New Man - Joe

Author's product rating:   

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

Advantages:	Great vocals
Disadvantages:	Only snippets

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

**Introduction**

Thirty Five year old Joe Lewis Thomas or more commonly known as simply "Joe" has been one of the most consistent R&B solo artists for the past ten years and has worked with some of the biggest names in R&B having worked with the likes of Tyrese and Mariah Carey over that time and has also toured with the likes of Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight and Jodeci at various times throught his career.

**Joe Thomas, New Man**

Joe Thomas, New Man is the seventh album from Joe and was released on 23rd September 2008 on the Universal record label. The album so far contains two released singles which are E.R. (Emergency Room and Why Just Be Friends. The album is different to much of his previous stuff but still has that unmistakable Joe sound which he has carved for himself since the start of his music career.

1.) E.R. (Emergency Room)

This is the first single of the album and is a good opening to the album, The usual flow of a Joe track is all over this one and his vocals sound as good as ever. The beat works well with the keyboard hooks that sound throught the track. A good start to the album and a good showcase of his talents.

2.) By Any Means

This opens with a thumping beat and some catchy synth sequences which add a catchy tone to the track. This track is about doing whatever you need to do to be back in someones life after a breakup. This ballad works really well with the thump of the beat.

3.) Why Just Be Friends

This opens like a track which could have featured on his 1993 debut album with a 90's beat. This track is about wanting to take friendship to the next step when you fall for someone who was previously just a friend. This has a very nice flow to it and provides a good showcase for his vocals.

4.) We need to roll

This is a romantic upbeat ballad about getting it together with your partner. This track sums up the feel of the album, ballads with a more uptempo feel and this is one of the best indicators of that on the album. Very nice song indeed.

5.) Man In your life

This opens with some interesting sounds and then the thump of the beat kicks in, This track is a pledge to a woman for him to the good man in their life. The chorus works well and this is a very polished all round effort. One of the best tracks on the album like this.

6.) I Won't let him hurt you

This is a beautifully done track about reassuring the woman that you will treat them better than their previous partner and pledging that you won't let him hurt you again.

7.) New Man

This is a fantastic flowing love jam which is about how love can change you and make you a better person. This is one of the catchiest tracks on the album and shows the new style Joe has come across which works really really well.

8.) Start over again

This is a gorgeous ballad which opens like a Tyrese track from his Alter Ego album but then you get the Joe tinged flow of the track. This is another ballad with a firm beat and the gentle piano works superbly well with the beat. This is a great track about putting problems behind and starting over again.

9.) Approach

This track is about wanting to get to know someone a little better after seeing them for the first time and being instantly attracted to them, The smooth vocals add nice touch with the thump of the beat and the hi-hat.

10.) Sorry

This is a lovely ballad which is the slowest on the album and showcases the superb flow he has. This track is about saying sorry for messing up and being so sorry and wanting to be forgiven for your actions and you promise to never act up again.

11.) Heart behind my eyes

This track has a beat that is almost an updated version of Marvin Gaye's classic Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)" This is a very flowing track which features superb vocals from both Joe and the backing singers. Wonderful track.

12.) Chameleon

This is a fantastically catchy track with a fantastic beat and some gentle piano tones which add a nice effect, This is about the changing moods of a relationship, when everything seems ok then it changes.

13.) I Will Again

This is a fantastic beat led track with background sounds which sound like some that Timbaland would be involved with but he isnt suprisingly. The mood changes with the gentle piano and smooth vocals despite the thumping beat. This is a very good track.

14.) Triple Black Room

This has a deep bass beat and hooks which could be on a Prince record. This is a very funky upbeat track which works really well. One of the best tracks like this on the album and one of the best to dance to due to it's funky bass hooks.

Bonus Tracks

In a move that is rather rare there are a number of songs at the end of this album which will be included on Joe's upcoming release which should be out in June of 2009. The snippets of these songs are only about 1.30 each and give an indication that the new album entitled Signature is a much more laid back affair than this album.

15.) Friends don't let friends 1.27

This is the first clip from the next album, This is more like the Joe you would probably know. A gorgeous ballad which has a great live feel with a superb drum backing and guitar licks.

16.) Special Friends

This is a lovely ballad about two people in a relationship being best friends too. This has the makings of a classic ballad. A great snippet.

17.) Magic 1.26

Another gentle ballad which is more like the Joe of his previous albums. A superb ballad in the making even from the first 1m 26 seconds

18.)Sex Girl

This is a fantastic snippet of this track and the beat works really well with the soft guitar and keyboard sounds. This is probably the track from his upcoming album which is most like this album.

19.) Wanna be your lover

This is a fantastic snippet of this ballad about telling someone what you feel for them and saying you want to be with them. Another great snippet.

**Overall**

This is one of the most different Joe albums he has released and on the full length tracks on the album if you are just talking about Joe Thomas, New Man and not the following album then I would give this four stars out of five due to there being a lack of one or two ballads which are like the classic ballads which he has released in his career. On the basis of the short snippets it looks like I would rate the next album five stars.

Also posted on dooyoo as Lakerfanster