112 is my favorite R&B group. I’ve listened to all 3 of their albums over and over. Their new album Part III show how much they’ve grown up. In the ballads you can see
how each have grown. Slim is also not only the dominate singer anymore. When everyone thought they fell off this planet, Slim, Mike, Q, and Daron came back with a hitting
harder. All this is evident in Part III.
Intro
It’s done’ by Puffy. A bad job might I add. “Part III, you know like the third album.” No we didn’t know, Puffy. Slim brings it home at least his part “Just a little 12 is all you need.” Thats all we needed to hear.
What you’ve heard
These tracks have and are heating up the radio waves. They’re all my fav tracks on the album. It’s a coincidence that their hits also happen to be the few fast beat songs on the CD.
Dance With Me-
This is my favorite fast beat song on the album. Slim, who has a very soft and high voice takes over the vocals. He does a nice job, and the group makes it great during the chorus. The song is about wanting to get with a girl, and he wants his chance with a dance. I guess the funny part is when they have the bridge and it goes “If your sexy and you know it clap your hands, (clapping hands)”
It’s Over Now-
The first release off the album. the boys sing about breaking up, after getting cheated on. Everyone fell in the love with this song, and it still is one of their best songs. It’s also fast paced, well semi-fast paced. The pacing of all these songs are great.
Peaches and Cream
Another great fast paced song. Pretty freaky song. The beats are similar to the dark beats or Ray J’s “Wait a Minute”, but 112’s beats can’t be compared to other R&B groups or artists. “know what I mean, peaches and cream.”
My Favorite Tracks
All I Want is You-
Now this is rockish and a edgier song on the CD. It’s not really fast beat. The guitars kind of control it, instead of familiar beats. 112 sing about a girl who has it all, “Gucci bags,” “Versace,” but all they want is the girl.
Don’t Hate Me-
Maybe one of the most likable song. It kind of grows on you. It’s semi-fast paced. But the solo parts are definitely sung fast. Which definitely contrasts with the chorus. It also features Twista, who raps very fast. He’s kind of stuck in at the end. Which sounds weird.
The song needs a closing, and maybe bringing a rap in wasn’t the best idea. It works for Jagged Edge and Nelly in “Where the Party At.” But for “Don’t Hate Me, ” it is a little too much. Even though Twista can hold his own. Great Rapper.
Smile
The sweetest song on the album. It has a beat, the fingersnapping, but goes slow paced. It is the best slow paced song on the album. if it doesn’t first make you cry, then smile, I’ll defiantly be supprised. “I’ll never ever make you cry, so pretty baby, dry your eyes.” “Cuase’ I believe that I can make you smile,” this song certainly did.
Caught Up
This song definitely had to grow on me. Maybe it’s the pacing. Slim sang all the solo’s. Which might be the only thing that saved this song. It talks abut getting caught up in a love triangle. How he wants his original girlfriend. Well of coarse, “I told her I had a girl, but she didn’t mind.” Isn’t that a red flag?
Still in love
This is a great ballad, it’s the last song on the album, which makes it a great closing. The guys harmonize perfectly well together. The chemistry of the group certainly comes out with this song.
Interludes
There are 2 on this album. The first one is I Surrender. It’s ok, maybe too soft. Not my favorite out of the two. The second one is Q, Mike, Slim, Daron.This one is great. They should just turn it into a song. The guys talk about what they want in a girl,
and slowly sneak in, “Q, mike, Slim Daron”. You have to listen closely or else it sounds like, huha cinderella.
The Others
Missing You
It Sounds like an old classic, but not quite. Slim or Q, don’t lead in the vocals on this track. I guess that’s why it’s a little different. The song talks about a girl you left, and the pain of that. It’s different to hear a different voice, but good at the same time. Vocals like
these show how they’ve improved as a GROUP.
Player
It has to be the worst song on the album. The message doesn’t’ make any sense. “I’m a player, girl I thought you knew.” “I thought you knew I wouldn’t commit to you.” This
track is just thrown in here, and doesn’t go with the flow of the CD. It’s led by a piano, but mike can’t lead on the vocals here.
Sweet Love Q, opens this song really well. It’s a great slow song. The group does pull it along. It kind of reminds you of a less faster version of “Anywhere,” from their 2 CD Room 112
Do What you Gotta Do
The group opens this song with the chorus. “Sorry I lied to you, but I’m not sorry That I fell deep in love with her, do what you gotta do.” I guess I really don’t like the message. I mean do what you gotta do, doesn’t cover a whole lot. Some words are just thrown in there. It doesn’t sound tight, and together. It was produced by R. Kelly and maybe, not one of his finer works.
I Think
This track sounds similar to “Missing You,” But it does a better job, on the solo’s and the vocals as a group in general. Slow paced, but it sounds good. “ I think
your a beautiful woman.” The vocals are tooo grouped together. The solos do save the song. The song does sound similar to “Promise” By Jagged Edge, but a slower version.
The message is great. They talk about commitment throughout the album,(Exclude “Player”)and this one ties it up.
Last Word
This album really does show how 112 have grown up. They’re not the babies of Bad Boy anymore, or Puffy’s puppets. I give this album a A- It deserves the A, but the CD
is cluttered with way too many slow songs for my liking. A lot of people compare them to other R&B boy bands, but they stand out, and hold their own. 112 still came through, and
put out another top CD.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Hanging With Friends