Ah, love. So exciting and new. Come aboard. We're expecting you...(snaps out of it) You get my point, though. Love is definitely a popular subject for music of any genre. Whether it be unrequited, embellished or celebrated, love is something we all can relate to. It hurts, it stinks and you enjoy every minute of it. Or so I'm told.

What an appropriate coincidence that on this day, I'm reviewing the 2002 Vivian Green debut record. Hm...note to self: call Ms. Cleo and ask if her wannabe-psychic self knew I was going to pull such a 180. And to think, I was going to originally post Orgy today. But I was thinking of my loverly admirers. Yeah, ok. (rolls eyes) To those people who do enjoy my writing, I dedicate this review to you. Awwwww....(blush) This record was lost in the shuffle of a hectic release date but eventually went gold. What a shock, I'm reviewing something that just went gold.

Tracklisting:
Wishful Thinking (**** 1/2)
24 Hour Blue (****)
Superwoman (****)
What Is Love (****)
Music (****)
Emotional Rollercoaster (*****)
Final Hour (**** 1/2)
No Sittin' By The Phone (**** 1/2)
Affected (****)
Fanatic (**** 1/2)
Ain't Nothin' But Love (****)
Be Good To You (**** 1/2)
Complete (****)
Keep On Going (**** 1/2)

The carefree, hug-wrapped-up-in-a-song Wishful Thinking is definitely a good way to start the record. Its gospel leanings are quite entertaining (gospel music, as a whole, has less boundaries than regular soul music) while the clapalong bass, head bobbing synths and quirky organ show off three different sides to the track without you realizing it. The lyrics are very wide eyed and really innocent while sometimes heading toward the naive category; Vivian's tones are responsible for furthering that concept with her lazy inflection and obvious range. 24 Hour Blue is the polar opposite of the previous track with a less overly produced vibe, a more compact sound and a complete 180 lyrically. The piano pops itsh ead in and adds touches of soul and depression while the loopy clapalong bass and slow-but-not-tedious guitar strumming are also wonderful supporting players. The production is there and makes its presence known while letting the track go where it may.

Superwoman has a distorted spoken hook that will definitely take some time to get used to, especially if you're like me and are melody focused. The climbing strings are the main instrument in this song and really give the song that emotional umph the "why do I have to follow your rules" lyrics need. The warmth Miss Green provides is showing traces of steamy baby-makin'-music-artist in the making while the lush production is a plus. What Is Love is the most stripped song so far with the windy xylophone, relaxing bassline and old school synths that liven up the track a bit. The embracing backup is what I enjoy most about the song while Viv isn't a slouch herself. Her soft, more deep and thoughtful performance is perfect for the more serious (but not droopy) atmosphere while you feel the love coming from her voice, oddly enough. Baby girl is just getting warmed up.

Music is a good song if only for the nearly a cappella first :45. This is for those skeptics who think all r&b females are skanky, untalented media wh*res; her persona is very posied while her performance on the hand clappin', get-down-a-little-bit hook is worth a mention due to its ability to switch between both extremes well. The bass heavy uptempo-disguising-as-a-ballad is a lot less cliched as you'd think while the emotion is just there, front and center. Everything is crackin'; Vivian, the alternating bass heavy, swangin' hook, more intense, piano heavy verse and the sterling percussion. Emotional Rollercoaster, the only known single, is pure gold. It's quite real (no fancy lyrics, overzealous vocal gymnastics or what-have-you) while the smoldering, almost brooding keyboard heavy beat is what some r&b divas would kill for. The production couldn't be tighter while Vivian showcases her general diversity wonderfully.

Final Hour is a daybreak-esque, jazz-heavy uber dramatic track with the melancholy, silvery piano, ominous string section and synths that don't do any major damage. Sometimes the production gets a little too boisterous and Vivian tends to get a little lost but this all too short intelligent track is still a strong one. No Sittin' By the Phone is the other track I had heard before the release; she had performed it and Emotional Rollercoaster on Showtime At The Apollo before. The drunken, last-call-at-the-bar downtrodden song about being alone for the first time in a while is emotionally wrenching with the erotic muted horns and cascading piano solo added to the mix to make things interesting. The repetition in the lyrics makes the track take a tiny step back while the power and sheer volume of her ad libs are a solid closing note.

Affected is a hip hop-lite sassy little ditty that has a bit of a defiant attitude forming from Vivian. The watered down claptrack takes a sec to get into while the prominent sitar sounding electric guitar is something not used often on the record but is extremely refreshing nonetheless. Her voice returns to its form on the ad libs but the deeper hook is easily the best part of the song. Fanatic is a multi-layered track with a clean cut production job and light digi effects that don't even register on your radar. The flirty bassline is more in the background while the obsessive lyrics are quite intriguing; however, they don't go as far as you think they would.

Ain't Nothin' But Love is one of the purest love song on the record with its dreamy synths, castanett sounding percussion and heartwarming hookline that will make anyone feel good. The irresistible "la la la"'s during the break, placed over the lazy guitars, are like glue to your consciousness while the vocals seep this lovestruck tone without the googoo "I love my man and only want to be with him" tone normally put into place. Be Good To You should be played everytime I walk into a room, darn it. With its reassurance of how good you'll be to someone in a relationship, unified lyrics scheme, sunny xylophone and relatable subject, I immediately take a liking to this song. Its soft, nearly mute piano is a nice contrast while the older, more edgy strings make you know this is a wonderful love song. I'll only be good to you/ Be like I should to you/ Be everything to you bring you nothing but the good stuff, I'll give you good love Remember that. Aw yeah.

Complete is a muted horn heavy, sensual song that is a satisfying almost end to the record. Its very much like Mariah's Thank God I Found You, for those who want an idea to the lyrics and how it is to hear this song at the end of the record. Keep On Going is a song destined for my life soundtrack with its insecure albeit inspirational lyrics and sensual tone.

The Vivian Green record is a strong record with a wonderful vocalist, varied material that keeps a theme and relaxing music that won't bore you senseless. Her blend of neo soul, jazz, pop, Motown and...um...polka?! (I ran out) is deserved of a few listens.

Great Music To Play While: riding an emotional rollercoaster (wheee!), wondering what in the hell love is (retard), getting hit on by me (lucky person), kissing someone's eyelids and telling them thank you, reiterating that your ex sat in THAT chair, cravin' some sugar, sitting home alone on the big V-Day (awww)

Last Three Reviews:
Donna Summer- The Journey: Very Best Of Donna Summer
Sheryl Crow- Very Best Of Sheryl Crow
Janet Jackson- Velvet Rope

Recommended: Yes