John Legend Get Lifted -----------------------------------
Introduction ----------------------
I was introduced to John Legend by listening to a Talib Kweli song Around My Way. When I heard that particular song for the first time I just had to check out the singer featured on it - the vocals are that good. Having since bought John Legends Album, Get Lifted, I have also done a bit of research to find out where he came from. I found that Kanye West, who happens to be one of the most influential rapper/producers of recent years, discovered him.
It happens that John met Kanye after Kanye had watched one of his shows. Kanye asked John to record a few samples for some songs that he was so impressed with, they ended up being used on Kanye West's hit album College Dropout. Following this success Kanye decided to sign John Legend to make his own album.
Get Lifted - My first impressions ---------------------------------------------
Having pressed the play button I was immediately immersed by John Legends own breed of Soul/ R&B. It's the kind of album that you can almost drift away to. Legends' voice, in my humble opinion, shares the same level of quality as the likes of D'Angelo, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. This enables his music to touch you in a way that many couldn't. His music successfully remains true to the roots of soul whilst still managing to sound fresh, sharp and modern. When I first heard the song "So High" I was so taken that I found myself
listening to it again and again. This is very peculiar behaviour for someone like me, I don't usually get affected by things like that. Anyway, this is enough of a first impression, lets get onto the breakdown of the album.
Tracklist ----------------
1 Prelude 2 Let's Get Lifted 3 Used To Love U 4 Alright 5 She Don't Have To Know 6 Number One 7 I Can Change 8 Ordinary People 9 Stay With You 10 Let's Get Lifted Again 11 So High 12 Refuge (When it's Cold Outside) 13 It Don't Have To Change 14 Live It Up
Running time 52.4 mins
My Favourite Songs -----------------------------
Ok, now just to talk through some of my favourite tracks. In no particular order:
---- 8 Ordinary People ----
Ordinary People is a sweeping soul ballad, somewhat reminiscent of work by Alicia Keys I suppose. The song features John playing the piano and singing about real relationships, not the fairytale ones, the ones we all go through in real life. Aside from the extraordinary vocals, particularly in the chorus, it's the lyrics that reach me on this one.
What I like about this song:
I like the lyrics:
"This ain't a movie naw, no fairytale conclusion y'all. Gets more confusing every day Sometimes it's heaven sent, then we, head back to hell again We kissed and we make up on the way"
---- 7 I Can Change ----
This song is great because it brings some real edge and variety to the album. Featuring, the legendary in his own right, Snoop Dogg, this song merges soulful vocals from Legend with hip-hop. All of this over a razor sharp production by Kanye West. The song is about John making a change of lifestyle for a woman. Kind of a "stop messing about" thing. This song provides a pivotal point in the album - I'll explain why later.
What I like about this song:
Songs like this are excellent because I would find it very difficult to listen to a whole album of ballads. The quality of this track is fantastic too, in terms of the lyrics, production, and vocals.
---- 10 Let's Get Lifted Again ----
For anyone who owns the album already this might appear to be a strange choice. This song is very different to anything else on the album and is quite difficult to categorise. My closest comparison would be that I think that this is what Andre 3000 was trying to do with his Outkast Album The Love Below. It sounds like a totally high and warped out hip hop track. The lyrics are pretty scant but the vocals sound just incredible. Legend demonstrates his range beautifully and is probably just letting people know what he can do - or even what he can do but no one else can. It's worth a listen just as a showcase.
What I like about this song:
The vocals are incredible - I've never heard anything like this before.
---- 4 Alright ----
This is probably the darkest song on the album. Once again this track comes across as modern fusion of R&B and Hip-Hop. Legend shows aggression through the vocals of this song that doesn't appear on any other song on the album. The beats and bass on this song sound great. This is almost the kind of track that could be played in a club. The lyrics are egotistical and confrontational which adds to the mood of the song.
What I like about this song:
I like the mood, and the quality of the production.
---- 13 It Don't Have To Change ----
It Don't Have To Change is a real feel good song about reminiscing. Mainly about when times were hard but the love doesn't have to change. It essentially is a soul ballad, with the added element of some light gospel backing. This all amounts to a cheery uplifting song. The vocals aren't as spectacular as on some of the other tracks but as a whole this song gets so much right that it just works.
What I like about this song:
I like the way it is so uplifting. The notion that love doesn't have to change over the years appeals to me.
---- 11 So High ----
In my opinion this is the best song on the album. It just stands out as a perfectly written love song. As I said earlier in this review I found it very difficult to tear my ears away from it. You know how some songs just get you? This is one of them. It's similar in style to Track 8 Ordinary People. The lyrics are excellent and sincere and the vocals are excellent. The pace of the song is perfectly pitched for its purpose. I just can't fault it - not only that, I wouldn't want to fault it. It's just one of those songs that I find captivating.
What I like about this song:
I could make a list - but I will suggest that you download it or something, it's just so worth a listen.
Continuity of the album -------------------------------------
The continuity and flow of this album is worth a mention here. The album almost feels like two albums based around a pivotal point at track seven. The tone of the album changes considerably. The first half of the album is about fun, with more heavily produced tracks and faster vocals. Appearances from Kanye West and Snoop Dogg contribute to this. During and after the song I Can Change the tone settles down a little and the album takes a different direction. The second half of the album focuses on the soulful facet to John Legends voice. I welcome this because I feel that it is what he is best at.
My Verdict/ Closing Note -------------------------------------------
It's funny how I only review music that I really like. Music is a great hobby of mine and to find an artist as talented as John Legend doesn't happen often. This album offers bags of variety, mainly based in the realms of Soul and Hip-Hop, and with some real classic songs that I think that everyone should become familiar with. Just so that you know, I bought my copy of the CD from HMV for £10.99 though I suspect that it would be cheaper on the internet (Cdwow have it for £8.75).
I suggest that if you are into Soul, R&B, Hip-Hop etc, this CD is an essential purchase
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Great review....im still listening to this album even today ...got it as soon as he came out...kanye west knows his stuff taking this guy under his wing
temisana 21.03.2006 22:29
I must say that John Legend has Snoop says is Legendary sh*t, he is really good, my favs are Number One feat Kanye and also Stay With You, good review too..
Like a fresh breeze in the sometimes-arid landscape that can be R n B, this album amply ... more
illustrates that John Legend is up to being mentioned in the same breath as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, by way of R. Kelly and Jay-Z. Direct comparisons are redu...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Like a fresh breeze in the sometimes-arid landscape that can be R n B, this album amply ... more
illustrates that John Legend is up to being mentioned in the same breath as Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, by way of R. Kelly and Jay-Z. Direct comparisons are redu...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Apr 17th, 2005
exceptional by (14%):
very helpful by (86%):
