Aaliyah : "Aaliyah" (2001, HQ MP3, FULL CD)
AN UNDERRATED, UNDERAPPRECIATED R&B CLASSIC. GET THIS NOW!
Seven years after her debut at just 15 years old, Aaliyah assembled a third studio album that was astonishingly mature. Sadly, her death just a little over a month after its release stilled a promising voice in R&B. At 22, when most artists would just be getting started, Aaliyah had already progressed from pop to street to an unconventional retro-modern, risk-taking version of R&B.
While lead track "We Need a Resolution" is as mainstream as it gets, there are fewer hits on this album than on previous efforts. Instead, this collection is an extraordinary romantic exposition of passion and pain. While Missy Elliott is cranking out jams for all her "club freaks," Aaliyah is like a modern-day (if less vocally gifted) Minnie Riperton, exploring the pains of moving from child star to adult sex symbol. Tracks such as "Never No More" and "I Care 4 U" (featuring Missy) are slinky, twisted ballads imbued with film-noir sultriness, as diva Aaliyah steps catlike away from the bubblegum R&B of her contemporaries. There's also the obligatory rock track tacked on near the end ("I Can Be"), but even this excels above the standard hip-hop/rock/R&B crossover fare with its Prince-like influences coupled with Aaliyah's own instinct for seduction.
Aaliyah also signaled a move away from her long-standing musical relationship with producer Timbaland, who contributes just three cuts. Having started out heavily supported by R. Kelly, it appeared that Aaliyah was more than able to go it alone.
After not playing this for over a year, the fact has been proven true that only time can tell whether an album is more than just good but memorable and this is definitely, and without doubt, the latter. I'm still saddened by Aaliyah's unfortunate death back in August 2001, not only because the music industry lost a wonderful, talented artist, but because she seemed like such a genuine, down to earth, caring lady--all around beautiful, inside and out, and she'll forever be missed. Even though she probably could have excelled and improved as a determined singer/performer/actor (and who knows what else) beyond the material she was able to accomplish in her short yet hearty life, it's obvious she had an amazing gift. We are, however, fortunate enough to cherish the songs she did bestow us with.
Aaliyah may not have had a huge vocal range but I don't necessarily feel that that's what makes someone a great singer anyway. You can wail as high as you want and have no emotion whatsoever but there's something special about Aaliyah that I find to be very compelling. I personally don't care much for R&B music but this album will always be a highlight in my collection. I love the unconventional Timbaland influences that made Missy Elliot such a huge success and a uniquely diversified rapper by incorporating funky electronic beats to the usual formula. The only reason I drop a star is because many of the slower tracks are, in my opinion, far too sappy for my tastes...but that's just me.
Even if this isn't your thing, you just might be surprised and actually enjoy this.
Aaliyah : "Aaliyah" (2001. HQ MP3, FULL CD)
AN UNDERRATED, UNDERAPPRECIATED R&B CLASSIC. GET THIS NOW!
Seven years after her debut at just 15 years old, Aaliyah assembled a third studio album that was astonishingly mature. Sadly, her death just a little over a month after its release stilled a promising voice in R&B. At 22, when most artists would just be getting started, Aaliyah had already progressed from pop to street to an unconventional retro-modern, risk-taking version of R&B.
While lead track "We Need a Resolution" is as mainstream as it gets, there are fewer hits on this album than on previous efforts. Instead, this collection is an extraordinary romantic exposition of passion and pain. While Missy Elliott is cranking out jams for all her "club freaks," Aaliyah is like a modern-day (if less vocally gifted) Minnie Riperton, exploring the pains of moving from child star to adult sex symbol. Tracks such as "Never No More" and "I Care 4 U" (featuring Missy) are slinky, twisted ballads imbued with film-noir sultriness, as diva Aaliyah steps catlike away from the bubblegum R&B of her contemporaries. There's also the obligatory rock track tacked on near the end ("I Can Be"), but even this excels above the standard hip-hop/rock/R&B crossover fare with its Prince-like influences coupled with Aaliyah's own instinct for seduction.
Aaliyah also signaled a move away from her long-standing musical relationship with producer Timbaland, who contributes just three cuts. Having started out heavily supported by R. Kelly, it appeared that Aaliyah was more than able to go it alone.
After not playing this for over a year, the fact has been proven true that only time can tell whether an album is more than just good but memorable and this is definitely, and without doubt, the latter. I'm still saddened by Aaliyah's unfortunate death back in August 2001, not only because the music industry lost a wonderful, talented artist, but because she seemed like such a genuine, down to earth, caring lady--all around beautiful, inside and out, and she'll forever be missed. Even though she probably could have excelled and improved as a determined singer/performer/actor (and who knows what else) beyond the material she was able to accomplish in her short yet hearty life, it's obvious she had an amazing gift. We are, however, fortunate enough to cherish the songs she did bestow us with.
Aaliyah may not have had a huge vocal range but I don't necessarily feel that that's what makes someone a great singer anyway. You can wail as high as you want and have no emotion whatsoever but there's something special about Aaliyah that I find to be very compelling. I personally don't care much for R&B music but this album will always be a highlight in my collection. I love the unconventional Timbaland influences that made Missy Elliot such a huge success and a uniquely diversified rapper by incorporating funky electronic beats to the usual formula. The only reason I drop a star is because many of the slower tracks are, in my opinion, far too sappy for my tastes...but that's just me.
Even if this isn't your thing, you just might be surprised and actually enjoy this.
Aaliyah : "Aaliyah" (2001. HQ MP3, FULL CD)
