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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Underrated 'Veteran' Gets 4 Stars From Me, March 23, 2007
The fact that Marques Houston's third album is called VETERAN is a bit laughable from first sight without investing time listening to the album. One who still doesn't find "Batman" credible will just laugh off the notion that this 25 year-old kid is truly a veteran. If you just look back as far as 2005's hit "Naked", you begin to see a certain absurd maturity burgeoning. Sure, NAKED itself was more than just MH revealing his personal life (hence the song), but it began to make a larger audience more aware of MH. Perhaps if that was the role of NAKED after MH (his debut) tanked, perhaps VETERAN will be the album that truly breaks Marques Houston through. If quality is any indication, I think it surely will! The album almost takes an instantaneous misstep when it opens with the "Veteran" intro. Doubters might instantly click the power button. For those who stay along for the "Veteran's" ride, they won't be disappointed in the LEAST.
"Like This" features the recently ubiquitous Yung Joc (for good reason since "It's Goin' Down" was Grammy nominated for Best Rap Song and was the inescapable anthem of 2006). The track is a great way to open the album up with MH singing in a great falsetto than any MH fans can't miss. The track is absolutely banging-- the production is top-notch, Marques is in his element and Yung Joc is doing his thing. Perhaps this should've been his first single as opposed to "Circle". "Always & Forever" follows the banger "Like This" and slows down things, which is very appropriate. MH sounds very smooth here, among the best I've heard him. The background vocals are in the pocket, and everything sounds great. Sure, it isn't as exciting as "Like This", but it is pure, beautiful, and urban. The only drawback is it's length, which is a bit much despite being only 4 minutes.
"Favorite Girl" brings the tempo back up, though not quite like the manic "Like This". Great about "Favorite Girl" is the ultimate simplicity; it isn't overdone nor underdone and Marques sounds top-rate. What I appreciate about him specifically is the fact that he doesn't overdo melisma, like a host of R&B singers today. "Favorite Girl" is definitely a "favorite" for me. "Circle" (the first single) comes over as your typical urban ballad, not unlike Usher's "Burn", Omarion's "O", etc... The background vocals are strong here and as always, MH, sounds great. "Circle" is good, but it isn't necessarily "great". Personally, the "slinky" "Like This" may have been a better promo-single for MH. As I've said though, MH sounds great here, despite the fact "Circle" isn't quite as good as the hype (it is good though). "Wonderful" picks up any lost momentum following "Circle", which isn't that much of a gap sense "Wonderful" proves to be the fifth straight consistent track. Now ask, 'Was MH lying when he title the album VETERAN?' Maybe not.
"Exclusively" showcases the ultimate "urban" sounding track via a number of synthesized sounds and the typical R&B programming. While "Exclusively" isn't quite as good as the latter tracks, it is above-par, as everything on VETERAN has proven to be. If anything, the slinky bass-synth on the bottom of "Exclusively" makes it worth a listen! "How Ya Just Gonna" proves to be another club-banger, though it doesn't quite live up to the bombastic "Like This". MH pulls off the sexual bravado of "How Ya Just Gonna" very well and makes the hook ultimately sensual and catchy at the same time. "Hold N' Back" slows down the tempo once again and features Mya & female MC standout Shawnna. The great thing for MH concerning "Hold N' Back" is that he outsings/out-performs both Mya and Shawnna. The track isn't the best of the best, but it is one of the better tracks and it is definitely consistent with everything else.
"Kimberly" begins as a shock, as it just seems to barrel in to the track without much introduction. As always, MH is on top of his game and the background vocals are very harmonious. "Kimberly" isn't the best track, but it is consistent enough to grasp a couple of listens, even if it won't be played by fans as much as "Like This", or "Circle", just to mention a few. It is a bit irregular in a number of ways-- and you have to wonder why MH chose "Kimberly" to sing about. "So Right For Me" employs a sped up soul sample ("Let's Spend Time" perhaps?) and proves to be another solid MH performance. Most acclaimed for me is that I feel that MH was truly pouring his soul into it, moreso than he has on Veteran. Just marvelous! "Miss Being Your Man" ends a strong R&B album on a high note (literally, considering his constant use of falsetto here). Perhaps VETERAN will be called Marques Houston's very best album, who knows.
Aside from a few flaws, VETERAN is very polished. Always, MH sounds great, perhaps the best I've EVER heard him. At 25, he has so much potential to fill the gaps where the great soul singers (and "lover men") preceding him once reigned-- Marvin Gaye, TP, Barry White, Bobby Womack, Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, etc. Honestly in my book VETERAN deserves 4 stars.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressed, March 20, 2007
I'd heard "Circle" from a MySpace blog and I was thoroughly impressed with that song, but I hadn't expected his new album to be so stellar. I am very impressed. He hit those high notes impressively, the lyrics were intelligent, and it is taking some serious discipline not to stand up and dance at work while I'm listening to it. He is definitely worthy of the title as a veteran considering he's been around since the Immature days, and his voice has improved from the cutesy one to that grown man soul. Every single song on here is a single. Great job, Mr. Houston!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Veteran, March 21, 2007
Wow, Marques has put another hit album on the R&B Charts. This album sounds so good. So far, I am listening to it right now! This album sounds somewhat similar to Omarion's 21 album. This album reveals his maturity to the world. This album is a reinvention of himself but simply as whom he is become. This album sets the tone for who he is as a man and as an artist. This album expresses maturity through lyrics on far more tender subject matters and melodies for the hip adult. I hope this album is successful.
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by Marques Houston 
