Customer Reviews

Truth

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are few things in today's music business that sadden me more than the absence of a noteworthy R&B girl group. (And no, Danity Kane doesn't count). I'm talking about that authentic, old school type of group with tight harmonies, fresh and creative material, individuality, personality, presence, and members that found each other by destiny alone. Not some manufactured, formulaic lineup of empty individuals spouting out whatever the producer wants or what will suit the radio; not some group that hides in the studio, and in the rare occasion when they meet the stage, they miserably fail. It seems that Cherish is the closest thing we have to the former today. But with their debut, Unappreciated, I really don't think they lived up to this expectation of mine. Yes, it was a very catchy disc, and it was clear that they were talented young sisters, but they often succumbed to the trends that were burning up the airwaves at that period of time: snap music, crunk... that kind of stuff. And most of the time, this choice was a sacrifice that stifled them from showing their real talents and individuality. (The title track was a superb song, though). When I heard they were coming back, I was really anticipating. Now, two years after grabbing their first album, I can finally listen to the sophomore effort, The Truth. It is a considerable improvement from Unappreciated in my eyes, and while it doesn't completely meet the high expectations I have of them or what I think they could truly become, it is still very good.

"Killa," the lead single off this project, is quite a change for Cherish and it follows the new trend of euro-pop sort of stuff that's all the rage right about now. It's catchy and enjoyable. However,"I Ain't Trippin'"-- which was co-written by The Dream--is my hands-down favorite here. It's a bouncy up-tempo track with an unbelievably catchy refrain and the girls toughly stated their indifference towards a newly ended relationship. There are even some great harmonies. "Amnesia" is a nice soulful ballad laced with acoustic guitar and some of their best vocals to date. It really showcases their talent, but I'm not exactly sure on how it will perform as the second single. Either way, I still love it. "Notice" is a good track that was a bit ruined with its lagging and repetitive chorus. I initially liked it very much, but after listen to it several times afterwards, it seems a bit dry. In this collage of an album full of relationship situations and problems lies a track that simply does not belong... a song about designer sunglasses. "Framed Out" is the closest thing to their past crunk & B style and it sounds quite silly buried in the middle of this pretty serious album, with lines like "my Coach shades look like a churned vanilla milkshake." However, it is a pretty catchy, guilty pleasure type of song and it has good harmonizing. And maybe it was purposely put in the middle to provide an interlude of relief from all the heartbreak and drama. "Before You Were My Man," in which an awkward situation causes the girl to confess to her man that she had past relations with his friend before they were together, is the worst track here to me. The production is bland as is the melody, which is just sing-songy. "Superstar" is an excellent, sweet mid-tempo about unconditional love. "Only One" is pretty bland to me. It's pretty standard fare and not much more. The most emotional track here is "Love Sick." I was really surprised that these girls could pull off such a heart-wrenching song, but they did. It has some ominous, haunting production and a chorus that tugs at the listener. "Damages" opens with a no-nonsense attitude: "I really think that you must be out your mind/ or forgot to tell time/ judging by how late you came in/ Well today I woke up on the wrong side/ you should check the curbside/ you'll see that I cleaned out your closet." Ouch! It is a slightly dark, superb track with tons of attitude and resentment. It focuses on the damages they will carry with them after they leave the relationship, much like Mariah Carey's "Side Effects." The closing track, "Like A Drum," is also quality material. The girls imitate a drum with stuttered vocals over a snare and harp-heavy backdrop.

The bottom line: Cherish is pretty much the only R&B group that I have faith in today and I really think they could do big things. This album, unlike their debut, really starts to show their skills, individuality, and star power. They are not so quick to chase the trends this time around and I actually think they are developing a bit of their own style. The majority of the album is made up of mid-tempos and ballads about heartbreak and relationship turbulence, with dark and dramatic production to support their surprisingly emotive and impressive vocals deliveries. One or two up-tempos are thrown in to switch things up. The album is not perfect; one or two tracks could've been left off completely and I would've liked there to be more than eleven tracks. Still, this is a very nice sophomore effort and I hope they improve even more next time around.

Key tracks: I Ain't Trippin', Damages, Like A Drum, Superstar.

Cherish is back with their 2nd cd "The Truth". While i found their first effort "Unappreciated" good. The girls have stepped their game up more this time around. Its evident on various tracks that have a more grown feel to them like experiences that they've been through in the 2 years since their first effort.

The cd opens with a nice uptempo track in "Killa" Feat Yung Joc that is sure to have folks stepping up and take notice or get down on the dance floor whatever suits you. The 2nd song on the cd is my hands down favorite off the album "I Ain't Trippin" with its crazy, infectious beat and vocal delivery. It's different from what folks might expect even though it has a familiar feel to it from their first effort. It's still something out of the ordinary for them. 3rd song (2nd single to be released i believe) Amnesia is nice slow song co-written by the sisters about a relationship that they would like to forget, catch a case of Amnesia. "Notice" is another slower tempo song but it really works with the feel of this cd and is pulled off well.

"Framed Out" is pretty much the title says. It's about the material things ie being framed out in the latest fashion, gear and shades. It's an uptempo song with a solid beat to it. "Before You Were My Man" is about something that happened between her and your best friend before you and the girl were going together. Telling him not to jump too conclusions about the situation. "Superstar" is about having that guy/girl that is there for you despite of your successes or lack of any at all that person that is down for you and treats you like a superstar.

"Only One" another cool, slower tempo song that really seems to flow with the rest and is listen worthy a few times along with "Love Sick" which works to as Cherish brings it. "Damages" is about a relationship that's gone wrong and how they don't care about their Ex and whatever exploits they have going on. They are moving on regardless of things.

"Like A Drum" closes out the cd with a great, drum beat and vocals to it and a nice flow to the song that is telling someone how the sudden news of a breakup is affecting the heart (Like A Drum). It brings to a close a more well rounded 2nd effort from Cherish that is sure to resonate not only with their old fans but will undoubtedly bring in some new ones as well.

Also of note Cherish wrote on every song on "The Truth".

In today's music industry, making a CD with eleven songs is fine as long as the majority of them are filled with hooks - one can even make the case that they'd rather listen to a shorter album rather than one filled with interludes, padded dialogue, and tons of filler (like Janet Jackson's "All For You"). THe issue for Cherish is that they are still developing their sound, and based on the first two tracks, "Killa" and "I Ain't Trippin" I thought they had nailed it. But by track 4, titled "Notice," the album had lost my interest. Some songs pick up again later in the album, most notably the closing track "Like a Drum," but overall, a lack of consistent songs hurt the album as a whole. As for the vocals, they are excellent in terms of pitch and technicality. But some of the songs lack passion. And that is why the Janet Jacksons of the world sell millions of records for decades. It's not that Janet has a great voice as much as she is a great vocalist. There is a difference. Nobody can match her passion. So on the next Cherish album, an improvement in song quality or more passion would make it a winner. The combination of both could produce the dynamite record that finally fulfills this group's amazing promise. The Danity Kanes and Pussycat Dolls of the world could be overtaken by Cherish someday soon, but there is work to be done at this point.

This is a great CD. I wasn't impressed with TLC or Destiny's Childs 1st debut album. But each of those groups did stellar 2nd albums. The same applies to Cherish who had a nice single about 2 summers ago but just didn't have enough to actually make me go pick up the CD. To top that off i wasn't crazy about their music video either as each girl was just acting silly. But i got a chance to listen to each song on this site which let you preview each track for 30 seconds and after hearing all the songs i was hooked. So i picked up my copy today and i have no regrets. Every track here is listenable. It really has great lyrics, beats, vocals...the whole works are put out on this album. The girls made an awesome album here. This is one of the few CDs I got this year where everything fell into place. I don't feel like the girls were trying to put out a crap product or release only 1 good song and feel that only 1 catchy song will guarantee platinum success. The girls really worked with their image and everything seems to have fallen into place. Really enjoyable album and there is definitely something on here for everyone. Such a shame I couldn't say that for Danity Kane's new CD.

What happened to this group of sisters, from Maywood IL, then to Atlanta. Their first album was perfect for drivin to da club or jammin at home, scaring the neighbors with sub-harmonic bass, bangin, blastin, jammin..full of energy, attitude, passion. This one comes across as toned down, kind of weak, too much soft ballad stuff.

I loved this cd, but thats probably because I loved their first one as well. My faves are Amnesia (because I have totally felt that way before), Superstar (because I loved the hook), Love Sick (because who hasn't felt that way at one point or another?), and Like a Drum (because I love the beat). Most of the time while I was listening I kept laughing to myself because some of the things they sing about are so true. I totally felt like this album had depth, unlike some other people. I feel like if you're going to sing about something, sing about the things that people totally understand. Something that they can relate to and play over and over again just because they can lol:)

This is a very good album. One of the best which I have heard this year.

I love this CD, and I love Cherish. They keep me rockin' to every song.

I have the first album of Cherish "Unappreciated" too, but I think that this is more better! I don't have my favourite song but I'd like all album on the whole...Cherish have an excellent vocalist!!!

This album is hot! Although not too much of a change from their debut, The Truth is an opportunity for the group to display somewhat of a more mature image, and to floss those pure and candy vocals we have come to know them for. The album sequencing is a little off, being that it starts off very fun and ends with extremely serious overtones. Here's a track by track review:


1. KILLA - This is the lead single for this album, which most have heard by way of the Step Up 2 Soundtrack. It is funky, energetic, and very powerful, a great way to begin

2. I AIN'T TRIPPIN - The Dream and his writing/production are becoming gold this year! This song is ensationable! Very catchy, very fun, very true and relatable!

3. AMNESIA - Very deep, and reminescent of late 90's music that many love. Thoughtful lyrics, should have come a little later in the album sequence though

4. NOTICE - Clever word play in this song which describes a schoolgirl crush with a neighbor in the apartment complex. Cute and catchy lil' song!

5. FRAMED OUT - Classic car-bumping tune about wearing designer shades! As cutesy and fun as it is, it could have easily fit in with their last album.

6. BEFORE YOU WERE MY MAN - I'm assuming that this is the song that the album title came from. It's a lyrical confession of a lover's prior relationship with their current lover's best friend. Very honest and relatable, and a very interesting song, although the bridge could have built a bit more . . .

7. SUPERSTAR - Jazze does beautifully on the production of this song! Basically, only 1 person has the ability to make you feel like a superstar even when you are looking and feeling your worst.

8. ONLY ONE - Just a reaffirmation of the previous song, at this point in the relationship your lover is questioning your truthfulness. So this song is basically saying that you are the only one for me

9. LOVESICK - Besides prior tracks BEFORE U WERE MY MAN, and NOTICE, this is probably the most interesting and clever lyrical composing of a song that I have heard by the group. It is very emotional, and dark sounding. You can hear the pain on the track

10. DAMAGES - A simple song, sounds like the precursor to LOVESICK, when you've gotten to a point where you don't care anymore about maintaining the relationship because the damage is done!

11. LIKE A DRUM - Continuing the pain motif and rounding out the album is this cut about a relationship gone wrong. Vocally, I think it's the only song where we get to hear lead offerings from all of the girls, and it's probably the reason they decided to chose it to close out the domestic version of the album. Probably the most well-rounded track on the album, it has it's pain, hurt, rise, and fall. Drama is in all the right places on the track. Doesn't feel like an album closer though, still leaves you waiting for some type of resolution.

12. DO IT TO IT (RAP REMIX) - In case you forgot where we got to know cherish from, here is the remix to their popular debut single with plenty heavy hitter names including Chingy, Jazze Pha, and Yung Joc. I would have expected a remix to lead single KILLA but I actually do like this remix and I do think it's a good idea to include it, letting us remember where they came from. Plus none of the remixes to KILLA I heard have been any good.

13. SILLY - This is a remake of the classic Deniece Williams song "Silly Of Me". It is very good! The girls' voices suit the song, and it flows very well. I can't fathom why this didn't make the final version of the album, it would have been a cute way to end it. Maybe they never got clearance to the rights of the song. In any event, its a great bonus, and probably would have been an even better way to end the domestic version of the album.