I've been jamming to Fantasia's second album for the past 3 weeks. I must admit that I was pretty excited about this album before checking it even though her debut Free Yourself wasn't that wow to me. The idea of Urban Rock (like she described the new sound), made me impatient and curious.
First single Hood Boy
is just what I was expecting, the perfect example of Urban Rock in my
opinion. The song is sexy, hot, rockish, aggressive, dirty and Big Boi does his thing blazing his rhymes to the song.
Fantasia has that strange voice that adds the personality to every song, and the production is on point.
But, if you are not into the first single, don't worry cus she has better jams. When I See U is catchy and beautiful from start to finish and is the perfect contender for the second single prize, Not The Way That I Do has that powerful chorus, Nominate U is R&B at its best and I'm Not That Type
has a Crazysexyasskickin' beat plus Fantasia killing vocals. The
track is very different from the sound she chose for the album,
but you can't complain. The other tracks are amazing too, but
these were the highlights.
This is definitely an improvement over her debut album and shows us why she is nothing but the Winner of American Idol.
KESHIA CHANTÉ - 2U
SONY/BMG CANADA
VIDEO: 2U, BEEN GONE
RATING: 7.5/10
Canadian R&B artist Keshia Chanté released her second album 2U in December. I took my time and checked it during my holidays and I still see myself playing it.
Been Gone (the first single) simples Vivaldi's 4 Winter Seasons and the result is nothing but amazing, the title track is cool but forgettable and half of the tracks are fillers. I'm not saying that it's a bad album by any means, Summer Love is one of the best songs, even though you try you just can't hate on Stomp, Kiss has that so overused hit formula. Fallen is hot but if you want to incluye a rapper in your song it could be someone better than Freeway and Little Things is the obvious solo piano song, which is very nice by the way!
Her voice is pretty good (I find it similar to Monica's), she has potential, at only 18 she has 2 albums and a national R&B star tatus in her homeland, famous producers in the album are Happy Perez (Frankie J, Eamon), singer Shawn Desman, Danja (Paula DeAnda, Justin) who produced Too Much and Rockwilder, who produced and wrote Can't Believe with the help of Yummy Bingham (who also wrote Be About Yours).
RUBEN STUDDARD - THE RETURN
J RECORDS
VIDEO: CHANGE ME
RATING: 6/10
The amazing American Idol runner-up Ruben Studdard released his third album on December. The debut album Soulful was hot and included productions from Kanye West and The Underdogs among others. This time I really don't know what producers he chose (apart from Scott Storch), but the case is that the material is not as good as it used to be. The ballads (which are the majority of the album) are kinda boring. I liked some of them, but the best tracks are not the low-tempo. The only tracks I can listen without skipping are Ain't No Party, What Tha Business and Make Ya Feel Beautiful (which happens to be the second single).
Anyways, it could be worse cus at least he has an amazing voice, which makes it more enjoyable and less painful, imagine Ray J singing those ballads!
I wouldn't say that The Return is a bad album, but after checking Soulful, I cannot say this is the best material he could've delivered.
I will be posting great stuff very soon, albums that are hard to get! And I got news...regarding MY musical career he he (which never started)!
I will be heading to the studio next week and start working on my songs! The first one I'm planning to record is the mid-tempo Came Back 4 U! Stay tuned cus My Space will be launched very soon with the material!
Enjoy
Dan
