In Love & War (Album Cover)

Here’s a ‘new’ section which I would be doing. Worthy albums which I’ve not reviewed before and passed 3 months of its release, I’ll chuck it in this section. The first honorary would be Amerie!! Any albums I’ll try my best to review, cause I’ve binding ‘commitments’ for the time-being. =( Rest assured, I always do the more anticipated ones first. =)

“In Love & War” is the the fourth studio album by Amerie, already released on November 3rd 2009, by Def Jam Recordings. The album has received generally positive reviews from music critics, it’s rather easy to see (hear) why.

First Impressions
As compared with the sound of her brillant 3rd album, “Because I Love It“, she sorta turn back time and experiments with old school “Funk & B” (Funk + R&B) beats. It doesn’t sound dated and at the same time, it’s current enough to capture the listeners’ attention (including mine).

All tracks are co-written by Amerie herself, with the producers she’ve collaborated. Impressive. This album surprised me in a good way.

If Beyonce’s “B’day” and Solange’s “Sol-Angel and The Hadley St. Dreams” were to have mash up, this would be their love child. Only better!!!! The Knowles Sisters don’t stand a chance in terms of music quality.

Standout Tracks

• Tell Me You Love Me
  Album opener. As usual, the first track always sets the tone of the album. This album is no exception. There are some albums with songs all over the place, which would result in a mess. A promising start. =)
• Heard ‘Em All
  2nd single. Uncredited vocals by Sean Garrett. A definite BANGER!!! Don’t understand why this song didn’t really take off when it’s supposed to. Any uptempo R&B female artist would KILL to record this song. Plus, the Sean Kingston reference is interesting.
• Dangerous
  Could fit in any soundtrack of a retro action movie. Perhaps a “Bond” movie??
• Higher
  The structure of this song reminds me of one of her best songs to date, “Gotta Work“. One of my faves from the album.
• Why R U
  First single. This song is about infatuation. Again, I question why this song isn’t topping the R&B charts. If not, in the mainstream chart. I don’t really care though. This song is uber catchy!!! The funky old school R&B beats really works well in this song.
• Pretty Brown
  Features Trey Songz. The verses by him are rather good. This track reminds me of a song that Mary J. Blige would do.
• More Than Love
  Features Faboulous. Another song with a catchy chorus by Amerie. An ok song though. Describes about trust issues.
• Red Eye
  A slow jam, ala Keri Hilson. Not as boring as Keri’s stuff though, cause Amerie’s voice is rather attractive. =)
• The Flowers
  A nice “Funk & B” ballad. Its lyrics (the chorus) keeps repeating in my head.
• Different People
  Been listening to this track alot lately. It does take a few listens to appreciate this song, and the lyrics struck a cord in me.
• Dear John
  This song tells a story. Wish there’ll be a video for this song, but yeah. Sigh. A great pop/R&B ballad. Quite a bitter song to end the album.

Final Verdict
Moving over to Def Jam is a pretty good move. Having access to excellent producers is a plus point too. The major problem that hinders the success of this album is the promotion. Amerie herself is a good vocalist, and she’s definitely not a one-hit wonder, as proven with her 4 studio albums on her belt.

This album reeks of a nomination for a Grammy of “Best R&B Album”. It’s a pity that it isn’t selling well. Hope she’ll not slipped the radar yet again after the release of this album. Amerie deserves a place in the music industry, talented girl she is, just lack of a little luck. One of the underrated albums of 2009.

This album scores a 4 out of 5.

Recommended Tracks
Amerie – Heard ‘Em All
Amerie – Why R U
Amerie – Different People

Amerie

Amerie is not giving up!! R&B’s most underrated artist is coming back with a new album soon! She just premiered a new track from her upcoming album, Cymatica Vol. 1. The Inkredible produced track was thought to be a buzz track but it is confirmed it’s the lead track. Hope she does well with this cause i’m liking this!

Amerie – Who’s Gonna Love You

Singles of 2009!!!

Here’s the second part to the Year-End series, SINGLES!!! As we all know, singles are usually the songs that is send to the radio to promote the artist’s album and generate hype. Below are my picks for the singles released in the entire year of 2009. (The list is in no particular ranking order, alphabetical though)

1. Bad Romance – Lady Gaga [19th October 2009]
Can Gaga actually produce a song that is on par with “Pokerface” to ensure that she ain’t just a one note??? “Bad Romance” is the answer to all those having doubts about her. The “Rah-rah-rah-ah-ah/Roma-roma-mah/Gaga-oh-là-là” hook immediately sucks you in and there’s no escape. Judging form the quality of every track of the Fame Monster, she’s here to stay in the music industry for a long time to come.
Lady Gaga – Bad Romance

2. Bulletproof – La Roux [22nd June 2009]
Brillant Verses and Chorus. A UK Number #1 song. Need me say more??? I would. Haha. The melody of this song is insane too. Excellent use of syth and electro without overdoing it. Plus I *hearts* the vid!!!
La Roux – Bulletproof

3. Earthquake – Little Boots [16th Nov 2009]
This song is slightly moodier as compared to “Remedy”, which is catchy on immediate listen. The fact that it’s a dancefloor material allows me to give it two thumbs up. =)
Little Boots – Earthquake

4. Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys [20th Oct 2009]
A heavy-weight collab. And with a chorus as epic as this, Alicia doesn’t disappoint with belting out those vocals. The radio edit is much more listenable than the album version.
Jay-Z Featuring Alicia Keys – Empire State of Mind

5. Goodbye – Kristinia DeBarge [April 7th 2009]
A likely anthem that scored a modest hit on the chart (but scored a number 3 on the dance chart). This is how teen-pop should sound like, not like Miley and the Jonas’.
Kristinia DeBarge – Goodbye

6. Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer) – Freemasons Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor [June 14th 2009]
Puzzled that this song is here and not on the Remixes Report Card??? Wonder why??? Let me explain. The orginal edit is already produced by The Freemasons themselves, hence even the extended dance edit is considered part of the  family and not being remixed by any remixers yet. The remixes are rubbish btw, the original is epic enough.
Freemasons Feat. Sophie Ellis-Bextor – Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)

7. I Like – Keri Hilson [December 11th 2009]
I do like when Keri does abit of electro. There’s something about this song that makes it stands out from some of the bland stuff from her debut album. Given that this song does not have any feature vocalist, it’s nice to hear that she can present it all by herself too. =) And she’s deserves to win the upcoming
Keri Hilson – I Like

8. Why R U – Amerie [June 15th 2009]
“Loving you is like a battle that I can’t afford to lose”. Just this phrase warrants it a spot in this chart. Accompanied by the throwback R&B sound and the heavy vocal delivery by Amerie, it sure is single-worthy. Pity that it under performed.
Amerie – Why R U

9. Yesterday – Toni Braxton [September 29th 2009]
This song is considered as the best R&B ballad in 2009 (by my standards). Everything from the verses to the bridge to the chorus, the entire song can do no wrong. Toni hasn’t had any good material since “Spanish Guitar”, would this song save her then?? Critically, YES. Commercially, it’s not really out there due to promotion. A great song that’s gonna be unheard by the masses. Oh wells.
Toni Braxton – Yesterday

10. You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift [April 20th 2009]
Many wouldn’t be a stranger to this song, easily accessible to all. What makes this song so successful and not get sick of it, is the genuine feelings being put across on this song. I’m sure loads can relate to this song, and the video is a plus for this song too. Very dreamy. =)
Taylor Swift – You Belong With Me

Any comments on ur fave 2009 singles?? Feel free to comment and voice out. The next post would be on remixes!!! Please bear with me for my low article output. I’m going through a rather rough patch now. =( Would finish the rest of the series by end of this month. =)

More Than Love is taken off Amerie’s album In Love & War.

Amerie’s album hasn’t been performing really well, but I must say I do like her music video for More Than Love.

It has a simple concept, but tells a story beyond its simplicity.

Most importantly the message behind the song is easily captured.

Hope her sales for the album goes up ! I like my One Thing gurl!

This is Amerie’s second single from her upcoming album In Love & War… It’s supposed to be her album’s saving grace. But i don’t think it made any impact yet. But since the video is out, we’ll wait and see. Speaking bout the video, its kinda interesting. I can see where she’s going with it. She’s trying to pull the bad ass dangerous girl. Anyways, i wish Amerie all the luck. Go get ‘em!

Amerie’s Heard ‘Em All
Read our review here

I’m NOT even surprise to learn that Amerie’s upcoming album is pushed back YET again! In Love & War was previously announced to be released on September 29, but now slated for a November 3rd release instead!

Amerie is pleased with the new date. “Very happy with my album date! Got the one I wanted,” she tweeted. “So I’m officially putting it out there: In Love & War — November 3, a special date…”

Keep a look out for her for the next few weeks. She has upcoming appearances at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards (Sept. 13) and VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009 (Sept. 23).

Somehow i got a feeling it will get shelved like her previously album and only be released in Japan.

Amerie – Heard ‘Em All
Read our review and get the track here

Amerie’s second lead single from forthcoming new album In Love & War has finally surfaced. It’s titled Heard ‘Em All, which is produced by Sean Garrett and Eric Hudson. The song is expected to impact radio next week.

This song is a real dancey tune. Great for the dance floor. This track has the usual Amerie touch – the live instrumentation feel; but a different kind of touch! She mixed things up with the tribal-ish drum beats. THIS IS THE ONE that she should have released instead as her first single. The tribal chant in the song reminds me of Kat DeLuna’s Dance Bailalo. Anyways, i can’t wait for the remixes!

Track
Amerie – Heard ‘Em All