Faithfully

by

Faith Evans

Edit

Faith Evans is more than R&B's most famous widow. She is a mature vocalist with great songwriting abilities and a phenomenal voice. 'Faithfully', Evans' first album in 3 years and the follow up to her 1998 disc entitled, 'Keep the Faith', is a disc on which the artist has experimented with a myriad of different musical genres. It is quite simply her best album to date. This accomplishment is indeed no small feat as her first disc is regarded as a modern day R&B classic.

Evans opens the disc with an intro by her and her longtime producer Sean "Puffy" Combs on which he invites Faith to "do the damn thing!" And "do the damn thing!" she does! Faith then launches into the heartfelt 'Alone in This World' which samples a track used by her late husband. The next track is the sassy "You Gets No Love" on which the singer clearly lets her sentiments known to an errant lover. On the single for this song, Evans gives you a little freestyle rap...and does so convincingly without sounding at all corny! Perhaps Biggie taught her a thing or two! Yet instead, the album version of YGNL features guest appearances by Puffy and new Bad Boy artist Loon. The next track "Burnin' Up" produced by the Neptunes seems destined to be another hit as Evans breathes fire into the track...and does the Neptunes justice for a change! Ahem! Britney, listen to how a Neptunes track SHOULD sound! 'I Love You' is one of the slow jams on which Faith really shines. Writing credit is also shared with Jennifer Lopez. However, the most exciting track on the album is the disco inspired 'Back To Love'! My personal favorite, BTL has an infectious chorus and Evans' vocals glide over the track and the thumping bass.

Another standout track is the seemingly Biggie, Lil Kim and Charlie Baltimore inspired "Brand New Man" on which Evans dismisses a former lover and the women with whom he has stepped out. And equally impressive is the beautiful ballad "Where We Stand." Faiths vocals often recall a neo-soul Minnie Ripperton or Ella Fitzgerald in terms of her delivery. Yet she never fails to deliver Faith.

In all, this disc is Evans' best to date. It is relativley free from overproduction and overdelivery. Faith simply sings. She doesn't try to grab you..just simply allowing you to become slowly overwhelmed by both the power of her voice and by the inspired tracks. Far superior to the lackluster releases by other R&B/Soul artists this year, 'Faithfully' is right on par with Evans ablities as an EXTREMELY capable and uplifting entertainer/chanteuse.

I've been a Faith fan since her first album came out in 1995. That was my album of the year. I used to listen to that album all the time ( while I was working out, doing homework, chillin in my room) and I never got sick of it. Then when "Keep the Faith" came out in 1998, I was not as impressed. Something was missing, but I couldn't put a finger on it. I only listened to 4 tracks on the album; needless to say I was pretty disappointed, but atleast the 4 tracks I did like, I played often enough. Now there's "Faithfully." This cd has made me realize what was missing in the last record, that I couldn't put a finger on.......... the LYRICS! The LYRICS, the LYRICS, the LYRICS!!! They can be so trite and unoriginal and sometimes they don't even make much sense. Take "You Gets No Love," "I Love You," and "Burnin' Up," she sings them well, and they have nice flows and beats, but the lyrics are so generic that it's impossible for me to to listen to them too often w/out noticing. That was the same w/ her last hit from her last album, "All Night Long," I couldn't listen to it either. Well, now that I got that off my chest, there are some good songs on this album that make it worth the money. The tracks I listen to are:

"Alone in This World"- It is one of the only absolutely complete( lyrics, vocals and beat) songs on this album. *****

"Burnin' Up"- Hot beat, strong and beatiful vocals, but yet again, the lyrics take me absolutely nowhere. Still, the beat and vocals save the song and make me play it more than the others. ****

"I Love You"- Smooth beat, great vocals, but the lyrics need work. ****

"Don't Cry"- Great chorus. Beat is good, vocals great as usual, but... you already know what I have to say about the lyrics. ***

"Brand New Man"- The second complete song on this album. *****

"Heaven Only Knows" - Very beautiful song. ****

"Love Can't Hide" - The third and final complete song on this album. Beautiful vocals. Lyrics are pretty tight. ****

"Can't Believe" - We all know we love this song, but I can't even listen to it! The radio killed it! But of course it's a great song. *****

All in all, this cd is worth the money w/ 8 good tracks, but being a person who loves lyrics, it doesn't take me anywhere special. It is not as good as her first one, but better than her last one, but not complete and most of the beats I've heard before. And I don't listen to it as often as other cd's I have such as India Arie. That leaves me w/ a three and a half, which you can't choose for some reason, so i'll give it a three. For your next album Faith, I think you should work a little more on the lyrics than the beats ...just a suggestion. You're still one of my favorite singers, I just think you can do much better! Peace