Customer Reviews

Juslisen

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Musiq Soulchild was introduced to everyone on the Rush Hour 1 soundtrack with his summer jam "Just Friends" (Sunny). Of course this song reminded enough people of D'Angelo, but the artist from Philly had his own touch to the song as well. His solo debut, "Aijuswanaseing" was a nice debut CD. The second single, "Love" is what made a lot of people buy this CD, but overall you still have a good collection of songs on there, from "Girl Next Door", "Mary Go Round", "143", "My Girl", "Settle For My Love" w/Ayana from the group Aaries, and "You And Me". I was reading an article on Musiq and he said that although the response for his first CD is a good one, that he didn't put as much effort into his debut and that he would do so on his 2nd disc. I can tell you now that he lived up to what he was saying. "Juslisen" (Just Listen) takes place where his debut CD left off. There are definitely more uptempo songs on this CD, but his fans will still be satisfied with the results. The 1st single, "Half Crazy", is on the radio everywhere and his video is in heavy rotation on BET and MTV. The song is about a platonic friend that he has known for awhile and things go to another level. Once they go beyond a platonic friendship, the friendship isn't the way that it used to be and Musiq just wants things to go back to the way that they were. It is a very nice slow jam. The CD gets started with my favrite uptempo song, "Newness". This song is about a woman that Musiq has just met and how he wants to get to know her. The subject matter was covered on "Just Friends" but the overall presentation of the song is definitely a winner. "Caught Up" is the sequel to the song "Seventeen" from his debut. The young woman is two years older now and it is hard for Musiq to hold back like he did on "Seventeen". The group Aaries adds their vocals to the song as well. The best moments on Musiq's new CD is when he sticks to the "Love" formula. Two songs fit this criteria almost perfectly. "Don't Change" and "Time" are clearly the best two songs on this CD. The best moments on his debut, in my opinion, were the slow jams. "Time" will remind a lot of people of "Love". That may be the only reason why someone may not like this track. He employs a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it mentality" but I am sure his fans will still enjoy the song. "Don't Change" is purely a nice love jam. Musiq says in so many words that as long as your love doesn't change we will always be together. Other noteworthy songs are "Babygirl", "Onenight", "Stoplayin", "Future", "Previouscats", "Bestfriend" w/Carol Riddick and "Religious" where he uses the same sample that Heavy D did in his classic "Gyrlz They Love Me" song. Overall, you have a nice 2nd disc from Musiq. There are more uptempo songs but that shouldn't prevent you from not wanting to "Juslisen" (Just Listen).

James' Top 5

1. Don't Change
2. Time
3. Newness
4. Half Crazy
5. Stoplayin

Musiq has definitely stepped up his vocal game since 'Aijuswanaseing'. In my humble view, Musiq seems to have that "little engine that could" quality that makes him instantly likeable. When I got a chance to hear Musiq perform live (opening for Erykah Badu), you could literally see and hear the effort he was putting into his (still developing) stage presence and vocal ability, and now we're finally geting a chance to hear even more of his musical growth (and experimentation) on Juslisen. Now I'll attempt to elaborate:

After a warm, neo-soul style introduction, we're off into "Newness", a song that is similar in vibe to the material found on 'Aijuswanaseing', except it sounds less organic, and even more polished. "Newness" (to me) is a pure and honest head-nodder that a lot of us can probably relate to in everyday life. "Everything is cool", Musiq sings, "when love is all brand new, you're learning me, and I'm learning you..."

Next up is "Caught Up", an early favorite of mine, and the first of the two funk-jazzified, cane-swinging tracks on 'Juslisen'. "Stoplayin" has a very similar beat to Michael Jackson's "Butterflies", and is one of the stronger cuts on the album. But it's "Religious" (funk-jazzified, cane-swinging track #2) that is my favorite uptempo song on the album. I LOVE this song; it employs the very same sample that Heavy D mined in 1988 for "Gyrlz They Love Me" (anyone remember that one?). Employing a church organ and similarly themed lyrics, "Religious" marks a new (and confident) approach for Musiq, and I think he pulls it off beautifully -- a definite single in my opinion.

"Babygirl" is a simply decent (and relaxing) midtempo that I could learn to love. "Halfcrazy" is the album's first single, and what I like about this song is the unresolved tension I feel the lyrics (and musical accompaniment) communicate. "Time" is a 6/8 time ballad with a melodic feel that vaguely reminds me of the late, great (and ahem, real Princess of R&B) Aaliyah's "I Care 4 U". Next up is "Future", a track that is another just okay/filler track (in my opinion) that I'm sure someone else out there actually likes...

After a moderately funky intermission, the 'Juslisen' experience picks up again with "Realove", one of Musiq's best songs yet (to me). Thematically, it deals with a woman who has turned bitter after a negative experience with love, and while the subject matter isn't exactly revolutionary, it's a very real phenomenon for much of Musiq's audience...and the sonic vibe of the song (which plods along a la 'Just Friends (Sunny)' with a hypnotic DJ Premier-like edge) just works really well for me.

But it's "Onenight" that I consider a real winner (Musiq's biggest experiment here), as he channels the late (great!) Marvin Gaye's warm, tender, and textured musicality in this impressive work of emotional, neo-soul balladry, this is my favorite 'non-radio' track on 'Juslisen', and would love to see this song performed live. "Previouscats" is the most traditionally "modern R&B" song I've ever heard Musiq perform, and it seems to be begging for a contribution by Mary J. Blige; her passionate vibe has somehow found itself embedded into this song.

"Solong" is a decidedly different turn (singing in a deeper voice than usual) for Musiq that provides a pleasant, midtempo segue into "Bestfriend", a lyrically (and musically) interesting duet with newcomer Carol Riddick that is definitely a highlight of the album. "Dontchange" (the 2nd single from 'Juslisen' and deservedly so) will probably become the biggest slow jam (or song, period) from this album, and could very well end up a career-defining hit for Musiq a la K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life"...

"Motherfather" is a traditional-sounding, gospel flavored tribute from Musiq to his parents, and anyone listening closely to the lyrics can appreciate his sincerity on this track. Musiq's cover of "Something" by the Beatles is nice, but plays it too safe for me to really like it; he doesn't "own" the song the way I wish he would have. "Ifiwouldaknew (Girlnextdoor remix)" uses the same Debarge "Stay With Me" sample as Ashanti's "Foolish", and the late (great!) B.I.G.'s "One More Chance"; I think I can safely speak for most urban music fans when I say I'm sick of that sample...

Overall I'm definitely impressed with 'Juslisen', but at over 75 minutes I feel some tracks could have been left off. This is in stunning contrast to my feelings about'Aijuswanaseing' (which is a much more concise album). I wouldn't pass up 'Juslisen' if you are a fan of organic singer-songwriting styles in R&B (aka neo-soul), or even if you're into recording artists like Usher, Ginuwine, or even Faith Evans because Musiq seems to be wanting to court those fans as well with his newer, more "polished" look and sound. Grade: B+

On his first album, Musiq Soulchild provided listeners with a brand new vibe that we had really never heard before from modern R&B artists -- a vibe that other artists, such as India Arie, were able to be inspired and motivated by as time went on. Such singles as "Love" touched our hearts and made us think back to a special moment in the past when we were in love, and could agree with every word Musiq beautifully worded through his lyrics. "Juslisen" is no different. This album has a similar flow as his first one, talking about life, childhood, and the effect that relationships on peoples' lives, and how decisions made in a relationship can definitely change the relationship all together. BUT THE BEST TRACK, to me, ON HIS ALBUM is: "Dontchange". This song is the most beautiful R&B song I have heard in a while. The overall message is: No matter what time does to a person physically, the love will never change and it'll only grow stronger. Other tracks like "Religious" get you up and moving to the beat! "Half-Crazy" was his first single, and many might think that was the peak of his CD and all else is downhill.....well, YOU ARE WRONG!! Go out right now...don't burn this CD from your boy, or your best friend's sister's boyfriend's cousin's baby mama. NO! NO! Go...scrap up your change, and go buy this CD, because this is a definite MUST-HAVE for your collection -- no matter how skeptical you are!

Well, I don't want to knock Musiq's second effort entirely cause the single, Half Crazy is what made me listen to it. I like the music on that song, not particularly the vocal, but the single did its job to get me to listen.

I like the Beatles cover song on the album and a few others, but overall it is the lack of vocal range and ability as well as the weakness in the lyrics that disinterest me most about this album in the end. Musiq sampled a beat that The Notorious B.I.G. used years ago and there was no point resurrecting it to ruin it. I tried to give the album three stars, but I'd give this album only 2 stars and that credit is for about 4 good songs out of 76 minutes of music.

In the future, some help with the writing of the lyrics and Musiq maturing in his vocal ability could make a better third album for him, I recommend buying the single, but save your money and watch out for this one. Listen to the audio clips on this site to be sure you want to try it, otherwise play it safe.

For some reason, people hate on Musiq. I guess his sincere lyrics rub the average thug the wrong way. I mean his last cd was pretty cool carried of course by the extraordinary single, "Just Be Friends" but he definitely learned alot from his last outing. This current effort is tight all the way. I tried to peruse the album when i first picked it up but i seriously listened to the entire cd without hitting the "skip" button. That is an accomplishment considering i can't remember the last time i did that. He maintains the lyrics that his grandmother would be proud of but i don't know if grandma could groove with the heavy bass rhythms throughout. Musiq also incorporates popular urban motifs that the average fan of hip hop and R&B will know causing a sly smile to appear on your face. Highlights abound in this piece but more importantly, no lowlights. Overall, this is a perfect mid-tempo cd cool for any occasion...

Everyone is "neo-soul" these days if they aren't in a 3 to 4 member group that dresses alike, dances in unison and doesn't play an instrument. Please, Musiq is no more "neo-soul" than Ja Rule is. Other artists such Maxwell, D'angelo, and Bilal who are placed under the "neo-soul" umbrella are much better at it than Musiq is. Don't let some beads, baggy pants and a skull cap fool you. His "speak-singing (as another reviewer called it)" is irritating as all get out. I hated it the first time around, but I'm a glutton and gave him another chance. Actually, the disc isn't terrible and I might have liked it more, if it had have been marketed differently, trimmed by about 5 songs and less of the "speak-singing" and more real singing.

Some may dismiss Musiq as a goody-goody, but for those repulsed by the amorality and parade of pathologies found in so much current R&B and hip hop, he's probably a blessing instead. Even compared to sensitive new-soul contemporaries like Maxwell and Bilal, Musiq sounds like an innocent; however, with that innocence comes a common touch that makes Juslisen special.

The G-rated love songs here, most set to warm, Stevie Wonder-esque grooves, are less inventive than the competition (although Musiq's improved as a vocalist since his debut, Aijuswanaseing, showing a convincing lower range and the confidence to update the Beatles standard "Something"). Yet it's the little details in tunes like the getting-to-know-you fencing of "Newness," or "Religious," where Musiq dreams of seeing a girl in church "in your glory/looking so fine," that make them resonate--offering familiar ground to folks whom racier fare would never reach. Though Musiq sometimes lays it on a bit thick, Juslisen proves that virtue can still be a virtue, indeed

Having just experienced Musiq at the House of Blues on Sunset in LA this past Sunday, this gal is here to tell you the brotha is bad! Definitely brings true funk and soul to the live arena as well as recorded.

What do I like about Juslisen? The tracks are flavored with that vintage (sitting on the porch with a glass of "red" Kool-aid and eating a pickle on a sunny day)old school soul. The vibe is mellow, smooth and deep. This project is definitely a continuation of the soulful flow presented on the debut. Musiq keeps the style he first brought to the table and his listeners thinking with his realistic messages/lyrics.

There are so many tracks to choose from and what's nice is Juslisen is the kind of CD you can put on when driving in your car with the volume up and windows down. My favorites off the bat are:
"Previouscats" - slick, bold in your face reminder for folks to stop carrying baggage/luggage into new relationships (check the guitar/rythym arrangement/bassline and word play with the names!) I love this joint!
"Dont Change" - gorgeous ballad with a heartwarming pledge of unconditional love & devotion
"Future" - funky inspirational groove with an encouraging message to never give up on your dreams no matter where u are in your life's journey (hey y'all! hey y'all!)
"Halfcrazy" - of course this is the jam...needs no explanation
"Bestfriend" and "So Long" have great melodies and messages we all can relate to
"Onenight" - Marvin"esque" mid tempo featuring a silky falsetto and sincere verbal reassurance; I want you baby but only if you say its ok, he tells his lady...
"Something" - an AMAZING rendition of the George Harrison classic. The percussion is too smooth on this joint. Musiq puts his unique & soulful spin on it. Trust me, head-bobbing will automatically start before the first verse is finished. Still don't believe me? Put on "Realove" or "Religous", with its gospel/funk flow and catchy hook.

Overall Juslisen is a must have for lovers of REAL R&B...

When i heard his 1st album, i fell in love instantly, so i was eagerly awaiting the next album. it came, and i absolutely love it. wot i like about musiq, is that he is a very consistent artist. both albums are of put-in-and-press-play quality. This album is quite a girl's album in that its smooth, whereas the 1st one was more funky and old-school. Either way, it lived up 2 great expectations. i love the whole album, but the tunes which jus caaan't play, cos i keep rewinding, are, NEWNESS(that chorus is irresistable 2 sing along 2. Harmoney!), STOPPLAYIN, HALFCRAZY (that chorus!!! and da harmonies. i also like it, cos wen i heard the intro, i didnt know were it was gonna go, cos of that spanishy guitar. i like that unpredictability.), PREVIOUSCATS (that chorus!!! lol this is the rnb tune. the beat is smooth and sexy. i luv singing along 2 this!)
Doin it everytime musiq! All i can say is keep up da good work, and cant wait for your nex joint!!

I recently attended a Musiq concert at the House of Blues on Downtown Disney in Anaheim, and let's just say he is an excellent performer. I loved every minute of the concert, he is truly talented, although most of the sets he performed were from Aijuswanseing. If you are wondering, there is definitely a drop in quality between the first and the second album. But this is coming from a person who thinks that Musiq's first album is one of the best of this decade. There are a few good songs on Juslisen, but there seems to be too many fillers and songs that kind of just "drag on" and have no real point. Musiq is not as creative as his album, or he just didn't really come up with anything new. The first single, "HalfCrazy," is not bad musically, but the lyrics and vocals are average at best. My favorite track on the album is "PreviousCats" which has a nice guitar lick and awesome lyrics. "StopPlaying" has a funky beat, and "GirlNextDoor" part two, which is a bonus track at the end of the album, carries the same beat as Ashanti's "Foolish." There are no neo-soul classics such as "Speechless, " "Seventeen," and "L Is Gone" on this album, but it is an above average album overall. I'm sure this album will grow on me, but I look forward to Musiq's next album, and I definitely recommend seeing him in concert.