Category: reviews

audio review : Break Up To Make Up ( song ) … The Stylistics

When it comes to romantic relationships; the serious kind where two people meet, fall in love and move-in together; this is a song concept I bet most guys can relate to. That’s because it’s only natural to fall in and out, and out and in, of “love” with people, sometimes within the course of just a few months or weeks.

In this case, it’s the girl with the wishy-washy heart as the guy; Russell Thompkins in trademark falsetto; tries to keep her happy. “What does it take to please you,” he asks. But if the love-hate thing is “a game for fools”, he’s even more foolish for putting himself in a position where his happiness depends on another’s.

In other words, don’t worry about doing what it takes to please her or make her happy. That’s too much effort to spend on one girl. Besides, some girls are never satisfied. So take your melodic vocals and use them on another one; a satisfiable, thus satisfying, one with an ear for soul music. That’s what I’d do.

my rating : 4 of 5

1972

audio review : Blue ( song ) … REM ( featuring Patti Smith )

It’s hard not to compare Blue to E-Bow The Letter; the only other REM song featuring Patti Smith; but if the comparison has to do with overall song quality, I choose Blue. E-Bow has more melodic verses. Michael Stipe, a definite poet, goes spoken-word here, but that doesn’t make them better. There’s something artistically rejuvenating about the ranty proclamations he presents. “I will not fold,” he says in a forceful whisper, “I don’t have much, but what I have is gold.”

He’d be rapping if more of the words rhymed and the lyrics went with the beat, but there are no real drums, just an array of background guitars, which create a dreamworld of airy ambience. A piano comes in at about the three-minute mark, which leads to the best part; Patti Smith singing a Cinderella ballad over the sound of a man’s voice saying “blue” over and over again. That’s “naked and blue”, not Electron Blue, and it stands out as one of the better REM songs.

my rating : 4 of 5

2011

audio review : Collapse Into Now ( album ) ... REM

audio review : Stacey Adams ( song ) … Snoop Dogg ( featuring Kokane )

This is Snoop Dogg’s dedication to the OGs. You can even call it a player’s anthem as he pimp-raps, almost freestyling, over a laid-back thumper; perhaps Battlecat’s best production so far. It’s almost certainly Snoop’s best song, thanks in part to its classic chorus.

“We stay on point like Stacey Adams,” Kokane insists, transforming a simple simile into a grand testimony with his laughably whiny singing style; a homage to George Clinton. That glorious hook, playing along with the music, represents the best of new-age funk.

my rating : 5 of 5

2000

audio review : It Happened Today ( song ) … REM

What happened? Michael Stipe is too ambiguous a poet to say, but concept isn’t what matters here. It’s about the music, which stomps along a bassy drum beat, guitars, and what sounds like an array of tambourines. It’s the kind of folky dance vibe you haven’t heard in an REM song for a long time.

What’s unusual is how traditional word-based vocals; lyrical verses and bridges; are abandoned before even the halfway point. “Huh-huh” murmurs take over from there for what serves as the chorus section. It’s a celebration chant of sorts, layered with harmonious melodies, and one of the band’s all-time best.

my rating : 5 of 5

2010

audio review : Collapse Into Now ( album ) ... REM

audio review : Truly ( song ) … Janet Jackson

The fingersnaps are the metronome; virtual snares to a nonexistent drum beat; but I think the song, as nice as it is, might be even better without them because there would be nothing to distract from the dreamy flow of the melodies.

This is lovely mood music, among the best produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with celestial keys streaming and soft guitars strumming away in the background. It’s a fitting set for ocean-based romance if there ever were such a thing.

“You feel like my everything when you’re near my aura beam,” Janet Jackson croons in her signature whisper, “You make my heart sing.” With sweet nothings like that floating around, Truly In Love would’ve been a more accurate song title.

my rating : 4 of 5

2004

audio review : Damita Jo ( album ) ... Janet Jackson

audio review : Rather Be Ya Nigga ( song ) … 2Pac + Richie Rich ( featuring Stacey Smallie )

“I don’t wanna be ya man, I wanna Be Ya Nigga,” 2Pac tells a honey. It’s ebonic word play. “Man” and “Nigga” are near synonyms in his world, but the latter has more of an appealing connotation; one more fitting for, say, a thug with a Benz.

For Richie Rich, the contrast of the terms have more to do with the level of the relationship. As her Nigga, he doesn’t feel obligated to wine and dine her like her “man” would. It’s just periodic sex with no romantic love strings attached.

The only flaws have to do with the girl on the chorus. She should be the highlight of the mix while Pac does his thing in the background. Instead it’s the other way around. Even less sensible is that she’s singing from the guys perspective.

my rating : 4 of 5

1996

audio review : All Eyez On Me ( album ) ... 2Pac

audio review : Pussy Loud ( song ) … Maniac Lok + E-40 + Cool Nutz ( featuring Arjay )

There should be a “That” at the beginning of the title. Not only because the chorus says it that way, but because the title doesn’t really make sense without it. As is, it looks like they’re saying that pussy is loud in general. What they’re actually saying; that a female sex partner’s body metaphorically calls out for them when they’re not around; makes more sense, but the corrected title would best fit a song about the slurping noises a girl’s pussy makes when you’re fucking it.

The beat, with its slinky bass and amorous (heart) strings, is gorgeous enough to play while doing just that. I don’t think it needs the “what” and “hey” chants happening in the right and left pans, but they’re not Loud enough to distract. The cherry on top is the chorus, which grows on you like pubic hair. If there’s a minor complaint about this song, it’s how the rappers don’t all stick to one perspective. Instead they go from talking about the girl to talking to her and vice versa.

my rating : 4 of 5

2012

audio review : The Block Brochure ( album ) ... E-40

audio review : Real Talk ( song ) … R Kelly

It’s a heated Talk between R Kelly and his girl, but eavesdroppers only get to hear his side of the story. “Wait a minute; calm down,” he starts. By the end, he’s calling his driver to take him home, so he can stop that “bitch” from burning his clothes.

What was once a nice relationship has, over five years, descended into a dramatic mess. One of her friends; the “no-man-having hoes” he so despises; told her she saw him at a dance club over the weekend with another girl and she believes her.

Some of what he says is funny and the background music is sweet, but the song lacks if it is indeed supposed to be a song. Perhaps it would’ve been better as a skit in which he actually talked instead of singing a random array of tactless melodies.

my rating : 3 of 5

2007

audio review : Money ( song ) … Michael Jackson

This song deserves better verses. What we get is Michael Jackson, arguably the best singer in the pop world, trying to rap. It’s actually more like spoken-word poetry set to rhythm, which would be fine over a bridge but takes up too much valuable time and space as is.

It’s a morality lesson boring enough to put you to sleep until the chorus comes and the magic begins. The song isn’t a classic, but by the end, when precious counter melodies and signature (“hoo/hee”) ad-libs come into play, I bet you won’t be able to tell the difference.

my rating : 4 of 5

1995

audio review : History ( album ) ... Michael Jackson

audio review : Take Care ( song ) … Janet Jackson

Soft fingersnap snares are the metronome to an array of steamy chords, drippy keys and mellow bass. It’s horny mood music made for “quiet” times in the bedroom as a girl masturbates under candlelight.

With each thrust, she’s imagining her man who’s away at work for the night. “I’m in a sexy mood and only you can fill my needs,” she thinks to herself; “I’ll lay here and take care of it till you come home to me.”

my rating : 4 of 5

2006

audio review : 20 YO ( album ) ... Janet Jackson

audio review : Outer Space Girls ( song ) … Spice Girls

Taking a Parliament approach to dance, the Spice Girls transcend Earth to the farthest regions of the galaxy. The song goes up with delightful corniness, but it’s the chorus that soars.

I don’t think the girls deliver on the “mind-blowing” guarantee offered at launch, but the song is catchy and fun. All it takes is a little imagination to join-in on their interstellar party.

my rating : 4 of 5

1997

audio review : The Lost Children ( song ) … Michael Jackson

This is Michael Jackson, the philanthropist. He’s at his most caring, and perhaps most daring, while singing shamelessly a hymn to wish home all the missing children of the world with the help of a backing choir, woodchip snares and Disney-like orchestration.

Schmaltz, poured warm and heavy, can be a sweet thing in small melodic doses. Here that melody is led by a sing-along chorus you’ll have to listen to a few times, if not lose a child, to fully appreciate. The bridge, where “no one can find thee”, is instantly accessible.

My only complaint about the song is the fact that they; mixing engineer Bruce Swedien or whoever it was; used the children’s “ladybug” dialogue clip more than once; an annoying artistic decision, or mishap, that sort of puts a damper on an otherwise surreal soundscape.

my rating : 3 of 5

2001

audio review : Invincible ( album ) ... Michael Jackson