Customer Reviews

Faithfully (Mcup)

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Faith Evans is more than R&B's most famous widow. She is a mature vocalist with great songwriting abilities and a phenomenal voice. 'Faithfully', Evans' first album in 3 years and the follow up to her 1998 disc entitled, 'Keep the Faith', is a disc on which the artist has experimented with a myriad of different musical genres. It is quite simply her best album to date. This accomplishment is indeed no small feat as her first disc is regarded as a modern day R&B classic.

Evans opens the disc with an intro by her and her longtime producer Sean "Puffy" Combs on which he invites Faith to "do the damn thing!" And "do the damn thing!" she does! Faith then launches into the heartfelt 'Alone in This World' which samples a track used by her late husband. The next track is the sassy "You Gets No Love" on which the singer clearly lets her sentiments known to an errant lover. On the single for this song, Evans gives you a little freestyle rap...and does so convincingly without sounding at all corny! Perhaps Biggie taught her a thing or two! Yet instead, the album version of YGNL features guest appearances by Puffy and new Bad Boy artist Loon. The next track "Burnin' Up" produced by the Neptunes seems destined to be another hit as Evans breathes fire into the track...and does the Neptunes justice for a change! Ahem! Britney, listen to how a Neptunes track SHOULD sound! 'I Love You' is one of the slow jams on which Faith really shines. Writing credit is also shared with Jennifer Lopez. However, the most exciting track on the album is the disco inspired 'Back To Love'! My personal favorite, BTL has an infectious chorus and Evans' vocals glide over the track and the thumping bass.
Another standout track is the seemingly Biggie, Lil Kim and Charlie Baltimore inspired "Brand New Man" on which Evans dismisses a former lover and the women with whom he has stepped out. And equally impressive is the beautiful ballad "Where We Stand." Faiths vocals often recall a neo-soul Minnie Ripperton or Ella Fitzgerald in terms of her delivery. Yet she never fails to deliver Faith.

In all, this disc is Evans' best to date. It is relativley free from overproduction and overdelivery. Faith simply sings. She doesn't try to grab you..just simply allowing you to become slowly overwhelmed by both the power of her voice and by the inspired tracks. Far superior to the lackluster releases by other R&B/Soul artists this year, 'Faithfully' is right on par with Evans ablities as an EXTREMELY capable and uplifting entertainer/chanteuse.

When Faith was in the studio for this album, she said in an interview that was was working hard on each and every single track to make it a hit, to make each song memorable. Well she accomplished that on "Faithfully", her junior album. As stated by Billboard magazine, Faith truly proves that she has potential to be as big as Diana Ross or Aretha Franklin, because she has the vocals and the sognwriting skills to back it up. Each song on the album is a standout song, here are some highlights:

Alone In This World - a fever jam that samples "Who Shot Ya".
You Gets No Love - the lead single, the album version features rap by Puffy and Loon.
Burnin' Up - a HOT club jam produced by the Neptunes, this song is original, one of the album's best.
I Love You - sweet vocals over a happy ballad.
Back To Love - a disco-flavored song that gets you moving, backed up with strong vocal arrangement.
Do Your Time - strong lyrics over a retro beat, one of the album's best.
Don't Cry - more typical Faith mid-tempo song.
Faithfully - old school jam, somewhat like her song "Good Life".
Brand New Man - a dramatic song like that on Kelly Price's "Mirror, Mirror" album.
Where We Stand - a unique ballad with very nice lyrics, one of the album's best.
Heaven Only Knows - best lyrics on the entire album.
Love Can't Hide - possibly the best song on the album, it show's Faith's growth as her vocals (the best vocals on the album) are layered; she does all the back-up on this one!
Can't Believe - featuring Carl Thomas, this was a hit for her a few months before the album's release.

There's nothing like that 'hoping' feeling you get while you're unwrapping a new CD, popping it into your player, and hearing it for the first time all by yourself, or with friends who are just as excited about it as you are. You might be in a parked car, with absolutely no intention of driving off until you're well into track #2 or #3; or you're at home, just happy to be jammin to it after a long day at work or school. My fellow Amazonians, that's how I felt when I bought this album. I'm happy to report that 'Faithfully' has totally lived up to my expectations -- no, it surpassed them.

Starting with the intro, Puff presents Faith (over a hype beat) with mad enthusiasm. Next up is "Alone With You", an uptempo cut that contains yet another sample of Biggie's "Who Shot Ya", but it works. Then "You Gets No Love" creeps in with its slinky synth-bass groove, featuring complimentary verses by Loon and the Diddy. We close out the album's hip-hop side with "Burnin Up" (featuring Loon), a bubblin' Neptunes track that I feel musically exudes the same sexiness that Faith's new look conveys.

"I Love You" is a quaint yet solid midtempo, and is my favorite cut on the album so far...and it's growing on me even more and more. I love the guitars, and the soft soul-power of Faith's voice...yep, methinks "I Love You" should definitely be a single. Kind of reminds me of Nona Gaye's "Things That We All Do For Love" from 1993 (remember that?). Anyhow, the "Everything" interlude is decent. "Back To Love" has a retro, 80s vibe...it samples "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life".

The "Faithful" interlude keeps it real...the sistas will be feeling this one. "Do Your Time" is a midtempo joint with a 70s vibe to it...same goes for "Don't Cry". "Faithfully" (the song) features yet another luscious slice of "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume, and this joint is definitely tasty. "Brand New Man" features a pinch of neo-soul, a dash of classic Faith, and a little bit of Mary J (no disrespect to either woman...they're both legends in my humble opinion).

The "Ghetto" interlude is cool on the hip-hop tip. "Where We Stand" sounds like it could have easily come from Faith's first album. "Heaven Only Knows" is a ballad that sounds as warm and plush as the mink coat Faith wears on the cover. "Love Can't Hide" is a jazzy ballad featuring that "neo-soul" sound a la Alica Keys or Jill Scott...actually, this might be my favorite. You've all heard "Can't Believe" -- an instant classic. We end the album with the "Love Song" interlude, a perfect ending to a perfect album.

Thanks for reading!

Andrew Knyte

I feel that the new album by Faith Evans, "Faithfully", is a great third album..Although I'm not a big fan of the fast songs, all of the slow ones get my props. Of course I love "You Gets No Love" but I also love "Burnin Up". The beat is tight and its different for Faith. My favorite would probably have to be "I Love You". I'm feelin this song completely..the music, the words, the voice..My other favorites are "Don't Cry" and "Love Can't Hide"...Other good songs are "Where We Stand", "Do Your Time", and "Heaven Only Knows". This cd will definitely be in my stereo and my car for a loooong time. I'm feelin it completely. Faith is like a fine wine. She gets betta with age. Keep up the good work Faith. One Love

I remember this album when I was in the 9th grade. I love this album. It is soulful and has more vibe. The album is influenced from all genres of jazz,R&B,and hip-hop are evident. This album was her most introspective personal album dealing with life's experiences musically tailored to fit all the emotions and situations she incur. Devotion,love,and hope are key ingredients that make the present great and the future much brighter. This album has been certified Gold. Remember,this was 2001-2002.

I love Faith she has inspired me a lot.And Im real glad she is back with "the first lady".My fave song is "you gets no love".

"Faithfully" was well worth the wait...this is Faith's best album by far. "Back To Love" is her most disco song yet, and sounds fantastic and could become a huge crossover smash. "I Love You" is a classic waiting to happen, and "Love Can't Hide" finds Faith sounding like Ella Fitzgerald. This album steers clear of the sap which weighted "Keep The Faith"--nearly all the songs on this set are up or mid-tempo, and the few ballads are great. "Faithful" is a terrific, gospel-infused interlude, and at two minutes in length should be its own song. "Do Your Time" and "Heaven Only Knows" are very elegant, and almost sound like French pop songs. "Brand New Man" and "Where We Stand" are pure soul. Faith is totally growing as an artist, and one can only imagine what she'll do next. Fantastic!! Only bummer is that the version of "You Gets No Love" doesn't feature her rap.

Who else can serenade you like Ms. Faith Evans. She is the R&B vocalist with jazz timing. That is what is so unique about her as well as the fact that she can deliver a club banger at a moments notice, then, sink right down to a soul searching melody that puts you in the mood for love.

Faith is back again for a third time to drop another one on us. After two albums deep of hits you might think she would have burned out or have fear of the so-called "jinx" they always talk about. Nothing close here. I like just about every track on this album. The only thing that kept me from giving this 5 stars is becasue of 3 songs that used sampels I thought was tired bacause of how many times they were used. Now lets get on to what is good. Tracks like:

You gets no love --- We all know this one...tight beat and sample and the new version on this album is with puffy and the loon.

Burning up --- The neptunes drop another hot track here. The beat is tight...I can see this will be another club song.

I Love you -- The next single from the album and one of the tightest slow jams on the album. It has a cool laid back feel to it.

Faithfully -- We all know the sample on this song but its still cool with faith singing over it with the extra beats.

Where we stand -- This is one of the tightest songs on the album. It has a midtempo beat to it but has different feel from the rest of the album. One of my favorites on the cd. They have to make this a single.

Love Cant Stand -- Here is another tight song to look out for with faith singing over a melodic/hip-hop loop. It has a jazzy vibe to it.

Cant Believe -- We all know this single she did with Carl Thomas but it was a good way to end the album. Another good song.

Overall faith came with a more upbeat vibe all around for this album. I guess she wanted to make people dance and nod their heads more with this one. There is only a few slow tracks and most are midtempo. Many fans will be suprised but not dissappointed with some of the new sounds. Check this new one out and I guarntee you will be playing this everyday....Faithfully.

In a day and time when songs (note I didn't say MUSIC) is about pimpin and hoe'n...bling, bling this and iced out that - talent is looked upon as nonexistant. Faith Evans is proving to the world that she's no "one hit wonder" and no Mary J. Blige wannabe. Indeed Mary has come a long way, but Faith is the one that goes by without getting the props she truly deserves. I've been a fan since she first fell onto the scene and have been waiting patiently (like other Faith fans) for this CD to drop. I have every one of her CDs in my car and have kept them in heavy rotation until this came along.

My personal favorites are (obviously) "You Gets No Love", "Do Your Time", "Faithfully", "Where We Stand" (currently set to repeat) and "Love Can't Hide". Keep in mind that I love the whole thing, these are just the songs that have personal meaning for ME.

Her MUSIC and LYRICS show growth and depth that some artists aspire to reach. This woman is truly deserving of the title "DIVA" and wears the crown of the "First Lady of BAD BOY" well. My hat goes off to her and I wish her continued success - because everything she touches turns to GOLD...PLATINUM even! If you haven't picked it up...order it now. This one is definitely a keeper...you can listen to it over and over again without skipping songs...how often does THAT happen?