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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
New, neat yet oh so familiar., September 29, 2006
I was introduced to Bryan Ferry by Simon LeBonne and John Taylor. It was statements by Duran Duran in Star Hits Magazine regarding Roxy Music being one of their influences that made me purchase Roxy Music's Greatest Hits - on cassette. . . at a record store. Only grown folks know what I'm talking about here. One of my signs that I am officially old is that no one has to point out to me from which musical palettes Justin Timberlake stole his brushes while creating Futuresex/Sexyback. I already know because I own the original cassettes.
And that makes Futuresex all the more delightful for me. You see, I can't listen to Prince's "I Wanna Be Your Lover" any longer. Not only because the cassette is all warbled now but also because Prince isn't making that type of song anymore. He's that symbol now and his music has evolved. I could buy the digital song online but that is not the point. I don't really want to hear Prince sing "I Wanna Be Your Lover" over and over again. I want to hear new songs which capture the stylistic essence of Prince as he was then. That is just what Justin provides on "My Love". From the teenage lovestruck falsetto of his vocals to the painfully earnest neediness/romanticism of the lyrics ("If I told you you were beautiful/ Would you date me on the regular" ), Justin channels Prince. Justin even goes for the Greek chorus backing vocals a la The Family in "Nothing Compares To You". The psychedelic circling synthesizer is a Princely touch as well.
What elevates Justin's channeling from imitative to creative is Timberland's producing and vocal collaboration. The "Let Me Talk To You" prelude to "Let Me Talk To You/ My Love" sounds as if Timberland only just finished remixing the Sergio Mendes cover/remix album Timeless with Latin tinged cowbells as the rhythm section. Timberland has absolutely mastered keeping hip hop fresh by incorporating the musical styles of other cultures without dumbing them down. Timberland does this best on "Sexyback". I thought it was brilliant when Limp Bizkit chopped it up with Jay Z melding hip hop and grunge rock. Well Timberland takes it to another level on "Sexyback". He and Justin capture the essence of the ecstasy, gay rave-party, dance-all-night house song and stream it through that creepy but alluring Trent Reznor/Marilyn Manson sieve. I believe this will end up being the 2006 song all the other contenders for the pop thrown wish they'd cut. It's so neat and so new yet so familiar.
Prince's spirit isn't the only specter seancing on Futuresex. Michael Jackson, a long time influencer of Justin, shows up in his black suit and white ankle socks complete with fedora on more than one tune. Most obviously, and best, on "Lovestoned/I Think That She Knows". "Lovestoned" is all Billie Jeaned out. Then Justin transitions right into the lush "I Think That She Knows", which is like "Human Nature" meeting Coldplay style melodic layering. The transition is so smooth it makes me wonder why gapless playback was even invented.
My favorite cut is where Timberland goes stereo with both Justin's Prince and Michael channels. It's "Damn Girl". Justin, like Prince, has a way of conveying unadulterated, grown-up lust while singing falsetto without it seeming silly. The arrangement is tight, funky and jazzy. I mean it is right Off The Wall. It goes further back than that actually. This is a song "Lil" Michael Jackson would have sung if he'd been allowed to sing "grown up" sexy songs with the Jackson Five.
There are weak cuts. "Losing My Way" features lyrical and musical platitudes. It is so weak Kirk Franklin et al was brought in to, failingly, legitimize it as an inspirational song. "Summer Love" is a forgettable prom song throw away. Praise Hephaestus, with Itunes I can arrange the album my way, excluding these cuts.
"The Making of Sexyback", a twenty-two minute documentary, was interesting. It features behind-the-scenes looks at the making of the "Sexyback" video along with interview snippets with Justin talking about his "process" for making the Futuresex album. In the interview he showed more depth than that for which I gave him credit. He was courageous to be experimental at a time when it seems a lot of hip hop and pop is striving for sameness. Justin wants to grow as a musician. I look forward to hearing him resurrect more of my favorites as he develops into his own.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD, January 4, 2007
This is a great CD for the dance scene. Some of the songs remind me of JT's days with N'Sync - they have the N'Sync "sound", however, songs like Sexyback are unique and you can't help but want to dance to it. An essential for the dance collector's library!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nicely done on 2nd solo album, May 24, 2007
From the first song to the last I couldn't stop listening to this CD. His first CD was worn out just the same. On this particular CD, my favorite had to be "My Love". Most of his songs fade nicely into the next song so 3 into 4 is my fav. Great music. I hope he keeps it up.
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