What a 5. Is he joking. Is he on crack. How can this deuchbag churn out an album worthy of a special rating of 5. Well to tell you the truth my rating oubvisly really dosent matter. But this is my spin on the record. Now to start things off I am a big rock and roll fan. But when I was younger I used to listen to R and B and still love the genre to this day. I suggest when you read this and look at the name of the artist and jump to conclusions with your biasts against "POP" music and everything associateted with it , do yourself a favor and buy the album. Its one of the few albums ive ever gotten that had so much style and differnt flavors coming at you at different times. Its the albums uniquness that seperates it from the rest of the terrible artists that release an album full of crap and a catchy single. JC's passion for music is definitly evident in this album. He didnt just whip up a quick album and try to match justins thrive for hip hop r and b styles. He mixes it up with reggae, rock, soft ballads, r and b, and he really feeds off of every genre as if hes been doing it for a long time. The sad thing about this album was that it wasn't well recieved because of the controversy with some of the dare I say "sex" lyrics the songs offered. But the lyrics in these songs should fly today as most of the music out there thrives is mostly based on sex anyway.The problem was whos mouth it was coming out of. This is the guy who made his career off of catchy singles from the biggest band in the world from 1999 to 2001 and they were anything but controversial. There in lies the reason i enjoyed this album so much. There is such a wide variety of songs and different genres but you can hear why he is so talented and needed a solo effort to express his self in this way. Unlike his bandmate Justin Timberlake who was predictable in his sound and dirrection of his album Justified that anything he did was going to sell no matter what. It sounded bland and had no real direction. I believe that a true artist dosent really care who buys the albums and sales of the cd's but whats in the CD. Well here are the tracks.
1.Some Girls
The first single from the album its probley the most predictable one as well. A very smooth delivery from JC and nice beat make it a great listen but its not one of the stronger tracks on the album. The great production on the album is clear in this song with the unique scratches that give it a "club" kinda feel to it. Although not the best song it is a great dance tune and should be given a few listens to respect the song.4/5.
2.She Got Me
Nice song. And sounding Michael Jackson like but without being a ripoff. Its lyrics are a little childish but another nice delivery from JC and shows off his vocals. The guitar in the song is simple and catchy and tells the story of an alien girl who comes to visit him. Although that sounds retarded its not because the lyrics blend well with the songs production. Very Nice. 3.5/5.
3.100 Ways
Why this wasnt released as a single is just plain puzzling to me. One of the best songs of 2004 it really shows how this album is such a change for the former Nsyncer. Great production with a cool guitar riff and great fast lyrics about lust and passion for a girl. This song will change your mind if your a hater. I do believe this song is shows his level of authenticity as a writer and not a guy who is written for. The singing, while not superb, is truley amazing because he tells the story so well and the lyrics are put together with an awesome sense of taste. Perfect. 5/5.
4.Mercy
A strange sounding song at frist but it grows on you after a few listens it will be worth it. The lyrics are straightfoward but get the job done. "I need mercy/Its the insanity eating out the man of me". Certainly not his best stuff it still a well done song. 3.5/5.
5.Build My World
The first ballad on the CD is at first glance just another ballad. But if you listen to the lyrics they are quite beautiful and many of you can relate to them. Its about not finding the one but the way he describes it is just beautiful and the way you want your ballad. It starts out with a nice repeating tone that leads into the vocals. "Clear my eyes/Its the morning after/did i fall in love/or did i find disaster". The writing is superb and the vocals are some of his best sounding ever.5/5.
6.Something Special
Great guitar work on this song making it a very nice listen. Nothing groundbreaking or special but that dosent mean its not good. Its very George Michael like, and again dosent rip off anything. "Come into my room/ lets break all the rules / who knows what we'll do". Simple and not too mushy. Very relaxing song. 4/5.
7.If You Were My Girl
One of my faves becasue of the structure and sound of the song. Another nice rocker song that real musicions will appreciate because of the lyrics and guitar work. The ending to the song makes it because of the nice delivery by JC. As he softly mumbles too the line "If you were my girl it really makes the song. 5/5.
8. Shake It
One of the songs that make the albums title what it is. So much different then the rest of the album becasue it was produced by Basement Jaxx and has there signature sound all over it. If your not familiar with this sound its very electronica like. If that dosent explain it then I dont know what does. So different but in a good way.4.5/5.
9.All Day Long I Dream About Sex
The title really puts it out there but it fails to deliver. The sound is very eightes like and has alot of energy but its drawn out and overdone. Topping out at over 9 mins long it overstays its welcome once you heard the chorus for the fifteenth millionth time. The song was the second single and its the one that caused all the controversy but the lyrics are'nt as bad as what you have probley read or heard about. Not terrible but not good either. 3/5
10.One Night Stand
Fun song that does what it needs to do which is make you laugh but also have a nice structure to it. Goofy lyrics dont bring it down as it sounds like an old Prince song. Which is a good compliment. The reason i say this is because the song is nicely put together and isnt too stupid or immature to annoy. The comedy parts my make you cringe but hey at least he tried. 4.5/5
11.Come To Me
Mixes some old synth beats over nicley laid out lyrics. This one suprised me because at first I thought it was a cover but as the song when on it became clear that it was just JC writing about being terrifyingly lonely and needing someone real bad. It does have a cruel set of lyrics to salivate over but nothing to special."Cause when im all alone I lay awake and masturbate", might be unusual too some but as most know it is a painstakingly true line. 4.5/5.
12.Dear Goodbye
Another higlight on the album with the best lyrics on lyrics hes ever written as well. And if you still dont think he cant sing listen to this song and shut up. Cause the talent is there and poured into this beautiful song. The message is simple its about a break up but its done in a very unique way as it tells his point of view about writing a letter to the one he has lost. A ballad but dosent feel like one if that makes any sense.5/5.
13.Everything You Want
The reggae song on the album sonunds legit and could be on a reggae station if he released it. And again its not a poser song thats trying to sound reggae it just does and he has the voice to accomplish it. If you heard this for the first time you would definitly think it was a professional reggae singer. You can hear that JC was very influenced by Bob Marley in this song and pays omage to him dearly. Nice upbeat song about not always getting what you want. 4.5/5
14.Lose Myself
My personal favorite. It has awesome lyrics and some beautiful moments too it that make it the not only the best song on the album but the best love song of the year. Just amazing. The reason I do like this song so much is because I can relate to it and anyone whos has ever been knocked out because of someone knows what I mean. "Because Im knocked unconiuous/walking on water cause Im thinking of you/And dont you know your loves intoxicating/and I need the abuse".So true. 5/5.
15.Right Here
Great guitar work and a lovely way to start to fade the album out. Very well done and great references to some old 80's songs. Simply done and not to exteme to get his point over that he can put a nice pop song together with the best of them. The fade out on the song is beautiful. 3.5/5
16.Blowin Me Up
Great song but too bad it came out on the album a year after it was released. It kinda grew on me and became so so but if your listening to it for the first time youll love it. 3/5.
There is a bonus track with Some Girls remix with ODB that is probley better then the origiional but i didnt feel like reviewing casue its not really apart of the album.
Ok so theres my review and please give this album a chance casue it is quite a listening expierence. Its a shame it didnt get much attention but thats a cool thing about it casue its a diamond in the rough now.
Thanks
