Customer Reviews

Attitude

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The New Jack Swing Era was well underway by the time Attitude hit stores on October 13, 1989; and Guy, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat and New Edition were already household names across urban America by then. With Attitude, Troop triumphantly joined this list as well, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with after storming the charts with their debut single, "Mamacita" from their self-titled debut in 1988. There are three songs in particular that make Attitude a timeless New Jack classic: "Spread My Wings", "All I Do Is Think Of You", and "I Will Always Love You".

Featuring sweeping instrumentation and incredibly upbeat lyrics, the Chuckii Booker-produced "Spread My Wings" is easily one of the best New Jack mid-tempos ever recorded. The unforgettable "Spread My Wings" video also deserves mention - it featured memorable scenes of the quintet dancing on top of a skyscraper, and singing on the beach at sunset around a grand piano. "Spread My Wings" is probably the song Troop is best known for.

"All I Do Is Think Of You" is the second Chuckii Booker production, but is actually a remake of a 1975 Jackson 5 ballad. Beginning with an elegant piano intro, the song warms up into a stunningly majestic proclamation of young love. Lead vocalists Steve Russell and Allen McNeil sound wonderfully flawless on "All I Do Is Think Of You", and the harmonies on this track shimmer very brightly. Next to New Jack Era classics like "Can You Stand The Rain", "Make It Last Forever", "I'll Give All My Love To You", and "Let's Chill", the ultra-plush "All I Do Is Think Of You" sounds absolutely right at home.

After the double-whammy of the previous two sonic gems, "I Will Always Love You" is almost too good to believe. Not to be confused with the Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton hit of the same name, "I Will Always Love You" has an urgent, yet wonderfully tender feel to it. More than anything, there is a sense of profound vulnerability a la Force MDs' "Tender Love" on this song that just doesn't happen anymore in today's "thug-oriented" R&B. Fans of anything by Usher, Ginuwine, or even Justin Timberlake will probably be able to get into this one. Notably, this song features early production by future TLC producer and `Drumline' filmmaker Dallas Austin.

Other standout tracks on Attitude include the singles "I'm Not Soupped", and "That's My Attitude", which were fast songs definitely guaranteed to pack dance floors at urban clubs circa 1989-1990. The aforementioned tracks (especially "I'm Not Soupped") had great videos too. There is a "Soupped Mix" near the end of the album that is for the most part, an instrumental - but it features sampled elements that are very "Rhythm Nation 1814/Control-ish" in nature. The album cuts "My Love" and "My Music" could have also been single releases - there was nothing really `filler' about them at all. And the last song on the Attitude LP is a mellow version of "Spread My Wings", which rounds out the album perfectly.

It should be noted that as an act, Troop was clearly influenced and inspired by the Jacksons and especially their one-time contemporaries, New Edition. However, Troop took on a more trendy approach to their sound and image than N.E., and specialized in their own brand of dazzling choreography (not unlike comparing the more energetic `Nsync to the classier Backstreet Boys on which they were based). While Attitude isn't as epic as say, Heartbreak, this is definitely not one to miss by any stretch of the imagination. And of all the Troop albums to own, without a doubt - it's this one.

Njs4ever (New Jack Swing 4Ever)

With the founding father of R&B groups New Edition doing the solo thing in the early nineties and Boyz II Men still a year or so away, Troop was the premire R&B group of 1990. The songs Spread My Wings, All I Do Is Think Of You and I Will Always Love are some of the best songs to come out of early 90's R&B and the boys earned their spot in R&B in my opinion.

Troop what can I say , one of the best r&b groups of 90s. I remember I wore this cassette out. Between that and Bell Biv Devoe Poison. They just don't make music like they used to. All the background vocals and reverb dominating the tracks. Troop would really stand out in our world of Usher and B2K and crap like that.. these guys need to be shown how its done by the old skool groups such as Troop, Guy, Force MDs, Surface (was good at ballads)& Tony Toni Tone'. Really anything is better then the crap we hear today. "All I Do is Think of You" and "spread my wings" still to this very day are two of my favorite ballads of all time. I think the last time we saw a group with this much class and true talent was in 92 or so with Jodeci.

Thinking back to the beginnings of the New Jack Swing era I can only say one thing: After Guy came this incredible energetic act. With songs like Attitude and Soupped they thrilled fans on the dancefloor. Having Chuckii Booker donate two of his most brilliant songs didn't hurt either. Spread my wings is a definite classic and I will always .... is still the bomb.

After all this time I'm still waiting to see them top this one, it won't be easy but hey, If you won't try you'll never succeed. Troop was without a doubt one of the frontrunning teams for the wave of acts like Silk, Shai and a lot of other groups.

I loved this album. The music is great. The songs are beautiful especially "Spreay My Wings" & "All I Do Is Think of U", the band was very underrated. The singers of today should take notice of this talented group.

Peace.

this is a still a good disc.Spread My wings done with Chuckie Booker is a Jam.He Produced the classic Re-Make of The Jackson 5's "All I Do is think of You".Troop turns that out here.this Disc is still cool.worth peaking into.

...I really miss them...
Especially this album brings back so many memories, there is not a single song on the album that I do not like.
New Jack at it's best!
And the slow tunes......ohhhhhhhhhh.....THEY KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.

Al Mac, the lead singer, is going solo now, when you hear stuff from him, make sure to get it, since he was the trademark of Troop's typical sound.

This past weekend I was watching a music channel that featured the artist Usher and his favorite 25 artists and videos. He chose Troop's Spread My Wings as his number 17th favorite. I rushed to record the video to have as a part of my music video library. To see that group "sang" and perform their dance routine brought back memories of playing that cassette in my car over and over.... I also bought the single cassette of All I Do Is Think Of You. There are many guy groups out now but I can only think of one that comes close to an all around entertaining force as Troop. I had truly forgotten about Troop and their musical writing partner Chuckie Booker, but after seeing the video I'll be repurchasing this cd.

I would just like to say Troop brings back alot of memories for me I was in High School having the time of my life there was fun in listening to music no crazy violence how it is now. And I can't stand to hear it how the new artist or disrespecting each other especially the young ladies yes I understand you want to express your life but come on now clean up the videos and lyrics, please Troop make a comeback we need your music to insprire the teens of Today. Thanks and please continue to Play the old skool Music, as long As I'm around You will always have a listener.

Before there were New Kids, NSync, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O-Town, there was Troop. These cats gave 120 percent in their performances with two powerhouse lead vocalists and dancing that had you out of breath just from watching.

Troop laid the foundation for singing/dancing boy groups of today. While Boyz II Men were more conservative, Troop had a street-flavored edginess that has never been duplicated. (oh groups today are TRYing but they can't hold a candle to Troop)

Chuckii Booker produced alot of the funky tracks on this album. "Spread My Wings" was a super hit, and "I Will Always Love You" was a serious slow jam. The remake of "All I Do is Think of You" (also performed by the Jackson5)is a sentimental serenade that will take you even further down memory lane.

This is vintage "old skool" that will have you reaching for Care Free Curl spray, white socks & penny loafers, and your old parachute pants with the zippers on the side!

Peace. CLB.