Customer Reviews

In Love & War

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Anyone who knows anything about Amerie knows that she is not afriad to stand out in the crowd of R&B/Pop females today. From her 2002 debut "All I Have" to her utterly perfect 2005 "Touch" album. She has been building her own signature sound from working with producer Rich Harrison. On In Love & War she builds on to that sound by staying true to herself but adding new elements to her already impressive catalog.

1.Tell Me You Love Me 9/10 - Classic Amerie, it's an uptempo track which we have come to expect from Amerie after such songs like "1 Thing" , "Talkin Bout" , " Gotta Work" & "Take Control" off of previous albums. It's a strong tune in which Amerie damands that she is going to make her lover do just that, love her. The bridge and chrous are addictive and I found myself bouncing up and down in my car when listening to this hot tune.

2.Heard Em All 5/10- Not her best in my opinion. It's a nice tune to listen to when you are in the club dancing but as a track off an album, it left me feeling more filler than steller. It shows Amerie using tribal beats and chants. It's good for a first listen but soon loses it's flair after the third listen. Highlights come at the bridge where Amerie slows it down and you feel her raspy voice like we love to hear it.

3.Dangerous 4/10- This is where Amerie takes her sound in a new direction. Incorporating guitars with the percussions, it doesn't work here as well as it does on "Higher". My biggest problem with this track was that lyrically it seemed a bit empty. But it's a well done track in the sense that you get the feel of Amerie is taking different risk.

4.Higher 10/10 -Hands down one of the best tunes if not the best off of the album. Lyrically as well as vocally Amerie is at her best here. The song grabs your attention from the start with Amerie stating "When I was a younger girl, nobody told me about the facts of life". And later asking "Do you feel like a man, because you got my heart in your hands". This is the risk that I wanted to hear from her, with the guitar riff building throughout the song. She gives a great funk vibe in this single hopeful, I got an Ike & Tina era vibe from her off this tune.

5.Why R U 10/10- Probably one of Ameries best singles. Reminiscent of the R&B tunes of the early 90's, it feels like a lost track off of Mary J. Bliges "What's The 411" or "My Life" albums. It's a mid tempo track that you will find yourself bobbing your head to recklessly by the end of the track.

6.Pretty Brown 7/10- A duet with R&B singer Trey Songz. It's nice mid tempo track that samples "Breakin My Heart" by Mint Condition. This tracks seems to be building up quite a following. It's not my favorite off of the album but it is a nice tune with two underrated R&B crooners.

7.More Than Love Feat.Fabolous 10/10- A nice midtempo tune with a great relationship argument breakdown after the first verse, in the vein of classic 70's tunes. Fabolous isn't a heavy presence on the track, he comes and goes but he still adds a nice feel to the track balancing the female and male perspective out.

8.Swag Back 5/10- Lyrically I loved this song, but something about it made me feel that it could have been a tune on Beyonce or Mariah Careys albums. I don't know if it's because of the production or if it doesn't sound like an Amerie song, but it just took me a while to get into this track. Amerie sings about getting her strength (or also known as the tired IMO phrase "swag") back after getting out and over a relationship. And declaring that her head is clear and that she is surviving.

9.You're A Star 7 1/2 /10- A pretty fine umtempo tune for an Interlude, I wish she would have stretched it out to an entire song.

10.Red Eye 10/10- Another grade A tune. Amerie sings about taking a lover around the world, whether or not she is talking about...joining the uh...mile high club is up for your own interpretation. This tune has a nice slow mellow feel to it that you can relax to or whatever. There is no doubt that this should be her next single.

11.The Flowers 10/10- This tune reminded me of "Float" off of her "All I Have" album. With the piano driven force behind it throughout the track. A great mid-tempo R&B tune that I feel could become a classic. Amerie sings about a love lost and how he took her love for granted when he had her, that she wish he would thought to give her the Flowers (love) when they were together so she could have smelt them, but now it's to little to late.

12.Different People 10/10- Great tune in which Amerie sings about how she and her lover have grown apart and have changed. How he has grown more and more critcal of her and her appearance, how she doesn't judge him and in return he should do the same with her, how he is starting to take her love for granted. This track could have been a great setup for "The Flowers", this is a well done tune.

13.Dear John 8/10- Another song lyrcally that is well above average, but the only thing that kept me from giving this a 10/10 was that it sounded like another Mariah Carey tune from one of her latest three albums and not an Amerie tune.

14.Heard Em All 3/10- Lil Wayne adds nothing to this track. They should have left this off the album.

I wish I would have heard Amerie push herself more vocally throughout the album, like I did on "Higher". But all in all this album is definitely worth the buy. If you want to listen to a female artist of today who can give you a nice dance tune with substance and a great ballad. All The while mantaining her musical integrity, not giving into musical fads, get this album.

I still am befuddled as to why Amerie is so underrated! She can sing, she can dance, and she is drop dead gorgeous. And she has something up on most of her colleagues because she is educated. Yes, Amerie has a Bachelors degree in English from Georgetown. So, what is it? Why isn't she as high on the scale as you know who? (Beyonce) Perhaps it's because of her mediocre promotion; if Beyonce has taught me one thing, it is that promotion makes all the difference.
"In Love and War" is a pretty good album overall. There isn't anything groundbreaking, innovation, truly memorable or wonderful about it, but it's a decent R&B album, so take it as just that and don't expect too much. Amerie administers ballads, mid-tempos as well as upbeat tracks here and that's always appreciated. Too, though this is an R&B LP, she has been infusing rock into her music and it adds a nice edge. "Tell Me You Love Me" opens the album up; it's a cool song with a hint of rock. She sounds good and the lyrics are all right. Fabolous is featured on "More Than Love", a highlight. The two artists do a great job with this collaboration. This song is about a woman who can't trust her man, thus drawing the conclusion that their relationship will never work. "The Flowers" is a slower track. Amerie sounds really good, especially her harmonies.
If you are thinking about picking up "In Love and War", you should be safe. There are 14 tracks here; there should be a few tracks you like.

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "More Than Love"
2. "You're a Star"
3. "Swag Back"
4. "Different People"
5. "Red Eye"

I really do like Amerie. I have all of her albums and became a fan after seeing her in concert back in the day with Destiny's Child. She is actually very good in concert. I rate this album four stars because it is a solid album. I can listen through the entire album without skipping a song. I think the album cover could have been a lot better. Amerie is an r&b artist and I felt her work reflected that she is an r&b artist. Amerie does not sound like anybody else; that's why I like her. I'm tired of all the music on the radio sounding the same so her album was refreshing.

I have so much to say about this album, but it is much easier to listen to it and understand for yourself. This album is a good combination of RnB/Hip-Hop/Soul/Rock/Pop making it a win for males & females, young & old. As we all know, being in a relationship has it's ups & downs, good times & bad times. This album takes you on a journey from 'wanting to be loved' to 'finding love' to 'letting love go.' The album kicks off with the up-tempo club bangers that many listeners associate Amerie with, and these bangers definitely pack a punch with her raspy (but harmonious) vocals and heavy percussion. Even when the relationship goes sour, Amerie manages to make the 'heartbreak' tracks sound so sweet! The album gives you a perfect combination of 'what you want, what you have, and what you wish you had' in a relationship. I love the whole album personally but my favorites are Higher, Why R U, Heard Em All, Pretty Brown, More Than Love, Red Eye, The Flowers and Different People. "In Love & War" is Amerie's 4th studio album. You will not be disappointed with this album, it is worth every penny. Have you ever wanted to 'trip the station or Change the channel' from the monotony of similar sounding artists and songs out today? This album 'In Love & War' is your solution/answer. Support Good MUSIC!!!! Thank you AMERIE!!!!!

What does Amerie do so well? She puts out a consistently good album. If you are an old fan of hers, you know what to expect--solid vocals, production and writing. Don't get me wrong you do feel and hear some improvement in her singing abilities and some growth as an artist, but there is nothing on this cd that isn't out of character for her. With every listen, I feel Amerie has grown more comfortable with her identity as a female RnB artist, and she owns every part of it. The cd doesn't sound like she is competing with Beyonce or Rihanna, and fortunately, she stays away from a lot of guest appearances other than Lil Wayne (he's on everyone's cd) and Trey Songz. Amerie stays true to her fans and herself by sticking with what she loves and knows how do to best. As a fan, I appreciate that.

The entire cd is great to me but I will list my favorite tracks anyway:

*in no particular order

Heard Em All
Higher
Dear John
Different People *I will say this is my absolute favorite song
Red Eye *very sexy

Established Amerie fans have probably already bought this, so if you are looking for something new that isn't recycled on your local radio station, pick this one up. Your ears will thank you.

This album is absolutely amazing.It is a fusion of Rock, R&B, Hip-Hop and Soul. "In Love and War" provides all of the elements of a great album; powerful vocals, captivating lyrics, good production and versatility. Amerie doesn't miss a beat with this one. Notables includes "Why R U", "Flowers", "You're A Star", "Heard'em All", "Dangerous", "Red Eye" "Make You Love Me" and "Pretty Brown Eyes". The whole entire album is an excellent investment as is all of Amerie's previous albums (Amerie never disappoints). Amerie is exactly what the music game needs right now: CREATIVITY+ ORIGINALITY + TALENT = AMERIE. She has all this and more. Make sure you get this album it is the best album of 2009

Im not gonna lie when i first listened to the cd i was like wtf??? As i continued to listen it grew on me. I love "Heard 'Em All", "Higher", "Why R U", "Pretty Brown", "More Than Love", "Swag Back", "You're A Star (Interlude)", "Red Eye", "The Flowers". My favorite songs are "Different People", & "Dear John". Love u Amerie!

Songs that shouldn't have made the album
:"Tell Me You Love Me"
:"Dangerous"
:"Heard 'Em All [Remix]" {I CANT STAND LIL' WAYNE IN THIS SONG...YUCK!!!}

Im a HUGE fan of Amerie. I wasnt really feeling her first single "Why dont we fall in love" much at all. My mind changed drastically when I got to listen to her WHOLE first cd during a road trip, but the video "Talking to me" was the icing on the cake. I have been a die hard fan of hers ever since, and have all 4 cds.

The "More then love" track HAD next single and music video written all over it. I cant help but play that track on repeat about 4 times before moving to the next song. If the video treatent done right, it could crush videos on VH1 and BET music count down shows.

I can imagine the video treatment being similar to Brandys "They Dont know about Us" video with Kanya West...................BUTTT,
Kanya diva outburst at the award show and negative media buzz jeopardized that oppurtinity for that to happen.

Why is Amerie still considered a underdog? I do respect her drive to keep on going, most artists would have gave up or become a full time song writer in the music industry.

PS: Shefine as hell, and I have NEVER heard anything NEGATIVE about her PERIOD.

Most people who listen to Amerie's music know that she's had kind of a rough time getting noticed in the mainstream (especially in the US). Her 2005 #1 hit "1 Thing" was the defining moment in her career. Since then she has had some minor hits, but has mostly only had mainstream success in the UK and Asian markets.
With "In Love & War", Amerie's 4th studio album, the singer reminds us why we all loved the singer to begin with. The album is full of that brazen, percussive attitude that this R&B diva does so well. In songs like "Dangerous" and "Higher", Amerie looks her love right in the eyes and expresses her anger over a rock-infused funk soundtrack. Then Amerie gives us a "tough but cool" hip-hop flavor in the break up songs "Why R U", "More Than Love", and "Pretty Brown". Amerie is forced to admit that her significant other is no longer enough to keep her satisfied, and she's not willing to settle.
In the second half of the album, things are more slowed down, and occasionally sultry. "Red Eye" gives the listener a not-so-subtle invitation to join Amerie's mile-high club, while "You're a Star" reassures that things may be okay in the relationship, but warns that these feelings may be too good to be true.
Amerie ends the album with a couple of non-drippy ballads that lay down the law once and for all. "The Flowers" and "Dear John" explore the after-the-breakup emotions that drive home the point that while this love might've been good while it lasted, it's ultimately best that it ended.
Overall, Amerie delivers an album full of great contemporary R&B tracks, while giving us that "not-like-the-others" charm that Amerie fans have come to expect. Even if you fall in love with this album, you may realize it isn't %100 perfect; but as Amerie explains, neither is love in general.

Amerie is the most underrated singer to come out this decade. She simply doesn't get the RESPECT she so obviously deserves despite having some mega-hits throughout her career. Amerie possesses what I like to call TALENT and CLASS. Her voice is unique and unmistakable. She's carved out her own vibrant sound which has been flat out stolen by countless singers. That's ok though, because with the help of her new label DEF JAM she's looking to make a bigger impact and once and for all show everyone how it's supposed to be done.

It's been a while since she's released an album in the states. Her third album, Because I Love It, is going for a whopping $44 on this website which is ridiculous (as much as I love Amerie that is simply out of the question so get it used from one of Amazon's vendors). Regardless, her previous albums have all been well worth a purchase and repeated listens spawning classics such as Touch, One Thing, Why Don't We Fall In Love and That's What You Are. IN LOVE AND WAR follows right where her last album left off.


There's plenty of superlatives to describe Amerie's sound whether it be vibrant, aggressive, stylish, unorthodox etc. One thing's for sure....it's refreshing. Amerie is the primary songwriter and there's not much flaw in the songwriting (nothing tacky, corny, or outta place). The songs I'm feeling the most include Tell Me You Love Me, Heard Em All, Higher, Why R U, YOu're A Star, Red Eye, and Flowers. Only the man up above knows why You're A Star is only an interlude.

There's a few high profile producers such as Jim Jonsin, Bryan Michael Cox, and Teddy Riley but the rest are relatively unknown. There's beautiful imagery and artwork in the booklet (when I buy I expect a good booklet too..what can I say?) and it includes lyrics to 4 of the songs (if you can read that handwriting).

Amerie has delivered on her 4th album In Love And War and while not quite a classic is a very good record that you should add to your collection immediately especially if you're a fan and even if you're not a fan and just want to get familiar with her. 4 stars.