broomqueesha's Full Review: Justified by Justin Timberlake
The Main Idea
I was never majorly into the whole boy band thing, but I still found 'N Sync to be the most bearable group in this genre. I've also never been majorly into Justin Timberlake, but, when his first solo album came out, I was intrigued. Of course, we all know that Justin released a solo record for the same reason a dog licks his own butt: because he can. Justin Timberlake practically is 'N Sync and we all know that. He's the lead singer and, let's face it: the group would be nothing without him. There's no reason for him to make a solo album. Still, I thought he made a really good effort on Justified. Yes, he sounds like Michael Jackson in spots, but who freaking cares? The album is full of catchy songs, every one of which could have been a hit single. Justified is better than any record 'N Sync ever released and for that I applaud him.
One of my personal favorites on this album is the Latin/hip-hop blend of Senorita. This cut has the most personality of any on the record and, with its spicy drums and guitars, it's a definite dance hit. What I like the most about this song is that it has the least Michael Jackson influences of any song on the record. The catchy hook and callouts are also essential to the cut's fun sound. I was never a fan of the guitar-laden first single, Like I Love You, and I'm still not. Something about it is just very bleh and leaves a bad sound in your ears. There's a horrible rap from the Clipse and the little computerized beeps and the spoken word parts are irritating. It's definitely one of the worst tracks on the album and sounds out of place.
I fell in love with Rock Your Body the second I heard it. This glitzy, disco-tinged tune probably most deserves the MJ comparisons because it is very Off The Wall-ish. Anyway, how could anyone not love this song? From its catchy lyrics - "So you grab your girls/And you grab a couple more/And you all come meet me/In the middle of the floor/Said the air is thick, it's smelling right/So you pass to the left then you sail to the right" - to its thumping bassline, what isn't to love? It's easily one of the record's best cuts. Last Night follows in this same format, though it kind of reminds me of Usher's "U Don't Have To Call" as far as the overall sound is concerned. I do really like this song, but I think there are too many synthesizers and it's a little overproduced.
Cry Me A River, the second single off the album, is instantly recognizable, thanks to its infamous "F*ck you Britney!" video. It's very vampy and mysterious-sounding, though I think the big choir at the end is a bit much. It's the only halfway-angry song on the record and has great guitars and percussion, though the production is a bit repetitive. In contrast, the Brian McKnight-produced ballad Never Again is extremely emotional and a great way to close out the record. The lyrics are genuinely heartfelt - "You don't care that you hurt me/And now I'm half the man/That I used to be when it was you and me/You didn't love me enough/My heart may never mend/And you'll never get to love me, again" - and, along with the great piano accompaniment, make it another one of the album's best cuts. A great song for Justin vocally, as he tones down the high-pitched screeching and sounds genuinely forlorn.
The other three Timbaland tracks sound very alike and none really sticks out. (And She Said) Take Me Now features some unnecessary background vocals from Janet Jackson as well as some very annoying ad-libs from Timbo himself towards the end of the song. It's a fairly catchy dance song, but it's just too bland to be anything special and I think Justin is trying too hard to write an overtly sexual song. Right For Me has a funky staccato beat complimented by Timbaland's beatboxing and some handclaps, though the lyrics are pretty immature: "Little baby with the sun dress on/Looking so damn right you're wrong/Make me wanna write my own little song for you/The way the thing just wiggle in the air/Turn around and then you flip your hair/I could think of a couple positions for you." Still, I'm actually quite fond of this number, as the flute and the rap from Bubba Sparxxx are great additions. (Oh No) What You Got has a cool little opening part, but, for the most part, I don't like it that much. The slightly Middle Eastern vibe is alright, but Justin's unenthusiastic delivery does nothing for it. Again, he's trying too hard to be sexual with the lyrics.
The other ballad, Still On My Brain, was produced by the Underdogs. It's another one of my favorites because it's so smooth and simple and Justin, again, sings with some real passion and tones down all of the screeching. It's got a good bassline and is an all-around pleasant song. Take It From Here follows along these same lines, except it shows the Neptunes' obvious influences in its simple, somewhat mindless lyrics. It's a nice chill, summery mid-tempo cut with excellent strings and guitar. Let's Take A Ride, which is rumoredly going to be the fifth and final single from Justified, is nothing particularly special, though I like the carefree lyrics, the guitar, and the laid-back feel of the song. I just didn't come away from the record remembering it. Nothin' Else's hook makes me laugh every time I hear it: "There's nothing else that I have seen/There's no getting around it or in between/You're out of this world /Except you're not green/You don't know what you mean to me/To me." Nonetheless, it's a good song with a jazzy feel to it, due to the production and Justin's calm delivery. I just think that nonsensical hook is the highlight of the track.
Final Notes
I was actually impressed with Justified, as I thought it was just gonna be a rerecorded 'N Sync record except without Chris's weird hair on the cover. But I was pleasantly surprised and instead came upon a good urban pop record that shows Justin Timberlake is really an artist and not just a teen pop entity. There's nothing very notable here, nothing that hasn't been done before, but Justin definitely separates himself from the bubblegum genre and comes up with a sound that is more identifiable. Then again, I think Justified is more of a record for Justin to show all the big producers he knows, rather than showcase his own talent, because there is definitely too much Neptunes and Timbaland influence on many of the tracks. Though he has distanced himself from 'N Sync, I think it will be a long time before Justin Timberlake finds a sound that is strictly his own.
Key Tracks: "Rock Your Body," "Still On My Brain," and "Never Again"
Great Music To Play While: Making out with someone else in your significant other's bed, laughing at how blonde Justin's hair used to be, striking look-at-me-I-am-so-sexy-in-my-little-fedora poses, and dancing around in rooms full of epileptic seizure-inducing disco lights in a really tacky white outfit.
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