Customer Reviews

The Dutchess

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(55)
3 star:		(34)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(38)

 

 

Fergie is one of those artists whose style is not easy on the ears (or the eyes). To like her takes a little sense of humor, some perplexing preferences, and the ability to not always take music serious. To define her is rather hard, but she is somewhere in the middle of R&B star Kelis and pop star Gwen Stefani. This album "Dutchess" is not for the faint ears. The beats are wild with heavy sampling from some surprising artists. What do you expect from a woman who made a song called "My Humps"? This is fun music. Her goal was not to make a political statement or to reveal her inner self. She is making a record to introduce herself as a solo artist and for the people in the clubs dance the night away.

Vocally, Fergie offers many surprises. She shines on songs like

Voodoo Doll- an almost jazzy number mixed with rock

Finally- she almost sounds like X-tina on this song, but this song is one of the most "pop" songs on this cd

Velvet- sultry with a hint of Sade.

On Production. Fergie's producers went out their way to give her a sound all her own. She samples from some of the most surprising sources, too. Examples are:

Here I Am- she boldly sampled the Temptations classic "Get Ready"

Mary Jane Shoes- she sampled "No Woman, No Cry" from the great Bob Marley, but his widow backs Fergie on the tracks.

Lyrically, Fergie is weak. I cannot make up my mind if this is intentionally or if she really cannot write. Whatever the case, Fergie gives us some surprising (and funny) moments.

All That I Got (the Make-Up Song)- Fergie writes "Would u love me if I didn't work out or I didn't change my natural hair"

Fergalicious- Fergie writes "My body stay vicious. I be up in the gym just working on my fitness".

Velet- Fergie writes "Gold and burgundy, sink into me. I feel so warm".

This album has so much appeal, I don't think most people will pay attention to her awkward lyrics.

Highlights on this cd: Fergalicious, Clumsy, All That I Got (the Make-Up Song), Voo Doo Doll, and Glamorous.

I'm lovin this album from start to finish. I can listen to this cd all day long without skipping tracks, unlike the other albums that recently came out, ahem (Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Xtina) well you get the point it's a great album. Not saying the other albums aren't good, just that Fergie's is better. :-D

I was a little wary of this album and what Fergie might do on her own initially but I have been listening to this album for a couple months now and I still enjoy it. The album is simply a fun pop album and actually a well crafted one, at that. The most interesting thing is that unlike many of today's pop albums, there is a great variety of styles and influences on each track and the various songs don't sound the same or blend together.

For "London Bridge" Fergie borrows some moves from Missy Elliot. This is a cool rap track that makes you want to dance. This song is NOT about sex, as far as I can tell, but about going to the club and shaking her booty. Yes, it is a little juvenile with the swear words but I can't help but like it. "Fergalicious" is a fun rap tune sampling some 80's pop. On "Pedastal" she sounds a bit like Pink and the song shows a strong punk influence. "Big Girls Don't Cry" is a highlight and sounds Pink-influenced as does "Losing my Ground." "Clumsy" and "All That I Got" are just bubblegum pop songs with an infectious beat. "Here I Come" samples a track of classic soul and is strong. "Mary Jane Shoes" throws in a bit of reggae just so no musical style is left out. My favorite track on the album is "Glamorous" which features a cameo by Ludacris and is a smoooth R&B hip hop track. "Velvet" and "Voodoo Doll" are the weakest tracks here but still acceptable. "Finally" is the last song and it is a very ambitious pop ballad with shades of Christina.

I am impressed with Fergie's voice which is strong and has a good range and decent expression. I also have to say that the wealth of styles in the material on one album was very ambitious and shows just how versatile Fergie is. Lyrically, there are some weaknesses, as others have pointed out. The most embarassing examples are "Would you love me if I didnt work out or I didn't change my natural hair" and "My body stay vicious/
I be up in the gym just working on my fitness" as well as "When I wear my mary jane shoes/I'm just like a child in my Underoos." It is possible she is intentionally trying to be humorous but they are silly lyrics. Overall, the gripes are minimal and I will enjoy listening to this album for a long time to come. I think if Miss Fergie continues to blossom and improve her next album will be very, very good.

I must say that the great thing about Fergie, is she can actually sing. She does showcase that talent on several songs here. While im not a big fan of raping songs much anymore, those are good as well. You really need to listen to this cd a couple times to enjoy, ill admit i downloaded it once and was like ugh. But then i relistened to each song and found myself truly liking the cd. Its just like any cd really you have to listen to a few times to really get the feel of the artist. I like her singing in Wild Orchid so i guess i really like the songs more where she actually sings. I was never really a big fan of London Bridge, but i suppose i see why she released it.

Oh Fergie. I have to say I was hesitant to purchase this CD. I like London Bridge, liked the video, even though every fiber of my being was screaming at me not to. So, I took a chance and bought the CD. I was pleasantly surprised.
The album opens with the boasting "Fergalicious". Fergie sings/raps about her fitness and how she's not promiscuous. Her fellow BEP Will.I.Am helps her Fergness out over a couple of great samples, "Supersonic" and "Give It All You Got."
Next comes my favorite song on the album, "Clumsy". It also samples the Little Richard classic, "The Girl Can't Help It". It has good beats, and you can groove to it. The next song is "All I Got", the first slow jam. Over a Lionel Richie sample, Fergie asks her man if he'd love her with her natural haircolor. It's great. Next is the current single, "London Bridge". Now I'll be honest, I have no idea what the song means, but Polow does a great job producing it and Fergie's boast and swagger are pure fun. Next is "Pedestal" which takes the refrain from the London Bridge nursery Rhyme and switches it up. "Voodoo Doll" is probably my least favorite song on the album. Next is the one two punch of "Glamorous" featuring a killer cameo from Ludacris, and "Here I Come" which samples the Temptations "Get Ready". My only complaint with that song is it reminds me a little of those CW promos. The album slows down after that. "Velvet" is a nice song probably my second least favorite. Then a nice pseudo reggae song "Mary Jane Shoes" followed by the mildly schizophrenic "Big Girls Don't Cry". Then it ends with Fergie's broadway audition "Finally". Over all it's a great CD. Some people complain about Fergie's lyrics, but I find them hilarious. And really, if you're buying a Fergie CD, who expects Fiona Apple lyrics. You just want to hear Fergie singing about her humps and how the boys want to buy her things over a good beat. Well done Fergie.

I bought this CD for two songs. Fergalicious and Big Girls Don't Cry and ended up loving the whole album. Fergie really has an amazing voice and is so hot she makes me have a "girl crush" on her. When I need a pick me up song to work out to I always enjoy this CD and I think every girl should own a copy.

...she doesnt have the strongest tracks on her solo debut album. Fergie really does have an amazing voice that music lovers can relate to but she is so busy rapping & doing strange things with her voice on certain tracks that it can get annoying and i just like it when she is being herself & actually singing like on "Big Girls Dont Cry". But her voice is asked to do different things by the producer. Overall i brought the album despite the lead sinle not being the best. But i did find a few hidden gems in this solo debut. I would really like to see Fergie work with someone else besides Will.I.Am. I am sure other producers would make Fergie an even better artist then she currently. Like Gwen Stefani's 2nd album this really is an acquired taste if your gonna state that you love every track. Overall i really like her as an artist & look forward to her next solo album.

My Review: This is an overall good cd filled with versitality. Sweet production and vocals. There is pop, R&B, Jazz, Reggae, Folk, Rock, Rap, Dance, everyting!!!!

Songs:

1. Fergalicious - 6/10 - really not that good. cool to dance to, but not a good song.
2. Clumsy - 6/10 - Decent, better than Fergalicious
3. All That I Got (The Makeup Song)- 8/10 - cute, catchy
4. London Bridge - 9/10 - great beat, surprisingly good
5. Pedestal - 8/10 - Pretty good.
6. Voodoo Doll - 10/10 - great song and vocals
7. Glamorous - 7/10 decent, not the best
8. Here I Come - 9/10 - great
9. Velvet - 9/10 - Great song.
10. Big Girls Don't Cry - 10/10 - GREAT! nominated at the grammys for Best Female pop Vocal performance and Producer Of The Year, non-classical (For Will.I.Am)
11. Mary Jane Shoes - 9/10 - simply fab. reggae progresses to rock. Awesome!!
12. Losing My Ground - 9/10 - good song.
13. Finally - 9/10 - good song and vocals. Nice hidden bonus track too: Maybe We Can Take A Ride

Overall, a great buy. The end has the best tracks.

I'm constantly amazed at the kind of garbage that will top the pop charts. I'm well aware of the fact that not every album need be political or some sort of self-revelation (although it would be nice if people only made albums when they had something actually worth saying). But let's not pretend that Fergie is trying to "establish herself as an artist". If she's just making music to have fun, fine. But putting out a CD doesn't make you an "artist" (Exhibit 1: William Hung, the tone deaf guy from American Idol). If anything, she's a performer, but what she's performing, I'm not quite sure. And I'm certainly not buying. And if I hear that stupid "Fergilicious" song one more time, I will go postal.

Might as well throw 16 bucks into a dumpster. A dozen or so tracks featuring a 31-year old singer talking about how good-looking she is. And, oh yeah like we don't get the double-meaning with the title of the CD and the lyrics to the opening track "London Bridge." Even Britney Spears has more taste than that, and the sad thing is that Paris put more emotion into her CD than there is on this one. Fergie is just cashing in on the popularity of the talented Black Eyed Peas. Difference is that the Black Eyed Peas have a clearly defined sound and it all flows like colors on a canvas. All the colors on this record run together and form one - a greenish brown.