Love King

The-Dream | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 29, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2010
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B003JZT2AC
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,983 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2010 release, the third album from the R&B singer, songwriter and producer. Prior to the release of Love King, the-Dream declared the album would be his final solo release, but he later alluded to a possible fourth album. However his solo future plays out, Love King seems like the final chapter of the-Dream's "love" trilogy, following Love/Hate and Love vs Money. The album is heralded by the triumphant title track and the sleek, low-profile "Make Up Bag," featuring T.I.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Triple Threat July 5, 2010

By Enlightened

Format:Audio CD

The Dream has completed the trifecta with his third and final (supposedly) album LOVE-KING. The Dream has been compared to R. Kelly and rightfully so. While not being the high caliber singer as Robert (honestly The Dream isn't that great of a singer but he uses what he's got to the max), he undoubtedly makes up for it with his arrangements, production and songwriting. But rather than compare the two we'll just call him this generation's version of R. Kelly.

His debut album Love/Hate was a welcome surprise to the music world. While being behind the scenes for quite some time, he stepped out as a solo artist and needless to say his production style has caught on from everyone from Mariah Carey to Ciara. He's to the point (also much like R.Kelly) where he's producing and writing entire albums for other artists.

He continues his reign on Love King in which there is absolutely no fall off. The album flows along at a perfect pace and it seems like one big jam session as each song seamlessly transitions into the next. Every transition is good and every song fits so well. The trilogy of Yamaha,Nikki Part 2, and Abyss (for which there is a 13 minute video) perfectly displays the genius. In my opinion, every song is 4 to 5 stars but my favorites seem to be Turnt Out, February Love, Yamaha and Sex Intelligent. The bonus tracks are a welcome addition (especially Priceless) even though it makes the album longer than it's supposed to be.

If this is indeed The Dream's final album it would be an absolute tragedy as he has the ability to create great albums. Love Vs. Money and this album Love King are borderline masterpieces. This album is best listened to as a whole but each song does great on its own.... Love King is easily one of the top R&B albums of the year even though it's been quite a few great albums this year (Monica, Usher, Corinne Bailey Rae, Nneka, Erykah Badu, and Janelle Monae) and we are only halfway through the year. This album is a must-have and should be added to the collection as soon as possible. 5 stars. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Splurge and get Deluxe June 30, 2010

By B. Shaw

Format:Audio CD

If you like the dream or have bought either of his previous CDs and enjoyed them, buy this now! in comparison to Love VS Money, this album dosent have as much variety, theres alot of slower songs on this CD, i kind of wish there were more "yamaha"'s on here dont get me wrong i love all of the songs on the CD with exception to Florida University, particularly February Love which seems like fancy part 2, which was my favorite song of love vs money, theres more cursing than the last albums so if you have youngins get the clean version, if your deciding between deluxe and regular, spend the few more dollars and get deluxe, the 5 extra tracks are excellent, espically sorry, oh and bass lovers will not be disappointed either, turn the subwoofer way up!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deluxe! June 30, 2010

By B. Shaw

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you like the dream or have bought either of his previous CDs and enjoyed them, buy this now! in comparison to Love VS Money, this album dosent have as much variety, theres alot of slower songs on this CD, i kind of wish there were more "yamaha"'s on here dont get me wrong i love all of the songs on the CD with exception to Florida University, particularly February Love which seems like fancy part 2, which was my favorite song of love vs money, theres more cursing than the last albums so if you have youngins get the clean version, if your deciding between deluxe and regular, spend the few more dollars and get deluxe, the 5 extra tracks are excellent, espically sorry, oh and bass lovers will not be disappointed either, turn the subwoofer way up!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Fine Release by The-Dream July 20, 2010

By Michael Brent Faulkner, Jr. VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I was saddened to read that The-Dream, one of my favorite current R&B artists new album Love King debuted at #4 on the Billboard Charts with only 58,000 copies sold. Those numbers mark a 93,000 copy plunge from The-Dream's "high-water mark" Love vs Money. It is sad because The-Dream is one of the few 'current' R&B artists that separates himself out of the saturated cloud of contemporary R&B. Sure, he is "gimmicky" in his songwriting, a trend that has caused many R&B purists to question the "sanctity" of R&B anymore, but he is also one of the most creative songwriters/record producers. His credits include "Umbrella" (Rihanna), "Single Ladies" (Beyoncé), and "One Time" and "Baby" (Justin Bieber) among others. His own albums are as solid, if not more so, than the many artists he collaborates with. Naturally, when The-Dream announced that 'Love King' would be his final solo album, I was utterly sad; he makes up for it though when he announces the release date for his next album within "Sex Intelligent (Remix)."

Despite being a fantastic song/single, "Love King" practically bombed as a promo single for the album of the same name, peaking only around the high nineties of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. While it does sound similar to singles "Shawty is a 10!" (Love/Hate) and "Rocking That Thang" (Love vs. Money), The-Dream does a superb job of differentiating the sound of this single slightly from his others. The hook is undeniably catchy ("L to the O, V to the E......", the piano heavy production is perfect and The-Dream's name-drops of girls (including a ludicrous name "Fatima") is hilarious. I like, even if it isn't in the heaviest rotation on the radio circuit.

While I'll leave fans to argue whether "Walking On The Moon" (from Love vs. Money) or "Makeup Bag" featuring T.I. from 'Love King' is better, I think "Makeup Bag" is superb. Here, heavy piano is used, but differently from the production work used in the past. It probably also is worth noting that The-Dream writes a couple of tracks by himself sans the help of his production buddy Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. "Makeup Bag" is clever as anything else The-Dream has written in my mind. T.I.'s appearance is solid, though not his most stellar collaborative effort. "F.I.L.A." also finds The-Dream slightly altering his signature sound. The brass production is great and as always, The-Dreams repetitive songwriting never grows old or boring. "Sex Intelligent" and "Sex Intelligent Remix" keep up a string of fine cuts in which "R. Kelly, Jr." continues to "do his thing."

"Yamaha" sounds like an update of 1980's/90's Prince, which I assume is the sound that The-Dream was aiming for. It isn't incredibly dissimilar from "Fast Car" from Love/Hate. "Nikki Part 2" plays off of "Nikki" from Love/Hate, bring some cohesion into The-Dream's three releases, something many artists don't even attempt to do. "Abyss", which follows may not eclipse the earlier cuts from 'Love King', but it is by far above-par. "Panties To The Side" reminds me of "Ditch That" from Love/Hate, finding The-Dream returning to a couple of "his old tricks" from his stellar debut. Despite the similarities, The-Dream does a fine job of making old sound new once again. "Turnt Out" finds more humor-laden songwriting from The-Dream (he makes a punch line about "tricks," then adds "Silly Rabbit"). The falsetto is much appreciated.

"February Love" again resurrects the piano ostinato of "Makeup Bag" (not perfectly, but the same vein as far as sound). It isn't as quite as good as many of the other cuts, but it does find The-Dream experimenting. What is clever about "February Love" (liken it to "Fancy" from Love vs. Money) is that before the drum programming kicks in, is that it contains some cool minimalistic elements that are worth the time it takes for the song to really "ignite." Finally on the standard edition, the cleverly penned "Florida University," a disguised 'F.U.' ends the album greatly. The Deluxe Edition includes additional cuts ("Veteran," "Priceless," "Take Care of Me,", "All Black Everything," and "Sorry"). While 'Love King' isn't as good as 'Love vs. Money' or 'Love/Hate', it is still much better than a number of other R&B albums out there right now. 4 stars. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic July 12, 2010

By Just One Perspective

Format:Audio CD

The most jarring thing about "Love King" is The-Dream's ability to cover a wide range of subject matter, his delivery and the spacey atmosphere of the album. "February Love" is a smoking barn burner that embers out as mellow as it begins. And the cussing, Good Lord, it's enough to make the tunes memorable because the album comes together like a fever dream. Terius needs to consider changing his name to just that. Spacey, for die hards and the adventurous. I think of how folks slept on Maxwell's "Embrya" because of how left of crazy it was. Let's hope "Love King" fares better.