Review Summary: Yeah, like i care if you agree.
Well, this is it. I guess life is over, the messiah is coming and we have to start preparing now. I am going to compile a list of records that came out in recent memory that are not as good as this album.
1) That new bloc party album.
2) That relatively new strokes album.
3) That new Linkin Park album. But really anyone could top that.
4) Like half of the newest Black Keys album.
5) Alabama snakes or whatever they are.
The list goes on....
Now a good 50 percent of you are either
A) Angry that i rated a Justin Bieber album higher than Linkin Park
or
B) Angry that i waste valuable space and time in these unconventional lists
The good news is, i can soothe your anger! If your answer was B, i feel for you. If your answer was A, congrats. You're an idiot.
I'm one of those people who can get annoyed if you are playing terrible music. You like Jason Aldean and country? Fine, I don't, but i respect your opinion. Like Rascal Flats? I hate you, don't play them with me in earshot. When i heard yet another Justin Bieber song got in the top 100 in youtube, i just had to go see how terrible it was. Well, the first thing I said when i heard the single "As Long As You Love Me" was "wow, this sounds different." Actually, no. The first thing i said was "Why is the guy from Reservoir Dogs in a Justin Bieber video!" At first i was angry at the hack attempt to draw in another audience, but then i smiled when i hoped that they made an homage to the film and he shot the kid.
What I meant by different was mature. And what i meant by mature wasn't the fact it had Big Sean and Mr Blonde in the video. Or even the electronic influences (Which are fairly prominent on the album). I was more impressed when i heard the tone, emotion and feel of both the lead single and, later, the album. Songs like "Around the world" and "As Long As You Love Me" are pop standards, but similar (of course not nearly as good) to Rubber Soul, they show a much more mature outlook.
Alot of the songs have a really good pulse and feel. My favorite of the more upbeat tracks is "Around the World", the opener. It showcases a pretty chill drum and bass kind of thing and it drives the track forward. You will notice on the album that, in an effort to make it sound less like straight pop songs, the snare hits are actually ever so slightly
beforethe beat. This helps to drive the songs, and it makes them sound more edgy and less poppy.
Now, this thing isn't London Calling. It's a pop album, directed at teen girls, teen girls moms, and effeminate hobbits. Songs like "Believe" are just too cheesy to sit through, and sometimes the production sounds like they were trying to produce a Wiz Khalifa album for 6 year olds. The guitars also sound a little too clean sometimes. "Boyfriend" had the potential to be an alright song, but it was just too clean and cookie cutter. It's like he didn't want to fully commit to his new direction, afraid he would lose his fan base. "Boyfriend" may have cheesy rapping and lyrics, but the chorus is catchy without being too in-your-face. Some of the songs, including "Believe" and "Boyfriend", could use a real edge, similar to what is found on ALAYLM.
I don't know why Justin Bieber is being all mature all of a sudden. I mean, the guy isn't producing Pink Floyd epics, he's still throwing out these pop songs like old Huey Lewis vinyls. Maybe it's the world. Maybe we weren't ready for the edgey Biebs. I think that's my conclusion. Throughout the whole time of his dippy Wesley Crusher looks, stupid pop songs, and bowlcut, he was just biding his time. This genius was harvesting fans like gremlins, and now he is ready to unleash his good material to the world. It's a shame he had to make all that crappy pop first, but how could he have any pudding if he didn't eat his meat?
