Customer Reviews

Five Questions - The New Journey

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

waited a long time for alex to release something new , and though I seem to be in the minority on here , I really like this album ! To me it sounds like a fun tribute to his early classic albums - nothing like today's "R'n'B artists sound.

It isn't "hearsay" of course , but why would it be the same album? ( you can always listen to "all mixed up" if you want that.)

Not his greatest work , but a fun workout nonetheless

I have always loved Alex's music. He is unique, original and very much alive! He works hard to produce worthy albums and recognises the journey in his life and his music - this album is a form of biography and some fun thrown in for good measure! As Alex would say himself "I don't take this $h1t too seriously" The mistake is to compare it with Jam & Lewis productions. This is an Alex production ( with thanks to Bobby Z)

My five questions are:

1. Why was this CD so hard to get hold of in the UK?

2. Why was the album deleted so quickly?

3. Why can't people appreciate it for what it is without making comparisons to work he did 30 years ago? We all change don't we? - it's called evolution!

4. When are you coming to your adopted home (the UK of course)?

5. When will we see a tour with this great new material being played for fans that WILL appreciate your work?!!!

For me 5 Questions gets 5 Stars - keep up the good work Alex!

Alexander O'Neal is probably the most underrated singers of the last 25 years. He had a few moments of fame back in the mid-80's, especially in 1987 with his album Hearsay and more specifically with the single Fake. Since then he's been less and less in the spotlight, but his albums still satisfied. However with this album, marketed as a return to his "old school" sound, is far less consistent than his previous ones.

I'll admit, at first these songs sound good but after a few listens they grow thin. Things get off to a rough start with the opening track, My House and I'm Back, with it's elementary lyrics (in the latter song the chorus finds Mr. O'Neal spelling his entire name). I will say this - if lyrical content is something you don't care about, then these songs might be fine; the tunes are upbeat with a decent old school sound. The highlight for me is the 3rd track, Minneapolis Shuffle - a midtempo throw back that fondly recalls his MN days when he was just starting out, going as far as to quote some of his earlier songs. However there are too many down moments through out the rest of the album to hold the listeners attention. Not saying there are any bad songs - the album does sound good while it's on, but dissolves quickly after it's over. Some of the reviews are pretty scathing on here and I wouldn't say the album is all that bad... nor would does his voice sound bad. He's edging up on 60 so he's lost a little range, sure - but he still sounds amazing, handling ballads and upbeat funk numbers with equal ease.

If you're looking to check out Alexander O'Neal this is not the album to check out. Instead try his 1985 debut or Hearsay or even his 1991 3rd album All True Man.

I didn't realize that Alexander O'Neal released this album until I checked online to see this recent addition to Alex's musical offerings. I've been following Alexander O'Neal's career since the mid-'80s, '90s on thru to present. This album will not disappoint for true Alexander O'Neal fans. He still has that trademark vocal styling that only Alexander O'Neal can deliver. While I like all the songs on this CD, my 3 fave tracks are "I'm Back", "I Found True Love" & "Love Won't Let Me Wait". Even though it's been around 8yrs since his last CD release, Alexander O'Neal has proven once again that he's still got it. To me, he's not old school, nor is he new school, he will always be real R&B school in my books!

I'm a Alexander O'Neal fan, therefore this disc was bought without thinking about it. Truthfully, it has flashbacks of his eighties and nineties music weaved throughout and I appreciated it. Unfortunately, the word "evolution" should only be used if it had been applied. Here, it's sound like it's more of a "revival cd" than a serious piece of work. The song are new (except for one) and his power of his voice is evident. Still, the growth I was looking for I didn't get, and the entire session took me back to when O'Neal was running thru the hits. Now, the journey he's taking with this cd is too familiar and the road is a little bit worn.

This album was a total let down for me. I was not feeling the lyrics or vocals at all. I doubt if Alex will ever top 'Hearsay'. In his past albums he had hit after hit, and left his signature of every song. However, this album sounds completely foreign and out of his element... Not a single hit! I'm all for artist trying out new material, but DAMN! I hope he gets back with his former producers (back in the day), cuz this ain't da business! His greatest hits ever were:

(In order)

1.) What can I say (to make you love me)

2.) What's Missing

3.) Crying over time

4.) Criticize

5.) Never knew love like this

6.) Innocent

7.) Hearsay

8.) If you were here tonight

I am a big Alexander O'neal fan, however, this outing needs more work. Nothing here seems very original. Listen to "Criticize" and you have the same CD.

OMGoodness ... WTH is he trying to say on most of the tracks? Many of the lyrics make ab-so-lute-ly no sense what-so-ever. The way he hum the verses, to me, was like listening to a James Brown recording; however, in this case you're able to understand what is being said, minus what it pertains too. Alex, true, you are from the "south" and yes, the south has also dished out her share of horrors, but this attempt at a comeback ... leaves with the notion that you should have crawled back to Flyte/Times and found Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis personally for a bit more meaningful material ... I'm just not sold.

This cd is HORRIBLE!!! Its been eight years since his last original music release and this is the best he can do? His voice still sounds great but the lyrics and music are just plain bad. Alex is clearly not a song writer and should just sing. He. Jam and Lewis made great music together.What is stopping that from happening again? I am a big Alex fan, he is my favorite singer, Criticize is my favorite song of all time so it pains me to be so harsh about this release. Dont waste your money on this, please.

Alex my man what happened here? This album is almost comedic in a sense. I cannot believe this crap was released! Simple advice Alex, go get Jam & Lewis to help out next time. Monte Moir from The Time can help too! So disappointed with this after waiting 8 long years since your last release. Sounds as though you have teeth missing or something while singing! Alex, hope all is well with your health! Hope your next effort has some (effort)!