Customer Reviews

Life's Aquarium

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This new cd took me by a suprise. I bought it as a gift for my uncle because I know he likes this kind of soul. I Heard of them before and I know their old songs but I didn't like them enough to get the cd at first. Before I wrapped it I was curious to know how it was...so I listened to it. I was blown away by the mix of live instruments and up-to date sounds they mixed in the cd. The thing that some reviewers and listeners might not know is that the beats they made was all done by the drummer....not a machine. The only other artist I know that does beats like that without a machine is The Roots. The best songs here r: 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10. Every song here is worth a listen though. I heard this cd one time through and by the second listen I already had money set to buy it(the same day). The Music here sets them apart from all the other R+B groups and they have a sound that sticks out. I like the theme they have going on behind the album too. Theme: They want everyone to be able to live together without having to live a lie. Life's Aquarium is a good title when you think of it because it's saying that in an aquarium, u can see fishes moving,and they live together and people who pass by and see them see everything they do and they have no problems. Thats deep! Thats about the deepest R+B album u will find today among a few others.

Get this cd and your cd collection won't be anything less of mint condition.

Not too many artists out there have to ability to sing a ballad so beatifully it can cause chills. When I first heard "This Minute Right Now" I was blown away.

Mint Condition is known for intricate instrumentation and deep lyrics on their ballads. This album does not disappoint. From the beautifully arranged strings on "If You Love Me" to the acoustic guitar and finger snaps on "Just the Man", Mint continues to use subtle sensuality where many artists are blatant and unimaginative.

"Touch That Body" will have you up and dancing. "Pretty Lady" with Charlie Wilson is a sassy duet that bridges the generation gap. "Who Can You Trust" and "Be Like That Sometimes" both have universal messages we can relate to; its hard to trust when people aren't always what they seem. "Spanish Eyes" sparkles with a Latin flow and even un poco Espanol, spoken and sung on the track. "Leave Me Alone" is that one rock joint that MC always always throws in their ecclectic mixes. "Is This Pain Our Pleasure" is a bouncy track speaking on the love/hate aspects of relationships.

Throughout the album I was looking for the INTERLUDES and was about to give up until I found the hidden tracks at the end. I won't reveal names, you just have to get this joint and find it yoself! :o)

Overall, Life's Aquarium gets much love. I can't wait for the next album to drop and hopefully they'll put actual live in concert tracks on it because NO ONE can "break it down" like Mint.

Peace. CLB.

I was instantly hooked on Mint Condition the first time I heard "Pretty Brown Eyes", way back when. Their sound was reminiscent to the music I grew up on (Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince -when he was "Prince", Stevie Wonder, etc.) This latest effort doesn't change my opinion. The ENTIRE band is extremely talented (Yeah, Stokley's wonderful, but lets give props where they're due.) MC's sound is what true R&B aficionados really crave -- not that "fluff" that's geared towards folks w/short attention spans. My favorite track has to be "This day, this minute, right now". Clare Fischer's string arrangment is nothing short of amazing. I understand some fans' concerns about MC having "sold out", but the brothers DO need to eat. AND if "selling out" means making themselves accessible to listeners that might otherwise be listening to "No-no-notorious", then sell they should! "Hip-hop" kids should be exposed to something other than Puffy (no offense), even if in small doses. I can't wait for their next CD. The band is great. Get the CD.

When I purchased this CD, I was not too impressed initially. I expected that blaring R&B sound that Mint has traditionally produced in the previous releases. However, after listening to this CD a few times, it really is an incredible piece. Stokley's vocals are still crisp and clean, it's just that he doesn't need to "blare" anymore. Mint has taken a different approach in Aquarium, they have demonstrated a true ability to produce a nice R&B GROOVE. Be Like That Sometimes, Pretty Lady (Charlie Wilson) are two cuts that I would love to have been in the studio watching them record. Their skills and talents as musicians still shine through...it's just a little slower groove.

I must say, I have been a fan of their ballads since "Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Brown Eyes) took my breath away 'back in the day.' Their new single, "If You Love Me" almost brought tears to my eyes - it is a beautiful song. Overall, the album is refreshing and has a diverse blend of tracks.

When I first picked up this album, I would've never guessed how close Mint Condition were to coming up with their first 5-star effort in their entire recording history. I'm serious, the only gripe I had with Life's Aquarium which also continues to drive me up the wall with this band is the fact that THEY DON'T PLAY AS A BAND OFTEN ENOUGH! As a result the few cuts that sound like they were mainly done with the aid of studio gimmickry made for some unnecessary filler. Shoot, I was feelin' Mint ALL THE WAY on Be Like That Sometimes (was hoping Chris "Daddy" Dave would handle the drumming on this one and not some state-of-the-art beat machine though), Pretty Lady, If You Love Me, Spanish Eyes, Is This Pain Our Pleasure (live drums would've been PERFECT on this cut as well!), This Day This Minute Right Now, Just The Man For You, and Leave Me Alone (ending to this one should've been done properly IMHO) because those were the songs I truly felt they would be able to pull off on stage. Even the bonus tracks were hittin' it with the island-flavored instrumental DeCuervo's Revenge and the downright funky If We Play Our Cards Right (my favorite cut on the whole album!). I was left wondering why those two weren't included on the original track sequence in the first place.

Other songs like Touch That Body, Who Can You Trust (despite engaging lyrical content), Call Me, and Tonight sound so inferior to the Mint's overall musical talents that they were better off being shelved for the integrity of the album. That said, Life's Aquarium still remains a good listen for the most part. I just wish the band was able to keep the live vibe going throughout this time around. Maybe they will on their next project, if that happens anytime soon...

I hear a lot of griping from fans of classic R&B artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye that the new class of R&B singers aren't real. They say they're studio-enhanced, backed up by all electronic instruments, and no one plays their own instruments or is backed by a live band anymore.

Mint Condition makes these folks eat their words. With 4 of the best records to bless R&B in the 90's and beyond, Mint Condition is a multi-talented group of men who can have anyone who loves the classics vibing to their tracks.

"Life's Aquarium" is their fourth offering (there first on Elektra Records), and it comes through just as lovely as everything they've put out before. The first single, "If You Love Me" is a beautiful track showcasing the feelings of a man who needs reassurance of the affections his woman says she has for him. "This Day, This Minute, Right Now" is another beautiful ballad, this time with Stokeley (MC's lead singer) professing his undying love, beginning right now. Other tracks that are unbeatable are "Pretty Lady", featuring the legendary Charlie Wilson, of Gap Band fame. The uptempo "Be Like That Sometimes" deals with life's trials and tribulations, and "Just The Man For You" is yet another sweet ballad, this time with Stokley attempting to convince a woman that they're made for each other.

If you've never listened to a Mint Condition album, this would be a good one to introduce you to their style. I would recommend this for any R&B fan, especially those fed up with all the "digitized" artists that are out there now.

I have been an MC fan ever since Pretty Brown Eyes. I have all of their albums. This effort was good but I miss the live band sound that they produced on the previous albums. There's too much sequencing and drum machines on this album. I mean, Stokley and is the baddest drummer around so I want to hear him bang more! Chris "Daddy" Wood can hold his own too. "If You Love Me" is a killer ballad but this album lacks a second killer ballad. For instance, "U Send Me Swingin'" and "Someone to Love" were two killer ballads on "From the Mint Factory". I understand that the music business is 99% business and 1% talent so they are trying different things to get a bigger piece of that pie. I ain't mad at them. I give these guys a lot of credit for staying together! They've been doing their thing since '91 and with all the original members. Still, in my opinion, MC is the best R&B group out there.

I love MINT CONDITION..they know how to keep ya flow'n. Be it with their groove'n "Be like that sometimes" dance tunes or their passionate "If you love me" vibes. I will always be down with M.Condition. Every time my 10 year old niece comes over she says to me.."Aunt Rhonda..put on that Sing'n: I can do it babaaa" *laffin* and I know just what she's talk'n about. "Touch that body" Then she dances around the living room. I'd continue to buy their CD's...

Just when you thought the best recent efforts in R&B were made by Mary J. Blige and Brian McKnight, Mint Condition brings forth a stellar collection of songs that reflect the chemistry and maturity of the band, as well as illustrating the timeliness of their subject matter. They even give a shout-out the old days of this music genre by featuring the influential vocalist Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band on "Pretty Lady". They also give listeners a taste of their Spanish flavor with the uptempo "Spanish Eyes", a stand-out on this selection. As is vintage Mint Condition, they showcase the ability to make quality music you can bob your head to ("Be Like That Sometimes", "Touch That Body"), yet smooth things out with slow and steady love songs that explore the high and low sides of love ("Is This Pain Our Pleasure", "This Day, This Minute, Right Now"). Unlike many R&B "groups" that can do one thing or another with a lot of help from cameo appearances from other artists and a keyboard, Mint Condition continues to show the in-house depth and talent of their band. This is truly a rewarding selection to purchase.