Customer Reviews

Lyfe 268-192

5 star:		(175)
4 star:		(32)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I just returned from a week-long trip to Los Angeles and I purchased this CD the night before I left to take with me. I wore it out! I listened to it from the moment I placed it in the CD player of my rental car right after landing until I turned the car back in. This CD is full of enlightening information about keeping it real in the game of life. It is a story of a young man's journey through the ups and downs of trying to make positive decisions, some that turn out right and some that turn out wrong. I love tracks 4, 10, 12, and 15. I am so glad someone suggested this to me because it is a winner. In fact, I tried to purchase a second copy last night (I don't believe in burning talent) to keep in my bedroom but they were sold out. Good sign! What I truly appreciate about this CD is its uniqueness. I will be spreading the word, just like someone did to me.

Lyfe's voice and delivery is a little reminiscent of Jaheim. The difference is because Lyfe is singing his own songs, he's able to interpet the lyrics with more passion and emotion. His singing & songwriting carries with it a sensitivity sort in the same vein as Anthony Hamilton's work. I have to give it to Lyfe though, I think the lyrics of his songs are quite good. He avoids most of those annoying, braggy, bling-bling cliches; and sheds new light on real issues in the hood like have to pay child support and the frustration of being impoverished. He even takes a few shots at the hypocrisy of religious organizations who claim to be open to people from all walks of life. The music is sparse and may not appeal to those who like their R&B/Soul polished & glossy, with every lyric and note performed perfectly. But in my opinion perfection is like apples and oranges anyway: Everyone has their own tastes. I think the flaws and shortcomings of this disc were left in on purpose to maintain the organic, raw feel to go along with the songwriting/storytelling of the artist. Good idea and a Solid debut. Let's hope that he will get a chance to grow and develop his talent.

I listen to internet radio a lot while I'm at work and I usually toggle back and forth between at least 20 different stations. I remember the first time I heard "Stick Up Kid," I thought hmmmmmmm....someone is really talking about getting theirs. After noticing that it was continuously getting play on other stations too, I broke down and purchased it. For some of you, this might not be a big deal, but I generally "burn" all of the cds I get and this was the first cd that I had actually purchased in a number of years! It is rare today that an entire cd is good, but believe me when I say that this album jams from top to bottom! I can't even begin to describe which are my favorite songs, but "Must Be Nice," "She Got Kids," "Hypothetically," "Smile," and "Cry" are guaranteed to make you hit rewind or repeat. I encourage any and everyone who truly loves R&B to take a SERIOUS listen to Mr. Lyfe Jennings! You will not be disappointed!

Lyfe is a great artist and has brought us what we have been lacking in R&B; Realism. There are too many people who are caught up in the hip hop of R&B and that they dont recognize that what an artist sings about is still important and Lyfe Brought it to the table. He tells of things that many people would not say in public like the song She Got Kids. Nice touch on reality along with Greedy and Stick Up Kid. An artist of Raw talent and meaningful lyrics. Good Music Again!!!! It's Good to hear.

Lyfe is one of the realest artists out there. His music speaks for it self, it tells a story of his true past. With good vocals, creativity, and gret beats- this is a must have if you are a fan of true music

I had heard nothing about Lyfe Jennings until I came across his CD on Billboard at the end of 2004. I noticed that his CD had debuted, but I heard nothing about him, so I listened to snippets of his songs. From what I heard, I liked the CD and decided to buy it. What I heard was a certain truth, a certain raw vocal approach that was different from the studio-polished, limited talent of some of today's other artists. I have been surprised by the success of his CD. Whereas before his CD was struggling, the CD took off after the sleeper success of "Must be Nice" and has sold close to 700,000 copies.

Must Be Nice-Produced by Lyfe himself, this slow, quiet ballad-like song is an ode to having someone who is truly there for someone else in various ways...just someone who is a "ride or die" companion. This is his sleeper hit which has propelled the CD to unexpected heights. There is no official bridge on the song, but it still works as Lyfe's gravelly voice and skillful interpretation brings a "real"ness to the song. A+

The Way I Feel About you-Produced by Lyfe again, this bass-heavy mid-tempo is essentially a conversation between Lyfe's singing and a girl's talking voice, as he simply states how he feels about her and the way he loves her. The chorus is catchy and the vocals are arranged well. A

She Got Kids-Produced by Lyfe, a slow jam that again tells a story about the truth about men going with women who already have kids and the emotions, feelings that complicate the situations. The instrumentation complements Lyfe's vocals as a story is made. This is something that many men can relate to. A-

I Can't-Produced by Lyfe, this is another story that Lyfe tells as he gives an understated vocal about not being able to be with anyone else besides his lover/girl even though they both have made mistakes. The musical arrangement works well in this slow jam, and Lyfe does a good job handling the song. A

Hypothetically-Produced by Lyfe and featuring Erin or Fantasia Barrino on the commercial version, a slow jam telling another story about the hypotheticals or what-ifs of a relationship and what would the other person do if they found out such as if their kid does not belong to him or if he cheated. This is a very deep song that is interesting. A

Smile-Produced by Lyfe and containing elements of "Ain't No Woman Like the One I Got", an old-school sounding joint about finally being able to smile after making it through the struggles, the storms. A very positive, encouraging song with a throwback feel. B+

Greedy-Produced by Lyfe and Rhemario "Rio" Webber is a mid-tempo with a unique drum element that talks about all of the greedy people in the world who are after certain things. The vocals are tight and the message is even tighter. A-

Stick Up Kid-Produced by Lyfe, a mid-tempo/slow jam with a strong bass line tells Lyfe's story about once being a stick up kid or one who robs people. It is a very heartfelt song that successfully integrates a story into song mode. The chorus is very catchy, but the message is one that is not heard often in vocal music. A

Cry-Produced by Lyfe (who else?), and is a very touching slow jam that just emphasizes the importance of being able to cry and let it loose emotionally through the tears. Lyfe really gives the right vocal touch to the song as he lets out some nice, quiet falsetto notes that just evoke the emotions of the song. The best thing about the song is that it is not too cheesy and that it works, as Lyfe admonishes men and whoever just to "cry." A

26 Years, 17 Days-Produced by Lyfe, this autobiographical song has Lyfe reviewing some prominent portions of his life especially as they pertain to God. The most striking aspect of this song is how he weaves in Patti LaBelle's 1991 R&B hit, "Somebody Loves you Baby" not only into the end as he sings the chorus, but he also uses the song as part of the instrumentation. It is a very strong song musically and lyrically. A+

Made up My Mind-Produced by Lyfe, a stripped down, almost acoustic song with a guitar as its musical center about hypocrites in the church, as Lyfe voices the fact that he wants to serve God and worship Him for real unlike the many hypocrites in the church who say one thing but do another, who preach a message of love and acceptance but are condemning to and unwelcoming of others who are going through the same struggles albeit more visibly. Great vocals in the song. A+

My Life-Produced by Lyfe, by this point, the songs begin to kind of sound alike and of the songs that precede this one, the production of this very personal, touching song about Lyfe's "lyfe," sounds slightly dated like music from the 90s, but the chorus/hook is tight especially with the "still Superman to meeeeee." A-

Let's Do This Right-Produced by Lyfe, just a tribute to those imprisoned and others who have been put down and not thought about: the invisibles. Lyfe really interprets the song well as musically he is given the freedom to let the vocals and the lyrics shine. A

Overall, this CD is a departure from the standard R&B music, as it runs the gamut of topics of life in a diverse way. It shows that the public was waiting for something like this as Lyfe has sold close to 700,000 copies which is an achievement taken that the effort has had very little promotion and one single, one very strong R&B single. One of the closest modern products to old-school music.

Wow! I can't believe this album has been out for a year and I only recently heard about it and became interested after a brief scene from his "Must be Nice" video.
Lyfe's voice is reminesent of the iconic,soulful likes of Sam Cooke and Al Green.
It's a very raw, honest, no holds barred soundtrack of his life from being in love ("The way I feel about you" & "Must be Nice"), to being a "Stick up kid", to being a father and stepfather ("She got kids"), and finally, to being incarcerated ("26 years, 17 days", "Cry").
Lyfe Jennings has definitely got a fan in me, I was so impressed with his debut I downloaded the whole C.D. into my itunes and my ipod, and I rarely do that with any album. I tell anyone who will listen to GO GET THIS ALBUM!!!

I'm in love with this man's music. I can't believe that his CD has been out for a year. I just recently saw the video "MUST BE NICE" and had to hear the other tracks. I was so impressed and moved that I will not download the cd - I'm paying him. I too will be telling everyone I know about this remarkable talent.

STORYTELLING AT IT'S ABSOLUTE BEST...URBAN AND GRITTY...LYFE TELLS IT LIKE IT IS !-HE POURS HIS HEART AND SOUL INTO EVERY TRACK...HE SINGS ABOUT THE GOOD AND BAD TIMES WITH SUCH INTENSITY. "MUST BE NICE" & 'I CAN'T' ARE AWESOME. "THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT YOU" WILL HAVE YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD AND SINGING TO THIS MELODIC MID-TEMPO GROOVE..LYFE DELIVERS A POWERHOUSE PERFORMANCE ON "GREEDY"...THE HIT "STICKUP KID" IS TRULY AMAZING! "CRY" IS MESMERIZING.."SMILE" IS INCREDIBLE..DON'T LET LYFE PASS YOU BY....THE MUSICAL PRODUCTION & VOCALS ON THIS CD ARE AUDIBLY SPECTACULAR! THE ENTIRE CD PLAYS LIKE A GOOD MOVIE ..I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO IT..I UNDERSTAND WHY HE WON APOLLO'S AMATEUR NIGHT 5 TIMES IN A ROW. PURCHASE THIS CD AND YOU WILL TOO !

My husband introduced this artist to me and it was truly a blessing. I was starting to give up on R&B and real artist who were not afraid to express themselves through their music. Lyfe also has a nice silky voive which blends over the tracks very well. He should also be recogized for the various topics on his CD. This is truly the best CD I have heard since Anthony Hamilton....