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[rating:40/100]
If I didn’t know that The-Dream wrote “Umbrella” and “Single Ladies” I probably wouldn’t have given this album a full listen. I’m not disrespecting The-Dream here, but he’s showed us his ability, and for a man with those skills, I have a hard time understanding how he can release this album with a straight face. I’m going to warn you now: reading this review could be painful… which will mirror what I went through as I listened to the album. Ugh…
“My Love (Feat. Mariah Carey),” or as it should be called “Touch My Body 2,” is the first example of the blah blah that this album has in store. It’s certainly not the worst song on the album, but it brings absolutely nothing new to the music world. You would hope that a song that advertises such a high profile name as Mariah would come up big. Well, it disapoints, sounds just like every other vanilla R&B song out there, and sets the tone for the slew of cliche lyrics, the redundant back beats, and almost unbearable cheese to come.
Not to bring it up again, but how can the guy that wrote “Umbrella” write these jams which are both gross and lame. In “Sweat it Out” (don’t use too much imagination on that title), he actually sings this: “She got protection in her pocket book” which he rhymes with “I’ve been readin’ you like an open book.” He proceeds to talk about which clothes he’s gonna take off and at some point he talks about how in the process of “sweating it out” he messed up her hair, and she shoulda got braids (I’m not making this crap up guys). He goes on to bring up Tiesha (her beautician) like 200 trillion times, and then he yells “whip it flip it” a few times and it’s mercifully over. Remember that time Ashlee Simpson performed at the Orange Bowl? Remember how the entire stadium’s boos reverberated through the venue for 3 days? I wanted that to happen to The-Dream after “Sweat it Out.”
“Love vs. Money” (the title track) is a complete rats nest of a song. The beat is a mess, the melody is a mess, and the words… well, you tell me. He sings, “Instead of loving you, I was making it rain.” It’s actually like he’s trying to sound lame! The song (like many on this album) is about 5 measures of music looped until it finally bleeds into the slightly more aggressive “Love Vs Money 2.”
Kanye West does make an appearance on this album, and it truly is one of the only high points that I experienced. Don’t get me wrong here… it’s only good in comparison to the rest of the music on THIS album. When held up next to music that Kanye has released, this really isn’t anything to get excited about. Still, it’s Kanye, and he’s good… saying that, it would be nice if Kanye sounded like he actually wanted to do this song and like he wasn’t just doing The-Dream a favor.
You probably know people that liked this album. You may have read one of the many favorable reviews it’s gotten… trust me, you have to be a SERIOUS R&B person to like it (I’m not). Serious fan as in you have R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” on your iPod and you listen to it regularly. For a run-of-the-mill R&B fan, this isn’t worth the plastic it’s printed on. Save your pennies and find something else. Thinking back now, I can’t think of a song that I particularly liked, would listen back to, or would play for a friend. I’m a big believer in sharing good music, and there honestly isn’t a song on Love vs. Money that I can even hum back to you, let alone one that I’m impressed enough to pass on. Most reviewers know what The-Dream is capable of, so they may give this record a pass. Still, I can’t get over the cliches (“running like a track meet” or “as much rubbing as we do I could start a fire”), boring phrasing, and altogether unlistenable cheese that The-Dream presents.
by on April 27, 2009 ‡ 0 reactions
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Wait, really? Love vs Money is the best r&b album released in over a year…
Too much hate here… maybe someone who actually likes R&B should have reviewed this?
Gotta give it up to PMA for this. This is literally the first really bad review I’ve seen of this album.
Me, I’m somewhere between this and Tiny Mix Tape’s 4.5/5.
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/The-Dream
This just comes off as an attack. Just a little.
“you have to be a SERIOUS R&B person to like it (I’m not). Serious fan as in you have R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet” on your iPod and you listen to it regularly.”
HAHA! I’m listening to the album on the player. It’s definitely not my style.
garbage. good call.
@Coco: I think you’ve confused Love vs. Money with Love/Hate. THAT was one of the best R&B albums of…last year? I don’t remember.
But I have to say, Jeff, I think you should take a listen to his first effort “Love/Hate” and realize that all the corny-ness is just his style. The one liners, recycled beats, its all him. And while I do agree he needs a new drum kit (I think I heard the backtrack J. Holiday’s “Bed” on 4 other songs), there are a FEW decent songs on here. You didn’t mention “Rockin’ That Shit,” which is clearly rather catchy with the synth and horn-sounding instruments taking over the song. For the few times I’ve turned on the radio this year, that song has been played each time. You should check out Jamie Foxx’s cover/remix of the song, it’s not bad.
“Take You Home to My Mama” isn’t as good, but its uplifting and catchy, and pretty funny, as well. I don’t think much can be expected, lyrically, from artists like The-Dream or R.Kelly anymore–it’s about the production, and how much you can talk about sticking it in a girl without being censored..and I think they’re doing just that.
“Mr. Yeah” isn’t that bad, either–in fact, I could hear this one on the radio, as well. (Don’t worry, I think we can agree that just because it sounds good on the radio does not make it good music–but lets face it, this is who he’s producing for.) The bass in the background and the “I’ll be in it like a preacher in the pulpit” are enough for me to enjoy the song, and even laugh at it.
The “Love vs. Money” tracks are a little disappointing for me. Dream said we should expect another “Nikki” or “She Needs my Love” on this album and that’s what I was looking forward to. I think “Love vs. Money” is what he was talking about, but it doesn’t live up to the hype. The production is a little scatter-brained–too many sounds and drums at once–but still impressive. You’ve gotta give him some credit.
Unfortunately, I don’t think “Love vs. Money” is for the PMA crowd. (Is there a crowd? Maybe not–but those listening to MPP or Manners will more than likely not appreciate something from The-Dream, except maybe myself.) I still appreciate your review, I was actually laughing and picturing this indie-loving white guy trying to stomach an R&B album. Nice Job.
Rolling Stone almost called this a classic. I was a little disappointed by it (Rockin That Shit is pretty good), but yeah, it is objectively better than this review suggests.
Lol, nice review but 4/10 doesn’t stroke with your review, it suggests 2/10 or 3/10 at most.
“I don’t think much can be expected, lyrically, from artists like The-Dream or R.Kelly anymore–it’s about the production, and how much you can talk about sticking it in a girl without being censored..and I think they’re doing just that.”
Wow, I wouldn’t find better words for the genre than these. That’s exactly true and it’s become an art.
Ouch. I felt actual pain for The-Dream over here.
While I think you are absolutely correct about ‘Sweat it out’ whose poetic chorus of ‘Sweat it out/Sweat it out/Sweat it out’ follows ‘Put it down’ whose equally complex chorus goes a little like this – ‘Put it down/Put it down/Put it down.’ I realize this isn’t going to astound anyone.
The ‘mess of beats’ of track 7,8, and 9 though are one of the highlights on the album. I’m not a hardcore R&B listener. I thought Usher’s last album would serve better as a Frisbee. But, I have two axioms.
One, don’t say anything wrong about D’Angelo…ever.
Two, if the beat is blasting me nice, I won’t complain.
I think those are the general R&B principles. If you are looking for depth – check Drake who is going to blow it out big this year.
Holla Sean.
PMA reader with your tastes.
Good call Jeff, listening now and I find this album really boring. Granted, I’m not concentrating on listening, but that’s probably due to the fact that I’m bored. Glad you reviewed this and not me…back to St. Vincent I go…
the album is actually pretty excellent for what it is. its really not any cheesier than plenty of shit that gets played up here…
Sorry guys. I review what Luis gives me, and this (from a music perspective) didn’t do it for me. Saying that, there is R&B I do like… this just wasn’t it. Maybe I’m lacking vision, maybe I’m just dumb as rocks. Either way, I think this effort sucked (and Mick, you’re right, I thought it deserved a 3. Luis talked me into going 4′sville).
Great comment Sean (and you have me pegged pretty good). Honestly, I guess I just expected more out of The-Dream here. Maybe I should take Jack’s advice and pay more attention to Drake and less attention to The-Dream.
I live and work in a university town, and this is exactly what I’m going to hear blaring from porches and maxed out compact car speakers all summer long. It’s relatively harmless bubble gum, which is exactly what it was created to be. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I don’t want to live in a world without bubble gum. But I think this review is calling a spade a spade, and while someone else with a real jones for R&B would probably rate it higher, I don’t think this is a question of simple genre bias. In other words, this kind of pleasantly bland fare is available across all genres. Exhibit A: Jimmy Buffet. Huge cult following, pretty much ignored by seious critics, awards, etc. Country, indie rock, folk revival, all have their hangers on who do solid work but never bend the rules or rise above the crowd. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Well said Jeff and Joe. Even Frat boys need some tunes to jam to.
REALLY? I really enjoyed this album. Not even one mention of “Right Side Of My Brain”? Has to be one of my favorite tracks. I think the-dream is about catchy beats and simple lyrics that don’t tend to overcomplicate things. First PMA post i’m disappointed by.
Wow. I have to admit I’m pretty disappointed with the review here. Quite simply, Jeff clearly wasn’t the right guy to write the review. Not because he gave The Dream a low scoring review but because he doesn’t appear to care for R&B and focusses most of his energy on negativity.
As Sean mentions above, maybe this record just isn’t for the PMA crowd which is fair but also a tad surprising considering how mainstream this blog can be…
Jeff, you mention that The Dream can be repetitive, cheesy and ‘doesn’t bring anything new’ and I think your correct in this but this doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.
Rockin that Thang, Mr Yeah and Put it Down (3 of the best tracks on the album which you barely mention!) are excellent examples of quality mainstream R&B. Out of all the R&B guys out there, I personally feel he’s one of the more talented ones.
Good Review!!
The-Dream is a good producer but not as an artist. His works really sucks.
I’m an RnB fan and I’m quite disappointed with Love vs. Money.
get off Kanye’s cock for about an hour 1st. Go through some real life experinces (with a female, a shady one at that)> Listen to the rest of the pure BULL-DOOKEY that gets radio play and compare. This album is something REAL people can relate to. The boy sings his ass off in Love vs Money 2, That Beat is unfathomably ADDICTIVE! Its the best R&B out. You probably like OJ Da Juiceman don’t you. dick stain…who allowed you to write this?? AYE!