foxmonkey: Robot Snowman with Flowers (Default)
[personal profile] foxmonkey
Seen by me in [livejournal.com profile] coolwhipdiva's journal. From the Orange County Register (have to be a subscriber for access).

I've read a lot of reviews, and some of them have set my teeth on edge. This one nearly made my head explode. If you're riding a sweet, sweet Friday night groove, just keep surfin'.



He makes the most of limited tools

Review: Forget Justin's "Justified" - in a battle of debuts, fellow 'N Sync-er JC Chasez's steamy "Schizophrenic" wins hands down.

JC Chasez, "Schizophrenic" (Jive) - Do not make the mistake, as I initially did, of dismissing this second solo 'N Sync-er as the poor man's Justin Timberlake, an also-ran who will never achieve the same superstar heights.

Chasez very well may not, as he lacks JT's charm and vocal skill; by comparison, he teems with affectations. But to presume his work is minor simply because it's struggling for attention in Timberlake's shadow is foolish. Frankly, in a battle between the debuts, "Schizophrenic" would win hands down.

Forget about Justin being the new Jacko, an overstatement based solely on a strong falsetto and infectious hits that sound like "Off the Wall" outtakes. Justin is actually the new George Michael, right down to the facial hair - and, like JC, right now he's more sex symbol than serious artist. What Justin lacks, however, is Michael's variety, something JC strives for at every turn.

Remember how stylistically jumbled Michael's "Faith" album was? That's how "Schizophrenic" is, leaping from hard club grooves to lascivious Jamiroquai funk and Lenny Kravitz rock, from fine slices of reggae to handclaps-and- acoustic-guitar bits and his own spin on Jacko, which veers closer to "Dirty Diana" than "Rock With You."

What's more, as suggested by several wicked cuts - the Prince homage "100 Ways," the Basement Jaxx-produced "Shake It" and the fantastic new-wave revivalism of "All Day Long I Dream About Sex," sure to be cribbed to the hilt - Chasez's tunes are infinitely steamier than Timberlake's; they make "Rock Your Body" seem about as randy as "I Want to Hold Your Hand," despite their banal lyrics.

Most remarkable, though, is Chasez's consistency. Even when he's mired in a sappy ballad he can't really sing, he's got enough melodic twists to keep it interesting. No doubt he's an inch-deep poseur, and I bet he can't pull this off twice. But cut-for-cut, his debut is one of the most sheerly entertaining pop albums in a long while.

Grade: B+ (Ben Wener/The Register)



What's that last name again? Weiner? Yes, I thought so. grrrrrrrr...

Date: 2004-02-27 04:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fuskeez.livejournal.com
Really? I quite liked it. At least, it was amusing. It's another case of begrudgingly praising JC, in as backhanded a way as possible. It makes me laugh because they could just trash him, but they can't deny that the record is good. LOL

Date: 2004-02-27 04:20 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] hegemony.livejournal.com
The way I see it, The backhanded comments are just proof that this album is kicking the old JC image out of the public and critical eye. Because, to actually say right off the bat that you like a guy from a boyband is preposterous, right?

*rolls eyes* And I just want to punch that guy for saying that he can't pull this off twice. Or at least, send him the music freedom MP3s when they come out.

Date: 2004-02-27 05:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brighton-girl.livejournal.com
Even when he's mired in a sappy ballad he can't really sing, he's got enough melodic twists to keep it interesting.

Oh that set me off, like I said to Candy. He might be/do lots of things...but one thing I have no doubt about is that JC Chasez can sing.

Date: 2004-02-27 06:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scot-ty.livejournal.com
In case no one has mentioned this, I have a little salve for your wounded JC heart. I hate the OC Register with a passion; it's a Nazi snot rag, but they gave JC two full pages in the entertainment section that included four pictures, one of which is huge. The articles themselves are spotlighteded on the front page with a separate picture (the one from Rolling Stone). And yes, I did say article(s). They gave him two wholly separate articles, the first of which is a reprint of Farber's column in the NY Daily News.

The other thing that's kind of cool is that his feature starts on page 5, just opposite a half-page article and much smaller picture of none other than Prince.

Date: 2004-02-27 06:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] foxmonkey.livejournal.com
Dude, I would have your babies if you sent me one of those. Seriously. CHILDREN.

Date: 2004-02-27 06:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] scot-ty.livejournal.com
I get the Times at home, but I'll see what I can do to scrounge one up for you. One of the girls in the show brought it to rehearsal for me today. One of the pics is from the website of him in the dark leather jacket, with straight hair. The other is from Wango Tango last year.

The writer is a total tool with an arrogance that betrays his bias, but even he had to give in at the end.

. . .cut-for-cut his debut is one of the most sheerly entertaining pop albums in a long while.

It's the power of the Chasez. LoveLoveLove him.

Date: 2004-02-27 06:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] foxmonkey.livejournal.com
Thank you! I'll love you forever - though I probably would anyway. ::hugs:: :-)

Date: 2004-02-27 06:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] foxmonkey.livejournal.com
I [heart] Scotty! Thank you for passing this along because honestly, I just saw red when I saw that review. And it's funny, of all the negative reviews I've read this past week, that one probably made me the angriest.

Profile

foxmonkey: Robot Snowman with Flowers (Default)
foxmonkey

September 2010

S M T W T F S
   123 4
5 6 7 8 91011
121314151617 18
19 2021 22232425
26 27282930  

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jan. 3rd, 2026 04:40 am
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios