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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
3½ stars - A very nice sophomore effort., May 13, 2008
There are few things in today's music business that sadden me more than the absence of a noteworthy R&B girl group. (And no, Danity Kane doesn't count). I'm talking about that authentic, old school type of group with tight harmonies, fresh and creative material, individuality, personality, presence, and members that found each other by destiny alone. Not some manufactured, formulaic lineup of empty individuals spouting out whatever the producer wants or what will suit the radio; not some group that hides in the studio, and in the rare occasion when they meet the stage, they miserably fail. It seems that Cherish is the closest thing we have to the former today. But with their debut, Unappreciated, I really don't think they lived up to this expectation of mine. Yes, it was a very catchy disc, and it was clear that they were talented young sisters, but they often succumbed to the trends that were burning up the airwaves at that period of time: snap music, crunk... that kind of stuff. And most of the time, this choice was a sacrifice that stifled them from showing their real talents and individuality. (The title track was a superb song, though). When I heard they were coming back, I was really anticipating. Now, two years after grabbing their first album, I can finally listen to the sophomore effort, The Truth. It is a considerable improvement from Unappreciated in my eyes, and while it doesn't completely meet the high expectations I have of them or what I think they could truly become, it is still very good.
"Killa," the lead single off this project, is quite a change for Cherish and it follows the new trend of euro-pop sort of stuff that's all the rage right about now. It's catchy and enjoyable. However,"I Ain't Trippin'"-- which was co-written by The Dream--is my hands-down favorite here. It's a bouncy up-tempo track with an unbelievably catchy refrain and the girls toughly stated their indifference towards a newly ended relationship. There are even some great harmonies. "Amnesia" is a nice soulful ballad laced with acoustic guitar and some of their best vocals to date. It really showcases their talent, but I'm not exactly sure on how it will perform as the second single. Either way, I still love it. "Notice" is a good track that was a bit ruined with its lagging and repetitive chorus. I initially liked it very much, but after listen to it several times afterwards, it seems a bit dry. In this collage of an album full of relationship situations and problems lies a track that simply does not belong... a song about designer sunglasses. "Framed Out" is the closest thing to their past crunk & B style and it sounds quite silly buried in the middle of this pretty serious album, with lines like "my Coach shades look like a churned vanilla milkshake." However, it is a pretty catchy, guilty pleasure type of song and it has good harmonizing. And maybe it was purposely put in the middle to provide an interlude of relief from all the heartbreak and drama. "Before You Were My Man," in which an awkward situation causes the girl to confess to her man that she had past relations with his friend before they were together, is the worst track here to me. The production is bland as is the melody, which is just sing-songy. "Superstar" is an excellent, sweet mid-tempo about unconditional love. "Only One" is pretty bland to me. It's pretty standard fare and not much more. The most emotional track here is "Love Sick." I was really surprised that these girls could pull off such a heart-wrenching song, but they did. It has some ominous, haunting production and a chorus that tugs at the listener. "Damages" opens with a no-nonsense attitude: "I really think that you must be out your mind/ or forgot to tell time/ judging by how late you came in/ Well today I woke up on the wrong side/ you should check the curbside/ you'll see that I cleaned out your closet." Ouch! It is a slightly dark, superb track with tons of attitude and resentment. It focuses on the damages they will carry with them after they leave the relationship, much like Mariah Carey's "Side Effects." The closing track, "Like A Drum," is also quality material. The girls imitate a drum with stuttered vocals over a snare and harp-heavy backdrop.
The bottom line: Cherish is pretty much the only R&B group that I have faith in today and I really think they could do big things. This album, unlike their debut, really starts to show their skills, individuality, and star power. They are not so quick to chase the trends this time around and I actually think they are developing a bit of their own style. The majority of the album is made up of mid-tempos and ballads about heartbreak and relationship turbulence, with dark and dramatic production to support their surprisingly emotive and impressive vocals deliveries. One or two up-tempos are thrown in to switch things up. The album is not perfect; one or two tracks could've been left off completely and I would've liked there to be more than eleven tracks. Still, this is a very nice sophomore effort and I hope they improve even more next time around.
Key tracks: I Ain't Trippin', Damages, Like A Drum, Superstar.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
bringing The Truth, May 14, 2008
Cherish is back with their 2nd cd "The Truth". While i found their first effort "Unappreciated" good. The girls have stepped their game up more this time around. Its evident on various tracks that have a more grown feel to them like experiences that they've been through in the 2 years since their first effort.
The cd opens with a nice uptempo track in "Killa" Feat Yung Joc that is sure to have folks stepping up and take notice or get down on the dance floor whatever suits you. The 2nd song on the cd is my hands down favorite off the album "I Ain't Trippin" with its crazy, infectious beat and vocal delivery. It's different from what folks might expect even though it has a familiar feel to it from their first effort. It's still something out of the ordinary for them. 3rd song (2nd single to be released i believe) Amnesia is nice slow song co-written by the sisters about a relationship that they would like to forget, catch a case of Amnesia. "Notice" is another slower tempo song but it really works with the feel of this cd and is pulled off well.
"Framed Out" is pretty much the title says. It's about the material things ie being framed out in the latest fashion, gear and shades. It's an uptempo song with a solid beat to it. "Before You Were My Man" is about something that happened between her and your best friend before you and the girl were going together. Telling him not to jump too conclusions about the situation. "Superstar" is about having that guy/girl that is there for you despite of your successes or lack of any at all that person that is down for you and treats you like a superstar.
"Only One" another cool, slower tempo song that really seems to flow with the rest and is listen worthy a few times along with "Love Sick" which works to as Cherish brings it. "Damages" is about a relationship that's gone wrong and how they don't care about their Ex and whatever exploits they have going on. They are moving on regardless of things.
"Like A Drum" closes out the cd with a great, drum beat and vocals to it and a nice flow to the song that is telling someone how the sudden news of a breakup is affecting the heart (Like A Drum). It brings to a close a more well rounded 2nd effort from Cherish that is sure to resonate not only with their old fans but will undoubtedly bring in some new ones as well.
Also of note Cherish wrote on every song on "The Truth".
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Shows Potential, But Needs More Hooks, May 20, 2008
In today's music industry, making a CD with eleven songs is fine as long as the majority of them are filled with hooks - one can even make the case that they'd rather listen to a shorter album rather than one filled with interludes, padded dialogue, and tons of filler (like Janet Jackson's "All For You"). THe issue for Cherish is that they are still developing their sound, and based on the first two tracks, "Killa" and "I Ain't Trippin" I thought they had nailed it. But by track 4, titled "Notice," the album had lost my interest. Some songs pick up again later in the album, most notably the closing track "Like a Drum," but overall, a lack of consistent songs hurt the album as a whole. As for the vocals, they are excellent in terms of pitch and technicality. But some of the songs lack passion. And that is why the Janet Jacksons of the world sell millions of records for decades. It's not that Janet has a great voice as much as she is a great vocalist. There is a difference. Nobody can match her passion. So on the next Cherish album, an improvement in song quality or more passion would make it a winner. The combination of both could produce the dynamite record that finally fulfills this group's amazing promise. The Danity Kanes and Pussycat Dolls of the world could be overtaken by Cherish someday soon, but there is work to be done at this point.
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