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The old switcheroo!
Justin released his first solo album before JC's, so when JC's dropped comparisons were inevitable - for some reason. Oddly, the shoe's on the other foot and Justin's newest Future Sex/Love Sounds, is being compared to Schizophrenic. Jigga wha??? Sadly, the comparison isn't a good one, but the the Orlando Sentinel reviewer balances some harsh comments (about Justin) with some good.
Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds (3 stars out of 5)
Jim Abbott | Sentinel Pop Music Critic
Posted September 8, 2006
Oh, no. Not again. What is it about the 'N Sync guys and sex? They just can't get it off their minds.
First, JC Chasez needed a cold shower on Schizophrenic. Now, Justin Timberlake pledges to "bring sexy back'' on his sophomore album, FutureSex/LoveSounds.
The bad news: Future Sex/Love Sounds, in stores Tuesday, Sept. 12, is built on the same sex-talk cliches behind the heavy breathing on Chasez' Schizophrenic.
The good news: Future Sex is more highly developed than either Schizophrenic or Timberlake's own 2002 solo debut, Justified. Timberlake's production is exhilarating, which elevates the potentially one-dimensional dance tracks and turns slower "interludes" into pieces with unexpected depth.
On Justified, Timberlake was so busy channeling Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson that he never found his own voice. That important development seems closer on these 12 songs, although the singer is obviously rummaging through his Prince albums now.
There's a lot of purple-shaded funk on the album's front-end, which includes the single "SexyBack," "Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk to You" and the opening title track, which one hopes might involve robots. That would be cool.
Alas, there's nothing so inventive. "Just tell me which way you like that," Timberlake coos against the backdrop of squishy sounding keyboards and throbbing bass.
That dialogue covers the first four songs, which concludes with a collaboration with rapper T.I. on "My Love." It's all predictable, but it's more interesting thanks to Timbaland's beatbox rhythms and undulating keyboards. It gives the listener something to do besides listen to the come-ons.
It's also encouraging that Timberlake is venturing into old-school melodic territory. "Love Stoned/I Think She Knows" intersects his devotion to the beat with an engaging second movement. The snippet of echoey guitars indicates that Timberlake might have some Coldplay in his album collection, too, but that's OK.
Such moments provide a welcome contrast to "Chop Me Up," the sludgy rap song with Oscar-winning Three 6 Mafia, or the Will.I.Am duet on the flimsy "Damn Girl."
The album finishes with three ballads that are all over the place. There's pop, R&B and even gospel in the Rick Rubin-produced closer "(Another Song) All Over Again."
"Can anybody out there hear me?" Timberlake asks at one point. " 'Cause I can't seem to hear myself."
He hasn't yet found his sound, but FutureSex at least makes the search more rewarding for the rest of us.
Jim Abbott can be reached at jabbott@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6213.
Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds (3 stars out of 5)
Jim Abbott | Sentinel Pop Music Critic
Posted September 8, 2006
Oh, no. Not again. What is it about the 'N Sync guys and sex? They just can't get it off their minds.
First, JC Chasez needed a cold shower on Schizophrenic. Now, Justin Timberlake pledges to "bring sexy back'' on his sophomore album, FutureSex/LoveSounds.
The bad news: Future Sex/Love Sounds, in stores Tuesday, Sept. 12, is built on the same sex-talk cliches behind the heavy breathing on Chasez' Schizophrenic.
The good news: Future Sex is more highly developed than either Schizophrenic or Timberlake's own 2002 solo debut, Justified. Timberlake's production is exhilarating, which elevates the potentially one-dimensional dance tracks and turns slower "interludes" into pieces with unexpected depth.
On Justified, Timberlake was so busy channeling Off the Wall-era Michael Jackson that he never found his own voice. That important development seems closer on these 12 songs, although the singer is obviously rummaging through his Prince albums now.
There's a lot of purple-shaded funk on the album's front-end, which includes the single "SexyBack," "Sexy Ladies/Let Me Talk to You" and the opening title track, which one hopes might involve robots. That would be cool.
Alas, there's nothing so inventive. "Just tell me which way you like that," Timberlake coos against the backdrop of squishy sounding keyboards and throbbing bass.
That dialogue covers the first four songs, which concludes with a collaboration with rapper T.I. on "My Love." It's all predictable, but it's more interesting thanks to Timbaland's beatbox rhythms and undulating keyboards. It gives the listener something to do besides listen to the come-ons.
It's also encouraging that Timberlake is venturing into old-school melodic territory. "Love Stoned/I Think She Knows" intersects his devotion to the beat with an engaging second movement. The snippet of echoey guitars indicates that Timberlake might have some Coldplay in his album collection, too, but that's OK.
Such moments provide a welcome contrast to "Chop Me Up," the sludgy rap song with Oscar-winning Three 6 Mafia, or the Will.I.Am duet on the flimsy "Damn Girl."
The album finishes with three ballads that are all over the place. There's pop, R&B and even gospel in the Rick Rubin-produced closer "(Another Song) All Over Again."
"Can anybody out there hear me?" Timberlake asks at one point. " 'Cause I can't seem to hear myself."
He hasn't yet found his sound, but FutureSex at least makes the search more rewarding for the rest of us.
Jim Abbott can be reached at jabbott@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-6213.