Customer Reviews

21 Ways to Grow

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had this CD years ago when it was on cassette and wanted to update my collection. There's lots of music I still need to get replaced from my original collection of cassettes and this was definitely one of them. It takes me back to things I was going through at the time and I believe it's one of Shanice's best CDs she's done.

On her third effort, shanice displays that she has grown up and so has her voice. The concept for this cd is that shanice has grown into a woman but on the hip-pop ace boon coon, I wanna give it to you, shanice still reminds us that although she is grown she is still young and likes to have fun. The r&b funk somewhere, I like and when I say that I love you , shanice does her thing naturally. the raw smoldeing 'give me the love that i need' reminds me of rufus and chaka khan's 'tell me something good'. The ballads on this album range from relationships (don't break my heart, I'll be there) to setting the mood (turn down the lights) and last but not least, heartbreak (I wish), shanice goes from whispery to high range and it all sounds great. To give the album a happy ending , there's 'never changing love'. this album, like the rest of them, could've gave shanice the stardom she deserves. Shanice has a voice that can captivate anyone. This album is good through and through. It's a shame that it's not avalible anymore in stores, but even if you're buying it used, it's a great cd. Shanice deserves much respect for her work as an artist. I hope she comes out with new material soon!!!

and i finally found it. i love this cd! i cant believe all her other cd's are availible and they stop making this 1! my favorite tracks are 'turn down the lights' i'll be there' and 'somewhere'....this cd iz defiently worth your money if your a shanice fan! ...

Minnie Riperton remake of Lovin You is tearjerking and the songs bring back good memories of being a teenager

Does that a music fan have to write 50 reviews, seriously?

Anyway, this CD is tight, I just rebought it, I love the interlude for "I Care," "Turn Down The Lights," and "Ace Boon Coon."

I was 14 when this CD came out and I liked it then, and still like it. One of my favorites is " Don't Break My Heart", I listen to this CD all the time, she can blow! I'm mad her CD didn't get promoted like it should have. Now shes got kids w/husband Flex and has another CD out, that I didn't know about.. but I will definitely check out her other CD's!

This album is amazing! Not as good as Inner Child but still very nice. I own this CD, infact I own all 4 of her albums. Shanice is like a stunning beacon of light. Through her music, I feel like sometimes she's the only friend I have in the world. No matter what problems I have going on in my life. Her music gives me the strength, courage and the willingness to go on. Time and time again, I find solace in her music. I don't know for sure what it is exactly, I suppose it's just an empathy in her voice that says: "It's ok, I've been there too, don't worry, you'll survive." I was feeling kind of low today, almost like I couldn't go on another day, and then I put on her Ways To Grow CD, listening to "I'll Be There" and within a few short minutes, I somehow found the ability to go on. :) I thank her for making it worthwhile for somebody she doesn't even know. She truly reaches the hearts of many people, especially myself. Through her music, I am always able to find the peace, love, joy and happiness that I need. I thank her for being just who she is and being there for everyone with the music and care she puts out for us. Her music really adds joy to my life and always gives me strength, hope and most of all, inspiration. I hope the world hears and sees her by her music and I hope she continues to spread the message of love and peace. Buy this CD now if you don't already own it! I'm sure you'll love it, just as I first did!

I frantically looked for this album by Shanice and I found it at the Virgin Records Megastore. I bought "Discovery" also and I love all four Shanice albums but this one is my favorite!!! "Turn Down The Lights" is very romantic and I like the friendly beat of "Ace Boon Coon." Buy this CD!

I own all of Shanice Wilson's albums with the exception of her rare debut, "Discovery." Although I feel that Shanice is one of the most vocally gifted singers ever to enter the music industry, none of her albums are masterpieces. Her albums usually contain two or three really great songs, two or three good songs, and the rest of the material is forgettable, and some of it is plain bad. Such is the case with her sophomore album, "21...Ways to Grow." The title of the album is creative because at the juncture that this album was released, she had just turned 21 years old. The lyrics are very elementary, the overall production is just okay, but, as usual, her voice is on point and beautiful as ever, and sometimes it makes you forget that the album itself is just average.

The only song that was officially released to radio is ironically the best song on the album, and that song is entitled "Turn Down the Lights." This song isn't played on the radio often, but if you have ever heard it in your life, when you hear it again, you'll probably say, "I love that song!" Everything about "Turn Down the Lights" is sexy, even the production. The way in which Shanice sings this song is very seductive, not to mention she hits some unbelievable falsetto notes that would make you say, "Mariah, who??" It's a ballad, and easily one of Shanice's best songs to date. "When I Say That I Love You" is the second strongest track. I particularly enjoy the chorus and the lyrics. The rest of the material here is pretty forgettable. However, some songs are just terrible like "Ace Boon Coon", "I Like" and "Give Me the Love I Need." The production on these songs is dated and the lyrics are very cheesy.

Shanice fans are sure to get something from this album, so, no doubt, they need to try to retrieve this. Everyone else, if you need a Shanice album in your life, she is at her best on her third self-titled album, so consider purchasing that one. This album is not terrible, but it's not much memorable material found here, either.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "Turn Down the Lights"
2. "When I Say That I Love You"
3. "Never Changing Love"
4. "I'll Be There"
5. "I Wish"

GIRL KEEP IT UP BECAUSE YOU CAN SAN