Customer Reviews

Real Talk

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

 

 

First, I am a huge Dave Hollister fan. I have loved his voice since his days with Force One Network. I feel he is totally overlooked, especially when people like Jaheim get attention for something Dave has been doing for years. His voice is always incredible, raw and full of conviction. But I do think it's time to try some new things musically, not to change his style, but to expand on it. I fell in love with his debut, which was brilliant, but only the 3rd CD (Things In The Game Done Changed) can rival the debut. I feel this CD only recycles what he has done in the past. Not that the music is bad, but I feel as if I heard it all before. I'd like to hear him expand lyrically, melodically and musically, a live band with extended jams would be nice. I still love Dave, but it's time to flip it up a little. Peace...

I've been a fan of Dave Hollister ever since his BLACKstreet days. Still, when it came to his solo albums, I never seemed to give him as much attention as I should have. I didn't hear Ghetto Hymns but I LOVE Chicago '85...The Movie. I never got around to picking up Things In the Game Done Changed but I got my hands on Real Talk. But unfortunately, for this album, there really isn't much to talk about.

People may look at my rating and think I'm crazy for giving Dave three stars. Well, if we were talking about his voice only, then that would be five stars easily, but this ALBUM is very disappointing. Not only are there really no standout singles, but the songwriting isn't all that good. The first four songs on the album are poorly told ghetto stories, and he has a habit to keep saying things like, "Let me know if you feel me." We heard you the first time, Dave.

One strange thing about this album is that most of the songs on here are written by Tank. Unfortunately, we all know the problem with Tank's albums, too: great voice, god-awful lyrics. Maybe Tank thought, Hey, the songs didn't work for ME, so maybe they'll work for someone else, right? WRONG. His contributions are sexually charged metaphors gone wrong, like "Case Is Closed". And "Reason With Your Body" has Dave saying things like: "Girl, I'll make you scream like a scary movie's on."

Dave should know that he doesn't have to be so ghetto, because that really didn't work for him in the past (ever hear "I Don't Want to Be a Hustler" off Chicago '85?). Maybe he was following the example that BLACKstreet used for the horrendous Level II. At any rate, while he still has a wonderful voice, Real Talk should only be purchased to complete your Dave Hollister collection.

Anthony Rupert

I'm a huge Dave Hollister fan. I first noticed Dave on his solo project "Ghetto Hymns" (which I still play at least twice a week in my car). His second solo album, "Chicago '85...The Movie" was a masterpiece and a shining point in his career, and he continued this success on his third album. Because of this, he's one of the few R&B singers that I feel keeps it realer than real. He personifies that "realness" on this album, but it becomes repetitious and boring after the first few songs we hear it.

Moreover, the second half of the album contains the same boring R&B cliches that have plaqued the industry. I felt Dave should have stuck to his roots--eschewing the carbon-copy commercial singers for the style that has gained him his fan base. I hope Dave will return to his quality music on his next album. In sum, buy this album if you are a HUGE Dave Hollister fan, otherwise, stay away from it.

This is a good album, I don't understand were people get off saying anything negative about this man and his music. Dave Hollister has been in the game a long time and has put out good music. Not one of his albums are poor. This particular album is filled with pain, joy, and soul! If you want to hear real music from the soul and not that played out "POPCORN" music this is the album for you. Track number two is a TONE setter! Pick this album up and listen to what real R&B music should be!

PEACE
ONE LOVE

My mans from way back he just gets better and better. The true soulful sound that stirs your soul; only a handfull of artist throughout history have been able to do that and he's one of them. His vocals resonates in your soul...cop it before its gone! You make us look good!

Thanx for keepin it truely soulful for us folk..

Let me just say that I'm a huge Dave Hollister fan, and he has done it again with Real Talk. This is a great album, just like the other 4! I just wish that he would get more air play in Colorado (where I'm from) It makes me upset, knowing that he is a great singer, and they don't give him his props out here. I love you Dave, and you can best believe everytime you drop a album, I will be right there to buy it! Thank you so much for all of your wonderful music, you really have a talent brotha, keep doing your thing!

A True Dave Hollister Fan

I was disappointed with this album...However, im still a Dave fan..

While some of the previous bad reviews were on point, I think ones who gave it 4-5 stars were just trying to be nice to Dave. The songs never went anywhere nor did the CD have a smooth overall flow. The single "Real Talk" could have made some moves if it could have ever heard by anyone. Like most artists like Dave Hollister it will seldom if every make it off Internet Radio or a Midnight Radio show. Which by the way was the only place I ever seem to here the Dave Hollisters of the world. Buy this CD only if you want to complete D. Hollister collection.

I keep reading reviews putting down this CD, claiming it has no heart or no great tracks or lyrics. Did you guys miss "Good Ole Ghetto?" This is one of those tracks I keep on repeat in my car, crank the volume up really high so you can't tell how much my voice sucks, and just sing out loud. Didn't you hear the part about how everyone wore "Hammer Pants," but he couldn't afford them? Man I marked out at that point!

What about "Reason With Your Body" or "Doo Rag?" Did you miss "Bad When U Broke?" Any one of these songs should have been on the radio at least as much as some of the stuff that's out there now.

Personally I thought this CD easily rivaled any of Dave's others. I don't think any of them beat my favorite "Baby Do Those Things," but they're pretty damn close. Solid work from Dave Hollister again; I only wish others would believe me and give his music a try!

I want to know what it will take for people to realize that Dave Hollister is an artist to have in your collection? I'm a big fan of this man, and he does not get his just due in the industry. His last two albums got no radio play in Georgia, but I bought them anyway. I've never been disappointed. Track #8 Karma is my JAM!!! This album was good, not his best, but it's a keeper IMHO.