...Introduction...
Timbaland is otherwise known as Tim Mosley and has a fine reputation for being one of the greatest producers in music. For those of you who don't know his history, he started producing when Missy Elliot heard his mixes and decided to work with him on her material. He also worked with the group Jodeci on their 1995 album The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel.
His stock as a music producer was quickly rising when in 1996 he produced Ginuwine's debut album Ginuwine...the Bachelor. The album gained both commercial and critical success. Since then he has worked with a variety of artists and is stock as a producer keeps rising and rising for his uniqueness.
In 2007 he released his first album as an artist and the album featured a number of collaborations from some of the best known current artists including Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado and Fall Out Boy and even Elton John. Here is my review of his first album entitled Shock Value.
...Album Review...
1. Oh Timbaland
This contains a piano intro which is taken from a Nina Simone track. This track then features a thumpind drum beat and some funky guitar licks. This is a great intro to the album and gives a taster of what is to come from the rest of the album.
2. Give
it to me
This starts with "is it going, is it going, i don't know" This has a thumping beat that knocks through the track, this track features vocals from Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado and Timbaland raps on the track. This track has a great flow and is great for dancing to in the club.
3. Release
This track features Justin Timberlake and is a funky club track with a very fast beat which makes the track flow brilliantly. A great track to dance to with has a catchy feel to it. It really works well and is one of the quickest on the album.
4. The Way I Are
Now I know it is really really bad grammar but that doesnt matter as much when it is such a catchy track like this one. Introducing Keri Hilson this track was one of the tracks of 2007. A very flowing track that was huge in clubs around the world.
5. Bounce
This track features Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott, and Justin Timberlake and is one of the most original tracks. A great vocoder effect which sounds like Justin Timberlake is laughing. This track shows just how good a recording this album is. The beats sound amazing.
6. Come and get me
This is probably the weakest track on the album, it features 50 Cent and Tony Yayo. Although it has a great beat it just doesnt have the same spark that the best tracks on Shock Value have.
7. Kill Yourself
This track is to all the dissers. A bold track which has an amazing melody with piano and a seismic bassline that is so infectious. A really well worked track that is one of the best on the album. This track has A great flow.
8. Boardmeeting
This has a thumping beat and some sweet aha aha female vocals. This track features Hip Hop artist Magoo. It is a nice track but doesnt have that instant spark that some of these tracks do. A very good track though.
9. Fantasy
This features Money and is a brilliant ballad with a great beat and some great backing music. Money has a nice voice and she like Keri Hilson has a future in the music industry. She has a sweet voice.
10. Scream
This is totally different to the last track and shows the depth to the album. This track features Keri Hilson and Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger. This has an amazing beat and some great backing loops. This track is one that I can't stop listening to and is a real toe tapper. Great.
11. Miscommunication
This track features Keri Hilson and Sebastian, who??? and Is a nice slower track with some nice effects and loops. This track loses a bit from Sebastian as Keri Hilson is a good singer. A good track though all round.
12. Bombay
This is a lovely little track with some softer beats and some great loops. This track features Amar and Jim Beanz and really shows that you can put music with anything and it can work. Indian vocals with a funky hip hop beat. A very different track that really works a treat.
13. Throw it on me
I hate The Hives but this is an ok song. It is a fusion of Timbaland Hip Hop and The Hives whatever they are. It suprisingly works well. Not as great as the other tracks though. Probably one of the weakest tracks on the album.
14. Time
This features she wants revenge who are an American "Dark wave" band who have strange voices. This works suprisingly well but is not on a par with the best despite the funky guitar and great beat.
15. One and only
This track features Fall Out Boy and even though I am not a fan of them this really is a good track, The drum beat sounds amazing and Pete Wentz does some nice bits on the bass. A very catchy flowing track that is a great fusion.
16. Apologize
This was the first single from the album and features newcomers One Republic. This was a massive single and has a great uplifting keyboard loop and some great backing sounds. starts with a dark piano melody and then develops into a great ballad about regret.
17. 2 Man show
This features Elton John and you would be fooled for thinking this wouldnt work. A great collaboration with Elton's great piano playing and Timbalands great beats. some great backing vocals. A wonderful effort all round. This really works so well.
18. Hello
This track features Keri Hilson and Attitude and is an international bonus track. This has a big beat and some nice background sounds and lovely piano. This is a great bonus track that stays with the albums mood.
19. Come Around
This is the final track and is a UK Only bonus track, It features M.I.A and has a great beat and some funky guitar. Not as good as Hello and probably the weakest on the album as it features annoying London rapping.
...Overall...
This is a great album that only has one bad moment that is the addition of M.I.A, what is it that makes females from London unable to rap?? I don't know but this doesnt work. A great album despite that moment.
07.05.2008 00:47
Good review...Thanks. J.