Tuesday, July 29, 2003
In honor of Thomas' (and my own) love for Aaliyah, I'm posting my dorky review of her final album (not counting the posthumous I Care For U)...which I wrote for a now-defunct webzine in early August 2001, just a few weeks before her untimely death. Hope you guys (especially you, Mr. Inskeep!) enjoy it!
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AALIYAH – Aaliyah
It’s hard to believe that this young woman’s last studio album, the multi-platinum & critically-acclaimed One In A Million, was released five years ago. After all, she’s always been in the spotlight in one way or another – whether it’s with soundtrack smashes (Try Again, Are You That Somebody?, national ad campaigns (Tommy Hilfiger) or feature film roles (Romeo Must Die).
But even with all of this exposure, it seems nobody really knows too much about 21-year-old Aaliyah Dana Haughton. And for some reason, this air of mysteriousness only appears to heighten her popularity. So what gives?
Ray’s Rants & Raves: Two words – cutting edge. Ms. Haughton is always a step ahead of her peers…with her fashion, her style, and most importantly, her craft. This record is no different, once again expanding the boundaries of urban electronica. Along with her usual comrades-in-arms (Timbaland, Missy Elliott), Aaliyah enlists the help of almost the entire Blackground team (Static & Digital Black of Playa, Tank, J-Dub, Bud’da, Keybeats, and the Hankersons) in creating the darkly sensual mood found on her self-titled third album.
The CD kicks off with the slithering title track We Need A Resolution, which is classic Timbaland fare – stop-and-go beats, warped synth chords/horns, and wickedly rhythmic verses…and it doesn’t stop there. Aaliyah abounds with flava-full jams, including the crunked-up confidence of Loose Rap, self-assured sass of Messed Up, and latin-flavored Read Between The Lines. Need some sexy slow-burners? Now you know baby girl can handle her biz in that department. You’ll be swaying along with Rock The Boat, I Care 4 U, and It’s Whatever before you know what hit you. The rock-infused I Can Be and classically ominous I Refuse add even more fuel to the album’s ultra-modern fire. And that voice…my goodness, that voice. It’s definitely not the strongest of the bunch, but damn...you’ll be searching forever before you find one just as pretty. Oh, and do I even need to mention that she has the body & looks to match?
Ray’s Rank: 4 ½ / 5 stars. This CD is everything you’ve ever wanted in a neo-modern, contemporary release. If you’re looking for super radio-friendly ditties and tried-and-true R&B filler, you’re looking in the wrong place. If avant-garde, jaw-hitting-the-floor eccentricity is more your thing, then this is what you’re after. Bottom line? Aaliyah is one of the year’s best records, for any genre.
--------------------
AALIYAH – Aaliyah
It’s hard to believe that this young woman’s last studio album, the multi-platinum & critically-acclaimed One In A Million, was released five years ago. After all, she’s always been in the spotlight in one way or another – whether it’s with soundtrack smashes (Try Again, Are You That Somebody?, national ad campaigns (Tommy Hilfiger) or feature film roles (Romeo Must Die).
But even with all of this exposure, it seems nobody really knows too much about 21-year-old Aaliyah Dana Haughton. And for some reason, this air of mysteriousness only appears to heighten her popularity. So what gives?
Ray’s Rants & Raves: Two words – cutting edge. Ms. Haughton is always a step ahead of her peers…with her fashion, her style, and most importantly, her craft. This record is no different, once again expanding the boundaries of urban electronica. Along with her usual comrades-in-arms (Timbaland, Missy Elliott), Aaliyah enlists the help of almost the entire Blackground team (Static & Digital Black of Playa, Tank, J-Dub, Bud’da, Keybeats, and the Hankersons) in creating the darkly sensual mood found on her self-titled third album.
The CD kicks off with the slithering title track We Need A Resolution, which is classic Timbaland fare – stop-and-go beats, warped synth chords/horns, and wickedly rhythmic verses…and it doesn’t stop there. Aaliyah abounds with flava-full jams, including the crunked-up confidence of Loose Rap, self-assured sass of Messed Up, and latin-flavored Read Between The Lines. Need some sexy slow-burners? Now you know baby girl can handle her biz in that department. You’ll be swaying along with Rock The Boat, I Care 4 U, and It’s Whatever before you know what hit you. The rock-infused I Can Be and classically ominous I Refuse add even more fuel to the album’s ultra-modern fire. And that voice…my goodness, that voice. It’s definitely not the strongest of the bunch, but damn...you’ll be searching forever before you find one just as pretty. Oh, and do I even need to mention that she has the body & looks to match?
Ray’s Rank: 4 ½ / 5 stars. This CD is everything you’ve ever wanted in a neo-modern, contemporary release. If you’re looking for super radio-friendly ditties and tried-and-true R&B filler, you’re looking in the wrong place. If avant-garde, jaw-hitting-the-floor eccentricity is more your thing, then this is what you’re after. Bottom line? Aaliyah is one of the year’s best records, for any genre.
# posted by The Aftermath : 1:20 PM
