Customer Reviews

Animalistic

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

 

 

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ALBUMS I'VE HEARD THIS YEAR. NIVEA BROUGHT IT WITH HER 3RD STUDIO LP: ANIMALISTIC.
HER STYLE HAS CHANGED DRASTICALLY... IT'S LIKE A R&B/TECHNO.
ALMOST LIKE A BLACK VERSION OF "FUTURESEX/LOVESOUNDS". VERY MATURE.
PLEASE DON'T LET THIS ALBUM NOT BE APART OF YOUR COLLECTION.

Track Listings:
01. Animalistic
02. Watch It
03. Trapstar
04. Serious
05. Tell Me She's Nothin'
06. Once I'm Gone
07. Blackgirl (Loose In Miami)
08. Butterfly (All Of Me)
09. Ooh Lala
10. Get Your X
11. ILY
12. Georgia

Late last year, I discovered that Nivea released this album in Japan. Being a big fan of hers, I almost ordered it, but I heard news that she would release it in the United States around February. So I waited and soon March came and still nothing, so I ordered this on a whim.

This album is actually not that bad at all. It has a predominant crunk & B style. It's not her best, but I still don't regret the purchase. There are definitely some great songs on here. Sometimes the production and songwriting get a little bland, and I really don't care for the raps of her husband, Dream. So... if you're a Nivea fan, definitely buy this. If you're not, try and find some samples before the purchase. I'm not sure if it will be worth it for you. (It's not that bad of a price for a Japanese import, though. Most of them are $40+.)

I thought this was a great effort on Nivea's behalf. Her sound definitely matured and it's great to hear something different instead of the same old sound from women. The beats you would expect from a rapper and she can hold her own over the music. I think the new sound would suit her better than the other stuff she was putting out. She needs to release it in America, though.

Nivea is definitely an under-rated artist. With the release of her debut eponymous album, she was introduced to spotlight with her hit single "Don't Mess With My Man." The other singles from the album were not able to enjoy as much success and only two were supported by music videos. She came back in 2005 with the release of her sophomore album, Complicated, which didn't enjoy nearly the success it deserved. "Okay" was the only single from the album and it peaked at a moderate position of #40. Animalistic has now been released in Japan only with a release date in the U.S. slated to be sometime in 2007. Onto the review... Animalistic is definitely shows Nivea's ability to shine.

The album opens with the very catchy title track Animalistic. This is one of the best songs on the album. I immediatelly fell in love with the chorus as she says "I'm animalistic, smearin my lipstick, stretched like a gymnist, you better bring the jungle in the room cause I'm a bring the lion in the room." The thing about this song, Nivea has a drawl on her words. She stretches out certain words but it's not in an annoying way. The beats are hot and compliment her voice very well. However, it sounds more like she's talking or doing a Cassie-rap thing instead of singing. We then move onto first single in Japan entitled "Watch It." This is another highlight on the album and was the first new material I heard from Nivea. I was surprised to see that Nivea is now swearing on her album. She drops the "n-word" and the "s-word" but it's not that big of a deal. Once again, she has hot beats and this time, she sounds more like she's singing. While Nivea's voice isn't that powerful, she sings in her comfort zone, which is all people can ask. The video is sort of low-budget but I like it. I don't think this single would have faired very well in the U.S. but I do think it would deserve to. "Trapstar" is the next track and is pretty good. It features a guest appearance from an unknown rapper (which the album does more than once). This one is pretty catchy and I wouldn't be surprised if she kept this one from the U.S. release of the album. Once again, Nivea doesn't have the greatest voice but if there is a track to showcase her voice, this would be it. She sings higher than audiences are used to when she is vocalizing. "Serious" is an average-sounding track. It's not one of her standout tracks but it's definitely worth listening to. "Black Girl (Loose In Miami)" is another good track. The beginning is killer as Nivea goes through a little list of different types of girls during the chorus (black girl, white girl, mixed girl...). The chorus is probably the catchiest part of the song while the verses lack the "Nivea magic." Butterfly (All Of Me)" is the pretty song on the album. It serves as THE ballad on the album. It's not the only one but it's the best. She should keep this one or record some new ballads that will fit better. "Ooh La La" brings us back to the fire. This song finds Nivea asking boys if they can "make the girl go ooh la la la la." Once again, the chorus is killer but the verses fall short. Despite this, the song is still hot and would make a good single. "Get Your X" is definitely the fire highlight of the album. The verses and the chorus are on point. Nivea does drop the "s-word" more than a couple times but it's okay. Nivea tells a boy to "get [his] x" before she gets her herself. This should be the next single. "I.L.Y." is another ballad of sorts that is okay. It's not her strongest material and the beats aren't great. Her voice sounds nice though, so that brings the song up.

There were only three songs that I consider "subpar." "Tell Me She's Nothin'" does not impress me. I feel a sort of pop-rock vibe from it and Nivea's voice is better suited for R&B/Hip-Hop songs. "Once I'm Gone" and "Georgia" just are fillers. I won't even say anything about them.

When Nivea releases the album in the U.S. in 2007, some songs will be taken off and new ones will be added. A track entitled "Hood Girl" is set to be the first singe and features the amazing Lil' Kim. I can't wait to hear it. It is true that this album doesn't give Nivea much versatility like Complicated did and her vocals aren't as showcased as they should be, but Nivea is working really hard and I respect her for it.

Top Tracks (In Album Order):

Animalistic
Watch It
Trapstar
Ooh La La
Get Your X

I am a 30 year old white male who comes from rural PA. I can be found at Def Leppard and Poison concerts every summer. But when it comes to dance/r&b/hip-hop, there are only a few singers I typically like, mainly the big names like Kanye West and Mary J. Blige. However, I accidentally stumbled upon this album on an mp3 site and I was instantly addicted. The song "Trapstar" is amazing, and the title track opener is a driving, aggressive bass-heavy beat. Tracks 7-11 are all pretty much great, also. There is nothing not to like about Nivea, she can be sweet at times and sassy at other times, her voice is amazing and she is drop dead gorgeous. This import is a little expensive, but you can preview a few tracks on her myspace, and you will see, it is worth a few extra bucks. This natural talent can deliver the goods with passion and conviction, and it lives up to its title.

If she continues to do music like this I would have to say so. It is no wonder you rarely hear anything from her these days. She has failed to produce a solid hit on this album and her material has definitely gone downhill. I thought her last album had a few decent cuts, but felt like if she worked with R. Kelly a little more he would be able to produce more good songs for her that really complimented her voice such as Laundromat. I really tried to give this cd a chance but there is nothing that catches my attention on here. I would really love to see Nivea do something great with her music career but this album has got to be one of the worst I have heard in the past few years. Hopefully, if she does another album she will really work with some people that can really bring that true singer out of her and show everyone what she has to offer the music industry.

i never was a nivea fan until i discovered animalistic it is a good cd very much my taste in music it should have been out in the united states it would have sold a lot of copies i love this cd and the style of the cd so i say it is a great buy for anyone

This album is highly recommended!!! Its so different than her previous two albums, but the music industry is all about being versatile anyways. I have always been a fan of nivea since her 2002 self-titled debut album.This album was primarily produced by then-husband THE DREAM! The beats are great and the lyrics are great too. If you liked her previous efforts then you are sure to like "Animalistic" =)