Nathan Michael Shawn Wanya [ECD] - Boyz II Men

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Great vocals, Superb
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

**Introduction**

Boyz II Men released this album in 2000 and it was their fourth studio release. This album is produced by Boyz II Men themselves along with Kevin "Shekspeare" Briggs. This album was led by singles Pass you by and Thank You In Advance. This album was the first album where they had the most creative control in their career. The Reason for the title of the album is because it shows all their names. Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris.

**Nathan, Michael, Shawn, Wanya

1.) Beautiful Women

This is a great uptempo track to open the album with, From the opening chords you know it is going to be a great track to dance to and the vocals are on top form as they move through the song efforlessly. This track is about the beautiful women of the world and is such a catchy song.

2.) Step On Up

This is another great uptempo track to dance to, This track has a thumping beat that kicks in and is soon joined by the smooth vocal harmonies. This track is just about letting everything go sometimes and just have a good time with the people you are with. A great feel good track in my opinion.

3.) Good Guy

One of their best tracks of this kind. This song is about seeing the bad guys always getting the girl and telling them they are better off with me. This has an interesting feel to it as it is a cross between a ballad and a club track. The beat pounds throught the track along with their great vocals.

4.) Bounce, Shake, Move, Swing

This track opens with what Boyz II Men no longer have and that is a bass intro from Michael McCary. over the years he did speaking parts in some of their biggest hits but left the band after the following album due to scholiosis. In the opening verse he says "Bounce, Shake, Move, Swing" Then the funky beat and keyboard sounds come in and make this a great club track.

5.) What The Deal

This starts with a lovely latin tinged guitarand then develops through the beat. The feel of the song is very good with a mellow romantic feel. Shawn Stockman leads this track with his expressive voice but Nathan and Wanya Morris also perform lead duties on the song too.

6.) I Finally Know

This is one of the best tracks on the album and the first real ballad on the album. This has such a relaxed feel to it that you should just sit back and close your eyes and listen to the beauty of this track. This track is about discovering how deep your feelings are for someone when they have been there all the time. I'm sure many have of you have had a relationship like that.

7.) Pass You By

As The first half of the album was the uptempo half then this is now the ballad half. This is another great ballad. Pass You By is about telling someone close to you that they are better off without who they are with which has done many times before but this is still a great trackas it offers a different slant on it.

8.) Dreams

This is a wonderful ballad which has a superbly laid back feel to it. It starts with a lovely guitar intro and then develops into one heck of a beautiful song, Superbly sung and the lyrics really hit home with their content. Here I am again, wondering if you're okay, Can't stop this troubled heart Cuz we're apart, miles away
Phone pressed up to my ear Wish you were here, holding me
A face to go with your sweet voice Will bring me joy, totally.

9.) I Do

This is a really great acapella track. The track is one of their best in terms of group vocal harmonies. This just has a great beaity to it and is one hell of a track. Unusual for an acapella a big drum beat kicks in after a couple of minutes and adds a great feel to the track. Just brilliant.

10.) Thank You In Advance

This is a great track about meeting someone for the first time and feeling like you have known them all your life and want to spend the rest of your life with them. The music is kind of like Good Guy as it is a fusion between a ballad and a mid tempo track. One of their best of this kind. Works so well.

11.) Never Go Away

An awesome song that is so beautifully sung. Just a stripped down kind of song, just soft guitars with vocals. All four of the group sound amazing and together they just sound awesome. This just shows everyone it isnt just about the power of vocals it is also about grace and tone.

12.) Lovely

This ballad has a gentle introduction from Wanya and his voice is joined by a firm beat and then the rest of the group come in with harmonies. This is a great track that sounds superb from a sound quality aspect as well as what is playing. A very romantic song that will have many fans.

13.) Know What You Want

My Personal favourite on the album and a stonkingly good track. This starts with some firm drums and then develops with the keyboard and guitar along with the background strings, When I first heard this I had goosebumps and I still get them when I listen to it. I am listening right now as I write this. Wanya's voice towards the end when he errupts is just incredible.

14.) Do You Remember

This is about remembering your childhood. This is also a stripped down track much like Never Go Away, just a guitar and their vocals. I love the intimacy of this song and it is beautifully sung and is one of their best tracks that they have done like this. A great end to the album.

**Overall**

This is a fabulous album with some awesome songs sung with passion, verve, vigour and grace not to mention superbly recorded. One of their best albums they have released so far and I doubt many R&B groups around can claim to have many better songs than the best on Nathan, Michael, Shawn, Wanya. I have seen them three times and cant wait to see them for a fourth time when they tour their new album early next year.

Also on dooyoo as Lakerfanster