Tru To You » Reviews

Jeremih – Birthday Sex

Tru — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 07:23:12 +0000

Newcomer Jeremih enters the rnb arena with a rather ridiculous song if you ask me.

If you haven’t heard the song before the basic run down is about the way the sex is gonna run down. Nothing much happens in the video of course considering he’s trying to go mainstream. I enjoy the percussive and vocal arrangements on this track. The auto-tuner is a little over used but I am not gonna deny how crazy catchy this one is. Maybe that is why it hit #1 on the US billboard R&B charts. Still can’t believe it.

He’s signed on to Def Jam – the same label as Ne Yo. Should Ne Yo be afraid? Nah, I think this track was released for shock value and Ne Yo has more vocal skills. Jeremih’s debut album is coming out June 30th, 2009 if you’re interested.

Check Jeremih out on his MySpace or Def Jam page.

Elliot Yamin – Fight For Love

Tru — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:08:00 +0000

Ever watch American Idol? Elliot Yamin was a contestant and became 3rd runner up in Season 5. He’s gained a following allowing labels to bank on him. Fight For Love is his sophomore follow upand its mediocre at best.

When you’re from American Idol you’re pretty much going the pop route. Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken are perfect examples. Sure, you can say Carrie Underwood is country while Fantasia is r&b but let’s be real here. They all came from a TV talent show watched by millions so they can become “popular” with a POP.

The album is paced around the mid tempo range. The production across the album is consistent. Elliot tries to mix up the pop with, Know Better, a rock inspired ballad about the disappointments in his relationship and how he’s can’t seem to learn from them. Always, a guitar beat with a touch of east Asian flavour delivering a message about commitment and promise.

However, it all goes back to the safe pop inspired songs. Don’t Be Afraid, has your pianos and synths (a staple from super producers Stargate) about not holding back when falling in love. You Say, about reading behind the words to find what is truly spoken over a bubble gum beat.

Overall, a good pop album to sit and chill to. This will please the masses looking for a mid tempo easy listen album. The slow jammer in you won’t like this one because Elliot doesn’t have any to show for. Maybe next time Elliot.

Elliot Yamin – Know better

Elliot Yamin – Don’t Be Afraid

Elliot Yamin – You Say

Chrisette Michele – Epiphany

Tru — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:15:02 +0000

The sophomore follow up to “I Am”, Chrisette Michele’s new, “Epiphany”, gives us an uplifting mid tempo experience that will sure make the easy listeners happy.

You can tell the creative direction was laid out across the whole album as there’s a common feeling resonating through the 12 track set. I am going to say this now, I am not a fan of her type of music. Let me say that again, her TYPE of music on this album. Great singer and some of the tracks are great but the direction is not my cup o’ tea.

However, I can see slow jam lovers gravitating towards the easy care free sound. Notebook illustrates what she must endure when she can’t show someone her true feelings. On My Own is an empowerment tune about independence and confidence. We also have special guest star Ne Yo lend some vocals to the laid back track What You Do.

I also included the song Playing Our Song from both Chrisette and Claude for ear candy. I thought Claude Kelly sang it better ; ). Check it out below.

Epiphany is out today! Head to head with Ciara. Visit Chrisette’s Official Page or MySpace for more info.

Chrisette Michele – Notebook

Chrisette Michele Feat. Ne Yo – What You do

Chrisette Michele – On My Own

Chrisette Michele – Playing Our Song

Claude Kelly – Playing Our Song

Ciara – Fantasy Ride

Tru — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:42:58 +0000

Fantasy Ride, Ciara’s 3rd album release comes out May 5th state side. The album encompasses a diverse range oftracks, unfortunately nothing we haven’t heard before. If you like mid tempo to dance rnb then you will enjoy most of Ciara’s new offering. You’ll experience the funk with the much anticipated union of Ciara and Justin Timberlake in Love Sex Magic. Heavy weight Chris Brown also comes in Turn Tables, and the musical craziness of Missy Elliot in Work bring heavy synth dance tunes worth turning the volume up for.

There are some tracks that seemed recycled from other artists. Pucker Up, contains percussion straight from Timbaland’s The Way I Are. High Price, with Ludacris pays homeage to Ciara’s first album song, Oh, with the same guest star.

This is another r&b artist that has missed out on the slow jam train. The below two tracks were the only ones I thought were worth mentioning even if they are a little boring.

Overall, I feel that Ciara’s new music direction is pretty hurting. Not even in terms of slow jams but rnb in general. Uninspired and commercially safe. Boo.

* out of 4 stars.

Ciara – Ciara To The Stage

Ciara – I Don’t Remember

Ciara Feat. Young Jeezy – Never Ever (Official Video)
by Henrietta-Aime-Fumer_Tv

Day26 – Forever In A Day Album Review

Tru — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:27:39 +0000

It’s been a week since Day26′s second album entry. After taking a listen…I thought that album was pretty well put together. Maybe not as a slow jam entry but for an r&b album it delivers the goods.

With the tried and true method, Diddy has done it again. On this album you can expect the tracklist majority to be club friendly. A very high energy album that doesn’t really go too deep with any true meaning or themes. Beat after beat you will be head bangin’ to the rock influenced Stadium Music, autotuned Shawty Wats Up with T Pain, and the mainstream Imma Put It On Her.

The album does try to offer a few innovative tunes like the throw back funk track, Need That, produced by Jermaine Dupri and the tech vibe of Truth Is A Lie.

Unfortunately, the slow jams are few but the ones that made the album are worth the listen. I’ve highlighted the two I think are worth your listen.

Day26 – So Good

Day26 – Think Of Me

Keri Hilson – In A Perfect World

Tru — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:29:09 +0000

I thought I would follow up on my last Keri Hilson post with a formal review of the her album.

It’s no suprise from an artist to release an album that includes everything to appeal to everyone. It works well for some and for others it really dampens their debut. In A Perfect World does a good job balancing both club beats and slow jams. The album leans more towards the upbeat portion of the rnb spectrum. I can’t really say her slow jams are truly slow in nature but they all have a similar musical composition to go with the urban swagger album vibe.

I think this album will be a good debut for Keri. Backed by Kanye, Timbaland, Keyshia Cole to name a few, she’ll do well commercially. You slow jam lovers will be disappointed as her album realistically only contains maybe 3 slow jams. Alienated is a heavy synth track about getting back together with the love she lost while Tell Him The Truth expresses how difficult it is to tell someone the truth on a hollow beat track.

I do enjoy my share of club tracks and this album does deliver. Return The Favour is crazy and has Timbaland’s signature euro sound while Energy provides an uplifting track to push the album into the dance area.

Support Keri Hilson. Go check out her official page or myspace.

Keri Hilson – Alienated

Keri Hilson – Make Love

Keri Hilson – Tell Him The Truth

Case – The Rose Experience

Tru — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:46:18 +0000

If you’re looking for a soft slow jam listen then you have to check out Cases’, The Rose Experience.

Over 3 quarters of the tracks will appeal to the mood music lovers ready for a candle lit dinner. The more upbeat tracks, like I Can’t, don’t blow your speakers away but do get catchy. Look else where for upbeat tracks because this album seductively lures you in with Can I Be, crooning about late night activities and Smile, the perfect song to make your lady happy.

I personally don’t think this album is out of the ordinary. The beats remind me a lot of Boyz II Men’s old tracks, however, they have 4 power house vocalists instead of one.

**1/2 out of 5 stars

Case – Betcha Don’t Know Y

Case – Can I Be

Case – Smile

To know more, check out Case’s Official MySpace and support his newest debut!

J. Holiday – Round 2

Tru — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:27:58 +0000

R&B / slow jam fans will definitely dig this new one by J. Holiday. While hybrid Hip Hop / R&B enthusiasts may be a little disappointed.

Round 2 brings forth a solid effort of slow jams. The overall album has a mid to slow tempo flowing through each track. If you are looking for Hip Hop / R&B fusion, you may have to look elsewhere. Even Wrong Lover featuring the “boss” Rick Ross plays in the mid range feel discussing how J. seduces a taken woman. Justifying our much better he is. Usually featured tracks are the highlights of albums but Fly and Forever Ain’t Enough are perfect examples of the slow jams that display his feeling in a less x-rated manner.

Again, overall a good album for Slow Jam lovers. Can’t complain about any of the tracks. Most are good but nothing in particular stands out. You won’t have an Usher – Moving Mountains or Joe – If I Was Your Man but its a safe follow up to his debut.

***/5 stars

Comes out March 10th, 2009. You can order J. Holiday’s new album through his Official Site, iTunes or your local music retailer. Don’t I sound like the commercial folk? hahaha…Below are some preview tracks for you to check out.

J. Holiday – Fall

J. Holiday – Fly

J. Holiday – Run Into My Arms

True Beauty – Episode 7 (Finale)

Tru — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:54:09 +0000

And the day had to arrive. That’s right. The season finale of True Beauty.

The final three, Billy, Joel and Julia were faced with a naked photoshoot as their last challenge. Billy and Joel breezed through, as expected, while Julia’s conservative background hindered her shoot.

Well, maybe not that much because she shot a pretty good photo being dipped in oil and everything. Like really? Who would say no to that?

In the end, and very much under the radar, Julia won the competition and did so by passing all of the ‘tests’.

Judges – how could she not win? With that squicky clean personality and natural good looks there was probably no questions going into this episode that she would win. Joel can be too much of an ass and Billy is just fake.

Pretty anti-climatic finale but a guilty pleasure to pass the time. I was excited in the beginning to watch this show with Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks names attached. They could have done many things better but I don’t think they cared after the 3rd episode.

This reality show was a safe ride for the network. Nothing really new to offer and probably pulled in some decent ratings. Let’s hope, if there is another one, they’ll pull in more tricks.

Good bye True Beauty and check out Julia’s winning speech.

For more info on True Beauty check out their official website.

True Beauty – Episode 7

Tru — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:56:46 +0000

Awesome! Laura got kicked off. Can’t believe it took that long. I don’t even think she took the competition seriously, but I wouldn’t really either considering the “challenges” they were facing.

Speaking of challenges, we sat down to watch the remaining contestants attend a red carpet event to see who could ‘mingle’ the best. With every episode there’s gotta be one surprise and this week’s was the arrival of the mothers, and father, of the contestants.

A little bit of a ZzZzz action in this episode since there was nothing really out of the ordinary. No special challenges or crazy situations. Just straight up dress nice and talk to people…oh wait…Ashton Kutcher’s mom was there too but I don’t think it was necessary.

In the end, Joel and Laura were the bottom two with Billy being safe for this week. Laura got booted off obviously because she has no personality and, earlier, she leaked to the stylist that she was using Billy. Tsk tsk…Don’t these people know they are being filmed?!??! Gahhh…

Anyway, good for Laura to go home and now they are down to three. Next week is the finale so it should be a good one.

Check out the official True Beauty website for more info.