By guest blogger FirstGentlemen
2009 has been a big year on the music scene. So many artists dropped albums but unfortunately, no one picked them up. This is just my humble attempt to make sense of the world of R&B.
Starting off on a positive note, here are MY Top 5 albums I liked this year (in no particular order):
1) Love vs. Money by The-Dream
I haven’t always been a fan of The-Dream, but I think he won me over with this album. Sure, he’s not the best singer (and these days does that even matter anymore?) but he can write and produce a cohesive album with a distinct sound. While there is nothing as catchy as “Umbrella” here, he finds his niche telling Nivea and Lil’ Wayne where to go and where to get off at!
2) BLACKsummers’ Night by Maxwell
It took 8 years or so but thankfully it arrived. A sleek, stylish and sophisticated grown-folks-baby-making album. This man single-handedly brought back R&B with 9 songs. He had the whole ‘hood singing about “Pretty Wings” and it wasn’t even $2 Tuesdays at Popeye’s chicken!
3) Sex Therapy by Robin Thicke
On the title track “Sex Therapy”, Robin Thicke blends the sounds of the two aforementioned artists (The-Dream & Maxwell) onto one song. Not only can he sing, play and make quality R&B but he does it all while being white! I mean that’s not easy task LOL. Ask Amy Crackhouse Winehouse. This album will give him an extra bump of street cred. Check my previous review of the album if you haven’t already!
4) The Fame Monster by Lady GaGa
I know this isn’t technically R&B but I don’t give a damn! Her music is dope; she has rappers (Wale & Kid Cudi) sampling her songs, Beyonce‘ and Akon guest featuring, AND she’s the hottest thing this side of 2010. Keri, Ciara and hell, Beyonce’ aint hanging with her (calm down Beyno-no stans) and “Teeth” is my ish! You hear me?! MY ISH!!!
5) Turn Me Loose by Ledisi
Ledisi has hands down put together one of the best R&B/Soul albums of 2009, especially now in retrospect that the year has come to a close and expected albums from the big names in the 4th quarter have all but dropped or leaked and we are disappointed. It’s always awesome to see someone come into their own as a star, and Ledisi will be around for a while if she keeps it up! Turn Me Loose was equal parts soul, Gospel, funk, jazz and everything else you’d expect from such a powerhouse singer.
Now time for the bad/worst!
1) In Love & War by Amerie
As much as it pains me to write this, I have to. I love Amerie; she’s got passion, she sings everything full out and her first album was really good. Eut ever since then however, she’s been floundering. She had her own style with Rich Harrison, but once she left him, it became evident it was all HIS talent not hers. This album is evidence that she lost the war on good music and ended up a casualty.
2) The Element of Freedom by Alicia Keys
*deep sigh* What happened? I blame Swizz Beats! Sure, we knew she was falling off with “No One” but we let it slide. Now she done slid off the piano bench into the bed of a married man and is trying to sleep with a broken heart and a flop album. iCan’t!
3) Fantasy Ride by Ciara
Have you seen the cover of this album? ‘Nuff said.
4) Ryan Leslie and Transition by Ryan Leslie
Ryan Leslie dropped 2 albums in the space of 9 months and they both were as dry as Beyonce’s lacefronts. He doesn’t have an ounce of personality. The albums are equivalent to the “Clear Eyes” guy (Ben Stein) doing the Motown songbook…*yawn* wake me when he’s done.
5) I Look To You by Whitney Houston
I know most of you guys are going to crucify me BUT deep down in your heart of hearts you agree with me. This album was like watching a car crash in slow motion. You knew they were going to try and do everything to avoid the wreck but it just made it worse. *Sigh* Ya’ll can act like the Empress has new clothes if you want to but I’m going to tell y’all the truth — she’s naked as a bluejay! And R. Kelly wrote the title track?! How in the world is a pedophile going to write a song for a crack head about God?! Even so, come now Sweet Minty Jesus!
Related posts:
- Falls & Flat Notes — We Live Blog The 2009 American Music Awards!
- 2010 BET Honors Recap, Live Blog & Performances
- Ryan Leslie Is Strings & Vocals With “I Choose You” Live Performance
- The IPS Blogs: My “Most” List Of 2009
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December 18, 2009 Ratchet
Beyoncé > Gaga
FACT.
And Whitney’s album was not bad. It was solid. “Okay” solid, not “classic” solid, but really all her albums have been that way.
December 18, 2009 OneOf_TheKids
Something is the mink isn’t clean about that Dream fellow. But the rest i agree.
December 18, 2009 Chris-style
lol, you’re as entertaining as IPS himself! Good review! iHollered @ “slid off the piano bench” haha! Keep it up!
December 18, 2009 The IPS
@OneOf_TheKids LOL @ “something in the mink isn’t clean about that Dream fellow” iDied!
December 18, 2009 Marc
“…Ya’ll can act like the Empress has new clothes if you want to but I’m going to tell y’all the truth — she’s naked as a bluejay! And R. Kelly wrote the title track?! How in the world is a pedophile going to write a song for a crack head about God?!…”
*____________________________*
December 21, 2009 its so cooold in the D!
LOLOL @ dry as Beyonce’s lacefront! agree with u 1000% on my Maxiepoo! i stans for that man!
December 23, 2009 NewB
You know Gaga’s “Teeth” was co-written by Teddy Riley’s daughter, Taja. I guess talent runs in the family… She had a cute little interlude on Blackstreet’s Another Level album…when she was like 4 or 5 :-)