Customer Reviews

Veteran

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

He's finally made a cd that I thought was worth buying. Usually, if a cd doesn't have at least 3-4 songs that I like, then I won't buy it. However, after hearing a preview of the cd on The Steve Harvey Morning Show I just broke down and bought it regardless. I mean, how can I not give this cd a 5 star rating when I repeatedly listen to 7 of the 12 tracks on it? My favorites are Always & Forever, Favorite Girl, Circle, Wonderful, How You Just Gonna, Hold N' Back featuring Mya and Shawnna and although it's about another girl I like Kimberly. To me, his sound has matured and that, besides the fact that he's been in the game since he was a little kid, it what truly makes him a Veteran. So, go ahead and get your grown and sexy on with this cd. Trust me when I say that it's not that bubble gum teenage music that he's been known for in the past. This is truly R&B, Marques Houston style.

It goes without saying that Marques Houston has grown up right before our eyes. You all remember when he was running around with Immature with their eccentric outfits and Marques sporting his 'whipped' hairdo that had a lot of girls getting jealous because his hair looked way better than theirs. More than fifteen years later, that little boy is now a grown man doing music for all the mature crowd (and doing it well) with his latest album titled Veteran. After getting past the obvious radio-friendly club cut "Like This" featuring Yung Joc, the rest of the album is stellar. "Always & Forever" is a smooth, falsetto-driven track that gets the mood going, "Favorite Girl" (the original single from months ago) is fun and light-hearted, and the current single "Circle" is a certified R&B chart topper that will definitely catch the attention of the young ladies out there. Along those same lines is the song "Wonderful" with its simple piano backdrop and straightforward lyrics as well as "Hold N' Back" with incognito songstress Mya and Shawnna providing that extra special touch to an already dynamic melody. Songs like "Exclusively" "So Right For Me" and "How You Just Gonna" will remind longtime listeners of the later contemporary sound of IMx. "Kimberly" is a nice dedication song (especially for girlfriends named Kimberly) while "Miss Being Your Man" is one of those 'regret' songs for the fellas instead of the ladies. Marques Houston outdid himself with this album. You could see the obvious transitions to more mature material over the years, but it became more obvious with the release of his last album Naked. Veteran is a great album from an artist who is ready to take on the Grown and Sexy crowd.

Finally! Finally! I speak for all Marques Houston fans from the very beginning of Immature when I say F-I-N-A-L-L-Y! Veteran debuted at #1 on Billboard! To everyone who has ever said he's corny, unoriginal, talentless, you all can kiss his @$$! He's hot and I have been a loving and supportive fan from the door! I have always believed in his talent and long lasting career! I am so proud of Marques and I have to say that Miss Being Your Man and Circle are my absolute favorites! And Circle is not just an urban ballad, it's unique and everything we can relate to in one song. His last album Naked, had All Because of You, Sex Wit You, Naked, Do You Mind, and my fave favorite Everything, which is what women want. Deep, meaningful, loving lyrics which is what R&B is all about. It's about time Marques talent has stepped into the recognition spotlight and prayerfully for good. I have prayed he would get the long awaited recognition he deserves. I still believe he would have BEEN out here sooner had he dropped his manager years ago but that's just my opinion. I feel like he has never truly been promoted the way that Omarion and B2K has, and that is greatly to blame for Immature/IMx true lack of higher success. His album is the best and yet his website is still under construction after all this time! Bad management! This album is proof that Marques has a talented writing team and his vocals can carry these hits home! I am very proud of loving this man since my childhood, throughout my teenaged years and into my adulthood. Not many singers have made it out that long. I'm glad God made this exception. I love his Thank You's so humble, so appreciative of God. It just makes me love him more. Marques has a bright future ahead of him god willing, and I can't wait for his upcoming movies to come out.

I never thought that MH would have an album with over a 3 star rating. I just did not think he had the talent to make this type of album. I mean i have always liked MH, i was a fan of his album Naked, but he really shocked with the value of this album. What shocked me the most though was how much his music matured from the pure sex album naked, to the mellow autobiography Veteran. He really toned this album down as far as Sex and party tracks. This album is far more laid back then any other album he has made. I mean the best song he has ever made is probably the unoticed "Favorite Girl" which is just such a relaxed song i dont know how people could not like it. The second single "Circle" was an even bigger surprise cause i would have never pictured MH doin a heartbreak track produced with piano laced beats by B.Cox. So that track made me want the album even more just to see what he has new to offer. So its obvious the anticipation for this album was there and i could not wait for it to drop. Then after numerous release dates and delays it finally dropped on March 20th and i rushed to target and picked up my copy asap. And i was listening to it and i could not help but notice how much he has matured, hence the album title Veteran. The track that always sticks out most in my mind is the closing track "Miss Bein' Your Man", this is and Underdogs produced track that you can just feel MH's loss of his woman on. It just has a real good mid tempo beat. And the song writing is on point. My Veteran copy came with a bonus track called "Excited", which it differs from most bonus tracks, cause unlike most this track is actually very good. And the beat just bangs. If you like MH than you will definetly wanna check out this album.


Grade:
B+

I absolutely loved this CD. I have followed Marques Houston's career kinda on the perimeter. I have always enjoyed his style of singing but it wasn't until he went solo that I took notice. This is his best thus far. You ARE a veteran Mr. Houston and this CD proves it.

I WAS NOT A FAN OF HIS BUT THIS CD OPENED MY EYES TO THIS YOUNG BROTHER'S TALENT. I LOOK FORWARD TO HIS NEXT CD.

LINDA

OMG, I play this CD over and over. What a talent MH is! I love that his music in this CD, is pure R & B, and he left the rap out. That makes this CD a for sure, great love making CD!!!!