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intereact!John Legend
Retail Price (not our price): $13.98
Release Date: 2004-12-28
Manufacturer: Sony
Format: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Track List
Now here, for your listening pleasure, the tracks...
| Disc 1 |
Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
1) Amazon.com
Given the sped-up classic soul samples with which Kanye West has made his mark, it comes as no surprise that the producer/rapper would pick a tradition-minded R&B singer as his first big pet project. Legend first made his name on Philly's incense-clouded, '70s-obsessed neo-soul scene, then found his way to New York and became West's right-hand man in the studio. His patron's pop smarts serve Legend well--while many contemporary R&B records rely too heavily on a singer's cadence and skill to carry underdeveloped tunes, Legend and West have composed genuine songs like the perky "Number One," which has a lovestruck West jabbering that he no longer believes that "my heart don't got nothing to do with my penis." (It's way more convincing than Snoop Dogg's pledge of love on the next track, "I Can Change.") And even when the melodies are slight, West slides some nasty bass lines underneath, hinting at just enough of a hip-hop sensibility to keep the album from drifting into retro nostalgia. Yet Legend is no mere producer's plaything. His voice isn't immediately distinctive; he's neither as careworn as Anthony Hamilton nor as creamy as D'Angelo. But his gift for restraint sets him apart: the sex-as-drug metaphor of the title track is hardly fresh, but Legend delivers it smoothly enough to make it work, without pressing the issue. All bedroom come-ons have been used before. This late in the game, it's a matter of how well you use 'em. --Keith Harris
Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5
1) Decent singer, but What's all the fuss about? [Rating: 2 out of 5]
Perhaps it's just the hype that has surrounded Mr. Legend for the last few years or so, but after listening to "Get Lifted" I wonder what the fuss is about. Sure he has soft vocals and appears talented on the piano, but I think every 'fan' has heard better. He is no "Luther (Vandross)." Not that he should or wants to be compared to that great voice, but those songs stand the test of time and are iconic in this genre of music. Legend is entertaining and light, but not groundbreaking. Perhaps we have gotten so used to hip-hop tainted songs about violence or even the sappy, doo-wop love songs from R&B boy bands that populated 1990s airwaves, making John Legend somewhat of a breath of fresh air. Maybe so, but I expected more. That is not to say that he is not talented. His live performance DVD is spectacular, and some of the tracks from his follow up cd are amazing, particularly "Show Me," which is haunting and beautiful with some of the most thoughtful yet simple lyrics that truly great songs are made.A few elements of "Get Lifted" are cute. The voicemail message from his parents is a nice touch, although it is juxtaposed against the explicit lyrics of one of the tracks that indicates even this fresh new voice can't seem to stay away from testosterone laiden rap lyrics about sex.The cd is worth having since there are so few original male vocal R&B artists making thoughtful, relaxing and contemporary music. I recommend buying the DVD instead.2) Great! [Rating: 5 out of 5]
Seriously, it's one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. Almost all the songs are standouts. Definitely worth the cash spent.3) Truly Gifted [Rating: 4 out of 5]
John Legend is amazing. The soul, the swagger, the sexy!! I can hear this cd all day, everyday!!4) "Get Lifted", Lifts high [Rating: 5 out of 5]
This is a great album - John Legend is tremendously talented and its well displayed through out the entire album. The beat is hot, the lyrics are touching, funny and true to life - it is one album that remains in the 12 disk changer as others are swapped.5) John Legend -Get Lifted [Rating: 5 out of 5]
CD lives up to his name - It is a Legend. Perfect soulful and sweet.