Customer Reviews

Ready Now

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After being dropped from Aftermath and dropping "Hurt" from her moniker, Truth comes back with a surprisingly exceptional album. Truth recently joined the roster on the "Pookie Entertainment" label, with Raphael Saadiq producing much of her sophomore album. The clichéd-Queen B-"I'm here to conquer"-attitude that shrouded her debut flopper "Truthfully Speaking" (in exception to hypnotic "Addictive") is now replaced with a more sensualistic vibe. The subject of "sex" has been toned into a more "mature" depiction, but still has that "club song" sound to it, evident in the lead single "Ready Now", the middle-eastern flavored "Ride", and the exotic hedonism vibe of "Phone Sex". Lyrics have improved significantly, now with a deeper depiction, from the confrontational "Lifetime" and the serene tranquility of "U". But above it all, the best song is the emotionally moving "Catch 22", which is about unrequited love ("Catch 22" makes a reference to the book titled "Catch 22" by Joseph Heller, which is a black comedy novel about death, about what people do when faced with the daily likelihood of annihilation. For the most part, what they do is try to survive in any way they can.):

When You Love Somebody
More than they love you
Should you stand there lying
Pretending its all good
Walk away in denial
Like you'll live without him
Either way, this catch 22

Truth's voice was always powerful, but it wasn't being projected correctly. Her debut showed very good potential, but just seemed very fake for a person that depicted themselves to be the "truth". Now minus the "Hurt"(although they still attach it on the album cover), perhaps changing labels was all she had to do to make high-quality and meaningful music. The truth doesn't hurt anymore, and hence, she says it best: "I think I'm ready now." Ain't that the truth.

Truth Hurts' second CD, as many will tell you, is a notable improvement over her debut. But that isn't really saying much: 2002's "Truthfully Speaking" was gimmicky and mired in too many r&b cliches to set it apart from the cookie-cutter singers out there. Fortunately for her, she parted ways from her former label Aftermath and signed up with Pookie Entertainment, which is helmed by producer Raphael Saadiq. Under Saadiq's wing, "Ready Now" is more gritty, mature, and soulful. The mood and flavor is so radically different that this album and "Truthfully Speaking" might as well come from different planets. Interesting cuts are the title track, the outstanding "Catch 22," the middle eastern flavor of the tasteful "Phone Sex," the Saddiq-produced "Lifetime" (Truth's voice really shines on this one), and the seven minute closer "U." If you were put off by the first album, you still shouldn't pass on "Ready Now." It's worth a listen. Truth doesn't hurt anymore. It now liberates.

2002 saw the rise and fall of Truth Hurts. She came out strong with her first single "Addicted" produced by Just Blaze, but fell off shortly afterwards due to a lawsuit for not crediting the people she sampled from. Not long after this, Truth Hurts departed ways with Dr. Dre and his Aftermath label and found her way on over to Pookie Entertainment, Raphael Saadiq's label.

And thus we have "Ready Now," her first album in two years. I first obtained this album through a friend over the Internet and I was thoroughly impressed with it. Saadiq knows how to write and produce well and each song compliments Truth's powerful vocals. The album is more like an EP than an actual LP, because there are only 11 tracks (including one interlude). But nevertheless the album is complete with nothin but mid-tempo grooves.

Truth is at her personal best on this album as she doesn't try being the R&B Lil Kim this time around. The album starts off with "Knock, Knock" and flows into her first single "Ready Now." My personal favorite song on this album, however, is "Catch 22." A powerful ballad about the downside of love. It's about loving someone more than they love you and trying to deal with it. Truth sounds emotional in this song and her delivery is strong. "Phone Sex" is after that and I don't think that needs any explanation. It's done tastefully well tho and doesn't sound forced.

Overall, Truth Hurts suprasses the "sophomore slump" and by hooking up with Raphael Saadiq has come back with a stronger and more soulful approach. Don't sleep on her peopple...this album!

Where's her huge display of talent. I really enjoy the songs, but theres no song that shows why Truth is who she is. There are too many songs on here that share the middle eastern/indian sound. It gets kinda played after awhile. READY NOW is a nice song and very sexual,but is not deserving of the first single. RIDE is a nice song that shares that indian beat, but is the only one that sounds original. LOVE U BETTER is nice and smooth and her vocals sound as good here as ever before- one of the highlights. CATCH 22 is tied for my fave song. It is very smooth and has that guitar bass drop, her vocals are the best here. PHONE SEX is sxy, but the beat along with WHATCHU SAYIN are just okay. LIFETIME interlude is funny and is reminisecene of Jill Scott's Gettin in the Way, the song is just okay. CAN't BE MAD is okay one of the weak points on the cd with number 1,7,and 10. 9,2,3,6, are the good songs. BUt 4,5 and 11 are the best songs. I love U is so smooth and for Rapheal Saadiq to produce the cd this is the only song along with 5 that sounds of his influence. I have to say I bought this cd without much research, but its a solid release. You have to really listen to this cd to get the TRUTH!

Truth Hurts came out a few years back with her blazing single "Addictive" which featured Rakim. Being that she was one of Dr. Dre's girls, she had a West Coast vibe. Nobody knew who she was or what she could accomplish. Many people loved the single but hated the album "Truthfully Speaking". Truth went back into the studio before completing her sophomore album "Ready Now" which is by far a great CD. Some songs stand out more than others, but after one day with this CD, you're hooked.

1. Knock Knock (8/10) - Nice song with a hot beat. You can't help but nod your head to the beat. Vocals are great. Rafael Saadiq helps on this track.

2. Ready Now (10/10) - The best song on the album. I believe it was a single though I never heard much about it. The beat is hot and different which makes me attracted to it. I love this song!

3. Ride (6/10) - Nice beat, nice lyrics, but it's missing something.

4. Love U Better (9/10) - A deep, sexual song. Truth is really X-Rated on much of her album. This song takes you into sexual extasy.

5. Catch 22 (5/10) - Alright song. Nothing special.

6. Phone Sex (8/10) - A very sexy song. The beat gets you all excited. Never heard a song about phone sex before.

7. Whatchu Sayin' (featuring Loon) (4/10) - Very weird. I don't like this song that much.

8. Lifetime (Interlude) - Just an interlude where she calls up some girl.

9. Lifetime (2/10) - Nothing special here. She gets a 2 for her vocals because she can sing!

10. Can't Be Mad (6/10) - Never really listen to it, but the beat is good and the vocals sound tight.

11. U (8/10) - Truth slows it down and stretches it out for this 7 minute song. Although it tends to repeat itself, it doesn't get old. It's nice.

If Truth had more promotion behind this album, it could have done better than it did.

Overall Grade: B-

This is an excellent CD. I am so happy that I brought it. I thought that she would be a one hit wonder but I was wrong. I am glad tht she has eased up on the negativity & cursing too... it makes it alot easier to listen to her lyrics & beautiful voice.

Now I hope that her personality has changed a little. She was feeling herself a little. I just hope she realizes that her fans makes her sucessful not her talent...

TRUTH 2ND ALBUM IS GREAT I GIVE THE ALBUM 5 STARS. ALL THE SONGS ARE GREAT. MUSICALLY AND VOCALLY TRUTH HAS IMPROVED. I LOVE TRUTH NEW FOUND MUSICAL EXPERIENCE.

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Track Listings:
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1. Knock Knock
2. Ready Now
3. Ride
4. Love U Better
5. Catch 22
6. Phone Sex
7. Whatchu Sayin'
8. Lifetime (Interlude)
9. Lifetime
10. Can't Be Mad
11. U

Truth's second album, Ready Now succeeds her debut in a number of ways. Unlike Truthfully Speaking, Ready Now isn't full of the A-list producers her debut featured. Truth's music isn't hurt by the abscense of big names such as Timbaland or Dr. Dre. Working with lesser known producers can be a step in the right direction for artists being that it creates a more "original" sound. Production wise Tony Toni Tone frontman, Raphael Saadiq takes on the production duties among others. Saadiq known for his bluesy southern soul and funk works well with Truth. On the funky title track, Truth sings over a pulsating beat that sucks you in with illict lyrics. Truth also seems to have toned down on her vocals which before were all over the place. This time Truth is more subdued delivering smoldering sexy soul music which is slowly becoming her trademark. While this album isn't as commercial as her first release listeners will enjoy Truth's sassiness and sense of humor. Truth hurts, but it definitely feels good!

point blank this album is HOT better than the first...sexy az hell and dang she shoulda got more promotion...

ready now
ride
love u better
phone sex
whatchu saying
lifetime
cant be mad
U