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>> track-by-track, Justified <<
Justin Timberlake's debut solo album
album overall: *** [3 stars]
01. "Senorita" ***
I LOVED this song the first time I heard it, because it has a very fresh feeling, as if it was a live performance (which is the intended effect, I'm sure). However, once it became a single, I grew very tired, very quickly. It's the curse of overexposure, that's all -- it is actually a good song. Minus a star for that, and another for the irritating, off-key singing of the girls.. ha ha (that's actually my favorite part of the song, because it's fun, but I would prefer the girls had talent).
02. "Like I Love You" ***
I adore this song, however, I do not like the spoken part toward the end [".. I used to dream about this when I was a little boy.."], and that's why it gets three. If that had been edited out (as it is in most live performances), it would get at least a four.
03. "(Oh No) What You Got" ****
This song is one of those you kind of ignore at first, but then it really grows on you. I love the belly-dancing type rhythm it has, the vocals, and the overall feel of it.
04. "Take it From Here" *
My least favorite track on the album. Nothing else to say.
05. "Cry Me a River" ****
I'm suffering from a slight case of burnout with this one, and I strongly prefer the Riprock n Alex remix, but overall, it is a good song. The ending is my least favorite part, but in all fairness, at least it's different.
06. "Rock Your Body" ****1/2
One of my very favorites on the album. It should suffer from the "hearing it too much" syndrome, but doesn't. I like the mix in the video (with the beatbox breakdown) better than the album version, but oh well, we can't have it all. ;)
07. "Nothin' Else" **
There are things I really enjoy about this song (like the verses, and the bridge), but things I don't like outshine them; It is the chorus (especially the "you're out of this world, except you're not green" line), and the overall feel, that I just can't warm up to.
08. "Last Night" *****
NOW we're talking! This is Justin at his best (well non-ballad best, anyway). I love everything about this one: the lyrics, vocals, the beat, all of it.
09. "Still On My Brain" ****
Simply a great vocal performance. It feels strange for me to say that, because Justin's voice has always tended to grate on my nerves a bit (no hate mail, please, just a personal preference). He impressed me here. Also, it's a ballad, which is a plus.
10. "(And She Said) Take Me Now" **
The long-anticipated Janet Jackson "duet" didn't quite turn out as such. She's barely heard through most of it, and the song itself is annoying. Very disappointing, because potentially, it could have been a classic.
11. "Right For Me" ****
Most of you are probably saying "four stars for that song?," but I really like it for some reason. I think the beatbox and hand claps being the primary percussion was a very good idea, and overall it's just... fun. I could do without that beeping sound, but other than that, it's very good.
12. "Let's Take a Ride" **
The overall message of the song is nice, and I like the music, but here Justin falls back into the vocal style that annoys me (you know, that Britney Spears-esque nasal whine/moan thing). If he'd done the leads in the same tone as the backgrounds, it would have worked much better.
13. "Never Again" *****
Most people know I strongly prefer ballads, so it's no shock that I love this song. Very touching song of heartbreak and longing. Brian McKnight's touch really shows, too (he co-wrote and arranged with Justin, produced, and played nearly every instrument), which adds to it, I'm sure. A potential classic that should have been released as a single -- Jive Records, and/or Justin dropped the ball on that one.
hey-you@nsyncable.com
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