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36 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Melodiously catchy, oversmooth 80's sheen., October 28, 2008
The former John Stephens flits through rap, reggae, club grooves, guitar-led singer-songwriting and generic pop anthems, with an oversmooth Eighties sheen and sentimental, loved-up lyrics that take him dangerously close to a sloppy, drossy territory.
That is John's problem: his contemporary soul, lovely though its melodies are, suggests facility rather than passion, skill instead of instinct.
His new album remains earthbound.
He lends some old school soul sophistication to the R&B scene, but often seems to promise more than he delivers.
His third album, filled with big name guests, such as Kanye West, Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas and Andre 3000 of Outkast, because he can, is a case in point - laid-back, confident, diverse... and a little disappointing.
"Good Morning" is a standard smoochy wake-up call, "This Time" could easily be farmed out to a boy band without seeming any less vacuous, while "If You're Out There's "inspirational" lyrics amount to no more than a string of clichés.
And this with mandatory gospel choir.
The blithe reggae track "No Other Love", the Estelle duet, is enjoyable and sultry enough. At least his new protégé, Estelle, gets to return the favour.
"References to "change", "destiny" and "the future" abound; the arrival, midway through, of surging chorales is reassuringly inevitable, as are the crashing power chords.
It is a little corny, but don't be surprised if you too get swept up in its grandeur on....November 4".-A.Macpherson
As on Legend's previous two efforts, his balladry can tend towards banality, and bland slow jams such as "Cross the Line" prove unmemorable.
"We suspect Legend aspires to be a modern Stevie Wonder or Marvin Gaye. He has ended up as the 21st-century Lionel Richie".- Dan Cairns
But the innate warmth of John's voice mostly carries his material.
Highlights: "Green Light", "It's Over" and "No Other Love".
Shine
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15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing at best, November 5, 2008
Being a big fan of John Legend's previous two albums, it's really hard to imagine this being his third album. Whatever happened to the passionate piano pieces that were found in "So High", "Ordinary People" and "We Just Don't Care"? The cheeky themes and lyrics found in "She Don't Have To Know" and "Number One"? The smooth tunes of "Save Room" and "Slow Dance"?
'Evolver' feels like a manufactured compilation of samples and beats which play in the background while Legend tries akwardly to fit in with his soulful crooning. While the previous albums lacked the big name collaborations featured in this album, this album lacked the originality and passion that made John Legend a star. And that, at the end of the day, is really what music is about.
The album title may be named 'Evolver', but this seems like a step back towards manufactured Pop/R&B that's playing on the radio. Stick with Legend's previous albums.
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20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Legend on the decline?, November 2, 2008
Wow...I mean, I really do love this man. He actually went to my alma mater (big up U Penn!) so I feel a lil connection with him. But I would be remiss if I was not honest about what is going on here. Mr. Legend has served up a mixed bag with this latest cd. I very strongly like about 5 or 6 songs..leaving me with about half the album that doesn't do much for me. At first, I thought that I wasn't a big fan of his last project, Once Again, especially when comparing it to his ground breaking first album. But sadly, I just realized that I actually like his 2nd album better, and I really hate when artists steadily begin to make poorer musical choices. Anyway, let me try and say something nice about this latest offering. I happen to LOVE Greenlight, along with the rest of all people with good hearing. It's Over is great and Everybody Knows is growing on me. Quickly, with Brandy, is GREAT! I love this song, and it's great to hear her coming back. Love the Estelle song, Satisfaction, and Take me Away. The rest, SNORE! My friend actually heard Legend perform This Time live with only a piano and he claims it was amazing. I think I believe him, and wish Legend had been inclined to keep it beautiful and sparse like that on the album, but alas, he did not. I REALLY hate the last song...super super cheesy and just...well take an listen for yourself and decide. All in all, I wish I could string together the songs that I like, cause I really do like them a great deal, and make a little mini album. Not Feeling the Filler John!!
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