He May Have Been Born Second But His CD Comes In 1st!
Written: Jan 21 '04
Product Rating:
Pros: Some good production; good cameos; great lyrics; Bilal's voice
Cons: Some songs don’t work; his singing gets a bit weird at times
The Bottom Line: Unlike some of his compatriots, Bilal only has 1 album under his belt but some have to make 3 and 4 albums to make an album this good.
whisperscream's Full Review: 1st Born Second [PA] by Bilal
The Main Idea:
I liked Bilal’s 1st single from the minute I heard it. It was smooth, soulful, cool and romantic all at the same time. And I can’t tell you how close I came to buying all 3 of his CD singles. I even almost bought his CD the same day I purchased Aaliyah & RES’ CD’s but I was a little skeptical. I didn’t want to buy a boring album or buy an album that attempted to be something that it clearly wasn’t. Thankfully, my sister bought a copy of the CD and she let me borrow it. I copied it onto my PC hard drive and listened to it and instantly became a fan. It’s something about Bilal’s style that I like. It fuses a little bit of everything and makes one big musical melting pot which is, for the most part, enjoyable from start to finish. True, sometimes it doesn’t work and Bilal’s voice can get a little weird but you have to overlook those minor discrepancies and really listen to the album as a whole to get a feel of where Bilal’s coming from. I think you’ll like what you hear. Below is a track-by-track analysis:
1. Intro - The intro is basically Bilal introducing himself and preparing listeners for the album. The background music is very simple and fits the track. The intro could be done without but I do like how Bilal (that’s his real name) makes his name into an acronym for Beloved Intelligent Lustful And Living it. He’s come to put a little paint where it ain’t. Nice concept. 3/10.
2. For You - This is Bilal’s love song but it doesn’t sound like your average love song. I like the interesting hip-hop beat and the lyrics are cool. Bilal basically tells his girl that he’ll do anything for her. This is definitely one of the better tracks on the album and not one to miss. 11/10.
3. Fast Lane feat. Jadakiss - This track was the 3rd single and has one of, if not the, tightest beats on this CD. It should be no surprise since it was produced by none other than Andre Young a.k.a. Dr. Dre. That’s right, Bilal got Dre to produce a beat so you know the song is hot. You’ve probably heard it because I think it’s Bilal’s biggest hit. It vividly talks about the negative effects of living life in the fast lane and the end results of it. The lyrics are very poignant:
There it goes again, different face to the same old tragic end
Who's to blame if he never saw it comin, yet he heard the bullet hummin & he never thought of runnin
It's too late for him now, laying out on the ground so cold…so cold
Nothin much to live up to, damn, it's so far gone…so gone
Tell me when will it end, when the baby pays for its mother’s sinning
Trapped inside the four walls of an addict, way too strong
Now she’s out in the cold, dying slow and the spoon’s still warm
The video version of this song features Jadakiss and Dr. Dre but the CD only has Jadakiss and his rap is different so that was a disappointment but it’s still a HOT record and definitely one to put on repeat. You can help but believe what Bilal is saying. 11/10.
4. Reminisce feat. Mos Def & Common - This is another hot joint with a tight beat and tight lyrics. The song is basically about all 3 guys reminiscing of a certain lady that came and went in their lives. I like the lyrics:
Hold still, the divine has placed us in a small world (yes)
And thankfully so our paths cross once more
And to whose surprise but mine was 14th and 6th was the placed where we combined once more
There at the front door of the corner store, you stood
Here now as I reminisce, will I ever see your face again? (Infection)
Baby, as I lay back (reminisce), will I ever see your face again? (Infection)
As I reminisce, as I reminisce (Infection)
Common & Mos Def’s raps are excellent and I think that Bilal is one of the better lyricists of the “neo-soul” generation. He’s got skills so don’t sleep on him.
5. All That I Am (Something For The People) - This is one of my favorite tracks on the record as the beat is the right pace for the song and the lyrics are very poetic and insightful:
Truth born out of the mouth of a black man scorned, I see you laughing with swollen eyes
Life be a mutha when you’re playing a losing side, dreams deferred, vision’s blurred, a hustle served
And anyone who would listen, respect deserved, a lesson’s learned
How many sleepless nights have u, how many
How many shifts of state have u watched it turn into fade away
And while you lose all trust to backtrack, you have to be right and exact
But like the paper will make a n!gga act, like a n!gga forget that he black
Moms is working 2 jobs, Pops is worshipping 2 Gods
Through hard times and to bite our tongue, wondering what’s on God’s mind
You have to listen carefully to what Bilal’s saying but what he is saying is great. If you read between the lines, you really get a sense of where Bilal is coming from and who Bilal really is. He’s a cool individual. Make sure you listen to this track. 11/10.
6. Sally - The album hits a light snag with this track that makes no sense to me. I don’t know if Sally is a neighbor, a prostitute or a girlfriend/wife. The lyrics are confusing as well:
Sally scanned me right out the condo, how quick, how quick the mind goes
Game meets game, that's how the life goes, stripped the boy down to his housecoat
High, high up in the sky, cold as ice, tell no lies Sally, Sally
Bilal is a great artist but he’s still human and is still imperfect so he’s bound to make some mistakes. But I don’t hold this against him and neither should you. 2/10.
7. Sometimes - You may have heard this track as it was featured on the ALI Soundtrack. This is probably my favorite track on the whole CD as I love the productions, the lyrics and the vocals although Bilal’s falsetto does get a little weird and mashed up with the production in the middle/towards the end of the song. The whole song is basically Bilal talking about how he wish his life was different in certain ways sometimes and what he wishes about sometimes. The lyrics are really relatable:
I wish I wasn't me sometimes, I wish I was drug free sometimes
Wish I saw the exit sign first sometimes, wish I knew the truth without search sometimes
I wish I could go where I never been, see what I never saw, do what I never did or walk before I could crawl sometimes
I’m pretty sure all of us have felt that way sometimes (no pun intended). We all wish things could be different sometimes but we eventually have to come back to reality sometimes. If nothing else, you have to give credit to Bilal for being honest. 11/10.
8. Love It - The 2nd single written and produced by Mike City (Sunshine Anderson, Brandy, Carl Thomas). This was probably a single because it is the most radio-friendly song on the record. The production is simple and sweet, the lyrics aren’t that deep and it’s easy to sing along to. It wasn’t a massive hit but I like it and think it’s a nice change of pace for Bilal. You judge for yourself. 8/10.
9. C’mere - This isn’t a song, it’s just an interlude with Bilal lightly talking and moaning and making little sounds that imply he’s doing something to someone or someone’s doing something to him. You have to hear it to see what I mean but it’s very unnecessary and another of Bilal’s expected mistakes. 0/10.
10. Soul Sista - The 1st single and a beautiful record produced by the multi-talented Raphael Saadiq. The song is so simple and yet so deep and powerful with it’s great production (guitars, percussion and keyboards) and great lyrics:
It's all in her eyes, you and me, words just disguise all the things that you be
What is deep, it's deeper than deep so only it knows this kind of vibe gets stronger in time
Won't go on unnoticed, so concrete, can't hold this, hearts filled righteously
Whatever it is, I know that it's real, long as you know no complaints, you're all that I feel
This is the most romantic song on the record as it oozes with soul. I’d buy the CD for this track alone. 11/10.
11. When Will You Call - This song definitely has a jazzy vibe to it with its simple, kinda dark production which fits the mood of the song. Bilal is basically asking his girlfriend to call him because she left without a warning. He woke up and she was gone with no note or anything and he can’t figure out why. This song is another example of Bilal’s great lyricism:
3 in the morn' tossing and turning it's late, just can't rest waiting for the phone to ring
Will you call, ring my phone, girl I hope you did not forget me
I can't sleep and I can't eat and I won't until I hear your voice, when will you call?
3 days ago rolled over to an empty bed and I went to the bathroom and your toothbrush wasn't there
Where's your clothes and where's your shoes, got to start a new life without you
I can't sleep and I can't eat and I won't until I hear your voice, when will you call?
No notice, no letter, you just packed your sh!t and left
Girl I deserve better, I treated you like no one else
How could you, you know I loved you and I thought this was true now we're through
What I'm gonna do, gotta start a new life without you
Now we're through, what to do, got to start a new life without you, when will you call…
I also love Bilal’s vocal delivery on this song. It fits the pace and mood of the song so well. This should’ve been a single as it shows Bilal’s versatility. Great song. 11/10.
12. Queen of Sanity - To me, this is probably the most boring track on the album. The production never really picks up, Bilal’s vocals are less than stellar and the lyrics attempt to be deep but come off as confusing. The guitar is the most exciting thing about this track. All in all, this was a waste of 5:21! 1/10.
13. Love Poems - This is another nice jazzy/quiet storm track with very poetic lyrics:
Why rush, why choose, why risk this thing and ruin me and you
I want to love her and keep the friend, I wanna be near you and not pretend
But if we label this just picture what we might lose
That unexpected kiss, the whole feelin that brought me to you
The production is very mellow and calming and I do like the woman who starts spitting spoken word in the middle of the track. Her voice seems so familiar to me but I don’t know her name. Anyway, take a listen to this track. 7/10.
14. You Are - Another one of my favorite tracks on the record and 1 of only 2 tracks Bilal didn’t write. This track was written by the then unknown duo of Natalie & Marsha a.k.a. Floetry. You can hear them singing the background vocals. They did a great job with this track for Bilal. The production is very smooth and relaxing and the lyrics enhance the track’s appeal:
I sketch you 2 observe you, a smeared reality
Now you're draped in chocolate, tasty opportunity to place you
Take time to rest you on some mantelpiece
Ignite you, take time to and everything in between
This is another great track from Bilal and one of the best on the record. Make sure you hear this one. 11/10.
15. Home - This is a nice reggae-flavored number about wanting to go home and return to normalcy, I guess. The background vocals sound similar to track 7 but the overall production and vocal delivery of the track is good but it’s not one of my favorites. I don’t know why but the track is nothing special. 5/5
16. Slyde - I think this is another love song but I really can’t ascertain the meaning of the song or why it’s titled “Slyde.” I think it’s a love song because of some of the lyrics refer to love and they seem to borrow a line or two from track 2. You have to judge for yourself but that’s my epinion of this song. The production could be better and Bilal’s falsetto holler is a little irritating. 4/10.
17. Second Child - The last record on the album and I guess a fitting close. The song starts to scare me towards the end of the track as you’ll see when you hear it but I do like the insightful lyrics:
Born in the closet with her clothes still on, smothered in the seat of her past
You know I didn’t catch a breath until the lights came on but by then, I had nothing left
By then I had nothing, I was born as a second child, all I got was hand-me-downs
All that is is what was left
Seems like I live my life half dead, you know the ghetto ain’t helping it none
I’m a second-class citizen spawned from a king but who can see that nation now?
But who can spot that nation now after years of living underground?
I guess what Bilal is trying to say is that since he was born as a second child, he’s always had to settle for second best or for good enough and he’s tired of that. The song reaches a climax towards the end and ends on a interesting note. You have to hear it. It sounds as if the music ends happily or like a breath of fresh air finally comes. I like the way it ends. It makes me want more. 7/10.
Final Thoughts:
I was wondering where Bilal is and this is what his friend, Roots member ?uestlove had to say:
bilal- no rift here. socially we cool. he came to the tipping sessions. i just think he got caught up in this "neo soul is dead"--- which in theory i was never with the title---but when i hear these artists talk about it--there is an underline. and that underline is "i dont do neo soul---i just just soul music" (that is an underhanded way of saying "i am better than bahblahblahblah.....don't compare me to blahbalhablahbalha" (AND YES I WILL ADMIT THAT PHREN'S DIRECTION WAS VERY MUCH INSPIRED FROM THIS ATTITUDE AND THE ATTITUDE OF MY PEERS IN THE PHOTO)---if bilal can separate genre from good songs (i will let him determine if "sometimes" is his best moment on first born second) then perhaps i will get a call. but he has a whole nother cloud of pressure on his head (will he get dropped?, he has a son to feed, wants to make a mark in the world, musiq done made 3 albums to his one--so the shadow is there, will dre give him what he needs to expose his talent to the world, "damn i can do better than the love below"---)--
-all that stuff.
I got this from Bilal’s site on Yahoo so I can’t say how true it is but if it is true, I’m keeping hope alive for ya Bilal. It just shows how much pressure there is in this industry. So what if Bilal’s CD ain’t gold or if he only has 1 out compared to other artists. His CD is good and I definitely suggest you go cop this disc. It’s not just for “neo-soul” addicts. It incorporates all types of styles for all lovers of music. True, it does hit snags and gets a bit weird at times but that’s what makes Bilal, Bilal. He has an excellent voice and he is a much better lyricist than a lot of artists out here. He doesn’t sound contrived. So don’t get it twisted. Bilal may be the 1st born second but his music definitely isn’t second rate.
There are exciting times in music; a return to purity, risk-taking and truth-telling. Yet it has been some time since we have seen the likes of Bilal ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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