Wyclef New Album Members Review Thread

[babyjun]

rating out of 5 -

(i will be getting a new one because i got a defective cd!)

Anyway, the opener is just nuts. Although Clef reused part of his verse from "wanna be", this is one his sickest hip hop collabos. It's songs like these that make me wish it was a Fugee record - Lauryn and Pras woulda killed it!!! "Welcome to the East" was straight bonkers!!!!

The album had an odd cohesiveness. It just worked! I love the Mary joint (bias? whatever). Paul Simon on "fast car" was fly. I remember that Norah Jones joint (smooth...although i wish they recorded something new). Hollywood to Bollywood was completely crazy. That beat and Cham's flow was lovely!

Heck, I love the whole album! Unfortunately, I do however start to tune out at the "Selena" joint, simply because I can't relate, but it's a cool song. I love the only solo Clef joint "Heaven in New York".

Then, in typical Clef style he goes into his up-tempo soca, dancehall, brazilian. end of album party vibe. It's nothing new here, but I still like it. The last part of the last song has a cool sound to it. It still reminds of "Yele" off the first Carnival cd

Overall I would say that this is his best cd. For real! He usually has a one cheesy song minimum and I couldn't find it on this album.

Standouts: "what about the baby", "fast car", "hollywood to bollywood" (THUMPS HARD!), "riot", "welcome to the east", "touch your button" - Wil.i.am and Clef -- that's hot!!!
Pretty much every song up to "Selena"

Good work, Clef! Now all you need to do is holla at that dude JunSix for your next project. ;D (shameless plug)

[Moderator]

1. Intro - Cool!
2. Riot - I liked it, but it just seemed like there was too much happening. It even got boring a little. The sample from Iron Maiden wasn't real hip hop to me.
3. Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) - Amazing! I have a feeling this song is about a high school sweetheart. Guess who ? This song is the tightest hip hop song this year.
4. Welcome To the East - Just crazy! I loved the samples Clef used in this song. He used a sample of one of 'Um Kalthoum's' songs. She was like Mary J. Blige in the Middle East around the 70s.
5. Slow Down - I really liked this song. T.I. was really smooth, and the lyrics were very meaningful. You know, you can relate to them.
6. King & Queen - Shakira & Clef are just in the zone when they're on a track. It's original and unusual. I loved it! I'm not sure if it'll be a chart topper, but definitely in for a chance.
7. Fast Car - Great flow, and Paul Simon was excellent. What a collabo!!!
8. What About the Baby - I loved this song. Considering it was the next chapter after 911, i felt it didn't really continue from the 911 theme. It had a whole new feel to it. But other than that, it was sung extremely well by Clef and Mary J. Blige. It didn't do it for me like 911 did, but it'll have to grow on me.
9. Hollywood Meets Bollywood (Immigration) - This song was as cool as 'welcome to the east'. Just a crazy mix of instruments and beats, and definitely another standout for me.
10. Any Other Day - I liked it, but to me it wasn't a song that really fitted into the album. It's like the odd one out. I think this song should have been left for 'any other day'
11. Heaven's In New York - I loved the meaning in this song. It was great that Clef put this song around the bottom of the track list, to finish off with these beautiful lyrics in our minds. 'Live life to the fullest'
12. Selena - I liked this feel. It a Carribean influence a little. Brilliant!

Strongest track - I can't pick between 'Slow Down' and 'Sweetest Girl'

Weakest track - I wouldn't pick any song, cause i think they're all great. If i had to 'any other day'

Most surprising track - Gotta be 'welcome to the east'. That was so cool to see Clef work his producing skills using those samples.

Most expected track - None. They all were expected from me.


Overall
You've gotta buy it

Rating out of 5 - and a half