Overall:
6.93
News
Photos
Lyrics
Reviews
Creator's Pick
Back Home
I've never been a fan of 'N Sync, especially Justin Timberlake. But somehow I ended up review this CD. So what happened? Well Justin got a deal for a solo album, which he decided to go R&B on us. Which is kinda believable, hearing the style of 'N Sync's "Girlfriend". And with A-list producers (Timbaland, The Neptunes, Brian McKnight) and a great cameo from 2002's new kings of rap, Clipse, Justin made his way to a more respectable road. "Like I Love You" is a slick, guitar-heavy urbane song, which launched him to the big times as a solo artist. He followed up with the distorted "Cry Me A River" with snaps and clap arranged into a strange but absolutely addicting mix. But not all of his CD is so flawless; a lot of the songs sound either an experiment or an effortless mess. Unfortunately, Justin didn't make the best of a bad situation, sounding like he doesn't even care about the songs. As most people have noticed, Justin has a Darren Hayes/Michael Jackson falsetto, which isn't used as wisely as those two. In songs like, it can make your skin crawl but on others, like "Cry Me A River", it is nice and funky. The album fails to remain consistent, with one good following a real bad one. The CD just doesn't flow. Here's a review of the songs:
1. Senorita - They try to make this song sound like a good time street song (think Santana's "Smooth"), but fails to pull it off. They try to get you involved in the end and it just gets plain brain dead by the end of the song. 3/10
2. Like I Love You - What a great transition into the R&B and Hip-hop world, Justin produces a seamless song to put the pop of 'N Sync aside. Clipse makes a more than bonafide appearance on the track. 10/10
3. (Oh No) What You Got - Another warp into just plain weird, the background is just plain agitating. Nothing special, move along to the next track. 5/10
4. Take It From Here - A smooth ballad that is easy on the ears. The lyrics aren't exactly profound, state the obvious, (the sky being blue and high, air being sweet and fair) but it moves nicely the whole time. 8/10
5. Cry Me A River - An extremely unique song, you gotta either love it or hate it. I hate it at first but now I can't get enough. Both the song and video for it have a sadistic feel to it, a step forward. 10/10
6. Rock Your Body - Justin whips out his heavy falsetto making a bad version of Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World", and I don't even like Michael but he pulls it off better. 7/10
7. Nothin' Else - How can you go wrong with Brian McKnight behind the song? You really can't but Justin proves he's worthy enough of the song. The sly-moving song reminds me of "She Says" off of Dante Thomas' album. 9/10
8. Last Night - Haven't we heard this before? Oh yeah, about 10 or 20 minutes ago, earlier on this album. And it didn't pick the best parts of the CD to reuse. More high-pitched squeals, Jackson beats, no showstopper here. 5/10
9. Still On My Brian - An okay groove, not much backs up Timberlake, which he doesn't use to his full advantage. There are times he hits a note perfectly and other times when it just isn't working. 7.5/10
10. (And She Said) Take Me Now - Mediocrity is filling in the holes in this CD and this tracks tries to fill in that hole. Another bland dance track. 4/10
11. Right For Me - Justin gets a little more nasty on this track, a little too boring to do anything for the track. The verse rise and fall which falls flat. 3.5/10
12. Let's Take A Ride - Will definitely be a single, so hot. Justin shows a sensitive side for a girl who is in deep pain from everyday life, and with a smooth beat backing him up. Arguable the best song in the CD. 10/10
13. Never Again - Slows things down even more, I would have liked to see this and "Let's Take A Ride" switched to end stronger. A strong piano plays as a soft guitar and hip-hop beat comes in every once in a while. 8/10
While this CD was not bad (considering the dribble produced by the solo artist from the Backstreet Boys) but nothing to write home about it. I would suggest Dante Thomas' Fly instead of Justified, unless you already have it, if you like it, Justin's album might be to your liking. If you just want some good ballads and fewer up tempos, I would also suggest Darren Hayes' Spin instead.
BOTTOM LINE: A CD is a whole entire project, if you only polish enough to get the hits, you will never get out of mediocrity.