Customer Reviews

It's Me Again

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I honestly was not going to buy this CD, but the first single is so hot! I loved this CD from the FIRST PLAY. It was worth the wait and the production of the tracks are amazing!

Tweet's first CD was good, but this one has demostrated a serious growth of her talent. Tweet if you read this, GREAT JOB and you have a new fan!!!!!

By the way by favorite tracks are:
Turn the light off
Could it be
Cab Ride (Love the sample!!!!!)
Two of Us (With your daughter, nice touch)
I Done (The sexiest break up song ever)
People just get the CD, this is my first favorite for the year 2005!

honestly i would have never bought tweet's first album because i am tired of the same old "heartbreak" or "sex" themes that run through our R&B airways repeatedly. however, the really good stuff never becomes videos or makes it to the radio and thus once i heard tweet's album i feel in love with it. first of all, tweet has an angelic voice meaning although she is an alto singer, her vocal pitch can range from the softest soprano to the moodest deep alto that a woman could reach.

you will hear this when you hear her sweetly sing "its me again" on the introduction. she is a trained musican in guitar and piano but the guitar is her trademark, therefore beautiful "non-electronic" organic music and notes can be her throughout the cd although not as much as on her first cd. the reason this cd is not a 5 is because like p. diddy combs, Missy Elliot gets carried away when it comes to introducing herself and screaming on the introduction to her songs. this does not happen too often but enough that you could become annoyed. with ciara that is different, she is a young teeni-bopper. but tweet is a grown woman with grown issues, and grown music, therefore the mood gets spoiled.

my favorite songs:

taxi - in which she cleverly uses a sample from the tv show taxi throughout the song. very soft and sweet.

two of us - is a duet with her daughter that is light, playful and celebrates the relationship between mother and daughter (specifically single mothers) one thing that separates tweet from many popular R&B singers today is the depth of her lyrical content. this song is perfection.

small change, where do we go from here, and i'm done are 3 really great slow songs.

my last favorite that takes you back to the witty boom-bap drum samples of the 90's is the song steer.

i really enjoyed this cd, and i am dissapointed that tweet does not get the airplay or promotion that other artists who could not even stand near her shoes receive. if you want a singer whose, talent, skill, looks and voice are all on the same level (which is a high one) then i recommend that you purchase this cd (after you listen to the samples of course). this is a cd that i could listen to with my parents or even with young children around and considering R&B of today, i think that says alot. :-)

Intro - Though it's not a full song, it was the proper way to open this album. Knowing Missy, the opener could have end up being a in your face make way for me track, but this was soul and serene, that's why I love Tweet.

*Turn Da Lights Off - (6/10) - Missy shut up! I'm not a fan of the melody of this song (the violins, the chorus, and mixing, the whole package) Tweet sounds beautiful, which is why the verses end up being the best part off the song. However, the melody isn't that memorable which is why this song probably didn't live up to expectation on the radio. Missy's verse wasn't bad but I'd hope for a bridge from Tweet.

*Iceberg - (7/10) - Nice lounge song, straight from the hear lyrics. Not much of a composition, but it does pick up towards the end. This song features her best vocals, I give her props for that.

*Could It Be - (6/10) - Was a bit bland and uninspiring to me, but still sounds good. Rell's voice does well in complementing Tweet's. Good duet overall, just didn't do much for me.

*You - (7/10) - This is where the album picks up. Take the track back to ol' school the accapella and production. The song drags on a bit at the end, but still an excellent track.

*Cab Ride - (10/10) - This song is my jam, best sample you will here all year, Tweet really pulled together a tight ballad. I love how she breaks it down at the end. The BEST track on the album.

*Things You Don't Mean - (9/10) - I ain't gon lie, this track is fly mainly b/c of Missy, she knew how to start this off right. Tweet got some good flow on this track, nice midtempo.

*My Man - (8/10) - Tweet can tell `em off! Tweet take's it to a different level on this track, wish she came a bit stronger on this track, but aside from that, it doesn't get better than this.

*Sports, Sex, & Food - (8/10) - This is one of album's highlights, not that it's the best, but hearin' Tweet schoolin' the girls to this old school tempo makes me kick. I can't wait to see how she does a video for this one!

*Small Change - (7/10) - Gave me the same feeling as You, Tweet got song good tracks here, I just wish she'd step it up a bit on here and really tell `em off like...Syleena Johnson on "Guess What" or Angie Stone on "Wish I Didn't Miss You".

*Two of Us - (8/10)- I'm gonna look past he sotry behind the track and at the song itself... and it's still adorable. I just love how it's put together...gonna sound corny but... it all sunshiny

*Where Do We Go From Here - (8/10) - Beautiful composition, this song really solidifies what this album is all about, pure soul and straight from the heart messages. Not sure about it being the best off the album, but still pretty good.

*Steer - (9/10) - Bring it Tweet! This is the song where she does what she should have done on My Man & Small Change. This is the best production on the album. Tweet does her thang and the song takes care of the rest. This is why we give props to Timbaland. Y'all don't mess wit Timba!

*I'm Done - (8/10) - Nice ballad to close the album, the song just rides on out, she ends on a solid note... (and then slams you wit WDNNW just for kicks )

*We Don't Need No Water - (9/10) - After an album of ballads, slow jams, and ole school beats, this is the song that I was lookin' for and it never disappoints. I go to this track everytime I spin IMA. This should be a follow up single; One of my favorite tracks on this album.

*When I Need A Man - (10/10) - I should give this track a 2 for the 2 minutes I got 2 suffer waiting for this track 2 play. I hope you get the picture 2. But on another note, this track is my guilty pleasure, me and my friends even wrote our course for this song: "I need me some Tweet, girl I need you! I need me some Tweet, yes girl, I'm callin on you!"


My final impression is that this is a good album for Tweet. My main suprise is that the album tracks turned out to be far superior to TDLO, and that she mature in so many ways.

Tweet picks up where she left off. "It's Me Again" starts off with a gospel flavored intro with delicate melodies from Tweet being thankful for being able to release another cd.

Track #9 "Sports, Sex & Food" has got to be the hottest song on the cd. It has somewhat of an ole' school vibe like that of a favorite aunt giving a niece advice on how to get a man. Actually, a lot of the songs have an ole school feel to them. On "Cab Ride" she takes us on a ride in a taxi to her man's place. "Where Do We Go From Here?" is a beautiful ballad.

Tweet's daughter Tashawna guests on "Two Of Us." She sounds very much like her mother and a couple times, I wasn't sure who was who. It's a nice mother-daughter duet and the backing music compliments their voices. "Iceberg" is smart with its enticing latin intro. The beat is rather infectuous.

"You" is one of many songs that features somewhat of an unusual beat. On this song, Tweet wonders what she ever saw in him...In other words, YOU (meaning him) is getting the boot. "We Don't Need No Water" is a tight jam but could have done without Missy's annoying Sean P. Diddy Combs-esque shouts.

The only problem that I had with the cd was how the hidden bonus track "When I Need A Man" was recorded on the same track as track#15 "We Don't Need No Water." After track #15 goes off, there is about a minute lapse before "When I Need A Man" starts to play. The thing is, this hidden bonus track is slamming and should have its own spot on the cd. The song is from the USA Network series Kojak, starring Ving Rhames.

Fortunately, there aren't any bad songs on the cd. Of course, some will get more play than others but each song is worth a listen. I don't mind Tweet and her simple style...I'll take her "It's Me Again" flow anyday.

Unlike a lot of her fans who perceived a more chilled out direction than her beat driven debut as a fault of production & the sophmore jinx, I saw "It's Me Again" as an accomplished modern R&B record. It certainly has been one of my most played albums of the past year & still receives much play.

Missy's production is able to recall the adult aspects of 1970's R&B & pair it with current hip hop trends to make it appeal to a younger demographic. But approach with caution, this isn't all about hooks! Despite several funk numbers: "Things I Don't Mean" which rolls with a vintage disco vibe & the "We Don't Need No Water" jam smokes with new school charm; the album's true face is in the ballads.

The ballads which Charlene (her real name) delivers with a smooth, smoky, yet emotive quality work their charm. Many of the ballads such as the lead single "Turn Da Lights Off" have jazz, various latin percussion, & orchestral textures which gives the album musical weight. It isn't the same drum loop over & over.

Highlights include "Iceberg" & "You" both ballads indicate the bittersweet tang of heartbreak well, both include the musical textures I mentioned above, "Turn Da Lights Off" almost suffers under Missy's charismatic, but needless hype at the beginning. But the track utilizes a hip hop edge & a retro soul vibe that is contagious. "Steer", & the coup de grace "Cab Ride" (utilizes a sample from the theme of the show "Taxi") come to mind.

Lyrically, I like that because Charlene is a bit older, it isn't the same "chirpy" attitude some of the younger R&B chanteuses have. A variety of moods, from melancholic to euphoric are evoked.

Overall, the record suffered due to lack of promotion (Ciara, Missy's new protege got her mediocre record pushed) & a lead-single that was a ballad. Though I applaud Charlene for the lead-off single because it was different & gave the album a very romantic appeal. As an album, I liked the entire scope of it really. Even songs that I was ambivlent about at first (i.e.-"Could It Be?") were pleasantly well done, & grew with repeated spins. A very cohesive record is important to me, but each song has it's own charismatic appeal...so it doesn't get boring.

Overall, it is hip enough with it's modern flares for people like me, but sports a more mature attitude (without pretention) to warrant an older audience giving it a spin.

Highly Recommended!

Tweet's debut album "Southern Hummingbird" was startlingly assured, so I was a bit apprehensive that she would hit a sophomore slump. Fortunately, "It's Me Again" is a sterling effort.

Missy Elliott shapes album opener and lead single "Turn Da Lights Off" into a funked-up stop'n'start dancehall gem. "You" nabs a wondrous Louis Armstrong via Hoagy Carmichael "Stardust" sample and turns out a perfectly bittersweet ballad. And "Cab Ride" incorporates the theme from tv's "Taxi" into a fluttery soul confection.

In lesser hands, "Sports, Sex & Food" would drop the ball, but Tweet pulls in Missy and Soul Diggaz for a rollicking honky-tonk ride, overcoming lyrics that teeter (tweeter?) close to novelty song level.

"Where Do We Go From Here" displays a Minnie Ripperton-like clarity. And "Steer" benefits from the solid-gold Missy-Timbaland combo, co-producing another defiant ballad. "I'm Done" is now my fave late-nite closer, Tweet's lyrics heartfelt and open, her vocals soaring high.

I have cheated and skipped mention of the tracks that don't work. A couple of cuts feel like pale facsimiles of numbers from "Southern Hummingbird". Some other tracks emphasize tricksy production values to the detriment of Tweet's strengths - clearsighted lyrics, buttery vocal harmonies (most tracks feature Tweet on lead and backing vox), soul-smooth melodies.

You will need to listen to this album a few times for its strengths to unfold. Tweet has described her sound as a "soul-gumbo" because it pulls in elements from old-school soul music, r'n'b, pop. And like all good food the flavours and aromas need to be digested at one's leisure.

Tweet. One of the most soulful and unique R&B singers of nowadays, is finally back. Missy Elliott's protégé is anything but what you'd have thought Missy Elliott has under her wing. The soulful bird that unleashed her talent with the brilliant "Southern Hummingbird" (2002) has put all her efforts together to make a brilliant sophomore, "It's Me Again", which title doesn't make justice to what's inside the CD.
A tasty bunch of heartfelt tracks, which has been unfairly promoted by the record label, Atlantic, that seems to don't give a damn about their artists nowadays.

1. It's Me Again (Intro) - A beautiful piano-laced intro, that could have easily been another of the full tracks in the album. Tweet's unique voice puts it all together to a very nice introduction to the album.

2. Turn Da Lights Off - A very soulful, Old-School song created over scratching 2 precious samples: Luther Vandross & Cheryl Lynn's "If This World Were Mine" and Nat King Cole's "Lost April". Missy really knows how to deal with Old-School and New-School music in the same song, getting help from producer Kwamé (Mary J. Blige, Will Smith). The song has a precious style, driven by an infectious drums, string and piano melody. But, however, this was NOT the best single choice. 9/10

3. Iceberg - A unique song. The only song produced by her on the album, shows us Tweet singing strongly about a relationship that's gone cold. Driven by a broken drum beat, with reminisces of a jazz track, we can hear trumpets, piano, guitar...everything is right. Even in the intro, we can hear a Mariachi song that represents how hot was the relationship until it sunk like the Titanic. Hot as a chili. 9/10

4. Could It Be - The song that wanted to remind to her brilliant duet "Best Friend" with Bilal, is anything but worse. One of my favourite tracks on the album, Rell's & Tweet's voices fit so right. Walter Millsap's production makes it a gem, using guitar and synths. The vocals are the best on the song, they're just on point. 10/10

5. You - As we could already taste it on the sampler, "You" is one of the most powerful songs from the album. A tight and overworked beat by the Souldiggaz shared with the tighter vocals by Tweet. The melody is brilliant. 10/10

6. Cab Ride - The anticipated version of the sitcom "Taxi" song is tight, intimate and the mainstream claims it's one of the best. Not my personal favourite, though, but this is sure a hot song. The flute driving the song is very cool, being the bridge the best part of the song. 8/10

7. Things I Don't Mean - A disco funky R&B track that reminds of the pure 70s soul, the most uptempo song on the album, where Missy lends a saucy rap and Tweet lends more saucy vocals. Blending a hot melody with lyrics about regret, it's a potential single. 8/10

8. My Man - A brilliant song that reminisces the purest Big Band acts, with its fly Soul wit, driven by drums and trumpets, and completed with Tweet's amazing vocals on this track. His man, his turf. (9/10)

9. Sports, Sex & Food - One of my favourites on the album, a pure uptempo cabaret song that could be described as John Legend meets "Chicago" (the movie). The lyrics, something not talked about too much, have been lent by Harold Lilly (Kanye West, Alicia Keys) as well as Missy & the Souldiggaz. This right here is a potential single too. (10/10)

10. Small Change - A very mellow track, with Tweet's copyrighted style all written over it, reminds to the happy songs in her 1st album. Her vocal adlibs are just on point here. I like this song (7/10)

11. Two Of Us - A good song, mellow and happy, where we see her daughter Tashawna hooking up with Tweet. The flute on it is the most addictive of the song, and so are the vocals, specially the chorus. Tweet's daughter is about to become the Tweet of the next generation. (9/10)

12. Where Do We Go From Here? - I don't specially love this song. In fact, it's the song I like the least on the album. The song is simple and intimate. The guitar is cute and so are the vocals, but it has got something that doesn't catch my hear. (6/10)

13. Steer - One of the best songs of the album, it's the only song produced by Timbaland here, who lends a gorgeous beat and melody. The infinite and broken drums cymbals rhythm and the piano and vocals over it is awesome. The bridge is just fire (10/10)

14. I'm Done - At first I thought this song was a mix of other songs in the album, but with time I realized it has its own personality. The best thing on it is the trumpet chords. It's cool (8/10)

15. We Don't Need No Water - Definitely a party song, it's Missy & Kwamé's sight of Crunk&B. The song is creative with the ambulance siren inspired beat, and the piano breakdown in the chorus, but this is NOT Tweet's style. It could be a club banger, though. (8/10)

16. When I Need A Man - This song is JUST a song for TV. And that's what it's about, Kojak's theme is nothing but heat. Tweet shows awesome vocal abilities on this track (9/10)

It's such a sad thing that lately, what is designated as "popular music" is rarely of high quality. Britney Spears and Ashlee Simpson, for example, seem to have nothing special (at least not musically) to offer listeners. Yet, they are enormously popular. On the other hand, Tweet brings soulful R&B to the table, and I bet this album will have trouble going gold.

As with the previous album, this one is definitely a very laid-back work. Those are looking for a return to the Timbaland-produced "Call Me" and "Oops (Oh My)" will probably be disappointed. This album is definitely closer to "My Place", "Smoking Cigarettes", "Complain", "Beautiful", etc. from her first album. The songs on here that you could say have a beat don't really possess the same driving intensity of the Timbaland songs, for the most part. The album sounds very vintage, with different amounts of current R&B influence (especially on the Missy Elliott productions). For those who enjoy this refreshing approach to R&B, this is a perfect album to buy. Tweet brings rich harmonies, pleasant melodies, great lyrics, and soulful interpretation to the music world with this album. What keeps me from giving this album 5 stars is the confusing addition of "We Don't Need No Water" to the end. The album seamlessly blends together until this awkward "Goodies"-esque beat comes in. Not only does that beat not fit in with the end of the album, but the song alternates between this beat and a sound that reminds me of "Things I Don't Mean". The track is just one big mistake! I can deal with it being on there, but something by Timbaland or something that is similar to the rest of the album probably would have been a better closing track.

For those who care, my favorite songs are "Iceberg", "Could It Be", "You", "Sports, Sex, & Food", and "Steer".

"It's Me Again" is a vocal, lyrical, and amazing soulful classic from Tweet! Her second album is just as amazing as her first, and at times is even better then her debut classic, "Southern Hummingbird." Every song, from start to finish, has amazing lyrics, flawless vocals, and great production! If you are a R&B fan this CD is a MUST for your cd collection. Don't sleep on Tweet again, buy "It's Me Again"...you will not be disappointed!

Firstly i read a few reviews before i decided to place my review up. Someone stated that 'It's Me Again' didn't live up to 'Southern Hummingbird'. I won't deny that but 'It's Me Again' It's still PIPIN' HOTT. This same person made note that some songs weren't that good or were dumb-witted for example 'Two of Us' I personally have to give it to Tweet and her daughter for that song. Me and my daughter were VERY VERY VERY touched by the song. Her daughters voice is nothing shy of her mothers and at 15 that's DANG GONE GOOD!!! The album is nice and has really nice cuts. I belived the sitcom 'Hart to Hart' is sampled on Cab Ride; i've been trying to figure out if that was the show or not, BUT AS a kid i loved to hear the sitcom come on because of that music.

The album is a must buy!! Just to hear the diva back again is reason enough!!