Customer Reviews

The Declaration

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Ashanti really delivered with this album. You can hear the growth in lyrically and vocally. Ashanti has always been one to make hit records, but in my opinion, this project surpasses all over her past albums. This happens to be the most versatile albums of the year. It displays so many genre's of music from pop to R&B, and just as the title implies, it is THE DECLARATION. I can listen to this entire album from the begninning to the end. The Way that I love You was just amazing, and is still topping the urban charts. You're gonna miss, a pop inspired is also incredible, I love the beat changes in this song. Things you make me do with Robing Thicke just puts you in the mood, their voices are so great together. Struggle has great vocals and it takes you to a place that everyone can relate to. Girlfriend -HOT!!! just gets you back in the mood. So over YOU - MY FAVORITE -club banger, the beat is just crazy. MOTHER and SHINE are two amazing tracks that display some of Ashanti's best vocals to date. Ashanti always create songs with meaning, and they are two beautiful songs. Body on ME is surely a summer hit with Nelly and Akon. The Declaration climaxes the album where she releases all her inner-thoughts and lets loose. It's amazing with great vocals as well. EVERY SONG is a winner for me. You should definetly BUY this album.

In The Vocal department, Ashanti has improved greatly. Since this album has no samples, as difficult as that is to believe, Ashanti has improved in the instrument department. But here's where she got worse : the lyric department. This album is not as hip-hop as the last 3 (Not counting Collectables By Ashanti) but it's also not as good. "Body On Me", which features Akon and Nelly is one of the worst songs on the album and it's mainly because of Akon's over-sexualized chorus. The Way That I Love You, one of the better songs on the album was an excellent first single choice. "You're Gonna Miss" sounds like a part 2 to Mariah Carey's "I'm That Chick". "Shine" Has great lyrics but she has a child choir and the children in the choir have no singing abilities so, that ruins that song. "Mother" Is one of the highlights on the album (It's also a dedication to her mother/Momager). Honestly, This album could have been a lot better. Plus, In My opinon, the best track is an iTunes only track (In the US) : "Why". That is the best album track and should have been on the CD.

It's great that she dropped the excessive guest rappers, the sampling, and has improved her vocals but this album just doesn't add up. If her 5th album is like this, I think she'll be doing as well as Toni Braxton is right now (And I am still waiting on a comeback from Braxton). This album is not that great.

Standout Tracks
Mother
The Way That I Love You
The Things You Make Me Do (With Robin Thicke)
Struggle

I really fell in love with "The Way That I Love You" when I saw its graphic video. The haunting piano rift, strong drumming arrangement and great vocal delivery all stuck with me after just one view of the video. From there, I knew I had her hear the album it was featured on. In short, Ashanti is the same old Ashanti. She's the same little lady from "Foolish", "Baby" and "Happy" from her self-titled debut. She still has that bubbly side which separates her from her contemporaries. But Ashanti has always had a dark side which is brought to life in her music. Songs such as "Rain on Me", "Rescue", "Scared" and "The Way That I Love You" are just a few of those songs. All of her albums are decent or better; "The Declaration" is easily one of her finest works to date; it's just as good as her impressive debut. This album contains mostly up-tempo, light-hearted numbers, but, like with every Ashanti album, there are darker, more serious moments here, also.

Tina Douglas has a heartfelt tribute on this album called "Mother." Ashanti gets very emotional on this song; her emotions are felt all throughout her delivery. She gives one of her best vocal performances ever on this song and there is no wonder why, Tina Douglas raised a sweet, mature and talented woman. I appreciate the fact that guest appearances were few on this album. After all, this is the "declaration." However, Nelly and Akon are featured on one of the album's finest moments entitled "Body On." This piano-heavy up-tempo track is pretty explicit in lyrical content, but it's very enjoyable nonetheless. I'm not a fan of Akon, but he does very well on this track, even better than Nelly, who does just alright. Of course, neither outshine the star of the show, Ashanti. Robin Thicke is featured on the sexy "Things You Make Me Do." Both artists gave a very smooth and sensual delivery on this slower track. Jermaine Dupri produced a wonderful track, "Good Good." There is no doubt that those who own this album will be playing this song along with "The Way That I Love You" over and over. Ashanti is bragging on how great her stuff is on this song. Also, this song features a great sample of Michael Jackson's song, "The Girl is Mine."

You have probably figured this out by now, but I really had a good time listening to this album. There is nothing groundbreaking or innovative on this disc, but it is still entertaining. I recommend this album to R&B lovers because it is just easy to enjoy.

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. "The Way That I Love You"
2. "Good Good"
3. "Body On"
4. "Girlfriend"
5. "Mother"

Despite Rolling Stone giving it 2 stars, I must disagree with their effortless review. She made a great decision by leaving Irv Gotti and actually was real hands on with this album, because clearly she has the talent. This album is by far her second best album next to her first one Ashanti. Don't be fooled when top reviewers say this album was lacking, she brought many different songs to the table that were all very easy to listen to. Welcome back Ashanti.

Where do I begin? Ashanti has really blown me away with this album. I went to support her just because I really liked her first single, The way That I Love You. Shockingly I enjoyed her entire album from start to finish. I just love the track, So Over You. Wow! Girlfriend, Things You Make Me Do, Struggle, and Good Good are really on point. Mother is pretty, Shine is inspiring and The Declaration is definitive. Tracks I'm not too crazy about but really aren't that bad; In These Streets, You're Gonna Miss, and Body On Me feat AKon and Nelly. Ashanti is BAAADDD and this album proves it. I would compare its vibe to Mariah's Emancipation of Mimi. Just fun and full of love, hurt, conquering and just good music. Her voice sounds great, and surprisingly she's not overshadowed by beats and noise. What a great 4th effort! Just down right, Amazing! Don't hesitate to download it or buy it because it's worth it.

Ashanti The Declaration is as raw as Concrete Rose and has as many hits as Chapter II. So why isn't this a 5 star album? Because Ashanti retracks on the first 5 tracks that's is telling a story. She changed the story to something totally different and you're wondering where did that great story go. She went from saying you hurt me and now I'm done with you... Too I'll never leave you and you'll never let me down. Other then that the songs on the album are great. I didn't listen to one song that couldn't be a hit single.

The only thing is when you're telling a story don't change it in mid story. The Declaration could have been much more...

Grade of Every Song
The Way That I Love You *****
You're Gonna Miss ****
So Over You ****
Struggle ****
Girlfriend ***
Things You Make Me Do ****
In These Streets **
Good Good ****
Body On Me ****
Mother *****
Shine ****
The Declaration ****

A must have album...

Although the Princess of Hip Hop often gets lost in the shuffle of pop-tart mania, Ashanti has truly set the pace and opened the door for EVERY SINGLE FEMALE that came on her heels! From Foolish, to Baby, Rain On Me, Only U, The Way That I Love You, Girlfriend, Mother, and so on...Ashanti is a certified lyricist and no amount of booty shaking can take that credit from Ashanti. People see pass the vanity, sex appeal and embrace good meaningful writing! Keep your head up Ashanti and just smile at the doubters because your supporters know where you stand in the fray!

I've been looking forward to this for a long time now. I've been a fan of Ashanti since I first heard her angelic voice gracing Fat Joe's `What's Love' all those years ago, and I've really had the highest of hopes for her career. Sadly, despite having the complete package (a marvelous voice and killer good looks) she hasn't been handed the best of material. Sure, she has had a slew of hits, but the only consistent thing about Ashanti's albums is that her radio singles are the best songs on them.

Maybe it was Ja Rule, but the fact remains that severing her ties has proven to be the best thing for her. Without doubt `The Declaration' is her most consistent album, and by consistent I mean that nearly every song is very, very good. One minute she's cheeky then slinky then tender and gentle, all the time remaining in complete control of her talent, exuding a powerful presence.

In other words; she's all over the place here, and all in a good way.

From the opening track, the single `The Way That I Love You', Ashanti lets us know that she still has the voice and the swagger, but I will admit, I was afraid. It started off so strong (the song is really very, very good), and so I was expecting it to just drop off right there.

Then I heard `You're Gonna Miss'.

The bouncy vibe that runs through `You're Gonna Miss' is something that I don't remember really ever hearing from Ashanti. I LOVE IT! This is probably my favorite track on the album. It's one of those songs that just has it all. Ashanti's vocals are so sharp in all their slinky goodness, and the beat is just killer. I can listen to this song over and over without ever getting tired of it. `Good Good', the second single off the album, has a similar yet very different bounce to it. It's the cheekiest track on the album, full of sensual energy and it just screams repeat. Her duet with Robin Thicke on `Things You Make Me Do' was a very smart move, resulting in one of the most intense tracks on the album. Their voices really compliment one another, and the beat to this song is SIC! I love me some Timberlake, but this coupling is far more desirous than the Ciara/Timberlake offering from earlier this year.

Ashanti takes it to the clubs on two tracks here; `So Over You' and `Body On Me'. `So Over You' is the better of the two; really spot on with the pounding beat and Ashanti's vocal corralling. `Body On Me' is not a bad song (it has been unfairly criticized here) but it is not as sharp or hard hitting as `So Over You'. Akon is always welcome by me, and you have to love Nelly, so I was excited about this track. It doesn't quite deliver in the way I wanted it to, but it delivers. It has a very `late 90's' vibe to it.

She takes it to the streets once, and thank god it was only once, since `In These Streets' is the most mediocre offering on the album.

I love the slinky sensuality of `Girlfriend', a song that just drips with Ashanti's breathy seduction. Stark contrast is `Mother', a song that is so sincere and earnest it almost brings me to tears. Her love and admiration for her mother is very evident on this beautifully constructed ballad. Her voice is beyond stellar here, especially on the chorus.

`Struggle' is a decent R&B ballad, and the closing track `The Declaration' is definitely listenable. Neither are bad tracks, they just lack a certain quality that makes most of the tracks on this album superior (although Ashanti's near rapping on `Struggle' is spot on and quite memorable). `Shine' is the only song outside of `In These Streets' that I just don't like. It reminds me of a poor imitation at an early Mariah Carey inspirational ballad.

I skip it.

In the end this is her finest album and one I certainly recommend. She has the goods (the good goods to be exact) and so I definitely think this is a great album. She steps up her game and proves that she deserves to be here and with an offering like this she has paved the way for better work to come. It may have taken 5 albums to get here, but she made it and hopefully she's not going anywhere.

I BEEN IN LOVE WITH THIS C.D. SINCE IT FIRST CAME OUT, BUT IM WRIGHTING THE REVIEW LATE. THIS IS A GREAT C.D. FROM ASHANTI. YOU CAN PUT IT ON AND LET IT RIDE FROM BEGINING TO THE END. SOME SONGS ARE ABOUT HEARTBREAK AND PAIN AND OTHERS ARE ABOUT MOVING ON FROM HEART BREAK. THERE ARE ALSO SONGS TO DANCE TOO , AND OTHERS. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMENED THIS C.D.

You don't even have to go there-this is about THE last kind of album you'd normally find my reviewing. Frankly I find much R&B of the past two decades to be enormously shallow and worthless in many ways. And that is an OBJECTIVE opinion.But fact is this particular album is someone I see who could be taking her music places. In this world of modern R&B you have a distinct group of clishes that,by some unwritten law need to be in every album released in the genre;1) The female diva declaring her independance vocall,especially from men while utilizing every egocentric and sexist MALE hip-hop producer to provide all of the music.2)The constant emphasis on "keeping it real" while being backed up by the most programmed and artificial of musical backup.3)The reliance on sexually explicit lyrics. Well make no mistake this is chocked full of these clishes from top to bottom.So why does this album interest me?Well because Ashanti has both a career built on contradictions and hope for musical greatness. Whereas before Ashanti wrote her material she relied on Rodney Jerkins,Jermaine Dupri and a number of likewise formuliac and clished hip-hop style producers to write most of the material here. What Ashanti does is abandon her low key vocals in place of a more emotionally soulful approch.Even if this album is loaded with quite a lot of good but nonetheless filler material this has a strong set of excellent songs."The Way I Love You" is one example-it's production is modern but the "programmed" piano,I guess is well done and the composition is very strong and could stand the test of time pretty well."You're Gonna Miss" is similar but,on the other hand the production is far better;an 80's style funk jam in the spirit of the Prince/Cameo school that is,well to someone interested in that style my favorite tune on this album.Robin Thicke makes a cameo on "Things You Make Me Do" with a similar feel,only quirkier and slower but is a great duet,full of really genuine sexual energy. "Good Good" is another good tune-very catchy and with very tasteful,if modern musical backing. The same goes for "Body On Me" with Nelly and the vocally inspid Akon where their vocals actually work and are very non intrusive.Those are two tunes here that everyone from teens to middle aged people can get down to at a party.Wheras much of this,like a lot of Ashanti's work is somewhat lyrically challanged the last few cuts look to change that."Mother",while musically uninteresting is a very genuine tribute to the lady who gave Ashanti life with enough gospel energy to make the musical clishes work."Shine" is simply wonderful,very out of place on this album-a full on piano based gospel fueled soul ballad with very empowering lyrics and a great composition. The title song points to the contradictions in Ashanti's style very well,as she points again to her "realness" married to an overly bassy,clished backup. So.............this is one of those albums that,like Mariah's The Emancipation of Mimi - Platinum Edition could easily spell a new,more artistic beginning for this usually commercially ingratiating performer. Mariah was not able to maintain that pattern on her follow up E=MC2 but considering where Ashanti has built from we can only hope Ashanti doesn't pick up another case of "commercialitis" and decides to forge ahead by utilizing the strongest musical and vocal elements of this album when she follows this up.