Boyz II Men | Twenty
Album Review: Boyz II Men | Twenty
by Brent Faulkner
Veteran male R&B group Boyz II Men celebrate twenty years in the game with their most recent studio album appropriately titled Twenty. Twenty is a double-disc effort, comprised of twenty three tracks; the first disc is new material while the second disc is re-recordings of the groups biggest hits. Overall, the two-disc set is more than what fans might ask for, particularly the re-recorded disc, but showcases that the pre-eminent, best selling R&B group are still in top-notch form twenty years later. While none of the effort seeks to reinvent the group, the material is fitting and solid.
Disc one, the disc of newly penned originals opens a bit clunky with “Believe,” a cut with a built in interlude and perhaps too much of a nonchalant feel. It works ultimately, but “Believe” feels like more of a warm-up as opposed to ‘the main course.’ “So Amazing” is much more polished, graced with a lush adult contemporary R&B sound. The harmonized vocals, still as piercing as always, sound superb on the refrain. The biggest quibble? Length, with the cut approaching the five minute mark. Third cut “Put Some Music On” is less sensational than “So Amazing,” but still solid. The minimalist ideas explored within the production are solid, even if the over-simplicity somewhat gives off an air of ‘cheap’ production work. The cut could’ve benefited from extra ‘oomph’ certainly.
“Slowly” and the proceeding Charlie Wilson featuring “More Than You’ll Ever Know” help to pick up the momentous pace of the effort. “Slowly” feels authentic from the first note yielding a superb sensualness and lushness. “More Than You’ll Ever Know” may not be ‘the second coming,’ but it is a solid cut with superb vocal arrangement and vocal production. Overall, “More Than You’ll Ever Know” shows adult R&B at its best, with it coupling of a sound harmonic progression and overall polished artistic performance that transcends through the studio recording. “I Shoulda Lied” is an ‘A-’ cut, smartly accelerating the tempo and yielding another sound Babyface cut. “I Shoulda Lied” only comes off slightly less alluring than the best cuts.
“Benefit of A Fool” features nice hip, old-school production work contributed by Da Internz. The refrain is catchy, yet simple and the vocal harmonies are magnificent. “Refuse to Be the Reason” follows-up superbly with a contrasting, low-key vibe. As always, there is a sensualness captivated by these old-school vets that so many younger R&B artists wish they could capture. The vocal ad libs here are a clear high point. “One More Dance” and “Will You Be There” deliver solid punches, though the penultimate first disc cut “Flow” allows for the ‘Boys’ to deliver a more modern, hip-hop oriented performance. An understated sensual vibe on the verses is a selling point. “One Up For Love” delivers more of a pop-rock vibe. While it is less satisfying than the very best, it ends the first disc solidly.
The second disc is more of a ‘highlights’ disc, finding Boyz II Men running down the hits that made them famous. “Motownphilly” and “On Bended Knee” are delivered strongly to open the second disc. Neither hit as heavy as the original, but both are solid. “Four Seasons of Loneliness” and “Water Runs Dry” are pleasant, though neither are newly ‘reinvented’ or are newly ‘profound.’ “A Song For Mama” is pure and soulful while “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” yields harmonies that sound as good as ever. “I’ll Make Love To You” is more invigorating than the majority of re-recordings, though “End of the Road” is the best reinterpretation by all means with Boyz II Men keeping their signature vocal riffs intact. “Not Like You,” parenthesized as a ‘new bonus classic,’ closes the effort both pleasantly and enjoyably.
Overall, Twenty does not tread any new ground, but it does deliver Boyz II Men’s first album of original material in years. Boyz II Men also prove they are NOT stodgy, washed up veterans, but still relevant, talented musicians. Maybe a ninety minute set is overwrought to celebrate twenty years, but overall, the album is well thought out and well crafted.
Brent Faulkner
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 12/19/2011 3:52 PM 
Categories: Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Video
Tags: Rhythm And Blues Music Videos
Categories: Soul, Rhythm and Blues, Video
Tags: Rhythm And Blues Music Videos
Like Boyz II Men? Check out this video of them talking about the future, gigs and fans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPDjJiYyyg
Reply to this
Like Boyz II Men? Watch the second part of O2’s interview!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Tftoxu3ZA
Reply to this