Why did I review the album? Love JT
Did I like it? Yes…eventually
Will I listen again? Yes
I didn’t like this album at
first, in fact, I hated it. But, that’s why I listen to albums at least two
times before I start writing reviews. My first impressions of music is usually
harsh because I’m exposing myself to the music for the first time, so I do not
notice the nuggets of brilliance in songs.
My main problem is the track
length. The songs are too long. They did not hold my interest as much as the
tracks on FutureSex/LoveSsounds (FSLS). I felt the songs on FSLS were long with
a purpose whereas 20/20 Pt.1 relied upon catchy production and charm to
elongate the songs. In short there is a bit less substance than I’d like.
For Instance, on FSLS “What Goes Around
Comes Around” turns a common phrase into the basis for a song. Also, it’s
essentially the meaning of karma. Through the lyrics he is able to weave in a
story about betrayal and the results of the betrayal (Karma). Add an
interesting beat to tie it together and the song explodes with content and
sound. All of that is explored in 7:30,every bit was needed to fully explore the ideas he examined in the song.
20/20 matches the production
level of its predecessor but severely lacks the lyrical depth found on JT’s
previous LP’s. Because of that, I originally found the songs boring and drawn
out.
The album excels at merging and
concocting sounds and is carried by the charm and allure of JT
Although I did eventually find
endearing qualities in the songs, I still believe it’s his weakest work to date.
After a seven year absence I was expecting a bit more
My Favs
3. Spaceship Coupe
2. Strawberry Bubblegum
1. That Girl
Overall Rating: 73 with a recommendation to
Listen then decide
Suit & Tie- It sounds like JT had fun
making this record. And because of that, I enjoyed the track more than I
probably would have otherwise. Jay-Z features in the song as well. His verse
isn’t bad, but his presence broke the carefree vibe JT created and the song
wasn’t able to reignite the spark it had.
3.5/5
Don’t Hold the Wall- One of the few JT
songs I can’t stand. At least Suit & Tie had (a bit) of depth. This song blatantly favors sound over
substance. So much, that I feel insulted. I really like the beat because it’s
something I’ve never heard JT use. It has a Middle Eastern sound that would
likely sound weird if anyone else used it, but he manages to make it work. If
he worked on the lyrics a bit more the song would unleash its potential, but as
it stands, the song offers an innovative sound wasted by sophomoric repetitive
lyrics. 2/5
Strawberry Bubblegum- I had high hopes for
this song after the intro and JT didn’t let me down. The song starts off with
JT and a deep voiced man saying this goes out to you. Who is that you? Well,
we’re left in the dark for a while. I thought he’d leave it open because by
doing that he could literally be talking to anyone. Someone in his family that
he really appreciates. His fans. Whoever bought the album. The point is, each
person that listens to the song would have to decide for himself. It turns out
this person is an unnamed woman (what a surprise).
One of the lines is don’t
ever change your flavor because I love the taste. This is probably a
double entendre. He likes the original personality that attracted him the first
time they met, so he doesn’t want that to change. At the same time he could be
talking about the way it feels when he’s making love to her. The reason why I
love double entendres is that they give an artist flexibility. To a ten year
old it’s a reference to the title and nothing more. However, a worldly listener
might understand the second meaning.
The song is broken into two
parts. The first five minutes and the last three. I love both parts, but I
think the last three might be best because I can tell he’s having fun with the
sexual tension he builds. He’s
sexualizing the woman, but it’s not crude. I’ll love you
till I make it POP! It’s genius,
he’s practically joking with the listeners. I can imagine him laughing as he
made this track
This an example of how to
sexualize with class. It’s up there with Blow(Beyonce) as one of my faves
Sound collides with substance in
this track and I LOVE it. 5/5
Tunnel Vision- The beat reminds me of Ayo
Technology(50 Cent) for some reason. JT is infatuates with a beautiful
woman in this song and uses cinematographic and photographic metaphors to
describe his attraction to her. 4/5
Spaceship Coupe- JT meets a woman and wants
to spend time with her. How does he decide to do it? He takes her to outer
space on his Spaceship Coupe. One of the reasons I love JT is his ability to
make mundane topics interesting by introducing a foreign element. His talent on
display here. Clever lyrics that make reference to the space element and
creates sexual tension coupled with a nice beat that includes an electric
guitar solo= a nearly perfect song. 4.5/5
That Girl- The song
has its own intro. That’s pretty cool and made the song stand out before the
song started. And when it did start, I was in heaven for four minutes. I love
the beats he and Timberland manage to create, but the simple beats with
instruments I can identify are still my favorite. This song returns to that.
Everything in this song screams
“old school”. The intro in the comedy club/lounge adds an intimate feel. Also,
all the instruments used would be found in a jazz band. And whenever I think of
jazz it reminds me of 20’s through 60’s a time when jazz was popular. And the people in the background singing
reminds me of the backup singer for the major groups in the 60’s and 70’s.
I can’t think of an R&B song that deals
with love between two people that aren’t supposed to be in love (for whatever
reason). It’s been done in other media Unthinkable music video (Alicia Keys),
The Notebook film, and Romeo and Juliet play (Shakespear). Well, it’s finally
discussed here. The funny thing is, he doesn’t even reveal why the two cannot
be together. I think not answering that question is strategic. The thing that
actually inhibits their relationship is not important, but their act of
defiance is. If he named the obstacle, the message would be limited to those
facing that specific obstacle. Not disclosing the obstacle leaves a broader
message.
I have a crazy theory about this
song… but I think I might be
overanalyzing things.
Maybe it’s because of the old
school vibes I remembered listening to this song. What if the obstacle is that
JT is white and whoever the lady is is a minority? Given the 20-60’s timespan it
makes sense. It would make their forbidden love even more powerful and have
societal effects. But if that is true, why would he make the song now?
Even if none of that is true,
That Girls is my second favorite JT song of all time 5/5
Let the Groove Get In- The first five
minutes of this song is a complete waste of time. He’s literally saying Let the
Groove Get In for five minutes. To say that I was disappointed in JT is an
understatement. This section of the songs get 1 star from me. The last 2:11 is
masterful. It’s the same type of ending as Love Stoned and
it works well here. The last two minutes receives 4.5 stars from me. Still, two
minutes of bliss doesn’t justify the five minutes on nonsense I had to endure
to reach that point. 2.5/5
Mirrors-If you’re going to make a song and
dedicate it to your wife (and grandmother/grandfather’s relationship), it
better be great. I’m happy to say that this one passes the test. I like it
because it not sappy. It has a balance between idealism and realism. He’s
hopeful that the two of them will bring out the best in each other (although he
mainly focuses on her role). But, at the same time, he pay homage to the rocky
parts of their relationship. By doing that he acknowledges that that the hard
moments in relationships make the joyful ones just as desirable, which sappy
songs seem to forget. I believe that he believes every word he’s saying. Whether
he carries out the lifestyle he’s created in this song is another story. We’ll
have to judge that as time passes. 4.5/5
Blue Ocean Floor- I’ve broken the cardinal rule of reviewing. I don’t have an
opinion. I’ve listened to this song almost 15 times and literally NOTHING comes
to mind. It’s a song that details his love for Jessica Biel using the ocean as
a metaphor. N/A
Note: I was probably a bit harsh to JT in this review because if
anyone else came out with this album it would receive a score in the high 70’s.
But JT has set a standard for himself with his previous work, and while
entertaining, this one did not stand up to his previous work. It’s the same
reason I’m generally critical of Jay-Z’s work. If you don’t believe me check
out my review of Justified and FSLS. JT is still my favorite singer. Someone
once said to me that when people don’t care enough to tell you what’s wrong, then
you are in trouble because that means they have stopped caring. I’m critical
because I care.
0 comments:
Post a Comment