Ashanti is an American R&B star who first topped the charts in 2002. She is very well known especially for her duets with the likes of Fat Joe and Ja Rule. Ashanti has certainly had huge success with her music. She has won many awards and her first three chart entries all reached the top ten (at the same time) on the Billboard Hot 100.
'Concrete Rose' is her third album. It is in my opinion quite a good album that shows off Ashanti's talent. I will review this album and I will also compare it to her second album which I feel was the stronger of the two.
***THE ALBUM TRACKS AND ANALYSIS***
1. Concrete Rose Intro --------------------------------
This is a good intro but rather predictable (it's nothing new). Ashanti claims in this intro that 'Concrete Rose' is her best album. She named it 'Concrete Rose' because her music is made up of hip hop and R&B. She describes Hip Hop as gritty like 'concrete' and R&B as sensual and soft like a 'rose'. I quite like the fact that she explains the album title. However I don't agree with her claim that this is her best album. I will discuss this further later.
Score: 6/10
2. Still Down Feat. T.I. -------------------------------
I
like this track as it is upbeat and I think it has a good/happy feel to it. I like the contribution that T.I. makes....The song flows well and Ashanti always sounds at her best when a male rapper features in her music.
Score: 8/10
3. Message to the Fans (Skit) -----------------------------------------
4. Only You -----------------
This is definately one of the best songs on the album. It is a fairly fast track which sounds good and has catchy lyrics. This is a 'feel good' song in my opinion. This song shows off Ashanti's great voice.
10/10
5. Focus -------------
This is probably the first song on the album that is a little different to what Ashanti usually produces. It is a little different and reminds me of some of the songs on TLC's Fanmail album. However I'm not too keen on this song as it doesn't flow very well and the lyrics are a little boring.
4/10
6. Don't Let Them ------------------------
This is more of what you would expect from Ashanti. It is a nice smooth and catchy track. It is a slower song compared to the tracks discussed above. It is a little repetitive, however the sound of the music and the lyrics are appealing.
8/10
7. Love Again -------------------
This track is fairly slow and to be honest a little boring. I usually skip this track as I don't think it is very catchy and the lyrics are a little annoying.
4/10
8. Take Me Tonight Feat. Lloyd ------------------------------------------
This is a strong track on the album and it is quite upbeat. It is very smooth and I like Lloyd's voice (he works well with Ashanti). This is a very catchy song with good lyrics and a good beat. Lloyds vocals definaltely make the song.
9/10
9. U -------
This song sounds more unique to the others on the album. Ashanti's voice sounds a little different, perhaps the tone is a little lower. Another catchy song.
7/10
10. Every Lil' Thing ---------------------------
I am not too keen on this track. It is quite a 'feel good' song, however I think the chorus is too repetitive. I find the song a little irritating.
5/10
11. Turn it Up Feat. Ja Rule --------------------------------------
The lyrics are poor on this track in my opinion. The track has no appealing features to it. It is very boring and to me just sounds like a load of 'noise'...Sorry I can't describe it better.
2/10
12. Buck 3000 (Skit) ----------------------------
13. So Hot ---------------
Quite a nice slow track, however it is nothing special. This song drags on a little (nearly 5 minutes long).
5/10
14. Don't Leave Me Alone Feat. 7 Aurelis ---------------------------------------------------------
This is a nice track with a good chorus. Its lyrics are emotional and it is a very smooth song that flows well. It does seem to me that Ashanti is at her best when someone else features in her music.
This is one of those tracks that grows on you. The music is quite nice and it is a slow song. At first I thought the song was boring but it is actually quite nice and relaxing.
6/10
17. Wonderful Remix Feat. Ja Rule -----------------------------------------------
I think this track is brilliant and one of the best on the album. The lyrics are catchy, emotional, and smooth. R Kelly's lyrics mixed with the soft voice of Ashanti and the deep voice of Ja Rule works really well.
10/10
18. Touch My Body (UK Bonus Track) ---------------------------------------------------
I like this track, the sound of the music is good and the lyrics are quite catchy. Ashanti's voice sounds less 'squeaky' on this track and it is quite funky.
7/10
***COMPARISON WITH ASHANTI'S SECOND ALBUM*** -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashanti's second album 'Chapter II' is fairly similar to 'Concrete Rose' in terms of the sound of the album and the catchy nature of the lyrics. However I would have to say that 'Chapter II' is my favourite. I was a little disappointed with 'Concrete Rose' as Ashanti doesn't really offer anything different (some of the songs are quite similar to 'Chapter II').
Although 'Concrete Rose' has got two really strong tracks: 'Only You' and 'Wonderful', it has too many weaker tracks. I skip through a lot of the tracks on this album. 'Chapter II' on the otherhand is more consistent and has a smaller number of weak tracks.
***THE GOOD POINTS***
- Ashanti is talented and has a great voice which is demonstrated on this album.
- Ashanti makes a good choice of guests....Particularly R Kelly and Lloyd.
- A good number of tracks (18).
- Mostly 'feel good' songs.
***THE BAD POINTS***
- As usual with Ashanti, some of her songs can be a little repetitive.
- There may be a good number of tracks on this album, but there are too many weak songs.
- This album is nothing new or unique.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Concrete rose intro Still down Message to the fans Only U Focus Don't let them Love again ... more
Take me tonight (with Lloyd) U Every lil' thing Turn it up (with Ja Rule) Buck 3000 (skit) So hot Don't leave me alone (with 7 Aurelius) Sister stories (skit) Fre...
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Mar 8th, 2006
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