The Dutchess

Fergie | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 19, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Interscope Records
• ASIN: B000H4VV52
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (235 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #10,971 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If you thought Black Eyed Pea-sized bites of Fergie might be all you could handle--that a full plate of Fergie is possibly too much for any discerning musical palate--The Dutchess might change your mind. For here the lumpen lady throws caution to the wind and threads her pop needle with an ambitious ribbon of yet-to-be-conquered genres: reggae and ska on "Mary Jane Shoes," with Rita Marley; vintage soul on "Here I Come"; '80s hip-hop on "Fergalicious"; and sophisticated R&B on the John Legend-assisted "Finally." It's a tremendous and unpredictable expenditure of effort that mostly pays off--echoes of more talented vocalists like Pink, Beyoncé, and Christina Aguilera poke through in places. But while unbridled messing about can pay handsome artistic dividends (here, the guitar-propelled rock-like track "Big Girls Don't Cry" coughs them up), ultimately it's when Fergie's at her Peas-iest that she's most lovable; cases in point are the raunchily irresistible "London Bridge," which earned every week of its chart-topping success, and the will.i.am-assisted "Clumsy," a girl-group-styled bump-a-thon that showcases Fergie's coolest and most distinctive asset--her personality--to winning effect. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

97 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Either You Get Her Or You Don't, September 19, 2006

By	K. J. Bryant "peachycream" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Dutchess (Audio CD)

Fergie is one of those artists whose style is not easy on the ears (or the eyes). To like her takes a little sense of humor, some perplexing preferences, and the ability to not always take music serious. To define her is rather hard, but she is somewhere in the middle of R&B star Kelis and pop star Gwen Stefani. This album "Dutchess" is not for the faint ears. The beats are wild with heavy sampling from some surprising artists. What do you expect from a woman who made a song called "My Humps"? This is fun music. Her goal was not to make a political statement or to reveal her inner self. She is making a record to introduce herself as a solo artist and for the people in the clubs dance the night away.

Vocally, Fergie offers many surprises. She shines on songs like

Voodoo Doll- an almost jazzy number mixed with rock

Finally- she almost sounds like X-tina on this song, but this song is one of the most "pop" songs on this cd

Velvet- sultry with a hint of Sade.

On Production. Fergie's producers went out their way to give her a sound all her own. She samples from some of the most surprising sources, too. Examples are:

Here I Am- she boldly sampled the Temptations classic "Get Ready"

Mary Jane Shoes- she sampled "No Woman, No Cry" from the great Bob Marley, but his widow backs Fergie on the tracks.

Lyrically, Fergie is weak. I cannot make up my mind if this is intentionally or if she really cannot write. Whatever the case, Fergie gives us some surprising (and funny) moments.

All That I Got (the Make-Up Song)- Fergie writes "Would u love me if I didn't work out or I didn't change my natural hair"

Fergalicious- Fergie writes "My body stay vicious. I be up in the gym just working on my fitness".

Velet- Fergie writes "Gold and burgundy, sink into me. I feel so warm".

This album has so much appeal, I don't think most people will pay attention to her awkward lyrics.

Highlights on this cd: Fergalicious, Clumsy, All That I Got (the Make-Up Song), Voo Doo Doll, and Glamorous.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyonce let me upgrade you....to a Fergie album, OH SNAP!!!, September 21, 2006

By	ddude1456 "mr. talented" (va, va beach, usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dutchess (Audio CD)

I'm lovin this album from start to finish. I can listen to this cd all day long without skipping tracks, unlike the other albums that recently came out, ahem (Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Xtina) well you get the point it's a great album. Not saying the other albums aren't good, just that Fergie's is better. :-D

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, sophisticated pop album with something for everyone!, January 26, 2007

By	Jennifer Fretwell (Allison Park, PA USA) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Dutchess (Audio CD)

I was a little wary of this album and what Fergie might do on her own initially but I have been listening to this album for a couple months now and I still enjoy it. The album is simply a fun pop album and actually a well crafted one, at that. The most interesting thing is that unlike many of today's pop albums, there is a great variety of styles and influences on each track and the various songs don't sound the same or blend together.

For "London Bridge" Fergie borrows some moves from Missy Elliot. This is a cool rap track that makes you want to dance. This song is NOT about sex, as far as I can tell, but about going to the club and shaking her booty. Yes, it is a little juvenile with the swear words but I can't help but like it. "Fergalicious" is a fun rap tune sampling some 80's pop. On "Pedastal" she sounds a bit like Pink and the song shows a strong punk influence. "Big Girls Don't Cry" is a highlight and sounds Pink-influenced as does "Losing my Ground." "Clumsy" and "All That I Got" are just bubblegum pop songs with an infectious beat. "Here I Come" samples a track of classic soul and is strong. "Mary Jane Shoes" throws in a bit of reggae just so no musical style is left out. My favorite track on the album is "Glamorous" which features a cameo by Ludacris and is a smoooth R&B hip hop track. "Velvet" and "Voodoo Doll" are the weakest tracks here but still acceptable. "Finally" is the last song and it is a very ambitious pop ballad with shades of Christina.

I am impressed with Fergie's voice which is strong and has a good range and decent expression. I also have to say that the wealth of styles in the material on one album was very ambitious and shows just how versatile Fergie is. Lyrically, there are some weaknesses, as others have pointed out. The most embarassing examples are "Would you love me if I didnt work out or I didn't change my natural hair" and "My body stay vicious/
I be up in the gym just working on my fitness" as well as "When I wear my mary jane shoes/I'm just like a child in my Underoos." It is possible she is intentionally trying to be humorous but they are silly lyrics. Overall, the gripes are minimal and I will enjoy listening to this album for a long time to come. I think if Miss Fergie continues to blossom and improve her next album will be very, very good.