Events
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
John Legend is not the typical R&B / soul artist. His lyrical content is much heavier, his voice is a little deeper, and he looks extremely comfortable behind the keys rather than dancing on stage. His latest album Evolver (2008) hit the market a few weeks before the presidential election, and he was still able to have large success. I attribute it to John Legend’s ability to stay unique while maintaining who he is through his lyrics and vocal strength.
Every artist tries to reinvent himself after the release of their debut album. For one reason, they don’t want to be type-casted into one form of music. And the other reason to still sound fresh and new to fans + newcomers to their music. I think Evolver did a great job of sounding fresh (through the unique production style + collaborations) while still maintaining the type of music + lyrics that John Legend has become popular form. The album as a whole is alot more “electronic”, which is the way pop + R&B music has been headed towards since Timberland took over production for some popular artists. And since T-Pain had a public relationship with his Vocoder. But Evolver is not badly electronic where the music sounds over produced. It’s actually really well put together where the production compliments the keys + John Legend’s voice. And I have to add that John Legend put some politics into the mix as well!
A few collaborations with some obnoxious artists helped created some radio singles. Everybody already heard the Andre 3000 single entitled Green Light which was released back in July of this summer. The song climbed the charts really quick and held well until this album drop. Now I think a few more songs will become singles that are collaboration based. First is It’s Over feat. Kanye West which talks about the end of a relationship and how the end lingers on and on. Kanye of course drops in with some comical lines like “We Like Bobby & Whitney, Except Without The Kiddies. Just Like Pamela Anderson’s Career, Except Without The Titties.” Song is good (not great) but definitely has some commercial appeal. The other track which I think will get really big and that I like alot is No Other Love (feat. Estelle). It has this reggae beat and this flow that makes you feel like you found the woman of your dreams on the shore of the Caribbean beaches. The last is a song entitled Quickly which features old school hottie Brandy (from songs like Boy Is Mine). There is a nice house-style beat which I think will help this track get remixed into a few DJ sets. Watch out Ne-Yo and Rihanna! John Legend and Brandy make a killer duo both lyrically and vocally. I predict them getting together a few more times …. just have this feeling.
I can definitely come out and say I like this album more than Get Lifted (2004) and Once Again (2006). John Legend is a quality artist who like our friend Vudoo Soul graduated from a prestigious university and joined a cappella groups while in college. And they both went on to do much bigger things than their out of school corporate careers would have provided for them. John Legend is smart, has some great friends (Common, Kanye West), and is doing some profound things in music. Much respect!
Add New Comment
Viewing 5 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment