a eerie, Native American sound going on. Even though the track is very simple, something about it draws you in and grabs your attention. I find the cello being the only accompaniment very interesting, doesn't seem like something you hear very often. It's a good thing this track is on the short side (2:20), because I don't think it would have been able to be as effective were it longer. Cool self harmonizing by Yusef at the end. Good day of tracks.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Week 85: Yusef Lateef
I felt like doing an instrumental album this week, and my mom suggested I listen to Yusef Lateef's The Gentle Giant, so I obliged. Every album she's suggested so far has been great, so I'm going to listen to her on this one. She's also my mother, so I should always listen to her. I've never even heard of Yusef outside of my mom's mentioning him (she's mentioned him on a couple of occasions), and I'm looking forward to hearing what this flautist has to offer.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Final Grade: B/B+
JT, you did not let me down with The 20/20 Experience, you certainly did not. I love that he was able to incorporate old school with new school and everything in between. Solid album on both JT and Timbaland's part. I'm also loving the incorporation of The Tennessee Kids, because they are one funky backing band. There are a few bangers on this album, like "Pusher Love Girl," "Suit & Tie," the B section of "Strawberry Bubblegum," and "That Girl," but I didn't think the album was overall consistent. I really am not into the final 2 tracks, and there were a couple of others where I felt he was trying too hard to have a different sound, and didn't succeed. I love the album, no doubt, I just wish he had stuck to the soulfulness that made the opening tracks so hot. I don't know if any of these songs will have the hit power that "Cry Me a River," or "My Love" had, but these tracks are still pretty solid. Definitely looking forward to Part II of this album in November. The fact is, I always have and always will love Justin Timberlake.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Songs of the Day
Taking it out with the final 3 songs off the album: "Let the Groove Get In," "Mirrors," and "Blue Ocean Floor." Unfortunately, this is definitely my least favorite. "Let the Groove Get In" is by far my favorite song today. It's got this afrobeat kinda feel to it that I dig - definitely a great song to dance to. Super cool to hear some heavy percussion on a track. The horns are up in front, which I really dig. Good vocals on this one, especially with the harmonies. There are a couple vocal breakdowns that a pretty sweet. I dig this song, but the A section is way too repetitive to go on as long as it does. I'm happy there is a B section, because a change was needed. The B section is very MJ, which makes sense as many peg JT for his predecessor. A cappella ending is definitely solid. Overall, it's a really fun song, I just think it's a tad long. I wish this song had been last, because I'm pretty disappointed by the follow-ups. "Mirrors" is the second single off the album, and you got it when you preorded the album, so I've been in it's possession for a little bit now. I didn't like it when I first got it, and my mind hasn't changed much on that. It mainly has to do with the guitar sound that first comes up in the intro. It just sounds like a very cliché effect and lick, and it degrades the rest of the tune. Without it, I would probably like the song as a whole better, but only a little. The beat is pretty cool, but it's a little overbearing at times. I also find it melodically and lyrically kind of cheesy. Cmooooon JT, I know you can do better than this. The "you are the love of my life" part at the end is kind of cool, but it doesn't seem completely necessary. I'm also not a fan of "Blue Ocean Floor." It's a cool sound, but it's way too transient for JT's sound - he does better with upbeat, dance-y type shit. It's also way too long, and therefore gets pretty boring. The production is cool, especially all the string stuff at the end, I just don't get the purpose of this song. Not how I would have taken the album out. Why you gotta do that to me, JT???
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Songs of the Day
Got tracks 5, 6 & 7 up today: "Tunnel Vision," "Spaceship Coupe," and "That Girl." I'm not super crazy about "Tunnel Vision." The beat is super dope, it has Timbaland written all over it, but I'm not really a fan of JT's vocals and lyrics on this one. He sounds good on the prechorus, and chorus, but the verses kind of bug me. I get the concept of "I got that tunnel vision for ya," but the rest of the lyrics don't really do anything for me. The additions to the beat at the end of the tune is cool, but the track is too long for there not to be a B section like the previous tracks. "Spaceship Coupe" is another track with a cool opening, that goes into a different beat, but the transition is much smoother on this one. The beat on this is definitely dope, the super low bass goes hard. I like JT much better vocally on this one, especially the "I love it when I hear you say... sing to me" - you can sing to me any time you like, baby. There are some cool harmonies and vocal cuts that I dig. Sex noises at the end...way to tease me, Justin. That's not very fair. The breakdown is pretty cool, wassup guitar solo. I think the mellow part at the end goes on a little too long, but still a cool tune. I think "That Girl" might be the best song musically on the album. JT's backed by The Tennesse Kids, and they bring it. Man, the horns on this one - so good. Love the guitar part as well. Great vocals on JT's part, and the harmonies on this one are on point, especially at the breakdown at the end. Definitely a sexy, groovin tune - it's been on repeat!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Songs of the Day
Gettin this record off to a proper start with the first four tracks: "Pusher Love Girl," "Suit & Tie," "Don't Hold the Wall," and "Strawberry Bubblegum." I was actually going to stop at three, but I couldn't help myself. "Pusher Love Girl" is a fucking awesome way to start an album off, I can say that for sure. A string intro to open the whole album up is so awesome on JT's part. And to drop right into a fat groove makes it even better. Dig the super low bass sound on this one, it holds down a serious low end. The groove is super tight, I like that everything is on the beat - definitely holds it down. I am so fucking happy that JT uses real horns on this album, because I have been complaining about the lack of horns in today's music. They aren't super up front on this track, but they're still bringing it. The hook is beyond catchy, no surprise there. I love how hard the B section brings it, bringin out the dirty south in JT. Dig all the chop n screw going on, especially "n now I'm just a jjjjunkie for your love." Great way to start off the album, for damn sure. So, I must admit that I was no a fan of "Suit & Tie" when I first heard it, but boy, does this song grow on you. I think I was a little thrown off by the opening beat, and the "I be on my suit and tie shit" lyric sounded kind of stupid to me. I may have had a different initial reaction if the song started with the main groove, cuz it's funky as fuck. Really great groove to dance to. The horns are up front on this one, and they definitely bring it. This whole groove is so funky, while mixing hip hop, and old school...really dope. I dig that the beat breaks down for Jay-Z's pretty dope verse, to then really break it down for the chorus. Man, this last chorus is dope, mad props Timbaland. Love that it brings it back to the groove with the horn hits. Funky, funky stuff. I love the a cappella intro to "Don't Hold the Wall," but then I get a little thrown off by the crazy Middle Eastern sounding beat that it goes into. The beat is definitely dope, you just gotta get over the surprise. This is such a staple Timbaland sounding beat - he loves to add little sounds in his beats, and he's got crickets going on in this one, which is pretty dope.. The drop out in the beginning of the second verse is pretty dope. I don't like the B section of this song as much as the A. It goes into a club beat that is pretty good, I just think its too predictable of a club beat, especially with the way JT's vocals are placed above it. I'd still get down to it though, because the bass is going super hard. Not my favorite of the day, but still dope. "Strawberry Bubblegum" has another super dope opening - it sounds really old school, while still being new. I wish the beat had stayed more in that area though, because I this beat isn't my favorite. I like how the spaciness is being juxtaposed by a steady drum beat, but it doesn't really grab me as a groove. I'm also not the biggest fan of JT's voice on this one, I think it might be a little too high (which is saying something for him). The vocals on the chorus are dope though, the harmonies are tight. Now the B section of this song...that's a whole other story. I fucking love it. I listen to it on it's own all the time. The groove has this bossa thing going on in it that I really dig, and the keys are dope. Not to mention the key bass is so funky. JT, I would be your strawberry bubblegum any day of the fucking week. Loooove the harmonies on this hook, especially since they remind me so much of the good ol' N'sync days (man how I miss those). Man, this shit is funky.
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