7 posts tagged “musicology”

Just testing some stuff to see if Vox is really where it's at.  In the meantime, enjoy some chocolate rain...

"Chocolate Rain"

Chocolate Rain
Some stay dry and others feel the pain
Chocolate Rain
A baby born will die before the sin

Chocolate Rain
The school books say it can't be here again
Chocolate Rain
The prisons make you wonder where it went

Chocolate Rain
Build a tent and say the world is dry
Chocolate Rain
Zoom the camera out and see the lie

Chocolate Rain
Forecast to be falling yesterday
Chocolate Rain
Only in the past is what they say

Chocolate Rain
Raised your neighborhood insurance rates
Chocolate Rain
Makes us happy 'livin in a gate

Chocolate Rain
Made me cross the street the other day
Chocolate Rain
Made you turn your head the other way

(Chorus)
Chocolate Rain
History quickly crashing through your veins
Chocolate Rain
Using you to fall back down again
[Repeat]

Chocolate Rain
Seldom mentioned on the radio
Chocolate Rain
Its the fear your leaders call control

Chocolate Rain
Worse than swearing worse than calling names
Chocolate Rain
Say it publicly and you're insane

Chocolate Rain
No one wants to hear about it now
Chocolate Rain
Wish real hard it goes away somehow

Chocolate Rain
Makes the best of friends begin to fight
Chocolate Rain
But did they know each other in the light?

Chocolate Rain
Every February washed away
Chocolate Rain
Stays behind as colors celebrate

Chocolate Rain
The same crime has a higher price to pay
chocolate Rain
The judge and jury swear it's not the face

(Chorus)

Chocolate Rain
Dirty secrets of economy
Chocolate Rain
Turns that body into GDP

Chocolate Rain
The bell curve blames the baby's DNA
Chocolate Rain
But test scores are how much the parents make

Chocolate Rain
'Flippin cars in France the other night
Chocolate Rain
Cleans the sewers out beneath Mumbai

Chocolate Rain
'Cross the world and back its all the same
Chocolate Rain
Angels cry and shake their heads in shame

Chocolate Rain
Lifts the ark of paradise in sin
Chocolate Rain
Which part do you think you're 'livin in?

Chocolate Rain
More than 'marchin more than passing law
Chocolate Rain
Remake how we got to where we are.

(Chorus)

21

1. Entourage 

"Baby I want you to be my entourage!" 

Lovely song with fun, upbeat beginnings and a smooth, yet funky middle that gets you ready to move.  Fun vocals and lush harmonies make this song a bit more than middle of the pack.  It's a great intro song and sets the tone for the entire album.

2. Ice Box 

Dangit if I don't love this song and everything about it.  It's kind of ghetto, kind of trifling, a little too much Usher's You Remind Me, and the video is an utter hot mess.  I think though, that all of these wrongs make it right.  The fast paced harmonies, the jilted reverb and the catchy bridge make this song unnaturally contagious.  Timbaland truly out does himself and we see here that even at his worst he makes it happen.  I fear this song is an aquired taste though, there seems to either be excited fans, or  disgruntled haters on either side of the taste scale.

3. Electric  

Kind of a '90s funk groove feel to this song that is welcome and encouraged.  It's very smooth, very lush and totally fluid.  It's a rollerskating song, one you can just glide to.

4. Made For TV 

Silly song, yes we know you're a superstar Omarion, but this song isn't the one to showcase that talent.  It's not really skippable, it has promise, but it's pure filler.  Besides, the exact same sentiment is expressed better in a song later on the album.

5. Just Can't Let You Go  

This song is 100% typical Omarion, from the drums to the WHOO's! to the poppy background.  It's another filler song, but it's a niche song, it has the potential to mean a lot to someone depending on their situation.  It has lasting effect once you get it in your subconscious, it's just getting it there that's the trick.

Omarion_

6. Obsession   

"My heart-heart goes boom-boom tap!"

I adore this song, and again the trifling love factor.  The premise is sound, but the execution would be laughable if it weren't so darn wonderful!  The slight call and response of the versus "Where you came from?" was entirely inviting and made the song accessible, and the fun chorus made it memorable.  Lovely inclusion and I would like to see it as a single but I think it's a little too much in the vein as some of his other releases.

7. Midnight

This hot mess!  An admittedly catchy hot mess, but a hot mess none-the-less.  It's basically Usher's Confessions, but during the fact.  The song counts down the timeline of the night to the next morning telling the fantastic tale of Omarion's philandering ways.  I'm not huge on counting songs, regardless of what it is being counted, but this one I can listen to when I'm dealing with a sudden loss of morals.

8. Just that Sexy   

Very cute, I like songs that give black girls props though I don't think the shoutout to "light-skinned girls" was entirely necessary.  It's filler.

Icebox

9. Beg For It 

Another Timbaland track and just as "grown" as Omarion thinks he is.  I'm sure that he probably has 5+ years of sexual experience under his belt, but he's still 4 years younger than me and I refuse to think of myself as old.  It's actually pretty catchy if it weren't for the jailbaiter lyrics.  Omarion isn't really fine to me, but I would tear him UP.

Sorry, please don't call the cops on me.

10. Do It  

Sounds a lot like "Too Close" such a filler song with the random female lead. 

11. Been With A Star   

This is basically the "Made for TV" song made relevant.  He has a bit of humor in it and some old school stylings that are fluid and natural.  It's an easy, laid back tune that gives you time to rest before the next song, very nice, and great filler.

12. What Are We Doing

Odd for being the last song on the album.  It's cutish, at least he realizes what the consequences of sex are and how that can mess up a friendship, especially if you aren't ready for a long term commitment, but the placement was just off and the production was slightly shoddy.

Omarion_feature

Overall it's a very fun album and a pretty decent buy.  I wouldn't shell out more than $15 for it, but I wouldn't feel bad spending a little bit on tax for it!

moved over from twoptasia thread.
Preview Link

  A track by track for ya'll;

Hood Boy: From the jazz infused beginnings to the dirty dirty of the bridge this song is just made for booty pumpin and change making'! And no shame to her game either, it's just a fun, funky song that you can't help but get a little crunk to.

When I See U: So sweet and lush. Very smooth and remniscent of Summer Lovin/Set the Mood by Justin Timberlake. Not the same song (it actually sounds like Losin' My Way, heh), but that same feel. Very laid back, cool, and emotional. And of course Fantasia brings the soul naturally, it doesn't need a lot of overproduction.

I Nominate You: Let's see you be Denzel... it's your Training Day, come and get meeeee. Nuff said, I love it just because of that. Ha! It sounds like an Omarion song, and that can be good or bad...

Also, the whole talkinging thing (talky/singing) about the "You don't go to fast.." thing. Yeah, we don't need that, just do a run baby.

Baby Makin' Hips: I love the little echo in the chorus and the horns get me every time. DoublePump was right about the side of funk and I like the house music inspirations. Very great song and makes me want to shake my own Baby Makin' hips! I don't know if it has the staying power that it's predicted to have, but I would be more than happy to be proven wrong. Oooweee Cutie!

Not the Way That I Do: This song is like every Beyonce song to me which means I hate it more than rabies now but I'll be bumping to it in about six months. Sigh, darn you Bouncy!

Only One U: I like the song, the counting is a little too Brian McKnightish for me, but it's a very cute theme to count down to only one you. I'll let it slide. The little shout out to Meth and Mary's All I Need was cute (though Nas and Lauryn held their own too, heh)

Side Note: Why are these songs so short? I'm glad there are a ton of songs on here, but they seem so truncated. Maybe I'm just feening for more Tasiababy?

I Feel Beautiful: I hate these kinds of songs. I know they're inspirational but they're also very boring. Homegirl can sing, but I already know I'll be skipping this one. It's not a bad song, just not my style. Especially since I'll be hearing it at every Miss Black [insert random state, school, community center here] pageant, every Miss Black & Gold pageant, and Black History banquet next year. It will be good times, but I don't wear it out just yet.

I'm not that Type: I was skeptical, but I love that beat and dangit when you look too good for you necklace you gotta tell someone, right? This is club song, nothing more nothing less. This is the "Fantasia's gonna be on Soul Train!" kind of easy singing club hit. I like, but where's the rapper? She needs a rapper! You wit a new chick eeeeeery night! Heeeey!

Uneligible: There seems to be a nice little revival of old music themes, especially in CD's like John Legend's Once Again. I like when they can completely remix that 50's sound but still keep a modern feel. The retro elements in this song are a lot more subtle, but they are there and I love the end result.

Two Weeks Notice: Oh metaphor songs. Sigh, just like inspirational songs for me. I like when she said, I ain't got commissions and the backups said, Not even a little bit!, but it's not enough. Heh.

Surround it: I love it, and I love the horns in the back, gives it that fun Lupe Fiasco feel. Now that would be a HOT collabo! Fun song, you can't help but move to it and I'm lovin' all the brotha love in this album.

Bore Me (Yawn): This song is HOTNESS. It's still that Beyonce feel (Baby let me know if you wanna roll...), but the one that's awesome and not wildly annoying. Who is this song featuring? Cause they are jammin'! Though I would love to hear her and John Legend hook up, and this song would be dope with him in that part.

Sunshine: Started out skrong! Like, down souf Lil Wayne/Old School Juvie/TI strings and bass, just hot! But then it got a little mellow. Then we have the Missy inspired/Hot Boys thing in the middle which got me The sun may get broke..I know, I know. This isn't a song that should have to redeem itself and I would have liked to hear her really wail at the end, but overall it's solid.

Bump What Your Friends Say: I don't like her cussin' in the songs, but that's because I'm prude about who I like cussing, heh. It's a ghetto ballad, and almost like the inspiro/metaphoro songs for me, but I love ghetto ballads for all the wrong reasons. And she's sangin'!

Though I hate that that was the final song. What a terrible song to go out on, but not so bad since I can put it on repeat and listen to Hood Boy again!

John Legend: Once Again

Track by Track

1. Save Room

  Very fluid, melodious tune.  I've found that I'm a fan of the repeating songs and I think it's my background in gospel music choir that has aided this.  Having to repeat something over and over as a way to memorize songs was something that was ingrained in us.  John has that same sensibility and very much the same background.

He goes a bit cliche again with the whole,

"Love hurts sometimes, when you do it right.  Don't be afraid of a little pain, pleasure is on the other side."

thing that he does.  And it's lovely, and the phrasing and timing is superb, but... okay John, relationships are HARD.  We.Get.It.

2. Heaven 

This song is fantastic just for the little guitar riffs placed periodically in the song.  It's a great mixture of '60s rock with '90s r&b/neo-soul.  Very wavy, yet punctual, this song has a riveting beat that moves you from the inside.  Excellent track.

3. Stereo   

I love the phrasing in this song. 

"Her favorite colors, be platinum & gold, she only love in stereo."

It's a very creative way of calling his girl a starf*cker, and such a wonderful metaphor for that kind of girl.  John Legend has such a unique voice and I love that he can do many technically acrobatic things with it, but still maintain its lovely coarseness.

4. Show Me 

I want to like this song very much, but there's an odd shift present that makes it nearly impossible.  Something in the rhythm that stops me every few seconds.  I become so distracted by the beat that I can't even listen to song.  Honestly, not only can I not tell you what it's about, I can't quote a single word. 

5. Each Day Gets Better   

This is really an eras album.  Something from each post-Rock era gets mixed deliciously in this album and it really starts with this song.  Very smooth, very old school r&b.  Fun, flowy, filler song that goes above the crop and shines.  Besides, it's nice to have an actual love is good song from our Johnny boy.

6. P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)   

Hee!  Get it!  Any song that talks about doing it in public and rhymes propriety with society is okay in my book.  Mama's house may be a bit much, but I can dig it.  This song has a retro, loungy feel which just adds to the delicious naughtiness of the subject matter.  Good times.

7. Slow Dance   

"Da, da, DA DAAAA! Da, da, da, daaaa, daaaa!" 

Hee!  Love this song just because it's so old school '70s!  From the wonderfully shrill backup singers to the wonderfully overpowering black man, all of these rough, early sounds come together and form something that pierces the heart,

"As we move, to the floor, and WE SLOOOOOOW DANCE!" 

Love it, excellent.

8. Again  

There's a line in here that goes like this,

"...accusations fly, like bullets do..."

and it's so lovely.  It's another "We can't be together, but I love it when we are" song and it works.  Simply him, a mic, and a piano with some additional instrumentals, and it rocks you to the core.  Very sad, and sometimes a little frustrating because again, we've heard it all before, but I think the beauty of the piece outweighs any criticisms.

9. Maxine 
10. Where Did My Baby Go 
11. Maxine's Interlude 

 Okay, this is a trio of songs that spans several musical eras, but gels in way that's ultimately pleasing.  It's the kind of nostalgia that you kid of shake your head at, but in a lovingly remniscent way.  We start with a bouncy, Girl from Impanema style lounge song about a someone reminding our boy of a girl he once knew.  We learn that this girl's name is Maxine, and evidently she was very important to our crooner.

We slide into a '50s doo-wop style song that wonders where Maxine is, and how she's doing.  It's very Temptations and I almost expected a "Woo-EE-woooo" at the end, but Legend still has that modern r&b sensibility that smooths out the rough edges of the time.

We end with a '70s via retro-soul inspired plea for Maxine's return that gets so frantic, they are practically yelling at the end.  But in a good way.  There are about a half dozen voices shouting MAAXXXIIINNNEEE! MAAXXXXIIINEEE!!  WHERE DID YOU GOOOOO?! My friend Ronnie and I have a joke where we say,

"Dang boy!  I'm right here!  I just wne to the store!  You do this everytime I go out, you are so emotional baby.  Come here and give mama a kiss."

Heh, I love it.

12. Another Again

Quite possibly my favorite song on the album.  It truly is another again, but it's much more upbeat and optimistic.  Basically saying, "We love it each other, and this shouldn't work, but dangit if I don't love trying!"  So much fun, and cutesy while still being mature. 

13. Coming Home 

This is one of those songs that I just don't like that well.  It's very, "Mama, I'm coming HOME!", but without the boss guitar rifts.  It also makes me sad, but in a bad way.  I don't know, I always skip it.

What song or lyrics are stuck in your head at the moment?  What album is it from?
Submitted by Lox Ly. 

 

"So grab your friends and let's take it back to my hive.  Let's watch Sex & the City or Desperate Housewives..."

Basically, if it's on Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds, it's in my head.  This album has taken over my soul, it's really good.  I haven't done the play by play review so I guess I'll do it here!

 

 

01. FutureSex/LoveSound:  Really fun song that sets the tone for the entire album.  A very nice, subtle transgression from hip-hop into more international flaors.  Timbaland has definitely been inspired by Eastern music, but has managed to keep his southern sensibility.  The instrumentals are fantastic, and the vocals are delicious. 

02. SexyBack (ft. Timbaland):  What started it off really.  Such a departure though completely in line with the image Justin is making for himself.  It's a musical evolution and very hip and modern. 

03. Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk To You Prelude:  Funky, funky fresh.  Very cute, simple song, very spit-game.  The LMTtY prelude is a very interesting start to My Love.  I usually hate it when they have preludes at the end of songs, but this worked very well.

04. My Love (ft. T.I.):  I LOVE TI!  He can do no wrong although the 2nd part of his rap (I ain't gonna chase you, whatever) is a bit off putting, but it's still a lot of fun.  Timba does his thang of course and Justin sounds almost crunk.  He doesn't get really crunk until Chop Me Up which is quite possibly one of the best Vanilla soul gangstalicious records to date.

05. LoveStoned/I Think She Knows Interlude:  Okay, I talked about this a bit in my journal.  This song is masterful, the transition from choppy hip-hop to smooth electronica-whatever is pure heaven.  Something about it coming off that beat, and then moving into a Smashing Pumpkins "Tonight, Tonight" meets R.E.M., brit rock explosion of utter bliss makes me just close my eyes and throw my hands in the air and imagine. It's a spinny song, you imagine the world literally rotating around you, for just those few minutes and this wave of chords and rhythms and progressions. It's very DC Talk Supernatural. It's wavy, and I love it

06. What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude:  As my eljay friend Phaballa stated, the best lyric in this song is, "When you cheated girl, my heart bleeded girl..."  So funny, but also lovely.  Another progression song, very nice, very well placed.  Timba tried something like this with Ginuwine during 100% Ginuwine so it's good to see that he's still pulling from that same bag.  That album was great also.

07. Chop Me Up (ft. Timbaland and Three 6 Mafia):  WHoo LAWD!  For those who forgot that Mr. JT was southern and from MEMPHIS, this song will remind you!  So wonderfully ghetto and stunning.  I love 3 6 just for their wrongness and they bring it full force on this record.  It's such a great time, full on head boppin' St. Loius snappin' good time.

08. Damn Girl (ft. Will.I.Am):  This here is for the whitefolk, heh.  It's fun, very funky, Prince-like.  I can't sing half the words in it because I don't cuss, but it's still a nice little trip. 

09. Summer Love/Set The Mood Prelude:  SO PRETTY!   Great backing vocals, very smooth, flowy song.  Puts you into a nice place.  Lovely.

10. Until the End of Time:  I can't remember this song right now for the life of me.  Since Set the Mood is the prelude I'm guessing I really just don't notice the transition.  Hmm, I'll listen and maybe update.

Yes, I was correct, this song blends very well into the prelude.  I do love it, it has a very nice '80s feel to it.

11. Losing My Way:  Lord have mercy it's a message song.  Sigh, and I was completely about to write it off, but then the kids' choir showed up, then the accappella, then the Kirk Franklin/R Kelly doppleganger, and then somehow it circled back around to awesome.  I can't help it.

12. (Another Song) All Over Again:  Very remniscent of the Again song from Justified.  Pretty song, acoustic, really nice runs.  Heartbreaker.

13. Pose (ft. Snoop Dogg):  Ghetto hot triflin' mess and Snoop talks in the middle of it, but dangit if it isn't catchy.

14. SexyBack (ft Clipse):  Someone please send out the following memo to Clipse, JT, Pharrell, and Timba.  CLIPSE CANNOT RAP!  THEY SUCK!  PLEASE STOP ENCOURAGING THEM.  Thank you.