"Freedom" is the third album from the R&B singer and producer, Akon, who made it big with a couple of solo hits as well as countless collaborations with others in the same genre and Hip Hop acts too. This 2008 release marks a change in the artist, and reflects in the title as he isn't restricted ... Read review
A review by XICripZ on Freedom - Akon January 20th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Originality
Average
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks
Mixed
Value for Money
Satisfactory
Advantages:
A couple of hits
Disadvantages:
Inconsistent
Recommend to potential buyers:
no
Full review
"Freedom" is the third album from the R&B singer and producer, Akon, who made it big with a couple of solo hits as well as countless collaborations with others in the same genre and Hip Hop acts too. This 2008 release marks a change in the artist, and reflects in the title as he isn't restricted to emotive work anymore, and is now able to expand to places he hasn't yet explored.
1. "Right Now"
Although it got annoying quite quickly, upon its initial release, this tune was a banger, and one where I could tollerate his decision to go into the pure Pop work as he samples some Euro dance music, to work from, and build into a track which appeal to a similar audience, far from where he began with "Locked Up" in 2004.
**Four Stars**
2. "Beautiful"
After a massive collaboration for the featured artist's album, Kardinal Offishal joins Akon on this one, in a track which them using a similar formula to "the single which came befre this one on the album as it takes on the typical characteristics of a Dance track for the European scene, and pulls in an alternative crowd with Offishals raps (not that I rate him too highy). The chances are that if you liked "Right Now", you will feel the same towards this.
**Three Stars**
3. "Keep You Much Longer"
Giorgio Tuinfort, who is the key person responsible for giving Akon with Euro-Dance influenced sound, takes over in this one and goes for a full-on track in this style, and I have to say that I despise this type of tune, so I was never going to like the monotonous thumping beats of this Pop song from Akon.
**One Star**
4. "Troublemaker"
This is one of the better tracks on the album and gets Akon performing one of the more memorable songs within the release as he does one with a repetitive hook which stick in your mind, and matches this with a simple production composition, which was made by himself alongside Timothy Walls. Although I saw it as amongst the top in the album, it was held back by its mainstream style.
**Three Stars**
5. "We Don't Care"
Keeping the standards at a similar level, you get a tune whihc borrows from Michael jackson's "Billie Jean" with its hard drum beat, and it allows Akon to come out with an up-tempo recording. It gets him attempting to take the normative club sound of '07/'08 change towards the style of "Right Now", but I felt that this transitional tune didn't quite achieve this aim.
**Three Stars**
6. "I'm So Paid"
This is the only track in the album which has Akon working with Hip Hop acts as he does a track alongside Young Jeezy and Lil' Wayne in a track which is made to go out to the type of fans who enjoy this side of the artist where he takes on a secondary role in a trakc whihc is largely Hip Hop-based and only gets him singing the hook and the first verse.
**Four Stars*
7. "Holla Holla"
Konvict Muzik's finest collaborate together as Akon works with T-Pain on this song, and together they come out with fantastic results as ever as they stay to what they are best at as they sing a song which is suited to the club scene. However it was a little too slow to reach out to the typical fas whihc would usually go for this type of music.
**Four Stars**
8. "Against The Grain"
This one has him do a song in the style of his collaborations as he does one where he sings about falling in love with a stripper as T-Pain did a few years ago. This song grows on you with time, but right now it hasn't really matured on me enough to really want to go out of my way to hear it again.
**Three Stars**
9. "Be With You"
The beats in this one really caught my attention as Akon collaborated with Hakim on the production, however the artist failed to do anything with them in order to really make it put an impact upon the listeners and as a result it was a poorly executed recording which had the potential to do so much more had it been used to a higher standard of vocals.
**Three Stars**
10. "Sunny Day"
This was as much a disapointment as all the other tracks on the album as you have Wyclef Jean join Akon, and they simply keep it on the same level as the rest of the tunes here. its really off-putting and doens't offer any variation within the thing at all. It has a theme which is indentical to several others on it, and by this point in the album, its just not going to be received well.
**Two Stars**
11. "Birthmark"
I beleive that Detail is the only good thing that happened to this one as he gives it some stong Hip Hop beats over a composition which is made by the pair responsible for all the weak tracks in the album: Giorgio Tuinfort and Akon himslef who keep doign the production in the same manner. They are completely misising out the Urban American market in the album, by not doign any club bangers in the record.
**One Star**
12. "Over the Edge"
This is a rather unmemorable one within the album, and one which you won't realy take much notce of even when yu are listening to it. There's a significant lack of energy within this recording and it really brings it down, and prevents it from standing out in the album. You have him looking for a special girl, and finally getting it after a long struggle.
**Two Stars**
13. "Freedom"
The edning to the album is just as plain as the rest of the record and gets him going even more of the Pop work. You have him singing about his journey from Africa to the US, and how he seems to have finally gained freedom, and although I can see how uplifting it is, the content isn't that fun to listen to, and there's not much that I could really enjoy within it at all.
**Two Stars**
I didn't expect much from this album, and it lived up to my personal expectations as he hasn't ever really captured me with his work in the past. His choice to sample lots of Euro-type work is a bad one for his reputation in his own country, as I expect them to dismiss it as 'techno', and I have simialr feelings to the majority of it.
Advantages: A few good upbeat songs Disadvantages: Mainly slow, boring songs
...3/5
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13) Freedom (4.12)
At last a really good song. This is the most meaningful song on the album, he’s talking about where he’s come from & who helped him to get where he is today. He’s pretty much paying homage to everyone in his life. The chorus is really catchy & one that you can easily sing along to. This is definitely the most powerful song on the album & ... ...him any favours. Freedom is currently available from iTunes for £6.99 & on CD from play.com for £8.95. After hearing the album I wish I hadn’t paid to download this from iTunes, I should have downloaded a couple that I liked as to be honest out of 14 songs there are actually only a couple that I like! This really is nothing compared to his previous releases. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Trying a new direction into dance/R'n'B Disadvantages: 2 or 3 tracks aren't up to scratch with the rest of the album
Freedom is akon's third album, which certainly has a different twist to it compared to his last two previous attempts. To me his last two albums were more r'n'b/hip hop/rap. This new album sounds more commercial with a r'n'b/pop/dance feel to it. The album contains all 14 tracks which can be listened to over & over again as they are so catchy:
1)Right Now (Na Na Na) - The lead track from the album which has stormed the charts all over the world. ... ...brilliant way to start the album.
2)Beautiful - The first collaboration on the album with the help of Colby'O'Donis & Kardinall Offishall. Yet again a simple catchy chorus with the help of a great dance beat. To me the tune sounds like Alice Deejays hit 'Better off Alone'
3)Keep You Much Longer - A nice summery song, great lyrics and an easy to listen to track.
4)Troublemaker - I really like this song and hope it will be released as a single in ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
I have been an Akon fan for years now, RnB and Rap genious. Recently bought his latest album 'Freedom' and i was literally blown away. The best songs are 'Right Now (na na na)', 'Beautiful' (with Colby O' Donis), 'I'm So Paid', 'Birthmark', 'Clap Again' and last but not least 'Freedom'. All the other songs are very good listening too, great if you want a party with your friends.
I find myself listening to this album daily, My favorite at the moment, ... ...this is you love RnB, Rap and even Pop music.
He should be the best artist for 2009. . .
I hope this review has made you want to go to shop to buy or download his album, if you havn't heard many of his stuff before, check out all the old songs, just as good :] ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Well couldnt wait for this, Akons 3rd album Freedom the question i was asking myself is it as good as his previous 2, the answer is yes and no, yes better than the first Trouble but not as good as Konvicted.
I am glad he still mentioned his upbringing in the ghetto and how he is now out of all that crime and drugs.
My fave songs are Im so paid and freedom.
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Great cover art. New sounds. Original. Disadvantages: Not a good buy if you don't like akon's music.
I have been a fan of Akon for quite some time now and obviously, once he releases a new album I buy it. Compared to his previous albums, this is a cut above the rest. The song's are more modern and far more catchy than his previous and you can't really get sick of them if they are on replay as you do with other songs. I bought this album not knowing one song but after a few listens I can sing along with the lyrics and is a definite if you're driving ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Lots of big tracks Disadvantages: A couple of tracks let it down
...boosted with his unique style.
**Five Stars**
8. "Pray for Kaya"
On production for this track you get the duo of Giorgio Tuinfort and Akon. This pair were responsible for all the Euro-Pop-influenced tunes off Akon's "Freedom" album, and luckily Sway doesn't get taken into this side of things, and keeps it his own as he tells a of highly-emotive one about a car accident. The structure is very simplistic, and allows him to tell is clearly, and really involve you in the tale.
**Four Stars**
9. "Walk Away" (feat. Father Noah)
This is one of many occasions in the album where you have him on top of some production which he isn't usually heard on, but he cope with ti all very well, and it means that he comes up with great results for the album and makes it a highly varied one, just as with his debut. This one has him really showing what he is...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Album Notes: 'Freedom' is the third album by R&B artist Akon and follows the massive success of his 2006 release 'Konvicted'. Here Akon sticks to his winning formula of melodic pop and hook-laden R&B and rap. Collaborating with a whole range of guest stars including Lil' Wayne, Wyclef Jean and Young Jeezy - this is Akon's most exciting album to date.
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