Customer Reviews

Always

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've always had a weak spot for Pebbles, it's just something about her music that is just...fun! I first heard of Pebbles on my favorite radio station when they were playing the oldies hour and it was the song "Girlfriend", I was immeadiately hooked and had to know who sang this song then while hunting for music on the net I learned it was a singer named Pebbles and then I began a search for finding her music. Now I will be honest and say I don't technically own this album, I have a -ahem- downloaded copy of it with some other essential Pebbles tracks from her 1st LP so to me it's the best CD but I am reviewing "Always" so I'll just skip right to that...
"Always" is a good early 90's pop/dance album. There's nothing fancy or breathtaking about it, it's just an album filled with upbeat and funky dance tunes and some groovin' ballads. "Givin' You The Benefit" was funky from the start, perfect song to dance around to. With a little help from Salt n Pepa on "Backyard" which is another funky tune that tells of a boyfriend going out with a good girlfriend (I can so relate to that!). Babyface joins Pebbles in singing the lovely "Love Makes Things Happen" while "Say A Prayer For Me" displays some spiritual awakening in a danceable setting. "Give It To Me" is sharp and has a total New Jack vibe about it, another funky cut. "Why Do I Believe" is not the greatest, I tend to skip this one and go right into "Always" which is just gorgeous. With cousin, singer Cherelle (who is awesome in her own right) and Pebbles sing with heart wrenching gusto, the two make a great team. It has a gospel feel to it and a chorus that is just perfect. "Stay With Me" is a mid-tempo slow jam that is beautiful too, I can say this is my favorite track off the album. Love the guitar part. "Good Thang" is simply a groovin' track and a good way to end the album (unless you count the "Givin' You The Benefit" remix).
Pebbles isn't the greatest singer but she isn't the worst and I think she has talent nonetheless and I'd wish that she come back and give us some more great dance tunes. "Always" is an early 90's gem and is just perfect.

Star Sprinkles Top 5
1. Stay With Me
2. Always
3. Givin' You The Benefit
4. Give It To Me
5. Backyard

Wow, I was impressed with this album. I have liked Pebbles ever since her first hit "Girlfriend", but I never explored any of her albums until I recently came across this one in a thrift store. I picked it up and jammed it in my car, and I was instantly transported back into the late 80's, rockin' out 80's style! It was such a refreshing change to hear all those 80's dance beats, backed with Pebbles sassy and soulful voice. Her upbeat tracks definately has an attitude, sort of like Destiny's Child, but less honry. I enjoy the songs "Giving You The Benefit", "Backyard", and "Give It To Me". They make you want to sing along and totally have fun. Me and my friend were jammin' to Pebbles on the freeway and having a ball and laughing. I was also blown away by the song "Always". It's such an intense ballad with great lyrics. Listening to Pebbles brought me back to a more innocent time in music when it was just love and havin' a good time. Pebbles has class and sophistication, and I want to stress the point that you don't have to [sell] yourself out like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera to make great music. You don't have to yell and scream to be heard. What was so refreshing was to hear music with simple themes about love and some heartbreak. You don't hear Pebbles singing "used to have a little, now I got alot". Like were suppossed to care. Pebbles, you still rule, and I hope you make another album sometime soon!

I still really love Pebbles. I wish she'd release more music. Always is still a favourite cd of mine that I still listen to every now and then. This cd is my favourite of hers and it's got some cool fast tracks on it and then a few great ballads.
Giving You The Benefit is probably the best song here - it's fast and catchy and great to dance to, and my favourite ballad is Always and Why Do I Believe. She does a fantastic song with Babyface called Love Makes Things Happen and I can't hear it enough. The majority of songs were written by L.A Reid and Babyface who to me, are a great combination. I love their work and those songs combined with Pebbles' great, soft, soulful voice are a fantastic mix.
If you love R&B and 90's music, then this is a perfect cd to listen to. It's so good and I love each and every song. Again, I wish she'd make a new cd or something. I have all the ones she's done and this is the best of them. She's a great artist and this is a cd worth every penny. Love it.

Always and Giving You the Benefit, as well as Love Makes Things Happen were to me the hits that helped blow this album up. Pebbles showed true maturity in material and in love, and I was proud to cop this CD.

this cd has some good songs on it.such as love makes things happen.a great duet with BabyFace.giving you the benefit is tight.most of the production was done by LA&Babyface.the slow songs work alright.some of the material hasn't aged that well but overall it's still a pretty good disc.

The songs on this album are beautifully written. I also like "always". Pebbles is absolutely beautiful!!

The album"Always" is great. The song "Always" is so breathtaking that it moves me. I play the song over and over again and I dont get tired of it. No song puts butterflies in my stomache like this song does. I cant explain it.

I was finally able to get a copy of "Always" from a used bookstore. I remember seeing the videos for "Giving You The Benefit" and "Love Makes Things Happen" almost 10 years ago. I was not disappointed with this album. "Giving You The Benefit" is still the jam and "Love Makes Things Happen" is still a great ballad. Some of my personal favorites include "Always," "Why Do I Believe" and the extended mix of "Giving You The Benefit." I like "Backyard" but it sounds different from the maxi-single that I have. The album version is only OK. "Give It To Me" is the weakest track, in my opinion. The other songs are OK too. Anywayz, if you're a Pebbles fan then you won't be disappointed. It's a really good album. Trust me.

While far from being life-altering, Pebbles sophomore outing was not only a huge R&B/Pop hit, "Always" is a surprisingly consistent, well balanced LP. The production wizardry of Antonio "LA" Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds makes every song crackle with lively arrangements and great supporting players. The best songs here are not neccesarily the big hits, personally I always thought "Love Makes Things Happen" is an uneventful, run of the mill ballad that could have easily been left off the album, and "Backyard" may sport a great backing track and instantly hummable hook, but the inclusion of guest rappers Salt N Pepa is simply a bad idea, thier rhymes are both amateurish and endlessly grating. The saving grace here is the majestic title song, with it's pleading chorus and gradually rising passion, it's Pebbles finest moment on record. As if that weren't enough, it's followed by my favorite album cut "Stay With Me". Anchored by a bouncy, slippery bass-synth groove and precise drum programming it's a mini-masterpiece that also features a guitar solo by 'Face that complements the piece just right. I had to deduct a star for the aforementioned musical transgressions, but overall this LP has aged quite well in the last 10 years. Note to Babyface& Co: Try working with a more varied range of sounds and tempos, you're starting to repeat yourself too often. Us real music lovers deserve nothing less than the best.

this is a good cd. Yes, she's fine, but the music is fine too!