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ALBUM REVIEW
 Artist: Jazmine Sullivan
Album: Fearless
Exec. Producer:
Label:
Release Date: September 23, 2008
Initially I was skeptical of the quality that this album was going to have. I've always had a negative disposition towards R&B music mainly because of what I've heard on top 40 radio but the way my boy handed me his mini USB drive there was a certain gleam in his eyes. I mean you should've seen it. It was like the first time I heard the Beatles.
Meet Jazmine Sullivan if it's one word I could use to describe Ms. Sullivan, it would be Gritty. Her voice is the kind that grabs you by the genitalia and spins you in the air like a helicopter and then slams you down on a bed of rusty nails and drops a cinder block on your stomach. The vibe she carries throughout the album is that of a diva that's rough around the edges, but has been polished so you can see the true beauty that lies underneath her hard multilayered shell.
The pain, joy, elation, and energy that she uses in each of her songs have gone mainly missing in the R&B industry. I feel that as of now the veterans currently in the game are losing their touch, and that a considerable amount of real estate should be made for Jazmine Sullivan. With upbeat, energetic production with influences ranging from Dancehall, to Jimi Hendrix (Rest in Peace), this album has many flavors but all pack the same Magarito-like punch.
For example "Bust Your Windows" is a straightforward track about a woman who discovers her lover sleeping behind her back; she then commences to do what's implied in the title. "Revenge is a dish served cold" and "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" personified:
"But I'm glad you see what happens when You see you cant just play with peoples feelingsTell them you love them and don't mean itYou probably say that it was juvenile
But I think that I deserve to smile" - "Bust Your Windows"
The second track just also happens to be the second of three lead singles "Need U Bad" produced by Missy Elliott and Lamb. The thing that got my attention was the heavy dub influence, I felt like King Tubby was running the boards. I wish I could get a sample of this track because I've got some Ideas of my own. When this song came on I thought for only but a moment that I was listening to Keyshia Cole but then I slapped myself back into reality. Knowing that she has as nearly as much stage prowess as Ms. Cole, is such a scary thing. I get chills when I even make attempt to muse on the subject.
"My Foolish Heart" was a track I got the hang of real quick done by the dynamic duo of Carvin & Ivan. The duo responsible for the emergence of Musiq Soulchild not to mention working with Jill Scott, Earth Wind & Fire and everyone else in between.
"Lions & Tigers & Bears" is the single that has yet to be released and I can clearly see why. This is the most subtle, yet powerful composition I've ever heard. With the deepest message I've heard on any R&B single in recent memory. With powerful lyrics that ask the questions that people only think of. "I'm not scared of Lions & Tigers & Bears but I'm scared of loving you." In my opinion is the verse of the year. For the record I'm feeling the circus vibe.
"Am I the only one who thinks an impossible task? Why it don't last? Is that too much to ask? Why do we love Love, when Love seems to hate us?" - "Lions & Tigers & Bears"
Another veteran producer in the name of Salaam Remi, who's worked with Amy Winehouse, Nas, Toni Braxton and the like is the Point Guard running the boards for this track. This song is one of if not the most riveting out of the entire album.
The same can be said for "Call Me Guilty" which speaks about a woman who has been battered, bruised, and beat down for the last time. The song begins with Jazmine having a conversation with her mom about her boyfriend beating the crap out of her and deciding to put a slug in his head. Completely oblivious to the consequences of the aforementioned actions she's decided to go through with.
Other tracks that receive notable mention are "One Night Stand" "After the Hurricane" and "Dream Big" which is an inspiring gripping song about a girl who decides to leave her old life behind to take a chance at stardom.
Another track that got my attention is "Fear" produced by Dirty Harry in which Jazmine spills her guts about her deepest fears and she goes on to give her audience an important message:
"This may sound silly but its true so don't pretend it aint you too we all afraid of something here cuz you aint human with out fear" - "Fear"
Isn't that something we ALL can learn from? Pride comes before the fall.
The rest of the album is incredible. Especially the ballad "I'm In Love With Another Man" in which Jazmine speaks and says remorsefully that despite the feelings she has for the main subject, she is sadly in love with someone else. She then rounds out the end of the Album with the mo-town inspired track "Switch" in which she speaks of wanting her boyfriend's best friend over the person she's currently with. This is a situation I know I (and MANY others) can relate to.
This was an excellent album I enjoyed it through and through every track has producers with experience, with each song pertaining to poignant, intriguing subjects that we all probably can relate to. This is not only an album that speaks for itself in volumes but speaks for and to us as well. Isn't that what music is supposed to be?
s3kshun8
SonicAmp Rating: 10/10 |
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