Customer Reviews

Ciara: Evolution

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(37)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Wow, absolutely wow! Who would've thought that singer/songwriter Ciara, the First Lady of Crunk'n'B who has commonly been labelled as a Beyonce/Aaliyah knock-off and a vocally talentless hack (both of which are untrue), would be able to bounce back from the disappointing, multi-platinum debut album that was "Goodies" and create an album that unquestionably dominates its predecessor in every aspect you could possibly imagine? Well I sure as Hell didn't think she could, but her sophomore album, "Ciara: The Evolution", is exactly what its title suggests - her once-thin and characterless vocals have strengthened both in force and range, her subject matter is more diverse, the lyrics are much stronger, her personality translates much better into her music, the whole album track listing is excellently sequenced and the album is much more balanced out with its sure-fire club bangers and smooth, emotional ballads. Even with a star-studded production line-up (Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Lil' Jon, Jazze Pha, The Neptunes, etc.) and a few well-established guest rappers (Lil' Jon, 50 Cent & Chamillionaire), Ciara maintains her presence throughout the album's 14 tracks (excluding the 4 interludes that split up and balance each section of the album).

Without a doubt, lead single "Promise" is one of the album's main highlights. For once, forget the fact that she deals a cringe-worthy assortment of exhausted clichés and cheesy come-ons - Ciara's surprisingly strong and melodious vocals over Polow Da Don's hypnotic production on this smooth, club-ready ballad easily compensates for such a flaw and then some. Her vocals even make for a surprisingly good duet with rapping phenomenon 50 Cent on the sugary duet ballad "Can't Leave `Em Alone"; "My Love" & "So Hard" effortlessly captures feelings of heartbreak and emotional tensility, respectively, through smooth production, compelling lyrics and Ciara's sweet vocal delivery. However, none of the ballads strike a chord harder than "I'm Just Me", a piano-driven/synth-vocal-accompanied ballad where Ciara confidently recounts her experiences and displays her sense of self-acceptance. Such passion and lyrical density can also be found on "I Found Myself", another beautiful ballad which steadily builds up with its instrumentation and concludes with the help of grand background choir wailing.

As expected, the club bangers do exactly what they're supposed to do - pull people to the dance-floor. "I Proceed" alternates between two sets of bouncy, synthesizer-heavy production as Ciara sings, talks and whispers with sexually assertive passion ; there's an old-school-esque sensibility to Rodney Jerkin's bass-heavy, horn-driven production to the joyous "Make It Last Forever", where Ciara's strident vocals and unexpected rap easily remain relevant ; the sleek, minimalist beat of "Get Up" helps Ciara & Chamillionaire to keep the party jumping ; Destiny's Child's influence is clearly apparent on the addictive, "Lose My Breath"-esque "Bang It Up" ; and Ciara's lack of vocal force is easily compensated for with her rebellious, biting attitude and unexpected 16-bar rap on the Lil'-Jon-assisted "That's Right", a potent slice of Southern-flavoured R&B/Hip-Hop.

Food-for-thought tracks come in the form of "Like A Boy" and "Get In, Fit In". Over the former track's dark synthesizers and moody violins, Ciara sings with spite and envy as she asks why girls don't get away with certain things like men do and how she wishes she could "switch up the roles". On the latter track, Ciara inspires people to be different over more bouncy production. "Get In, Fit In", however, is a socially conscious ode to being different that joyously chucks in a bunch of catchy one-liners, an anthemic chorus, intelligent lyrics and robotic vocals over a simplistic, catchy beat.

All in all, this is a very impressive album. Apart from a few vocal and lyrical missteps, the album's closest encounter with disaster comes with "C.R.U.S.H.", an unusually addictive but nonetheless childish and immature slice of radio-bound R&B/Pop fodder. And considering how Lil' Jon's surprisingly Crunk-free production comes off as catchy, smooth, hypnotic, club-ready, click-heavy and bouncy at the same time, "C.R.U.S.H." isn't too bad of a track, even if the immature vibe & Ciara's catchy-but-annoying hook threatens to prove otherwise. 5 STARS!

Oh, and on another note, Ciara had a hand in co-writing and/or co-producing a bunch of the album's tracks, which further testifies to the artistic growth she displays on this album.

5 Best Tracks (IMO) (No Order):

"Promise"

"That's Right (feat. Lil' Jon)"

"I Proceed"

"Like A Boy"

"I'm Just Me"

It's no doubt that Ciara Harris was a big hit last year. Whether it be the Crunk n'B style, the three huge hits of "Goodies", "1,2 Step", and "Oh!", or the fact that Ciara is just a hot dancer, you had to love her 2004 debut Goodies. I know I did (ok I'm admitting it), while she's definitely not the best singer on the market, her writing and Lil' Jon produced beats backed that up.

This 2006 album, The Evolution, as an album title, is a bit of a stretch. I knew it was just as a "catchy album title" the first time I saw it, and that is true. There's nothing truly enhanced from her debut, except vocally she's improved a bit (but still, there are hundreds of better singers on the market right now). The beats are still mostly produced by Lil' Jon. Ciara co-wrote a lot of songs on this disc (some with only little help). I'm not saying she should become the female Ne-Yo and start writing Paula DeAnda's next album but she's got some language on her hands.

Anyhow, I picked this up somewhat knowing what to expect. An album that has minor improvement over Goodies, and really, that's all you should expect too from the two current singles out right now (Which are "Get Up" from the Step Up OST and "Promise"). They are both pretty good songs. "Get Up" is really electronica, and a verse from Chamillionaire to spices it up a bit. I'm not overly crazy on "Promise", Ciara's vocals are somewhat weak on this track, but the beat is really good, soft, hot, and low-key, like an R&B version of "Oh!".

But other than the two current singles, they are still some very good songs on here. "That's Right" is the album's MVP, produced by Lil' Jon, with a crunkalicious beat banging hard than any other Ciara song, with Ciara wanting to have fun and Lil' Jon chanting "I bet you don't get crunk!" and "Let's go now!". It's obvious Ciara is a huge hit with dance songs (rather than R&B), and this one is no different. The song has a sexy and T.G.I.F. flow to it that'll have ringtone sales shoot further than the sky. "I Proceed" is another good song, with a crash-course beat with a synth-heavy rhythm. Ciara wrote this mostly on her own and while it does not future the most amazing lyricism ever, it's definitely not bad with it's rhyming. "Make it Last Forever" samples the "It Takes Two" beat which makes it instantly a good song with an old skool feel to it. The only thing holding it back is that it feels a bit disorganized. And although I wanted to hate "Can't Leave 'Em Alone", it's a very good song, with it's catchy beat from Darkchild. Call it a new Ja Rule to Ashanti, but 50 Cent and Ciara sound suprisingly really, really good together. "My Love" is a bass-hitter R&B (or bump) song that gets the most out of Ciara's vocal capability and makes it her best R&B song yet. There's nothing really wrong with it and it's completely single-ready, I just wished it was a bit less formulatic. "Get in, Fit in" is one of the CD's best, produced by will.i.am (almost obvious), has a funky beat that almost channels new-wave R&B like Gwen Stefani (and no, I'm not comparing her because her album dropped today too).

Although there are some select good songs on this disc, there are a few stinkers. "Like A Boy" isn't a favorite of mine, I like the rock-smashing beat but dislike the going-down-a-list lyrics of what she likes about a boy. "C.R.U.S.H." has a fun club beat but suffers from weak lyrics like "I think he's so cute, and I wanna tell him so bad, but I can't" and a lacking chorus. Suprisingly Ciara wasn't the main writer on this one. "Bang it Up" is one I couldn't catch onto and the beat was way too repetitive, and Ciara's vocals couldn't save it. And the last two R&B songs "So Hard" and "I'm Just Me" are just plain wack (and someone said "So Hard" was the only good song on the CD?). "I Found Myself" incorporates pop and R&B but just doesn't seem to cut it when it came to vocals.

Ciara's The Evolution doesn't show a ton of improvement as it promises, but it did in fact meet my expectations. The R&B part of this CD was better than the R&B on Goodies, but Ciara still doesn't have the vocal ability to make them shine the most they can. The dance on this CD, however, is very solid and The Evolution definitely features good club songs. Not a great buy for an R&B fan, but a good holiday present for a dance/club or Ciara fan. 3.5 stars.

Most Valuable Plays:

"That's Right"

"Can't Leave 'Em Alone"

"My Love"

"Get in, Fit In"

The queen of the quick-to-evaporate "crunk" genre is back in an attempt to reclaim her throne. Although the title of the album signals a sense of maturity, she is still sticking to what made her. Dance loop and club hooks evade from the opening track "That's Right" to even the second single, "Promises," which is a slow number but with a groovy beat.

Yet, including the singles, nothing stands out from the other tracks. This creates a plateau on the album that rarely waivers. Moreover, the interludes exude unhealthy amounts of pretense, that optimum enjoyment of this record requires a re-burn without them.

This effort is easily digestable with tracks so easily accessable like "Like A Boy" and "Get In, Fit In," but that is all that can be said to its withering quality.

This Cd has a song for every one whether it's RnB, rap, hip-hop, pop, crunk and sometimes a song is a mixture of those genres. I highly recomend this cd to anyone with ears. Better than Beyonce's B'day and any other cd out there right now.

This album is pretty amazing. I'm not saying it's the best CD ever, but it is 100% better then her debut "Goodies". "The Evolution", her sophomore album has 14 tracks, and 4 interludes (18 in all). Come on guys 14 songs means she didn't rush in the studio! Another plus is that she wrote all the songs and interludes! Sure, the interludes aren't amazing but they have a point! She gave us a free DVD on how to dance to "Get Up" and "Promise"! She teaches it herself. Then we get the music videos and behind the scenes footage! OK, if your not happy with all of that. Then what makes y'all happy, people screaming into a microphone? Ciara can sing, write, and dance. I can't see a lot of artist who can do that! I recommend this album to anybody who likes Ciara, or an amazing CD/DVD!!!

As always, here are my ratings!

1. That's Right (Featuring Lil' John) 10/10

Comment: Lil' John is clean for once! This song is so catchy, I love the beat, theme and lyrics! This song is one of the best on this CD! This is the girl power, leave your boy at home song! It's so good!Good rap C!

2. Like A Boy 10/10

Comment: Another amazing track! Even though I AM A BOY, I can still relate to this. Because people tease me alot just because I don't listen to rap and I'm not all that manly, but I'm stong! Anyway, this track is just as good as "That's Right", it's one of the best!

3. The Evolution Of Music (Interlude)7/10

Comment: I can't say this track is "Amazing", because she talks for like, what...20 seconds! But the whole thing about music being different on the radio thing, is unfortunatly true! I love music these days, I think it's better then back then BUT, it is very sexual!

4. Promise 10/10

Comment: This sucka is a key track! It's the best, along with "Like A Boy", "That's Right (f/ Lil John)", and "Get Up (f/ Chamillionaire)"! Love song, amazing beat, I love this song so damn much!

5. I Proceed 9.5/10

Comment: Pretty cool! Has a point, ya know! So sexy and amazing! Her voice is pretty good on this track and it has an intresting tempo to it!

6. Can't Leave 'Em Alone (Featuring 50 Cent) 9.5/10

Comment: Luv it! The fact that 50 CENT is in it is so cool! He at least doesn't swear on this track! This is so unlike him though! Ciara's voice is good, love song again! The only this is the Chorus is so retarded sounding, but it makes sence when you listen to it!

7. C.R.U.S.H. 9/10

Comment: Amazing love song! I think that this song deserves a gold star for being so sexy and original. I can relate to this song, because it's about really wanting somebody so bad!!!

8. My Love 9/10

Comment: Pretty cool! Normal sounding, upbeat! Her voice is just as good as the other tracks! It's so original and hott! Off the chain! [LOL!]

9. The Evolution Of Dance (Interlude)6.5/10

Comment: This makes sence for her because she is an amazing sexy dancer! BUT it is so freaking weird! It's kinda funny sounding when she says it! ps: I can't rate these interludes like songs because their so different!

10. Make It Last Forever 9.5/10

Comment: Her voice is amazing on this track as always! But it's kinda pimp sounding and party kinda song! But it's so cool! She raps so sexy on this songs and it's so cool. She brags about the way boys like her so much and how she rocks the MIC, which is cool!

11. Bang It Up 9.5/10

Comment: Pretty pimp! Dope! I love this track's begging! It talks about how she's 21 and she can do what she want's now! But it's more then just that! It has such a crazy and amazing beat and cool lyrics!

12. Get Up (Featuring Chamillionaire) 10/10

Comment: Off the chart, better then 10/10! One of my favs., if not THE BEST SONG on the album! No wait...THE BEST SONG on the album! It's a track that was meant to be made! Chamillionaire does a really good rap on this song! The song is just about having fun and not caring about what other people think! I love this song so much!

13. The Evolution Of Fashion (Interlude)8/10

Comment: Another interlude, LOL! This one is funny, crack up! It does have a point! This is one of th best interludes!

14. Get In, Fit In 8.5/10

Comment: You tell them on C! This is a diss to all the haters who have some sh** to say about you! This song really shine! But it's weird!

15. The Evolution Of C (Interlude) 8/10

Comment: FUNNY! She should be a confidence writer! No don't get me wrog, she's one of the best singers/writers out there!

16. So Hard 10/10

Comment: Break-up song! Watch out BOW WOW! She's got a better song then you! I hate B, because he is so cocky! C, you tell him off in a beautiful, sad, yet powerful song! Let him go. I feel your pain C! I can totally relate to this track.

17. I'm Just Me 8/10

Comment: She's just her! It's kind of a life telling song! But it's the beautiful, naked truth! I love this song because it is powerful. The only thing is that the songs is kind of boaring and sad, which I guess is OK?

18. I Found Myself 9.5/10

Comment: Wonderful clincher for a sophomore CD..., "The Evoloution"! I think Ciara tells the truth, that she's moving on with her life. She is changing and she show it in the song! This song is so beautiful!!!

DVD... amazing bonus. Cherry on top of the album! This album is one of the best of it's year! BUY IT!

It has been two years since Ciara burst onto the scene almost overnight as the newest sensation with her "Goodies." She made a name for herself so much and so quickly that she was donned the Princess of Crunk & B. Now, she returns with her follow-up album "The Evolution" that has her going in a much different path. It is one that you can truly appreciate as you can see her stepping out and trying different styles from where she started back in '04. You can also see the maturity on some levels although you can see how she may have stayed the same in a few ways as well. All in all, all the elements she blends that make her the person she is now (music, dance, fashion, and becoming a woman) come out and uplifts the album as she displays her ever-evolving world.

Ciara gathered up some of the hottest producers that music has to offer in Pharrell, Lil' Jon, Dallas Austin, Rodney Jerkins, Jazze Pha and will.i.am who is quickly making a name for himself as a strong producer. All these different producers and different styles help to make the album blend these several styles to correlate with the way Ciara is growing into now, a very complex and different, but exciting person. The album's first couple of cuts were not bad with That's Right and Like A Boy, but could've had a better start although Like A Boy is probably the stronger of the two and growing on me. These two songs could be dealing with the involvement she had with Bow Wow. Tracks 4-8 is where the album really takes off starting off with the ever seductive, ever sexy Promise (Can't get enough off that video as well!). I Proceed is a nice dance cut for Ciara fans looking for that dance track that I have gotten hooked on myself. I cannot stand 50 Cent, but I even like the track he appeared on in Can't Leave 'Em Alone. C.R.U.S.H. is one of my favorites as she talks about developing feelings that remind her of high school as she now has a crush in her young woman stage. It has an uptempo dance rhythm to it, so it could really hook in a lot of listeners. My Love caps off this set as these songs wrap up her chapter in the album of the Evolution of Music. She takes another route her because radio as she says and I agree with are just playing the same old thing with these dance craze songs, but discusses love here which has kind of gotten lost a bit. The Evolution of Dance set features 3 songs in where she sticks to what has gotten her here in making great dance tracks. You really can't knock her for this because it is a part of her and she really is a great dancer, and dancing is art. (It's just when that is all you are that it is a problem for me.) Get Up with Chamillionaire is probably the best out of the three. Fashion has become a major part of Ciara's life and she sneaks in a cut as she discusses how fashion has helped her evolve with the track Get In, Fit In. Not one of my favorites, but love the point of just doing you and setting your own trends and having others follow what you do. The last few tracks is where Ciara shows the maturity in her life and really shows something as she gets into the Evolution of C. The last album did not really feature her going through heartache, distrust, and the problems that love can have you face and to through. Goodies was more a happy-go-lucky, little girl album. This time around, Ciara displays something more deep as she gets into the aforementioned issues with songs like So Hard, a track that she says to her current interest she is sorry for being hesitant or holding back but her ex made it so hard to trust and really open her heart again. A really truly genuine track that could reach out to a lot of people, especially the females. I'm Just Me is great as well, and I Found Myself is just as powerful a song as you will find on the CD in her finding her niche in the person she is becoming and wanting to grow and soar even more. The last three tracks is where she displays her vocals very well and actually let go and singing. We didn't really get that the first time around. She's not the best singer, but it really helps shape who she really is as an artist.

The Evolution is an album you have to appreciate Ciara at least taking her whole way and going in a different direction. In some ways, she did kind of stay the same. But she does display problems that people go through in everyday life and feelings they may have. For that, I can give her credit. Her vocals, even though are not the greatest, she really made an effort to use them more on this go round. The production on the album was well above average, although there were a couple of cuts that were Hmmm.... This album also kind of reminds me of Destiny's Child's Writings On the Wall on a solo tip as Ciara had to prove in a way she was not a one-album wonder. And just like Destiny's Child did, she went deeper in going past the surface in what makes her. She truly is evolving! The last album I gave her a 4.5 stars which I could only give her a 5 cause there is no in-between on the rate system above. This album where it may have stumbled in a couple of areas, reached different levels that the last one did not. If anything, this album matched what the last one did if not surpassed it. I'll give it a 4.5-4.75 rating which will be a 5 star. Not on the Monica level, but heck of an effort! One to really check out!

Its very hard not to make comparisons nowadays. And it seems like Ciara is always compared to Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, etc. Honestly I can see the comparisons, some rightfully noted. I'll try not to make them myself, but hey why not.

I'm listening to this cd now as I type. And I'm pretty impressed. No Ciara doesn't have the strongest voice in the industry. Not many do. Yet, I must admit I've heard Ciara sing at least on TV live and I can hear her natural voice, and there are some like Janet, whom I do love by the way that I think her voice isn't as strong as Ciara's. With that being said, I think Ciara is a capable singer on the level of Aaliyah. There I said it.

I like the vibe of this cd, Ciara is a dancer and she makes good dance music. I think the cd is alot better than the first which I did buy "eventually". I noticed the music does have a retro vibe to it with a mixture of maybe some 80's, 90's brought up to date, and I think it was executed well. I hate to say it but this is a sound that maybe Janet should have went with on her cd, although I like her cd, but I like this one better. (Here I go comparing...shucks) Its something I would definitely play in my vehicle, or in my home. I think its a hit. I can hear a bit more depth in her voice even for a studio album. For Ciara it is an evolution, it may not be ground breaking music, but in terms of quality I see the growth from the first cd to this one.

Fans will love Ciara: The Evolution. The grooves that makes you move remain the same with one key difference: You are dancing to the heart of Ciara. She has evolved musically on this album and you are listening to how she has developed as an artist over the years. Drawing inspiration for her music (and clearly videos) from those that have inspired her: Prince, Janet & Michael Jackson, Cameo, and I can feel her channeling Beyonce, she has created a Masterpiece of her unique vocal style and low-down bass rumble. From production to the writing, she has hands down succeeded in making another platinum selling record. And it doesn't hurt, that the sex appeal on this record is turned up a notch for added flare and growth.

If you are looking for Crunk the first three tracks get you moving. More ballads, listen closer to the end. The ballads are not quite as strong, but The Princess delivers the goodies.

Get Up, the first single sounds just like One, Two Step, and the video looks like Janet Jackson. That's Right, the albums leadoff single, sounds just like Missy Elliot's Lose Control.

Besides that, it's a good listen, and she's hot and a great dancer, but just not an original artist. I guess Evolve should really mean Morph. Morph into 2006's version of Janet Jackson. Sorry for being so critical. But who needs good reviews anyway.

Ciara's 2nd CD, The Evolution, is very good especially compared to most recent works by other R&B princesses. The beats feel like their just fell out of Salt n Pepas greatest hits. The CD has retro 90's beats that still make you want to dance and feel in their own way, modern. She has many Janet Jackson like interludes that have her doing deep self evaluations and such. Those seem to be nonsense. The songs themselves, whether a slow jam or party thumper, are all danceable. The writting is also very strong with a few Beyonce-like pro-femist songs that take no prosoners. Her voice is still about as weak as ever but she works with that she has. Much better than Goodies. The standouts tracks are Bang It Up, Promise, That's Right (Featuring Lil' Jon), Like A Boy, and Make It Last Forever.