Customer Reviews

Different Me

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

This is my very first intro to Keyshia Cole. I had no idea who she was - had no idea she's been around for years or has her own reality show. I read a review of this cd that glorified her strong r@b vocals that intrigued me so I purchased it. And am I ever glad I did. I heard that she has often been compared to other artists such as Mary J. Blige. Remember, I am reviewing this as my first listening of Ms. Keyshia Cole and I am stunned. We have here a young woman vocally gifted with strong, powerful, expressive and inspiring vocal gifts. Add to this that she writes her own songs and you have the whole package.

She is obviously an artist who writes and sings from the heart. Her songs are personal and I understand she has had a difficult journey in getting to this point. But this cd is very confident in its message and delivery. Whether this cd is indeed A DIFFERENT ME for Keyshia I don't know but I love the one living strong on this collection. Many singers today sing with overproduced tracks and overdubbed vocals. Keyshia makes sure her vocals are in the forefront on every song. She can belt, she can carress, however she does it her range is on full display as she emotively delivers each track. There are many standouts here from the uptempo tracks MAKE ME OVER and PLEASE DON'T STOP where she is seductive and joyful. Ballads are awesome too. BRAND NEW, THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW and THIS IS US are amazing expressive tracks. WHERE THIS LOVE COULD END UP is a stand alone huge success. It is powerful, joyful yearning and shows Keyshia at her best as she sings of how thrilled she is with her love and the promise she has in its future.

Bottom line for me is that Keyshia Cole is a huge talent. She is confident and has amazingly unparalled vocal gifts. Her vocals can be broad, soft, expressive, yearning, sexy, angry or joyful as she utilizes that broad range. There are some great artists here on duets but I must admit other than TRUST with Monica they hinder the cd a little for they take the cd away from the strong vocals of Keyshia Cole. She is center stage here and deserves to be there. She is a hugely gifted talent and I can't wait to explore music from the rest of her life journey.

Highly recommended.

Keyshia Cole's third album makes the attempt to try some different styles and show a 'different' side of the singer. For me, she's best on songs that play into her strengths and what we've come to expect from her than those tracks that attempt to be and sound different from typical Keyshia Cole. "Trust Me" and "This is Us" stand out because they feature her vocals paired with a performance tinged with emotion. "A Different Me" is more upbeat than Cole's previous releases, which is a change, but something feels off or lacking on this release. The production of some songs is questionable - her vocals are marred by beats that sound dated and like throwbacks, while her attempts to be different makes her lose the individuality and uniqueness that made her stand out from other R&B artists.

There were some songs that stood out, even if they sounded a bit generic and beneath her usual performance and vocal abilities. "Make Me Over" is one of the best tracks, an upbeat song with something of a gospel-sound. "Please Don't Stop" is quick and fast paced, "Erotic" is just as it sounds - a slower, more sensual song that definitely is a more open and expressive song than you'd expect from her. As for the other songs, they were just okay for me. The release sounded a bit rushed and had less emotion than previous releases. It was a bit of a let down to hear a great singer like Keyshia Cole performing songs that didn't stretch her vocal abilities any and sounded like songs that any up and coming artist could perform. "A Different Me" is average at best, a bit rushed, the production is weaker than the previous releases.

First off I have to admit to being very leery of purchasing this album. I own both of her previous albums and could not imagine Keyshia Cole singing an entire album of happy songs. I'm a huge fan of Keyshia's sassy don't let the door hit you on your way out style. But I'm glad that I took a chance and purchased this album. The tracks that differed from her usual style are actually the ones that I enjoy the most. Another plus is that this album actually showcases her voice which prior to this album I wouldn't have listed as one of her selling points.

From the breathy intro track that I enjoyed so much that I made it my ring tone, to the bluesy Make Me Over and the Pop-radio ready This is Us Keyshia took some big gambles but they definitely paid off. And by the end of the album where she's thanking her fans for hanging with the sexy side of me and she asks if you enjoyed yourself I can honestly say I did.

Favoirte Songs:
A Different Me Intro & Outro
Trust
This is Us
Thought You Should Know
Erotic
You Complete Me
Oh-oh Yeah-yeah

Honorable Mentions:
No Other
Make Me Over
Brand New

I have been a fan of Keyshia Cole since she came out with The Way it is and she has not disappointed me yet. This album is just what she named it, A different side of her. She is totally awesome with the way she changes up the style and adds a new kick to every song.

My favorites on the album:

Playa Cardz Right
You Complete Me
Thought You Should Know
Trust
Make Me Over

Great Job Keyshia! Definitely would recommend this album!

This is a really good album. I'm glad that she was able to get away from all the man bashing. It definitely shows that she is overcoming the hurt and pain. She is turning over a new leaf.

Alright I must confess after I ripped the CD out the packaging and went through each track in anticipation... at first listen I was disappointed. But then I thought just play it in your truck a couple more times and give it a chance.. and you know what I am feeling it now. I do think this ablum is for a more mature crowd who can apperciate the growth in a artist and those who are not just trying to go for the "oh this is the club banger that everybody is playing". I like that it is light, upbeat, and mature. Im glad I tried it out but I will say listen to the sample tracks 1st bc this one is not for everyone.

Perhaps "A Different Me" should have been titled "The Two Sides of Me" because that is what seems to be happening here. We have more uptempo stuff here than on the previous release (ironically titled "Just Like You) from 2007. A handful of tracks, such as "Erotic" showcase a more sexual side as opposed to the songs about heartbreak that were abundant on her last two albums. Fortunately, her soulful vocals (usually) shine thorugh on the uptempo stuff (Make Me Over) as well as the slower tracks (Trust). There are plenty of guest appearances (Nas, Amina Harris, Monica) as well as a voiceover of Tupac from one of his original tracks. One could make the argument that in order to make an intimate and sensual album, the songs have to be the sole work of that artist alone, but that is not the case here. Cole deserves major credit for successfully expanding her formula to incorporate a wider range of songs and styles, and enough of them work for this to be a very successful effort. Take into consideration the path that Keyshia Cole has taken to get where she is before you listen to these songs. That way, the triumph of this record can be fully appreciated. The music is passionate and immediate, as always, and if you like your music that way, then this is for you. If you prefer glossed-over vocoders, excess production, and regurgitated beats, then look to other pop singers for your listening pleasure. Unlike all the cookie cutter vocalists out there who proclaim to be "R&B Divas," Keyshia Cole actually is one, and at her age, she is coming into her prime. This album is very good, but her best is undoubtedly yet to come.

I purchased this album on the day it was released and I've listened to it about 10 times. The reason for the many times played was simply because I was forcing myself to like the album; simply because I like Keyshia Cole. I always give an album a chance before I post my reviews and I can honestly say that I'm not feelin "A different me" at all...it isn't her. I do however respect Keyshia Cole for stepping outside of her comfort zone and trying something new; which can be a gamble sometimes.

My favorite tracks are:

Erotic
No Other featuring Amina
Trust featuring Monica
Thought You Should Know

This album is surely different from The Way It Is and Just Like You...it lacks the realness that Keyshia always portrays. However, her vocals have improved tremendously. This album is definitely for the die hard Keyshia Cole fans.

While many artists evolve on their own terms, something about this album seems contrived and completely unnatural. I'm all for growth, but musically this album appears to be her label's attempt at commercializing an R&B gem. Highlights are oddly enough the intro/outro "A Different Me," "Make Me Over," "You Complete Me," and the re-hashed version of "Trust" with a new Monica feature. Production for a lot of the material seems dated with little innovation- although the utilization of live instruments intermittently brings much needed energy. Album has a lot of fillers, to the point where even single choices seem to be uncertain. An odd point is the 80s pop infused "Please Don't Stop" which sounds like something written for the useless mutterings of Rihanna. "This Is Us" seems to be reminiscent of a theme song for a family based sitcom with airy vocals and cliche lyrics. The closing track "Beautiful Music" is forgettable and repetitive.

The album's few high lights make the album worth buying-- but it's simply disappointing to see the effects of Geffen's commercialization tactics on Cole. Keyshia's vocals seem to be more refined, but long gone is the emotion which left you immersed in her song. The entire album bares waspy vocals...and way too much restraint. Overall I wish her success, but this simply isn't her best. There's a way to write about happiness and personal growth without being...well, boring.

Now I really love Keyshia Cole. I just love her voice. She has a vulnerability that leaks out of the flaws in her voice, and I find that really endearing. So, this review is coming form someone who views `Just Like You' is be near brilliance. I really wanted something great from her, and the first half of the album had be wet with excitement; but overall this album kind of falls flat.

To be honest, the second half of the album meanders in abysmal.

I'll take this album in clumps.

First we have tracks 2-5. `Make Me Over' gets things off pretty well. I find the constant repetitive "make me over" to be a little obnoxious, but the jive vibe that inhabits this up-tempo dance track helps sway this in my corner. It is really a lot of fun and it shows a `different side' to Keyshia, something that she claimed this album would expose; so I'm happy with that. `Please Don't Stop' is a better song overall. It has a nice beat that balances dance beats with a more mellow and almost ballad feel. Keyshia's voice is soft and delicate here, and the breakdown at about the 3 minute mark is virtually flawless. `Erotic' is one of my favorite songs she's ever done, if not my favorite. It is so sensually provocative and enchanting. The beat is intoxicating and her vocals just slide all over your skin. `You Complete Me' recalls some of the ballads she's already released, but a little familiarity never hurt anyone. It's a sweet and nicely crafted song; nothing ultimately special but one of the best on the album.

Next, we have 6-9.

`No Other' starts the spiral downward. I like the song, but it starts to border on mediocre, and Keyshia's constant decision to feature lackluster female rappers disturbs me. She is working in an industry where she could garner support from much better talent. Instead she allows the likes of Amina Harris to drag down an otherwise likable song. `Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea' is just decent at best. There is nothing here to really capture our attention. Here is where tracks start running into one another. Sadly, we are only at the halfway mark now. `Playa Cardz Right' is alright, but I just find it ridiculous when new artists decide to duet with dead artists. It fits I guess, but this is far from noteworthy.

`Brand New' is the worst thing on this album. Its boring take on forced sensuality is amateurish and completely forgettable (hopefully).

Next comes tracks 10 and 11. The album starts to pick up a bit here. I loathe the opening to `Trust' (that whole stupid conversation on the phone is so forced and so cheesy) but the song itself actually really works. Keyshia has a great voice, but Monica really can sing (I mean REALLY) and so it was cool to see them singing together. It only made me hate what has become of Monica. `Thought You Should Know' isn't perfect, but it has something unique about it that makes it kind of jump out. I love the laid back take, but it's not too laid back; it still has a bite to it. It is the perfect chill song. It even has elements that remind me of the more techno pop approach to music that genius artists like Robyn and Santigold have been experimenting with.

And then the album resorts back to mediocrity with the closing clump, tracks 12-14. `This Is Us' may be a different kind of vibe for Keyshia but it is hardly original, and it is very forgettable. `Where This Love Could End Up' sounds like average Keyshia filler. `Beautiful Music' isn't quite beautiful enough, if you can excuse my pun. It's just mediocre. In fact, it's below mediocre. It's kind of tacky.

This album feels very much like it ran out of ideas halfway through (less than halfway through). There are some nice moments scattered here and there, and there are some good ideas floating around, but overall it fails to come together in the right ways. I will certainly pounce all over Keyshia's next album because I have faith that she can bounce back. This album is for the die-hard fan. If you decide to skip this one, I won't blame you, but make sure you at least get your hands on `Erotic'. That track is just brilliant.