Customer Reviews

I Still Believe

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

i purchased this album yesterday, been a fan of lyfe since his first album, but his last album didnt impress me at all.I STILL BELIEVE has to be one of the best albums i have ever heard, not one bad song on this album all songs hit it on the nail and touch you deeply he makes you understand what hes feeling

Lyfe Jennings has sadly called I Still Believe, his fourth LP his final album. It is a sad day because I Still Believe may just be his valedictory effort. Even if calling it `his bet yet' is a bit lofty, it is `heads-n-tails' above Lyfe's previous effort, 2008's Lyfe Change. Don't get me wrong, I liked Lyfe Change, but it lacked the grandeur of previous efforts 2004's Lyfe 268-192 and 2006's Phoenix. Lyfe's purported final effort 'I Still Believe' restores that grandeur in a fine closing chapter to a great, if underrated recording career. All Lyfe fans hope that this is not Jennings' final album ever - I know I sincerely hope!!!

"Statistics" is a smart opening cut for this effort, much better than "Keep on Dreaming" from 'Lyfe Change'. "Statistics" creatively uses `statistics' as the basis of its lyrics creating one of the more creative R&B songs I've heard in years. Maybe its not revolutionary only because Lyfe is now an established artist, but it is one of his best songs, easily. "Love" doesn't possess the same potency as "Statistics", but it is definitely another strong cut. On "Love," Jennings favors more contemporary R&B production as opposed to the more adult R&B leaning production work of "Statistics." While the more neo-soul leaning productions throughout this album better represent Lyfe Jennings as an artists, there is not the least bit of shame in a fine cut like "Love".

"It Coulda Been Worse" gives "Statistics" a run for its money as the valedictory cut from I Still Believe. The production work is old-fashioned, but smartly so as it brings out the best in Jennings' raspy, soulful vocals. The songwriting is superb and Jennings' performance is one of the best of his career in my opinion. "Spotlight" has hard shoes to fill following "It Coulda Been Worse" and while it is eclipsed, it is still a solid contemporary R&B cut, if a shade shy of the grandeur of say "Love". "Busy" resurrects any notion of lost momentum serving as another standout cut, if less appealing than "Statistics" or "It Coulda Been Worse". If nothing else, the use of the `busy' signal from a phone makes "Busy" worthwhile.

"Whatever She Wants" is solid, though not revolutionary. Better is the well written, if too short duet "Mama", which features soul standout Anthony Hamilton. It is tracks like "Mama" where Jennings shines best. "Hero" is solid, even if it feels like a semi-rewrite of Jennings' "Ghetto Superman" from The Phoenix. "I Still Believe" is another sound, uplifting cut, fitting the uplifting sense given off by this album. "Learn From This" is solid, though not stellar. Its follow-up "Done Crying" fairs similarly, but as I have emphasized constantly, both are still worthy of a couple of spins. "If I Knew Then, What I Know Now" and "If Tomorrow Never Comes" serve as great closing tracks, returning any lost momentum to the finely crafted 'I Still Believe.'

In my opinion, 'I Still Believe' is an `A' affair with no outright bad cuts. Jennings sounds his most refined and polished here, putting together a much more cohesive set than 2008's 'Lyfe Change.' Let's hope this isn't his final album fans. 4 stars.

I Just brought Lyfe Jennings new album "I Still Believe" September 18th. It is a very good album and every song on the cd is hot. This is the type of album you can put in your stereo system and just like play all the way through. Lyfe Jennings tells a story in his music and sings about things that people can relate to. For instance, on the second song "Statistics" he breaks down the statistics for women and their chances at finding a good man. The song "Busy" the lead single from the album talks about a women always being busy and never having time for her man when he calls or comes by. Most people can relate to that because it happens to men and women all the time. Lyfe Jennings a soulful voice and good songwriting skills. He makes good music you can vibe to and it comes from his soul. He was a troubled individual having served 10 years in prison for arson and come out and got discovered on Apollo and the rest is history. Lyfe Jennings is one of a kind and paints a picture with music and words like none other. On the song "I Coulda Been Worst" he talks about how people struggle in life and if it weren't god or that special someone your life could turn out worst then what it. Lyfe Jennings talks about missing his kids and learning from a past relationship on the song "Learn From This". Overall this cd is worth buy and you should run not walk and go buy a copy. This is R&B/Soul at it's best. There are very few good singers these days, but Lyfe Jennings is one of the few and I hope he continues to make more good music to come. I am waiting for album number 5 because I know it's gonna be even better then this one!! Go get a copy of Lyfe Jennings "I Still Believe" and tell all your friends and family about so they can get a copy too!! NO BOOTLEGGIN....GO OUT AND SUPPORT LYFE JENNINGS BUY A COPY DON'T DOWNLOAD...THIS IS REAL MUSIC!!

Honestly, musically this has to be his best work to date... By now everyone knows what happened to Lyfe several weeks after this CD was released. When listening to this CD, you can easily tell that Lyfe knew he was going back "in" when he wrote these songs, which makes this CD that much more potent!! If you don't feel anything when listening to this, you need to check yourself, Lyfe pours every ounce of his soul into this project. Heck, this CD had me wiping a tear from my eye, wanting to hug my kids, and hold my boo. I really don't have any favorite tracks, but if I had to select a couple, I would go with "Mama," "Learn From This," "Done Crying," "Spotlight," "Love," let me stop before I list all of the tracks. He also delivers one of those lines that stands out above the song, similar to Michael Donald in his duet with Patti Labelle, "we're talking divorce and we weren't even married" in "On My Own." Lyfe delivers this oneliner in "Learn From This," "If by chance I don't make it, [the] kids tuition is in my Timberlands." That's a man telling his kids although I can't be with you, daddy still got you.... The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the engineers let him down, the first 4 cuts, "production wised," sounded unfinished. For instance, in the song "Statistics" the higher frequencies are set too high so that his "s-es" has an hissing sound. This is VERY annoying, so much so, this is the one track I skip, not because I don't like it, the hissing is just too much to bare. Around track 4, the engineers begin to realize that with Lyfe, less is more. The last song on the CD is the rawest song on the set, "If Tomorrow Never Comes," which is stripped down with Lyfe and a piano, gut wrenching!!! In all fairness, this project was probably rushed a little to get it out, so Lyfe could promote it before going back "in," So he could leave the kids' tuition in his Timberlands. I can't wait to get the remastered version of this CD in about 5 years!!! Yeah, this will be re-issued in 5, and you know why!!!!

Lyfe has returned. On his last two albums, it seemed more like Industry music. I mean they were okay, but not on the level as his first. Well, this one...this one is on that level. It still keeps the modern sounds. So, the music isn't as raw, but the lyrics and the melodies are beautiful. Every song has depth and meaning. If he really is retiring...what a way to go out. This album is outstanding. Yes, you can actually listen to the entire album all the way through. Of course some songs are better than others...but none of them suck. It's filled with great lyrics, soft melodies, and the raw but great voice of Lyfe. Don't miss it. It should be doing far better on the charts. But of course we all know good music doesn't get promoted like Industry music does anymore.

Lyfe Jennings has never put out a mediocre CD. On "I Still Believe" he brings back the soul and feeling that is reminiscent of his two earlier CD'S. You can feel this mans pain, soul, and emotions so strongly on this CD. I Still Believe is comprised of songs about being in love to love loss. Lyfe also sings about his regrets and being thankful for what one has. He offers words of encouragement and he offers his heart through verse to those who listen to this CD. If this is his last cd as he mentioned then he definitely went out with a bang! More like an explosion! This is excellent work. Buy it and you will see what I mean. Five plus plus stars.

`I Still Believe' is an incredibly magnetic cd that I haven't been able to stop playing. Lyfe Jennings has mos def put his heart, soul, and knowledge on the line and it is all good! Statistics' has a catchy beat that is further complemented with hard core facts that challenge the listener as they groove to this tune. `It Coulda Been Worse' is a soul stirring joint that touches your spirit with the intensity of his message. `I Still Believe' is another winner with the lyrics that elicits Lyfe's old school upbringing endearing him even more to the grounded listener. `Learn From This' , `Done Crying'...these joints are enchanting as his honesty is so graphically depicted that you become mesmerized with the rawness and the reality of consequences. `If I Knew Then, What I Know Now'...my, my, my...'If Tomorrow Never Comes'...the depth of this brother is executed to perfection!

I've been a `Lyfer' since his first appearance on The Apollo...the timbs, the Eskimo coat, braided beard...the funky look, but when this brother strummed that guitar and opened his mouth, it was like heaven opened its gates and shined a light! I will say that IMO this is his very best and that's hard because his first cd was magnificent in every essence! Lyfe Jennings is leaving a legacy that exemplifies lyrically honest, challenging emotions that portrays love in every form, being the love of a mother/grandmother and child, relationships at their best and their worst and the consequences that we all have to endure. Lyfe Jennings can mos def tell you about being in the `Spotlight' because his talent is raw and uncut but is unequivocally awesome! Can't wait for your next masterfully developed endeavor my brotha! Kudo's to you! Mos Def!

Can you say over-produced. I like Lyfe and I understand, as an artist there is the need to grow. This CD does show growth and I compliment that but it is 360 from where he started. When Lyfe popped up on the scene he was a raw gritty kid with a guitar and heart. He represented and embodied a spirit that you can't put a label on. He was PRINCE without the heels, he was a stick-up kid, he was unapologetic. This new guy cut the hair and got a suit and the sound is 100% commercial. As I listen to this CD I can't help but think he hates the person he use to be, and that makes me sad. Ok I understand that you want to warn your daughter about the wrong men but that is no reason to turn all Oprah on us and tear the few good men that are out there down. After all you are a statistic to let's not forget about the jail stint, and ducking child support. I just wish this LP had a little less of the new Lyfe and a little more of the old.

If you love Lyfe and his voice, you will love this album. He hasn't failed me yet. The lyrics are so creative and his voice is so soothing.

I ordered this CD simply because I am a fan of Lyfe Jennings' voice and I figured with such range he couldn't go wrong. I also loved the single off the CD "Statistics."

However, I found that I couldn't get farther than midway of the CD. I've had the CD for nearly a year now and I still haven't gone back to it.

Maybe it will appeal to some, but it didn't catch and hold my attention.