In Love & War

Amerie

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 2009)
• Original Release Date: November 3, 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B002DSM8TS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #690 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #17 in	Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B
  #26 in	Music > R&B > Soul

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

While it is often said that "all is fair in love and war," not much is mentioned about the place where the two intersect. With her fourth album, In Love & War, superstar Amerie proves she has survived the twisted road to that inevitable collision and lived to sing about it.

Since Amerie first debuted in 2002 with the smash single "Why Don't We Fall in Love," she has always thrown her mind, body and soul into her songs. As a young girl, Amerie lived in a variety of places including South Korea, Germany, Texas, and Alaska because her father worked for the United States military. Having to constantly adapt to new environments, Amerie developed a very strong sense of self early on. While she always excelled in school, she also found solace in music and began expressing her self through song as a child.

"I always sang but I didn't know I was going to be a singer until I was in high school," she says. "My family was really big on academics; they thought I would be a lawyer or a professor. So I said okay, I'm going to be a singer, but I knew I had to go to college first because I was already on the road to academia. I wanted to finish what I started."

After high school, Amerie was accepted to Georgetown University and graduated with a degree in English and Fine Arts. While studying at Georgetown, she befriended a Washington D.C. club promoter who eventually put her in touch with producer Rich Harrison, the man who would lead Amerie to signing her first record deal with Sony Records.

Amerie released her debut album All I Have, and, together with Rich Harrison, she helped steer contemporary R&B away from synthetic sounds through the use of live instrumentation. Three years later, she dropped Touch, which solidified her as one of music's most exciting artists, thanks to the overwhelming success of the go-go inspired track, "1 Thing." In 2007, Amerie released Because I Love It which featured the hip-hop electro sound that is still prevalent in pop music today.

After releasing three critically acclaimed albums, Amerie decided it was time to reposition herself. In 2008 she parted ways with Sony and created her own entertainment company, Feenix Rising, with business partner Len Nicholson. They then secured a distribution deal with Island Def Jam under the tutelage of LA Reid.

"LA and I had been talking about doing something together for a long time," says Amerie. "He was one of the first people I met with when I got into the music business. He's really excited about the music I am making. And what I love is that he doesn't try to make one artist sound like another artist. He's all for creating your own lane."

Never one to follow another's lead, Amerie's latest album, In Love & War, is an aggressive mix of trunk rattling hip-hop, raw soul reminiscent of James Brown, and classic Zeppelin-era rock `n roll. The three-time Grammy nominated singer managed to turn the tumultuous times of her past relationships into a moving collection of songs which will resonate with anyone who has ever been on the wrong side of love.

"This album is very personal, whether I'm talking about my own past situations or situations the people close to me went through," says the striking Korean and Black singer/songwriter/producer. "I really wanted to make sure that everything I was writing wasn't too far from myself."

Unlike many artists who follow whatever trends have proven the most successful, Amerie mapped out the sound of In Love & War before she sat with any producers. "The process would usually be quite a few steps. Usually I'd get a raw instrumental, and from there I'd pick out parts and sounds, and then format them to create the arrangement of the song. Once I wrote and vocaled, I'd talk to the producer again about adding additional instrumentation I felt was necessary, like strings, additional keys, building the bridge, just basically formatting the record.

"For this album, I told people I needed music that was really heavy, something with knock," says Amerie. "Nothing too pretty; I wanted something that sounded `70's-ish, when rock had a lot of soul in it, and it was still so related to the blues. And of course it needed that hip-hop element."

One producer who instantly understood what Amerie needed was Teddy Riley. Of the record, "Tell Me U Love Me", she says, "I didn't really have to say much to Teddy. I told him I wanted something signature `me'. He knew exactly what to do. It was like magic. I wrote that record freestyling in the vocal booth after hearing it for the first time. Killer." Another "killer" moment was with Warren Campbell, who produced "Higher." "I told Warren I wanted a live, hard, rock sound, something mean, something with swagger. I wanted the intrumentation to have a strong personality before I even opened my mouth. He started playing the bass guitar, and I was sitting there creating the lyrics and melody and it all came together really organically. That's what I mean when I say that this album, in addition to being an extension of my first, is also an extension of `1 Thing' because `1 Thing' has its go-go roots but it's also very soulful, `70's rock. I went from that and took it all the way live."

For the song "Different People" Amerie enlisted the Australian producer M-Phazes who tracked a mid-tempo backdrop for the songstress to explain how important it is to accept your partner for who they are, while on "Pretty Brown" (also produced by M-Phazes) Amerie hooks up with Trey Songz to sing about a relationship that is quickly approaching the breaking point. Amerie also linked up with the Buchanans, who have produced on all of her albums, for the riotous "More Than Love" and "Why R U," In Love & War's head-nodding first single.

"Why R U" is about being in a relationship and hating that you're so attached to this person," explains Amerie. "A lot of the songs on this album deal with wanting to be done with a relationship but you're just not really ready to leave, so you hang around and wait for a person to change. I really wanted the lyrical content to be real conversation. I didn't want anything to be sugar-coated."

On the sexy, catchy ladies anthem "Heard `Em All", Amerie let her long locks down over Sean Garrett and Eric Hudson's up-tempo club track while challenging a prospective lover to bring something different to the table.

With her latest album complete and up to her own creative standards, Amerie's In Love & War represents her ever-evolving artistry and insatiable drive to continue to carve out her own path. "I'm really big about staying true to my sound," she says. "I just love to emote," she laughs. "I really feel like I live through music. It's been that way as far as I can remember. I'm always going to do what I want to do, and no one is going to tell me I can't. That's just me."

Product Description

2009 release from the multiple award-winning, platinum-selling R&B singer and songwriter. In Love & War is her fourth album overall and her first for Def Jam Records. The album features an all star team of producers and collaborators. 'Why R U' was produced by the Buchanans, who were among the roster of producers that worked with Amerie on her last two albums, Touch (2005) and Because I Love It (2007). In addition to the Buchanans, other producers who worked on the sessions include Teddy Riley, Sean Garrett & Eric Hudson, and Jim Johnson & Rico Love. Features the single 'Heard 'Em All'.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amerie Doesn't Disappoint on In Love & War, November 4, 2009

By	Christian (California) - See all my reviews

Anyone who knows anything about Amerie knows that she is not afriad to stand out in the crowd of R&B/Pop females today. From her 2002 debut "All I Have" to her utterly perfect 2005 "Touch" album. She has been building her own signature sound from working with producer Rich Harrison. On In Love & War she builds on to that sound by staying true to herself but adding new elements to her already impressive catalog.

1.Tell Me You Love Me 9/10 - Classic Amerie, it's an uptempo track which we have come to expect from Amerie after such songs like "1 Thing" , "Talkin Bout" , " Gotta Work" & "Take Control" off of previous albums. It's a strong tune in which Amerie damands that she is going to make her lover do just that, love her. The bridge and chrous are addictive and I found myself bouncing up and down in my car when listening to this hot tune.

2.Heard Em All 5/10- Not her best in my opinion. It's a nice tune to listen to when you are in the club dancing but as a track off an album, it left me feeling more filler than steller. It shows Amerie using tribal beats and chants. It's good for a first listen but soon loses it's flair after the third listen. Highlights come at the bridge where Amerie slows it down and you feel her raspy voice like we love to hear it.

3.Dangerous 4/10- This is where Amerie takes her sound in a new direction. Incorporating guitars with the percussions, it doesn't work here as well as it does on "Higher". My biggest problem with this track was that lyrically it seemed a bit empty. But it's a well done track in the sense that you get the feel of Amerie is taking different risk.

4.Higher 10/10 -Hands down one of the best tunes if not the best off of the album. Lyrically as well as vocally Amerie is at her best here. The song grabs your attention from the start with Amerie stating "When I was a younger girl, nobody told me about the facts of life". And later asking "Do you feel like a man, because you got my heart in your hands". This is the risk that I wanted to hear from her, with the guitar riff building throughout the song. She gives a great funk vibe in this single hopeful, I got an Ike & Tina era vibe from her off this tune.

5.Why R U 10/10- Probably one of Ameries best singles. Reminiscent of the R&B tunes of the early 90's, it feels like a lost track off of Mary J. Bliges "What's The 411" or "My Life" albums. It's a mid tempo track that you will find yourself bobbing your head to recklessly by the end of the track.

6.Pretty Brown 7/10- A duet with R&B singer Trey Songz. It's nice mid tempo track that samples "Breakin My Heart" by Mint Condition. This tracks seems to be building up quite a following. It's not my favorite off of the album but it is a nice tune with two underrated R&B crooners.

7.More Than Love Feat.Fabolous 10/10- A nice midtempo tune with a great relationship argument breakdown after the first verse, in the vein of classic 70's tunes. Fabolous isn't a heavy presence on the track, he comes and goes but he still adds a nice feel to the track balancing the female and male perspective out.

8.Swag Back 5/10- Lyrically I loved this song, but something about it made me feel that it could have been a tune on Beyonce or Mariah Careys albums. I don't know if it's because of the production or if it doesn't sound like an Amerie song, but it just took me a while to get into this track. Amerie sings about getting her strength (or also known as the tired IMO phrase "swag") back after getting out and over a relationship. And declaring that her head is clear and that she is surviving.

9.You're A Star 7 1/2 /10- A pretty fine umtempo tune for an Interlude, I wish she would have stretched it out to an entire song.

10.Red Eye 10/10- Another grade A tune. Amerie sings about taking a lover around the world, whether or not she is talking about...joining the uh...mile high club is up for your own interpretation. This tune has a nice slow mellow feel to it that you can relax to or whatever. There is no doubt that this should be her next single.

11.The Flowers 10/10- This tune reminded me of "Float" off of her "All I Have" album. With the piano driven force behind it throughout the track. A great mid-tempo R&B tune that I feel could become a classic. Amerie sings about a love lost and how he took her love for granted when he had her, that she wish he would thought to give her the Flowers (love) when they were together so she could have smelt them, but now it's to little to late.

12.Different People 10/10- Great tune in which Amerie sings about how she and her lover have grown apart and have changed. How he has grown more and more critcal of her and her appearance, how she doesn't judge him and in return he should do the same with her, how he is starting to take her love for granted. This track could have been a great setup for "The Flowers", this is a well done tune.

13.Dear John 8/10- Another song lyrcally that is well above average, but the only thing that kept me from giving this a 10/10 was that it sounded like another Mariah Carey tune from one of her latest three albums and not an Amerie tune.

14.Heard Em All 3/10- Lil Wayne adds nothing to this track. They should have left this off the album.

I wish I would have heard Amerie push herself more vocally throughout the album, like I did on "Higher". But all in all this album is definitely worth the buy. If you want to listen to a female artist of today who can give you a nice dance tune with substance and a great ballad. All The while mantaining her musical integrity, not giving into musical fads, get this album.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real RnB/Hip-Hop/Soul Returns with Amerie on this Epic Album!, November 3, 2009

By	EzLeeInfamous "EZ" (DC/MD/VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Love & War (MP3 Download)

I have so much to say about this album, but it is much easier to listen to it and understand for yourself. This album is a good combination of RnB/Hip-Hop/Soul/Rock/Pop making it a win for males & females, young & old. As we all know, being in a relationship has it's ups & downs, good times & bad times. This album takes you on a journey from 'wanting to be loved' to 'finding love' to 'letting love go.' The album kicks off with the up-tempo club bangers that many listeners associate Amerie with, and these bangers definitely pack a punch with her raspy (but harmonious) vocals and heavy percussion. Even when the relationship goes sour, Amerie manages to make the 'heartbreak' tracks sound so sweet! The album gives you a perfect combination of 'what you want, what you have, and what you wish you had' in a relationship. I love the whole album personally but my favorites are Higher, Why R U, Heard Em All, Pretty Brown, More Than Love, Red Eye, The Flowers and Different People. "In Love & War" is Amerie's 4th studio album. You will not be disappointed with this album, it is worth every penny. Have you ever wanted to 'trip the station or Change the channel' from the monotony of similar sounding artists and songs out today? This album 'In Love & War' is your solution/answer. Support Good MUSIC!!!! Thank you AMERIE!!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amerie is BACK and it's her time to shine, November 14, 2009

By	Enlightened "Both Eyes Closed" (In Da A) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Amerie is the most underrated singer to come out this decade. She simply doesn't get the RESPECT she so obviously deserves despite having some mega-hits throughout her career. Amerie possesses what I like to call TALENT and CLASS. Her voice is unique and unmistakable. She's carved out her own vibrant sound which has been flat out stolen by countless singers. That's ok though, because with the help of her new label DEF JAM she's looking to make a bigger impact and once and for all show everyone how it's supposed to be done.

It's been a while since she's released an album in the states. Her third album, Because I Love It, is going for a whopping $44 on this website which is ridiculous (as much as I love Amerie that is simply out of the question so get it used from one of Amazon's vendors). Regardless, her previous albums have all been well worth a purchase and repeated listens spawning classics such as Touch, One Thing, Why Don't We Fall In Love and That's What You Are. IN LOVE AND WAR follows right where her last album left off.


There's plenty of superlatives to describe Amerie's sound whether it be vibrant, aggressive, stylish, unorthodox etc. One thing's for sure....it's refreshing. Amerie is the primary songwriter and there's not much flaw in the songwriting (nothing tacky, corny, or outta place). The songs I'm feeling the most include Tell Me You Love Me, Heard Em All, Higher, Why R U, YOu're A Star, Red Eye, and Flowers. Only the man up above knows why You're A Star is only an interlude.

There's a few high profile producers such as Jim Jonsin, Bryan Michael Cox, and Teddy Riley but the rest are relatively unknown. There's beautiful imagery and artwork in the booklet (when I buy I expect a good booklet too..what can I say?) and it includes lyrics to 4 of the songs (if you can read that handwriting).

Amerie has delivered on her 4th album In Love And War and while not quite a classic is a very good record that you should add to your collection immediately especially if you're a fan and even if you're not a fan and just want to get familiar with her. 4 stars.