Chapter II - Ashanti

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Lacking inspiration
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
Value for Money	Satisfactory

Advantages:	Ashanti shows off her beautiful voice
Disadvantages:	Some bad tracks and skits

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Chapter II is Ashanti's second album, released back in 2003, and although I have had the album for two years, it is only now I come to review it, my music knowledge isn't very good, therefore my review may not be completely thorough, for this I apologise, I do hope it surfices.

Ashanti Douglas, along with Irv Gotti, JA Rule, Lloyd, Charlie Baltimore, Black Child and Caddillac Tah make up Murder Inc, one of the best known label in Hiphop. Ashanti is known for her enviable, beautiful, rich, voice which has been heard in many songs, including 'Always on Time' and 'What's luv'.

The cover is attractive, a seaside scene with Ashanti, the album also sports bright, summer colours. The booklet opens up into a poster of Ashanti in a white swimming costume on the beach, on the opposite side are the lyrics to the songs and all the other information about production.

The copy I bought claimed to be a Special Edition with one bonus track, then again so did the 50 Cent album I bought, and now he has decided to release an extra special, special edition, therefore if you buy an album which doesn't feature some of these tracks I apologise.

Track 1 - Intro/Medley
If you listened to Ashanti's previous album, titled Ashanti, then this will sound almost familiar, déjà vous. The track introduces Ashanti, playing a selection of song clips she has participated in before, to a background noise of wind blowing. Although when you first listen to the album you might find this interesting, a bit of background on Ashanti, her previous work, I now find it boring, and often skip this.
This sort of introduction worked well on 'Ashanti', however I believe they seem to be trying to relive the success of it then, and perhaps it no longer works, on her latest album, Concrete Rose, the introduction is very different, so maybe now she has learned.
Rating - 4/10 - It does set up the album rather nicely.

Track 2 - Shanny's World ft. Chink Santana
This is almost another introduction to the album, with Chink Santana rapping over Ashanti doing that singing thing, where you don't use words (I hope you understand my meaning). It does allow Ashanti to exercise and let us hear the capabilities of her beautiful voice, however I find it tedious that even in the second track we haven't got Ashanti doing a proper song.
Lyrically - Chink Santana takes the song as his own, he raps about the label, Murder Inc, Ashanti and her fabulous world and how amazing the album is going to be (Speaking too soon?)! It sounds as if he's doing it freestyle, but not in a good sence, it sounds clippie, random and out of place. I find this bores me, usually I skip this song.
This is far from the best song on the album I feel it is somewhat pointless and the underlying music is too repetitive.
Rating - 5/10 - I like rap, but this is quite boring.

Track 3 - Rock Wit U (Aww baby)
This was the first song from the album, and the reason I went to Sainsbury's and picked it up. It is a very catchy song with a good beat and a good tune. It is a happy song that cheers you up, one of the best from the album. It also allows Ashanti to display all her fantastic singing talents to the world.
Lyrically - This song is about falling completely in love and it goes onto wondering whether the beloved is willing and able to perform up to your expectations,
'Can you take control of me, I just wanna love you baby, Always thinking of you baby.'
The lyrics are simple, but Ashanti sings them with such conviction that they really take shape, Ashanti has the abilities to do that, make a boring song come to life with her angelic voice.
This is one of the best songs on the album, it has class backed with a real beauty, it was realeased during the summer and just listening to it reminds me of happy, chilled out, sunny days. It is a really great feel-good song and is fantastic to relax to.
Rating - 9/10 - Although it is a great song, it did have faults, and wasn't the best song on the album.

Track 4 - What are they gonna say now (skit)
I despise skits on principle, I feel they are unnecessary and really quite boring usually. This one features a particularly annoying woman proclaiming Ashanti's greatnesss to the world. However I am sure we can all make up our own minds without this skit.
This is a pointless track and a waste of time. 21 tracks are a lot of music, without some of the skits I think this album would have done better.
Rating - 1/10 - This is the most annoying skit of the four.

Track 5 - Breakup to Makeup
This is another beautiful track in which Ashanti displays her talent for singing. The tune is simple and sweet if not a bit repetitive, which is a recurring problem I find throughout the album, I prefer a tune to differ a bit, we have to listen to it, even if it is not the subject of the song, therefore I believe it would be more considerate to put on a more interesting tune, otherwise you grow bored of a perfectly decent song.
Lyrically - This song is about wanting an ex back because even after breaking up there are still strong feelings between the pair,
'I don't think that I can shake ya, so baby can we make up.'
I can't relate with the lyrics, however I'm sure many other people can, and although they are not about to win any awards they are decent enough.
This is a perfectly adequate song, but I find it plain, if it were me I would add some rap to it to spice it up a bit, there are some definite places where this could be done. It is also repetitive as I have already mentioned, and gets quite annoying.
Rating - 7/10 - Although it is quite nice, it is not exciting enough for my tastes.

Track 6 - I found Lovin'
This has quite an 80s pop song feel to it because of the tune, and being a nineties baby (just) I despise anything to do with the 80s, well actually I don't, but I've never been keen on 80s music, growing up to it on the CD player, and neither does this song agree with me. While it is different and add a bit of variety I feel the music swamps Ashanti's voice.
Lyrically - If you haven't guessed by the name (see a doctor) the song is about falling in love, the line, 'I found some lovin'' is used throughout the song. Again the lyrics in this song are quite repetitive which I find annoying and unimaginative.
I don't think this song allows Ashanti's voice to achieve it's full potential, it concentrates more on the music. This is not a particularly strong track and far from my favourite on the album.
Rating - 6/10 - The song has it charm, but doesn't really charm me.

Track 7 - Rain on Me
I much prefer this song. I like the fact that it has a strength to it, a good beat and tune and what's more it allows Ashanti to show off her voice unlike some of the previous songs I have already mentioned.
Lyrically - This song is about someone who feels trapped in a bad relationship,
'I'm looking in the mirror at this lady down and out, she's internally dying and knew this was not what love's about'
As you can see the lyrics are very strong, and Ashanti did them justice in the way she sang them, some people would have been incapable of doing this.
This is one of my favourite tracks on the album, it is very powerful, sang with such conviction, you feel you can relate with it, even if you cannot really, the music for it is just right, it is overall a beautiful song.
Rating - 9/10 - This is such a strong song, it is really beautiful and one of the best.

Track 8 - Then ya gone ft. Chink Santana
The introduction to this song is fantastic, it begins with a soft but strong tune with Ashanti over it, then Chink takes over with a rap, the song offers a welcome break from Ashanti's solos, as beautiful as they are.
Lyrically - The lyrics to the song are both beautiful and strong, it is a testament to living and being happy in life,
'Listen everyday we complain about little ups and downs, We need to be thanking the lord that we are still around, You never know when it's your time to go.'
Ashanti sings this very well and the combination with Chink Santana works very well, making the song even more effective.
Rating - 9/10 - This is another of my favourites on the album, a really strong song.

Track 9 - Living my Life
This has the potential to be a great song, it has the right lyrics, the right beat, the right tune, however I find myself tiring of Ashanti's gorgeous voice, although it is no worse on this song than on the other songs. I feel if she took the song, she could really make it her own, using different singing techniques to really show off her voice.
Lyrically - 'I'm remembering the days that I was holding my head down, when people came around I always pretended to smile, but I knew, deep down in my heart, that I was slowly falling apart.'
The lyrics to this piece are beautiful, but I don't think Ashanti did them justice like she normally does.
This isn't the worst song ever, but it is far from being the best, there were some parts I really like, but overall it was nothing special.
Rating - 5/10 - This song could have been so much more.

Track 10 - Black Child (skit)
This is not so much of a skit, it is more of another song in it's own right, but a bit shorter and completely without Ashanti. After boring of Ashanti, I find this a welcome and refreshing break.
Lyrically - The lyrics are nothing special, typical of most street rap, talking about, 'Ghettos' 'Gangstas' and praising Murder Inc, proclaiming it the best label ever.
This is the best skit I have ever come across, it is a welcome break from all the other skits on this album.
Rating - 6/10 - It was not the best rap I've ever heard.

Track 11 - Feel so Good
This is a real feel good song. The start is a continuation from Black Child, then Ashanti begins to sing against a nice, simple tune and beat. The backgrounf music is not as prominent as in other songs, so it allows Ashanti's voice to shine through.
Lyrically - The lyrics are nothing special, reasonably simple, but Ashanti really takes them and adds life to them,
'Ho, my baby (My baby) Hoo, you drive me crazy I can't even ask for more
'Cause boy, I think you've got it all.'
While this song isn't particularly fantastic, it is a nice song, enjoyable and easy to. It worked well, because Ashanti pulled it off with her talent, if only she could've done that with some of the other tracks.
Rating - 7/10 - This track worked very well even against the odds.

Track 12 - Carry On
This is my favourite track on the album, played at a loud volume, you can really lose yourself in the power of the song. It has a great beat and tune, that add real feistiness to the song, and let Ashanti finish it off with the conviction she displays in her amazing voice.
Lyrically - The song is about a bad relationship, the lyrics are strong and really represent the story very well,
'I look in you eyes, all I see is a demon.'
The intensity and strength of the lyrics would not be easy to pull of if you didn't have a powerful enough voice, but Ashanti does, so she succeeds.
This is a beautiful, amazing, powerful track, absolutely fantastic in my personal opinion. It shows Ashanti using her voice, the way it was meant to be used, this track is a real winner.
Rating - 10/10 - A generous rating, but this song was amazing.

Track 13 - The Sugar Shack (skit)
This is a rubbish track in my opinion. It tells of a scene in a venue where Ashanti is going to sing. In the background there is a beautiful peace of piano music, but that was the only plus to the track. Other than that it was boring and unnecessary to the CD.
Rating - 2/10 - I liked the piano music, but that was it.

Track 14 - The Story of 2
This continues from the previous track, the sugar shack skit. The song itself I find gorgeous, to piano, Ashanti sings a beautiful ballad (I think) style song. It is a very beautiful song, slightly more traditional than other tracks, but very pretty. It has a relaxing feel to it but also has a catchy beat you'll be tapping your foot to.
Lyrically - This is a somewhat slushy (in want of a better word) song, featuring lines like, 'Dreams are made not by one, but by two'. Maybe if I had ever been in love I might have related to it a bit better, but I've never loved anyone like that. Ashanti's voice really suited this song, it allowed her to really come out of her shell.
This is a very pretty, heart felt song. My favourite part is Ashanti's speech, it adds another dimension to the piece, her accent works well with her music.
Rating - 9/10 - This was a very beautiful and different song.

Track 15 - Ohhh Ahhh
This is another chilled out song, a calm, but very romantic. Ashanti sounds fantastic, her voice sounds great.
Lyrically - The song is about how great, the said guy is,
'Boy you got me just where I've been dreaming, fiending for your love'
They are lovely lyrics, pretty, but very felt, the reason they sound so good is because of how they've been sang by Ashanti.
This is a nice song, but nothing more, not the best song on the album, it could have been done better but it turned out nice enough.
Rating - 8/10 - This was a decent song, with a nice tune and beat.

Track 16 - Shanny Shia (skit)
Another dreaded skit. Once again I find myself asking what the point of this track is. It is merely a chance for Ashanti to show off with her sister, not a real song, which I would've preferred, it would be nice to hear a full length duet between Ashanti and her sister Kenashia. The singing was nice, but the track was overall an annoyance.
Rating - 2/10 - There was some good singing, but nothing more.

Track 17 - Sweet Baby
This is a quite laid back as a song, it has a catchy tune and makes Ashanti's voice sound great, but then again most of the songs do, so maybe this is nothing special. The song reminds me of going to highfields, our local park at the university, a beautiful place, with a big field, boating lake and woods. I've had some great times there and this song's happiness makes me think of them.
Lyrically - The song is about a perfect man, the 'sweet baby' and how he is so great. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but not annoying in their repetitiveness.
This is a nice, simple, relaxing song which Ashanti does well in, maybe not the most exciting song ever, but a decent one.
Rating - 7/10 - A pretty song and easy to listen to.

Track 18 - U say, I say ft Gunnz
This song is another of those with a catchy beat and tune, you will find yourself nodding your head to it for sure. Once again it makes Ashanti's voice sound good, suiting her vocal range.
Lyrically- The song is about a relationship breaking down and coming to an end, with promises made being broken,
'I can't lie, I don't wanna waste no more time, I can't see why you never tried to do me right.'
Although it claims to feature Gunnz, the man I suppose to be Gunnz, barely plays a part in the song, doing background vocals, this was slightly disappointing, I looked forward to an interesting mix.
I do really like this song, it had a very catchy sound to it and was lyrically strong. It has to be one of my one of my favourite songs of the album.
Rating - 9/10 - It really deserves this high rating.

Track 19 - I don't Mind
This is a slower song, with a man starting it off, praising Ashanti's angelic personality. It is a good song for Ashanti's voice, and she does indeed sound like an angel, however the song itself is too slow, and bored me, I prefer a song with a faster pace.
Lyrically - It's all about wanting to hold, kiss and love someone, I found it so repetitive and I couldn't relate to the situation at all, although that is my own fault, maybe someone else would prefer this because they have shared the experience,
'I wanna love you, I wanna hold you, baby I wanna kiss you, I wish you would look into my eyes'.
Someone else might like this song, but it doesn't click with me, it's too weak, I would prefer a stronger song.
Rating - 6/10 - A lower rating, even though Ashanti sounded brilliant.

Track 20 - Outro ft. Chink Santana
As Chink opened the album in track two, here he closes it in the same style. There is little of interest to review here, Ashanti doesn't feature and the rap is a lot shorter than the first one, but not as awful. It is simply an end to the album, but a good end, better than some others, but not as impressive as the ending on Eminem's most recent album Encore.
Rating - 7/10 - There is not that much to rate here.

Track 21 - I know (bonus)
This song doesn't feature on another song list I looked at, therefore you may not get it. It opens up with a man praying to God, seeking forgiveness, not without some similarities to the Lord's Prayer, it is on top of a good beat and tune. Ashanti excels in this, working her voice to it's limits, but without pushing them.
Lyrically - The song is all about how to live your life, even when life gets hard, we don't get any choice over what happens, but at the end of the day, it is the only life we will get, so we need to learn to live it.
The subject is not an easy one, but Ashanti, once again pulls it off well in the song, making it easy enough to listen to despite the message it's giving.
This is a nice end to the album, it is a good song, and has been produced to such standards that it really works well.

Overall the album has a good selection of songs, tunes, beats, although there are some weaker ones. Of her three albums, this is my least favourite. The first album, titled, Ashanti, was new and fresh, this album is too similar to it, and her latest album, Concrete Rose, takes another album so she has obviously learnt. I was disappointed by this album, although there are some good tracks, I'll usually program my CD Player to play only a few tracks out of the 22.

As this CD is quite old, your best bet would be to get it off the internet, although HMV may stock it. It should cost around £10s, although because of it's age it might be a little less.