Customer Reviews

Evolver

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

The minute I heard "Ordinary People" from John Legend, I was instantly a fan! I had Evolver on preorder and received it the day before it's official release on Amazon. From the pictures online, I wasn't too impressed with the album cover, but upon receiving it, the cover has this metallic shiny cover. Pretty fancy. ;-)

"Greenlight", the first single is catchy and great to dance to. It sounds like Legend and Andre' 3000 are both just making a song and having fun. "It's Over" sounds like a straight throwback to the early `90s (the hip hop cooley sound). It could be just me...Legend even does a little run at the end of the song that sounds like Teddy Riley. "Everybody Knows" is such a sweet song. It talks of working on relationships and the hardships and puzzlement that it brings. "Quickly" takes it to a pop level with a long-time, no-hear artist, Brandy. Her voice is a lot different and I have to take a little time to get used to it...like she's all grown up all over again! :-) The song itself will have to grow on me. "Cross the Line" is my *first listen* favorite. The vocals and beat just flow in a nice contemporary fashion. This would be a great single--but for some reason my faves never make the singles lists! "No Other Love" is okay and features Estelle, who folks are comparing to Lauren Hill. I wish they wouldn't do that--she's unique on her own and if she doesn't reach the level Hill reached, will end up with an unfair bad rap. That would be like if someone compared Rihanna to Beyonce...(!!!) "This Time" is okay, it will grow on me like "Again" did on his second album. "Satisfaction" is a pretty nice groove--I can also see this being a single (but I don't produce records, so I'm no expert!). "Take Me Away" has a nice island beat and has Legend's vocals shining through--high ranges. This is a great song! "Good Morning" is a wonderful lover's song. Something to listen to when it's just you and your significant other. There is an awesome set of trumpets that fit well with this jam. Reminds me of something by Earth, Wind, and Fire. "I Love, You Love" has been on repeat since playing the cd. It's Stephens' most wonderful ballad since Ordinary People. This song is absolutely wonderful! I wished it would have lasted longer! Finally, the last song, "If You're Out There", I heard a few times during the presidential campaign, and I would compare with "Coming Home" from Once Again.

The only negative thing I would say about this album is the amount of slow songs versus fast on this album, but it works for this album and it flows well. Overall, this album is another hit by John Legend, and once again, I'm glad I purchased from Amazon!

Speaking as someone who actually saw John Legend live, i can honestly say that this man has talent and that his latest album Evolver was a collection of great songs. Seems he always welcomes diversity and has the ability to project a sound that is welcome by ears all over the world. Simply he is classic. I loved every song he wrote or co-wrote on the album (95%). I read reviews that are trying to rip Evolver of its true essence. Listen people, John delevered on this album. He has Evolved, and i'm excited for this ablum. Is it not enough that he writes his own songs? and sounds even better live than in a studio where the walls soak up the smoothness of his voice. 'i love you love', 'this time', 'everybody knows', 'green light', 'quickly', 'good morning','cross the line', 'no other love', are my favs. John is, and has been keeping music alive and classy. So to the haters out there or to those who would belittle his music and song writting abilities, perhaps you wont be satisfied until John collabs with a trashy Pop artist like Ms. Spears, or does a lame remix of 'Bartender' with t-pain....(even though John could probably pull it off with his vocals and thus make me actually like the song). Lets hope though that it never happens, but if it does, no worries. He's doing it, and doing it, and doing it well.

Wow...I mean, I really do love this man. He actually went to my alma mater (big up U Penn!) so I feel a lil connection with him. But I would be remiss if I was not honest about what is going on here. Mr. Legend has served up a mixed bag with this latest cd. I very strongly like about 5 or 6 songs..leaving me with about half the album that doesn't do much for me. At first, I thought that I wasn't a big fan of his last project, Once Again, especially when comparing it to his ground breaking first album. But sadly, I just realized that I actually like his 2nd album better, and I really hate when artists steadily begin to make poorer musical choices. Anyway, let me try and say something nice about this latest offering. I happen to LOVE Greenlight, along with the rest of all people with good hearing. It's Over is great and Everybody Knows is growing on me. Quickly, with Brandy, is GREAT! I love this song, and it's great to hear her coming back. Love the Estelle song, Satisfaction, and Take me Away. The rest, SNORE! My friend actually heard Legend perform This Time live with only a piano and he claims it was amazing. I think I believe him, and wish Legend had been inclined to keep it beautiful and sparse like that on the album, but alas, he did not. I REALLY hate the last song...super super cheesy and just...well take an listen for yourself and decide. All in all, I wish I could string together the songs that I like, cause I really do like them a great deal, and make a little mini album. Not Feeling the Filler John!!

I have always been a fan of John Legend even before he was Legend, it was John Stephens but I am not excited about this CD. As he mentioned in the beginning of the Amazon video when he creates a new project he does not know what the sound will be and it shows on this project. This is to POP sounding and missing the raw passion and the jamming sounds which I love about his music. I will always follow his career but this Evolved into nothing for me. Sorry John.

Ok, there's always room for experimentation in music. There's always room for true artists to take off in one direction for a few albums then do a 180 and go off on other flights of fancy. A good example would be one of my favorites, Me'Shell Ndegeocello. Once you got past Bitter, none of her albums remotely resembled the next. And that's a good thing.

But with John and Evolver, the progression into 'new' territory simply lacks authenticity and sincerity. There are a lot of tracks, but very little in terms of content. There's something about some girl, something about you and I, and something just like everything else on the radio.

I have a few artists that I'll buy their albums even without pre-screening. Before this album, he was one of them.

Im Sorry.. But I cant get enough of this ablum. I sing the songs in my sleep, at work, and in the shower. This is not normal type of album. This album is for people who seek different genres of music and tired of the norm. I'm So in Love with Almost all the songs. Esp Good Morning(Song & Intro), It's Over, Take Me Away, & This Time. If you only listened to the album once, how can you then, make a fair assessment? You must listen to the ablum several times. And when I say listen, I mean listen to the words. Understand the subject of the songs. Think deeper than the surface. I could just go on and on...

Much of the buzz leading up to the release of contemporary pianist John Legend's third studio album Evolver centered on the notion that he took a significant step from the piano-laden sound of his previous releases.

The decidedly upbeat lead single "Green Light", is graced with an emcee appearance from Andre 3000 (OutKast) and a bevy of synthesized elements, helping to fuel the expectation. The accompanying video clip opens with Legend crooning, yet again, behind a piano; though he slams the piano shut in disgust, joining Andre 3000 and guests on the dance floor. Given the visual elements and statements made by contributors to the album, fans' anticipation was that the album would pair Legend's clever lyrics to upbeat, bass-thumping dance fare.

But one must pay attention to Legend's album title choice: Evolver. The project he has created here is a clear evolution of sound and thoughts. As with earlier work, the tempo of most songs is mellow and mid-tempo. The pace of "Green Light" is not duplicated, but what does carry over to many of the album's tunes is the touch of techno-synthesis, and the overall fresh production value.

Among the groovier of the songs here are the Neptune's produced "It's Over", equally soulful and hip-hop with Kanye dropping a few verses; "Quickly", a perfectly balanced duet with Brandy which has a few political undertones; and "Satisfaction", a myriad of peculiar sounding elements that it is very convincing. A surprise reggae turn shows up in the Estelle assisted collaboration, "No Other Love".

For all the familiar soul and R&B sentiments, Evolver finds Legend trying his hand at full-fledged pop again, "Everybody Knows", and balladry with the simply sweet, "This Time" asking for a second chance at love. "Good Morning" is reminiscent of an interlude, almost lethargic, and reprises four times between the melody's dynamic drift.

Closing with the world-conscious anthem, "If You're Out There", Legend channels the likes of U2 and Phil Collins, with a sound that is as free from genre as the lyrics.


The big letdown for alot of listeners will be that, with the exception of "Green Light", "No Other Love" and "Quickly", the sound and feel of this album is exactly the same as sophomore effort, Once Again. It is neat and polished, and for the most part mid-to-slow tempoed (a few songs again have little or no rhythm section), with the faster songs near the very beginning, slower tunes in the middle and a soaring anthem as the final track. But that is what Legend has become famous for: clever, classy soul with a hint of hip-hop flavor, delivered with vocal fervor.


Evolver is more about Legend's use of more electronic instumentation - keyboards and sound elements - in place of piano and live elements. The result is fresh and though suttle, rewarding.

With regular partners Kanye West, Devo Springsteen, wil.i.am and newcomers Midi Mafia and Malay at the helms for production, John delivers what faithful listeners will appreciate. And hopefully something that will catch the ears of a new, younger following. Though nothing of a revolution among music recordings, Evolver is a well balanced evolution of his sound.

I Love John Legend and I Love this album. I've been a fan of his since his first album "Get Lifted" when he introduce us to the single "Ordinary People". He's a musical genius, and he's definitely on his way to becoming a musical icon. The 1st single "Green Light" is uptempo with some psychodelic twang to it. It just makes you want to shake your butt. The second track "It's Over featuring Kanye West" has a throw back vibe to it,like your back in high school chillin' out with your crew. The track "No Other Love featuring Estelle" is funky. I Love it. My favorite track on the album would definitely have to be "Good Morning". It's about a man waking up next to the Love of his life and just wanted those few extra moments just to look at her. To be with her. To hold her. To kiss her. There's funk, there's jazz, a little rock, a little hip-hop, and ofcourse Mr. Legend doing what he does best. Making Love to the ivory(piano). You got to Love that.

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.