Customer Reviews

Dru World Order

5 star:		(103)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

After 2 platinum CDs on 1996's "Dru Hill" and 1998's "Enter The Dru", it seemed like nothing could stop this successful group. They had a way of making slow jams that made them one of my favorite current r&b groups. Songs like "April Showers", "All Alone", "5 Steps", "We're Not Making Love No More", "You're My Everything", "Beauty" and "What Are We Gonna Do" are still in my heavy rotation today. For some reason, despite all the success, there seemed to be tension within the group. Woody would leave the group to pursue a gospel career and Sisqo and the rest of the group signed a deal with Def Soul, once relations between them and their former label Island Black Music had soured. Sisqo dropped his debut "Unleash The Dragon" and with the success of the infamous "Thong Song", you would have thought that Dru Hill would be over for good. However, even after the release of another Sisqo solo CD, "Return Of The Dragon" and the release of Woody's gospel CD, Dru Hill has managed to release their 3rd CD and their 1st Def Soul release, "Dru World Order". Dru Hill also shows up with a 5th member Scola, who was a local talent from Baltimore who was added to the group. Their 1st single, "I Should Be" is vintage Dru Hill. They prove that although they haven't recorded a CD in over 4 years, that they still know how to belt those romantic harmonies of old. The clearest example of what I mean is on the best song on this CD, in my opinion, "I Do (Millions)". Jazz gets things started and this song is right up there with "Beauty" and "April Showers" as my favorite Dru Hill slow jams of all time. Dru Hill is at their best when they keep the tempo slow. "I Love You", which should be the next single, has the fellas speaking about having to deal with a woman that they have done wrong in the past that they would like to be with now that doesn't see things the same way. "Never Stop Loving You" has Jazz, along with Scola, taking place where he left off with "Here With Me" and "Love Again" with Jill Scott. In this song, he is saying no matter how bad the situation was with the woman he was with, that he will always love her no matter who she decides to be with. He should be the next member who is allowed to take the solo route. You would think that this is a flawless CD, but unfortunately, that is not the case. On "No Doubt" and "On Me" with Noreaga it sounds like Dru Hill got a late night pass to the club as these two dance tracks are clearly out of place on "Dru World Order". Just when you think the mediocrity is over, Dru Hill makes a religious song out of Jodeci's "My Heart Belongs 2 U". You might think this is impossible, but when you listen to the CDs last track after "My Angel", you will be clearly disappointed. Throughout the hits and few misses, diehard Dru Hill fans will be glad that the group + Scola has reunited. Scola does a fine job on all of his verses and adds even more harmony, if that's possible, to the group. Although, it doesn't seem that the group has demonstrated too much growth after a 4 year hiatus, they clearly are at their best when they stick to romantic slow jams and midtempo songs. Other songs worth checking out are the midtempo "If I Could" and "Men Always Regret". Overall, it's good to see that Dru Hill has returned and their core fans will not be disappointed.

James' Top 5

1) I Do (Millions)
2) I Love You
3) If I Could
4) Never Stop Loving You
5) Men Always Regret

Dru Hill does it again! This album is sure to please old Dru fans and new alike. While the formula for the album isn't a huge change from the past albums, the quality equates and may even surpass the quality of the previous two. There is a fine mixture of slow, sensual grooves...to club bangin songs...and then the obligatory love ballads. All skillfully done and the voices of Sisqo, Nokio, Woody, Jazz, and new member, Scola, blend perfectly. R&B fans really can't lose with this CD.

Song by song:
-Love/Hate: This is an interlude, but it still deserves its own spot in the review. Something about it is just amazing. You have to hear it for yourself to understand.

-Xstacy Jones: Slow, erotic kind of groove. The chorus is irresistable. Definitely a "babymakin" song.

-Steps (I Should Be): The group's first single. Classic Dru Hill. Chorus tells a four step formula for a girl to ditch her loser boyfriend and get with Dru.

-If I Could: One of my personal favorites. The music seems a little busy at first, but after a couple listens it all works. A nice beat with jazzy piano accompaniment. In this, the boys pine for a girl they ignored before and who is now lookin pretty good.

-No Doubt: One of the club bangers. Perfect to work it to in the club.

-On Me: The other club banger, and the superior one at that. Rapper Noreaga makes a guest appearance. Slammin music.

-Old Love: Another classic Dru song, old school style. Showcases the harmonizing of the group; tells of hooking up with a former flame.

-She Said: Definitely a standout track. Includes member Chinky from Sisqo's group, LovHer. A clever back and forth song between Nokio and Chinky, where he is upset over a woman leaving him and the female response reminds him how she promised to never leave...but where is she now?

-I Do (Millions): Irresistable love song, making the ultimate commitment to a woman by asking her to marry. Slow and romantic.

-Never Stop Loving You: This is the only track I'm not particularly fond of. It's alright, just not the best they've done.

-Men Always Regret: Warns men to pay attention to their woman. Definitely a standout track, with a strong chorus that commands attention.

-My Angel/How Could You: My Angel is a song member Woody dedicates to his recently deceased mother. It's absolutely beautiful, and will bring a tear to your eye. How Could You is a song in the gospel vein. I'm not a gospel fan at all, but this song is skillfully done and worth listening to.

All in all, this song is a necessary addition to any R&B collection.

Dru Hill comes back after a long break to break another cd off on us. They come back with that familar sound with a few new changes and a new member(His name is Scola). How is it this time around? Very solid album. They didnt get too experimental but stayed close to that classic sound while branching off just a little. Songs I was feeling?

Love/Hate -- Tight intro that really shows how much they can sing....the new meber can really sing good too.

Xstacy Jones -- Tight slow jam with them explaning some things to the possible "one" for the night.

I should be -- One of my favorite songs here. Classic Dru here saying they should be the one.

If I could -- This song is one of the tightest songs on the album...should be the next single. Hip/hop R+B song with good lyrics and good flow.

Men Always Regret

I do Millions -- A song with them taking retrospect on how they made it and how fortunate they are and blessed. Nice song with a gospel feel to it.

Overall they came strong for this album although they didnt bring that much new flavor compared to their last cd. They have all gone through a lot trying to do solo projects and still are
while still maintaining the group. For a mintue it looked like this album wouldnt happen....but it did. Fans of dru hill definetly need to get this. Non -fans should check this out if they like R+B or just good singing. Its not as strong as I thought it would be but still a very good come back. Prepare for Dru order with this new one....get it!

"Dru World Order" by Dru Hill was the top cd on my 2002 Christmas list. Thank goodness "Santa" brought it for me! This cd is an excellent comeback cd. Some of the ballads may not be as heartfelt as "5 Steps" but the songs "She Said", "I love you", and "Men Always Regret" are very much worth the cost alone. Here are my ratings on each song

1. Love/Hate (Interlude)~ Very amazing showcase of group vocals
2. Xstacey Jones~ a grown folks song that would confuse the average 7 year old
3. I Should Be~ great lead single
4. If I Could~ good, i give t 3.5 stars outta 5
5. No Doubt~ you'll hate it at first but the beat catches you on the next few listens, nokio's rhyme is tight
6. On Me (feat. N.O.R.E)~ its ok, definetely not the best dru song
7. Old Love~ 4/5 stars.. i like this song very much
8. She Said~ my FAVORITE!
9. I Love You~ also a favorite of mine, very very sweet
11. Never Stop Loving You~ Jazz sorta sounds like "R.L." from next on this song but its my unoffical wedding song now! very beautiful
12. Men Always Regret~ HOW TRUE! you'll be hooked on this song from the 1st listen
13. My Angel / How Could You ~ this si relly 2 songs in one. my angel is veru beautiful, it brings tears to my eyes. how could you is BONKERS! I LOVE IT!

You can also hear much of the album is produced/written by NOKIO by the funky beats and witty rhymes. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD!

I expected something better from the group. The album was okay. I purchsed it (used thankfully from Amazon.com) because I really liked one song in particular. The songs that were supposed to be upbeat could have been left off the album, and some of the other slower songs, left much to be desired. Scola did add something to the Dru Hill harmony, but aside of that I was not all that impressed.

The songs I enjoyed the most:
2. Xstacy JOnes
3. I should be
6. On Me
8. She said
9. I do
10. I Love you - LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

I have been a Dru Hill fan for the longest and I couldn't wait to get this album. If you are looking for actual singing, this album is it. Their voices are beautiful and the entire album is well worth it. The new member Scola, has an incredible voice. On this album, you can hear each members voice unlike some other groups. There are some very good ballads and up-tempo songs. This album is the true definition of a talented R&B group. Some of my favorites from this album are "No Doubt","I Love You", and " Men Always Regret", a wonderful ballad that has a very good message. Dru Hill had been off the scence for a while, but this album is a great come back and I look forward to future albums from the 5 talented guys of Dru Hill. So, If you want to hear some god music and hear songs that everyone can relate to Dru World Order is the perfect album. I recommend it to any and everyone. The vocals on this album are incredible!!

I have got to say this is by far the best album I heard this year... My boys have done it again... I am so proud of them Keep up the good work :-)

This is a very good CD I am just speechless. The only thing is that the version that I have is like missing some songs...I fell in love with "I DO (millions)", "Men always regret", "Xstacey Jones"....Buy this CD!... The final version of the cd is missing 4 songs...but that's ok...My BOO'S are back!...

Since 1996 when I was in 10th Grade I have been a fan of the Dru Hill Family. The guys came on the scene as young upstarts and really may be the most talented R & B group since Jodeci or Boyz II Men. Ego's appear to have gotten in the way of the groups chemistry but the guys came back strong with a added member to show that these brothers could unite to make a hell of an album. Dru Hill are best when they croon and they have other writers and producers behind them. There early work had great production by Keith Sweat and Babyface and a new ear would have been great. The Bryan Cox track "If I Could" may the most overlooked song but it is awesome. The two up-tempo tracks (sisqo's influence) could have been over looked but overall the 2nd best Dru Hill album behind their debut "Enter the Dru"

Like many fans I eagerly awaited Dru Hill's Dru World Order,however I was very disapointed as the CD only has four tracks that really impress me. Two of those tracks were the singles I Should Be and I Love You. The only album tracks that impressed me were Xstacey Jones and Never Stop Loving You, other than that it's a filler album as the harmoines are weak and the singing is boring. Two things could have fixed this album the first being enlist better producers such as The Underdogs, Babyface and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Nokio produced over half the album, and much of the songwriting was kept in-house as well which was a mistake for the group. The second thing that could have fixed the album would have been a good cover song as I think Sisqo & Jazz could have easily killed Cameo's Why Have I Lost Your or Gentle by Fredick.