Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Well-produced mainstream hip hop, November 13, 2008
If you're looking for musical or lyrical hip hop genius, this isn't it. However, T-Pain has figured out the mainstream hip hop formula, and he executes it well on Thr33 Ringz. Yes, T-Pain alters his voice a lot, but since I've come to expect it and it's part of his sound, I didn't find it difficult to get past. The slew of guest artists (Ludacris, Chris Brown, Akon, Kanye West, T.I., etc.) keeps the album interesting. Each of the songs has a bit of the distinct flavor of the guest artist, which helps take away from some of the monotony.
Generally, it's an entertaining listen if you're into the radio-friendly R&B and pop-infused type of hip hop. After my second time through the album, my favorites are Freeze (with Chris Brown), which is a lot of fun, and Chopped & Screwed (with Ludacris), which is characterized by the song title. I was initially surprised by the sample of Eric Clapton's "Change the World" in the similarly titled "Change," but it was appropriately used for the album's requisite "the world has so many issues" track.
I could do without the skits and other spoken parts of the album, but that is a personal preference since I'd rather just hear the music. Also, I'm disappointed that "Can't Believe It" was the first single released. I suppose it makes marketing sense since Lil' Wayne is so popular right now, but he is simply terrible on this track and there are far better songs on the album. All in all, the first half of the album is stronger than the second half, but it's worth the $14 I paid for it at a retail store.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz, November 13, 2008
Well i guess i cant really hate on T-Pain anymore. I will be the first one to admit that after his first album, i was hoping he would fall off the face of the earth because it was so terrible. I was calling him a one hit wonder. But now, in November 2008, three years after his debut, and about 2,093 guests verses or hooks later, T-Pain is still on top and doesnt appear to be slowing down. He just knows how to make hits. Period. While the man probably sounds like Ray J without his signature vocoder, he still makes it work and just keeps on churning out hits singles and albums. And honestly, i almost feel guilty for saying this but, Thr33 Ringz is actually a pretty good album lol. For someone who uses a vocoder about 95% of the time, he really made a pretty good album. I mean, this is definetly not your typical R&B album, if you can even call it R&B. But the music is catchy, and some of it is even sexy. The album is FULL of potential hit singles and guest appearance. Unlike his previous albums though, the guest stars are actually good. The one thing that i definetly wish he would have done differently is do a few more songs by himself. He only does three actual tracks by himself. But only two of those songs are actually worth listening to. "Ringleader Man" is a great track where he just pretty much says hes running the game, which in all honesty, he is. And then he comes back with another strippers anthem in "Long Lap Dance", which is currently my favorite track on the album with its grown and sexy feel. And then on "Freeze" with Chris Brown, he trys to recapture the success of "Kiss Kiss" which is very obvious. "Chopped N Screwed" is a sure to be hit with Luda's killer verse and with the sheer danceability of the track. And then on "Therapy", T-Pain tells his woman literally "1234/Get the hell up out my door/5678/I dont need your sex ill masterbate" over this very breezy track with Kanye. Another standout is "Reality Show" with Musiq, and Raheem Devaughn. I really like that he put those two soul singers on this track to add that grown n sexy vibe. Its another track that is just infectious with its catchiness. Like i said, I'm just as surprised as you probably are that T-Pain is still on top, but honestly after Three albums in three years, and a couple hundred hit singles, it really doesnt look like hes going anywhere so we mide as well accept him for what he is, and understand that he is talented. Don't hate! T-Pain do your thang boy!
Grade:
B
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
First T-Pain album, November 12, 2008
This is the first time that I have listened to a T-Pain album. I was very surprised by his work as I was skeptical that I could take a whole album of him singing in his trademark computerized voice. I did not listen to it expecting to hear anything that would clear up the meaning of life, so if you are one of those types this may not be the album for you. However, if you are just loking for some good songs with some nice beats and good production then you should be very pleased with this effort. I in particular like the cuts "Therapy" and "Chopped and Skrewed" as well as the one he did with Ciara. There is only one track out of all of them that I just do not really listen to. I was dissapointed in the marketing that they did with an incomplete album for $10 so make sure you are aware of the upgraded deluxe version as it has 4 additional songs which you will pay extra for. Not much of a bonus as a bonus is free! However I really like the album. Not sure if it's a classic meaning I will have it in rotation over six months from now but it will definitly get a lot of play in my cd player.
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