Evolver (Deluxe) [ENHANCED]

John Legend

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2008)
• Original Release Date: October 28, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B001EZ78T6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,223 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Deluxe edition includes DVD. The album Evolver features superstars Kanye West, Andre 3000 and Estelle.The album's first single 'Green Light' impacted Urban & Rhythm formats August 19th, 2008. John Legend's debut CD Get Lifted & sophomore CD Once John Legend is the winner of five Grammy Awards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing at best, November 5, 2008

By	M. Sam (Sydney, Aus) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Being a big fan of John Legend's previous two albums, it's really hard to imagine this being his third album. Whatever happened to the passionate piano pieces that were found in "So High", "Ordinary People" and "We Just Don't Care"? The cheeky themes and lyrics found in "She Don't Have To Know" and "Number One"? The smooth tunes of "Save Room" and "Slow Dance"?

'Evolver' feels like a manufactured compilation of samples and beats which play in the background while Legend tries akwardly to fit in with his soulful crooning. While the previous albums lacked the big name collaborations featured in this album, this album lacked the originality and passion that made John Legend a star. And that, at the end of the day, is really what music is about.

The album title may be named 'Evolver', but this seems like a step back towards manufactured Pop/R&B that's playing on the radio. Stick with Legend's previous albums.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No evolution here, just a change of direction, October 30, 2008

By	LT Twalo "Luzh" (Johannesburg, South Africa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

DISCLAIMER: This is more an initial assessment than a review, I have only listened to the album twice so it's a bit early for a full review

There are a few of my favourite artists who are on their third go round and almost all of them have decided to do a 180 on their core fans. The 1st was Alicia Keys whose 3rd album was less soul and more pop/rock. Raphael Saadiq went Motown, Robin Thicke was all over the place and Ne-Yo toyed with the idea of going europop. It scares me to think what D'Angelo will do given that his sophomore effort was already way out there.

John Legend takes a page straight out of Alicia Key's book by going the pop route and to be honest I am not pleased. I applauded Alicia's effort because it was an evolution of sorts from talented girl to woman. In John's case he scores no points and as far as I'm concerned this is a regression not an evolution.

The world has enough artists doing the pop thing and we look to artists like John Legend, Raphael Saadiq and Robin Thicke to give us something else (pun intended). By including a Ne-Yo, Will.I.Am and a Pharell song (no offense to any of them) John has only thing in mind...and that is Radio (Trying not to be out done by his own artist, Estelle).

The duet with Brandy is good but it does not belong on a John Legend album. The Michael Jackson esque rallying call that closes out the standard version of the disc is right on the edge of corny (perfect for radio). I can understand why he might choose that direction, given how his last album performed, the critics loved it but radio wouldn't play it. I would counter that argument by saying that he just needs to look at the album sales which were nothing to laugh at.

With that said, I still have to admit that although I disagree with his direction, the album as a whole is quite well executed. You can still here that it has John's stamp all over it. He also sprinkled a few tracks that recall his previous album e.g. "Good Morning" and my current favourite "I Love, You Love". The reggae influenced tracks are also repeat worthy. I'm sure the rest of the album will grow on me as the other's have.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Album, May 4, 2009

By	Pascha Avery "pj" (Gottignies Belgium) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love John Legend.
If he'll have me I would like to marry him and have him sing to me all night. And wake up with "Good Morning". I Loved Green Light, not only because it was the album's single but because it's a good dance song which you don't get often from John. I also fell in love with This Time. It really is a song that touched my heart. Keep em comin' John.