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43 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
"Concrete" thuds, January 6, 2005
In the intro of "Concrete Rose," Ashanti happily announces that this is her best album yet. Can we all take a vote on that? With her flimsy vocals, poppy beats and distracting electronic tweaks, the singer strains to prove herself on her third outing, but only falls flat.
The sound is pretty much the same as her prior albums -- R&P (rhythm'n'pop) interspersed with little skits and interludes. The one standout song is "Only U," with its grimy, sinuous rock beat and grinding bass. It's a catchy song with a slightly rock-ish edge, and one that manages to rise above "guilty pleasure."
But the remaining songs are saddled with rhythm that could be catchy, if they weren't jerked all over the place. Songs like "Focus" and "Still Down" are also saddled with some very unfortunate electronic swips and swooshes, as well as odd sampling in all the wrong places. Maracas? In the middle of a song? Not good.
A few songs show a bit of instrumental promise -- "So Hot" has a gentle guitar intro, and "Message to the Fans" has some passable electric violin. But these, plus the grind of "Only U," are buried under the canned R&P beats, poppy and generic. It's tailor-made for radioplay, and after a while it all starts to blur together.
Don't expect the songwriting to be any better -- it's generic pop, laced with lots of "Yeahs" and groaner lines, where Ashanti talks about her sexy style, sex, love and boyfriends. Try this out: "And when you put your hands in certain places/Boy I can't help but make them silly faces." Well, you should see the one I'm making now.
Ashanti's voice hasn't grown, that much is clear. She's at her strongest in the intro, when she's speaking. But then the songs start. Sadly, her singing vocals are high, thin and without much of a range; her delivery is a bit like a teenager who believes she is destined for singing stardom, and doesn't notice the pals with their ears plugged. Don't even get me started on the little-girl rap she puts out in "Still Down."
"Rose" falls to the concrete, stumbling over sub-par vocals and mediocre music. Evidently for Ashanti, third time wasn't the charm.
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is this the same girl who made that terrible "Chapter 2" ?, December 18, 2004
This is such a relief from last summer's "Chapter II". The only good songs on that CD were its 2 singles: "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)" and "Rain On Me". Here, there are many gems.
First, I must say that rapper T.I. is about to become the hottest rapper in the mainstream, from as far as I can tell. Apparently, all of R&B's leading ladies are feelin' him, and asking for his assistance on their albums. Not only are these leading ladies that he's working with...these women are R&B royalty! First, Destiny's Child, now, Ashanti.
The first song on Ashanti's new album, "Concrete Rose", features T.I. The track is called, "Still Down". It's a very hot track and could easily be a hit single right off the bat. The next song on the album, "Only U", serves as the album's first single. First let me say that the video for this song is so hot & sexy! But, the most noticeable and evident thing about this song is its crazy and creative production. All thanks to The I.N.C. Records producer, 7 Aurelius, Ashanti has had to make many rappers jealous. Jealous that she's an R&B songstress with a such gritty, Hip-Hop beat.
The next song, "Focus", is a nice song, but there's not much to say about it. It's just, well....there. The track after that, titled "Don't Like Them", is one of my favorites. I love the thematic feature of this song. She's telling her fans (such as myself) not to let anyone drive you away from your true love. Yeah, I thought so too. It's just a tad bit like Brandy's "Talk About Our Love". Theme anyways.
"Love Again" is a beautiful song for an R&B songstress like Ashanti. Her vocals sound so sexy, sensual, and relaxed on this track. The next song, a duet with fellow I.N.C. recording artist Lloyd, titled "Take Me Tonight", would be a great R&B duet to follow-up to Usher & Alicia's "My Boo". The only thing wrong with that is the fact that only Ashanti is on that superstar level with Usher & Alicia...Lloyd isn't. Maybe this song being released as a single may help.
"U", the album's next song, shows Ashanti's sexy vocals sounding a little more street. It's a great song. She's singing about making love, but her vocals sound so streetwise.
"Every Lil' Thing" is a very catchy song. I think that's why I love it so much.
The next song, "So Hot", is a song that I just have mixed emotions about. Maybe I should listen to it a few more times, just to get used to it. 7 Aurelius once again shows up on the next track, "Don't Love Me Alone". His production genius graces the platform yet another time, and Ashanti's vocals just sound so sexy...yet again!
The last track, "Freedom", is a song that I can really relate to. That Ashanti's tried to please so many people, but now she just has to live her life for her, and not everyone else.
The album's bonus, a remix of Ja Rule's top 5 hit "Wonderful", has improved, with Ashanti getting a verse. It could also serve as a great single. Sometimes people could listen to the original recording, and not even notice that she was on it. Now, we know for sure.
In my opinion, this beats both the debut and the sophomore album. It doesn't be the debut by much, but it definitely beats the sophomore album be a long shot. All comparisons to Mary J. Blige should be stopped here. Mary is a more soulful, edgy, Hip-Hop vocalist. They don't call her the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" for nothing.
Ashanti is an R&B songstress. Her vocals are sexier and more sensual than Mary's. Not to say that she sings better than Blige. It's just a fact that Ashanti's voice carries a more sexy sound. Comparing Ashanti to Christina Milian, Beyoncé, Tamia, and the beloved Aaliyah would make a lot more sense in comparison. She doesn't sing better than any of them, but her voice keeps improving, so she'll be just as good vocally in no time.
Shani's vocals have improved so much more on this album. The voice just keeps getting better and better. Buy this CD!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best album's ever made!, December 15, 2004
This has got to be Ashanti's best album ever it beats her self titled album. Ashanti stepped up her level, and she's showing the haters she can dance, and her vocals have progressed, and her lyrics are more mature. This is a must have album from Ashanti for all types of people including the haters to the fans which we have stuck by her since she first cam out! It also features collaborations from TI, Ja, Lloyd, and 7 Aurelis her producer that came back to work with her, 7 actually worked on her first album but dropped The INC. last year and came back to the camp this year to reunite with The INC. and made hits for her such as "Foolish","Down 4 U", and "Always On Time", and "Rescue". This album is her best of yet every song is a hit honestly so there for I encourage u to buy her album,Concrete Rose, get the album!
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