cletta1201's Full Review: 1st Born Second [PA] by Bilal
1st Born Second is perhaps one of those crucially overlooked neo-soul albums that was released in 2001. Because there was such a major influx of the male singer genre last year, some of the better talents got caught up in the whirlwind and the public missed out. Another of Bilal’s major problem was timing.
When his first single Soul Sista was released in 2000, it created major buzz, but by the time the album finally came out the next year, people had lost some of their interest. Whatever it was, be it lack of publicity, lack of public interest if you haven’t had the opportunity to be exposed to be Bilal – he’s worth checking out. One of the strangest things about this album is that the label it was released on is Interscope. Interscope is really synonymous with the whole soul music genre but with Bilal, they struck gold.
Track Listing
1. Intro
2. For You
3. Fast Lane
4. Reminisce - Featuring Mos Def And Common
5. All That I Am (Somethin' For The People)
6. Sally
7. Sometimes
8. Love It
9. C'Mere
10. Soul Sista
11. When Will You Call
12. Queen Of Sanity
13. Love Poems
14. You Are
15. Home
16. Slyde
17. Second Child
Fast Lane in sticking with the unconventional was produced by Dr. Dre. Yep – Dr. Dre on a soul album, this album doesn’t follow the guide on how to make a soul album that’s for sure. Fast Lane is produced perfectly (as one might expect from Dre) but what is annoying is a rap by Jadakiss right in the middle, which isn’t a terrible rap but is just unnecessary.
Bilal’s album is also a tribute to influence. From the producers to guest appearances you can tell he’s a fan of Hip-Hop, affiliated with the Soulquarians crew and there you have the soul vibe and he is quite obviously a Prince fan, because at times he sounds just like the purple one. Reminiscent of Prince, Bilal is able to sing in a solid falsetto that manages to come off well and not be annoying. Rappers Mos Def and Common lend a helping hand on Reminisce, which for me isn’t a really memorable track although the guest appearances were decent.
Sometimes seems a little bit vulnerable and in effect comes off as sweet. A song about coulda, shoulda, woulda and wishing. Bilal is at his best when the music he is backed by isn’t as strong as his vocals. Bilal has a really interesting voice and the music on the album is superb, just sometimes more superb than the vocals.
Love It is one of the best songs on the album. A dedication of love and support, “Love It” is completely likeable. Also, because the music has been pared down you can concentrate on what he’s saying and you feel the moment: ”When I look at you/ All I see is my future wife to be/ Only God himself/ More important in this life to me”. Sniffle. Soul Sista is the best song on the album. The first single that left soul junkies like myself wanting more Bilal – I can’t say enough good things about this song – simple arrangement, beautiful lyrics, solid vocals it just seems to be everything right.
The jazz-tinged When Will You Call is better than most of the album’s material also. Here Bilal brings the falsetto down and shows some vocal variety. Queen of Sanity is the point where I realize that what prevents this album from being 5 star quality is that sometimes it just tries too hard. Bilal comes off as the kid who wants to be deep and kind of mysterious but you just laugh at him. “Queen of Sanity” tries to be sincere and earnest but comes off as juvenile.
You Are is another one of Bilal’s dedications to a woman. Backed by some female vocalists and flipping from falsetto to alto – this one is pretty good too. Home is a fake reggae tune that sounds like a Shaggy reject.
I can’t and won’t make any claims to knowing what the hell the title of this album means, equally befuddling is the song Second Child which is stream of consciousness at it’s worst. Despite some of the real pans, this album has some quality music on it. For a soul album, I think it’s too long and sometimes a bit too contrived. I’ll recommend it, but only if you can get it cheap or used.
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