Customer Reviews

Traces of My Lipstick

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is such a wonderful album. I love every single song on here. I have to say that Xscape is the best group that ever existed. Sadly they're are not making any more albums because three out of four members of Xscape now have children. Kandi is the only member of Xscape without any children. She is now a solo artist and has an album out called "Hey Kandi". It is a very good album but it's not as good as Xscape's last two albums. It's tied with Xscape's first album. This is what I have to say about each of the individual tracks on this album.
1) INTRO - This is the intro of the album. It has lots of talking and adlibing by Jermaine Dupri and it has LaTocha singing. The intro and the outro both sample from Foxy Brown. This track sounds pretty cool for an intro.
2) MY LITTLE SECRET - This is one of Xscape's biggest hits so you probably know it. It actually has some additional background vocals that are performed by Jagged Edge. So listen and you might hear them. This is a pretty good song. Kandi, LaTocha, and Tiny sing lead on it.
3) SOFTEST PLACE ON EARTH - This is one of my favorites. It's very beautiful and it has nice lyrics. LaTocha, Tamika, and Tiny sing lead on it.
4) DO YOU KNOW - This is the fast club song on the album. It's featuring a rap by Jermaine Dupri. LaTocha sings lead on this song.
5) ONE OF THOSE LOVE SONGS - This is another one of my favorite songs on the album. It's very beautiful. I really like the lyrics because it's talking about hearing a love song on the radio. You don't hear many songs that talk about that. Kandi, LaTocha, and Tamika sing lead on it.
6) THE ARMS OF THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU - This is another one of Xscape's big hits. This was the first single to be released off this album. I love this song so much. LaTocha and Tamika sing lead on it.
7) I WILL - This is another one of my favorites. I like the music and I like the way they sing on it. Kandi and LaTocha sing lead on this song.
8) YOUR EYES - I like this song. It's not one of my favorites but I still like it. LaTocha is the only person who sings lead on it.
9) ALL I NEED - I really like this song. It's really pretty. It has kind of has an exotic Jamaican sound to it. But it's mixed in with a soulful R&B sound. Tamika, Tiny, and LaTocha sing lead on this song.
10) AM I DREAMIN' - This song is actually shown as Ol' Skool featuring Xscape. Before this album it was on Ol' Skool's album. I guess they decided they wanted to put it on here also, even though it came out way before this album. It's a really good song and I'm glad they decided to add it to this album.
11) THE RUNAROUND - I really like this song. I don't know why but it's a song that I can't stop singing. LaTocha and Kandi sing lead on it. Tiny does some adlibing.
12) HOLD ON - This is my favorite song on the whole album. It's so beautiful and the vocals are so good. Kandi and Tiny sing lead on it. I fell in love with this song when I first heard it. I can't see how you wouldn't.
13) ALL ABOUT ME (OUTRO) - This is the outro of the album. It's
actually a continuance of the intro. That's really all there is to say.
You should buy this CD as well as the other two Xscape CD's and Kandi's CD. You won't regret buying any of them.

This is by far, Xscape's best album. Too bad they disbanded after this release. Every song has hit potential and there is absolutely no filler tracks. From the funky opening All About Me intro right through to the Jermaine Dupri-esque My Little Secret, these girls harmonize so well and could give any other R&B female quartet a run for their money. More mature R&B hits abound with the Softest Place on Earth, One of Those Love Songs, Am I Dreamin and their top 10 hit, The Arms of the One Who Loves You. So many years later and this album still sounds good in my CD player. Too bad Xscape couldn't turn out some more hot jams.

This album was the highlight of their career.The songs are key and their harmonies are on point.Songs "My Little Secret", "All I Need" , "Hold On" and "Am I Dreaming" are all pure real good R&&B music. "Top picks "Softest Place On Earth" and "The Arms Of The One Who Loves You" are both the top picks of the album where they shine the most.
If more groups areound these days could have harmonies are great songs like Xscape they would have more longevity.Even after this album the group broke up and is getting back together.Im sure they will be better than ever after their return.


OVERALL GRADE = 95/100 A+

I put this CD on at night when its time to go to bed, not because its boring or bland. Its full of Slow Jams that make up thier own quiet storm set. Personal favorite song is The Softest Place.Other cuts I enjoy Am I dreaming,One of those love songs,My little secret,and Runaround is hot as well. The Arms of the one Who loves you is also a stand out ballad. When is LaTocha Scott putting out her solo cd..that voice is a gift. Check out her songs on the Big Mamas House soundtrack as well, love the one thats a duet with Chante Moore!

Xscape played my tune with their first major single, the remix of "Kickin' It" on Hummin' Commin' At Ya. They blew my mind with the classic, OFF THE HOOK, which truly was off the hook. But nothing could quite prepare me for the highs and lows of this album. As an entire album it is not as strong as Off The Hook which I can listen to from beginning to end. But none of the tracks on their two previous albums shine like the gems on this one. "My Little Secret," who would have thought that infidelity could sound so classy and sexy at the same time. "The Softest Place on Earth," simply one of the best female I want to make love to you songs I've heard. "Runaround," an anthem about that cheatin' man. And finally the unbelievable, slow jammin' "Hold On To Love."

It's true that this album didn't get as much play as it deserved when it was released. The girls aren't that skinny and we know how that fickle pop audience is. But this was solid hard-core R&B not that dime a dozen stuff that sounds like every other single mixed with a four beat synthesizer track. TLC is not in the same league. They can't blow like these girls. Destiny's Child,that's a laugh, the only thing comparable was early SWV and then that was all Coko. Every single one of the members of this group can sing their hearts out. Not that airy digitally remastered Mariah Carey sound, but real deal singing. En Vogue wishes they had it like this.

If you truly love R&B and real vocals, Xscape is for you. And you don't want to miss out on this album.

Definitely worth whatever they want you to pay. I hope they get it together for a fourth album.

Xscape is truly not a secret anymore with their third c.d. Traces of My Lipstick. They have shown us all the sides of being sexy, but with this c.d. they show it more. They have songs that show love,being a little naughty, and even waiting awhile! With songs like Little Secret, Arms of the One Who Loves You, and Hold On to Love your sure not to go wrong!

There is a certain curse that comes with several groups. Their first album is good; then their second album is mind-blowing. But then the third album isn't all that because it's sitting in the second album's shadow; either that or they just branch off into some new style. It's happened to SWV, it's happened to TLC, and it's happened to Boyz II Men...and now it's happened to Xscape.

Xscape's debut album Hummin' Comin' At Cha was good, and their sophomore album Off The Hook was, well, off the hook. But after that I was hesitant to buy Traces Of My Lipstick because between this album and their last they were making some bad soundtrack songs (their terrible remake of The Dramatics' "In The Rain" off the Love Jones soundtrack comes readily to mind). I did buy this album after hearing "The Arms Of The One Who Loves You" (wasn't that messed up what happened at the end of the video?), but other than that song, and maybe "My Little Secret", this album isn't really all that appealing. The songs are a little weak. First off, the intro and the outro has Jermaine Dupri using the same music from Dru Hill's "In My Bed" remix, but I don't know if that's really surprising behavior from him. And the other fast songs don't have the flavor of past Xscape dance tracks like "Feels So Good" or "Love On My Mind". "Do You Know" and "I Will" are lyrically generic; the latter features iffy production and weird sound effects in the background.

Most of the slow songs aren't bad per se. The harmony is still there (except for "Your Eyes"), but the songs just don't grab your attention. The only one that really DOES does so in a negative way: their disorganized remake of Atlantic Starr's "Am I Dreamin'" (actually, it's Ol Skool featuring Xscape and Keith Sweat). Ol Skool are far from being the best male vocalists around, and even though she only sings one line, Kandi sounds terrible here. Also, less-than-stellar lyrics are found in "One Of Those Love Songs", where they talk about how their favorite song on the radio reminds their of their love: "You hope the DJ plays it again and again and again/Play it again and again and again." We get it, all right?

Overall, this album plays best as background music, because if you're actually trying to listen to it, you'll soon probably find yourself doing something else. We all know Xscape is better than this, but actually, I'm not even sure if anyone has this album. Oh well, that's the way it goes.

On their third album, Traces of My Lipstick, Xscape pretty much follows the cue of their two earlier efforts, with very nice results. The group sounds as good as ever, bringing real soul and passion to their performances. The productions on the slower tunes are first rate, so you'll enjoy relaxing with these ladies playing in the background.

Xscape is definitely a group of talent females, their voices are so smooth & strong. When I listen to "Traces of My Lipstick" the lyrics often make me reflect about memories in my life, the ballads are so so true. I wish Xscape had a DVD with their performances.

i love this album SOO much! aLL SLOW LoVE SONGS. MY FAVORITE IS "ONE OF THOSE LOVE SONGS"