Stunning.
Written: Jul 24 '09 (Updated Jul 24 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: everything. no, for real. everything.
Cons: I would have liked a few more tracks but hey, I'll take it.
The Bottom Line: R&B music the way it's supposed to be done. Amazing.
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| insomniac1587's Full Review: BLACKsummers'night by Maxwell (R&B) |
Eight years ago, I was a completely different person than I am now. I was in my early teens and was in the middle of a mini-makeover, both physically and emotionally; I had lost some weight, received a dramatic (in a good way) haircut, and finally got braces. Everything was still taking some getting used to and that's what my freshman year of high school was all about: taking a step back and learning to be more comfortable with myself. I still fight this battle on a daily basis but I know that I'll be alright. In the course of those eight years, I've graduated high school, loved, had my heart broken, learned, traveled, am about to graduate college in a year, and honestly, I've just lived. I've not lived as much as I would have liked but still, I've accomplished more than I ever dreamed I could.
That being said, I can't blame Maxwell for the eight year break, which is said to have occurred in order to drum up inspiration and to allow Maxwell the person to be separated from Maxwell the entertainer. He needed the growth in order to better himself, the chance to simply be "normal" (whatever that is) too enticing for the then-28 year old to pass up. While I was not as immersed in this type of music in high school as I am now, I can only imagine the type of frustration that longtime fans of the Brooklyn native had to deal with, never fully knowing when, where, or if "their guy" was coming back.
Oh, and come back he did. Released earlier this month to glowing reviews, BLACKsummers'night, the first of an ambitious trilogy that is said to have been thought up to counteract the singles-heavy music industry, soared to number one, selling more than 300 thousand copies in its first week. Buoyed by lead single "Pretty Wings" and follow-up "Bad Habits", it was one of a handful of releases by so-called grown folks r&b artists to do well this year, joining the likes of India.Arie and Chrisette Michele in that illustrious field. It's hard not to think that this album's strong showing, however lenient it is on the amount of time that the singer was away, could help the field of r&b swing ever so slightly toward more mature sounds and away from the redundancy that the mainstream part of the field has put the listener through. One can only hope.
Inspired by a break-up, this album is dark but never dreary; there's only one true "love song" here but it follows the lead of albums like Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope and Mariah Carey's Butterfly as an album that reveals another side to a previously private performer. BLACKsummers'night feels like Maxwell's most emotionally naked album, especially since you know the origins of the bittersweet material. Bad Habits begins the album and sets the tone with the sort of bare bones production style that focuses heavily on the melodies and Maxwell's impressive vocals. Said voice has only gotten better with age, seemingly gathering more texture and having a lived in quality that makes the material jump. With only a few interjecting horns, swaggering acoustic guitar, and a stylish organ, it's not the busiest track but it has a sly melody that perks your ear and keeps you interested despite being the longest track. Cold picks up the pace a bit more, a lusher, seemingly better developed track that sounds ripe for a stunning live performance. The echoing hook is the slick centerpiece for the track to work around, a conflicted piece of organic r&b with horn flourishes and catchy claps. The main thing you notice is how punctuated the entire track is, ranging from the strong horns to the running time (not quote four minutes). Lead single Pretty Wings is by far one of my favorite singles of the year, a take on the "if you love someone, set them free" adage told with fresh eyes and a weary heart. The entire duration of the track is just glistening with emotion, a bittersweet ballad performed with the kind of pensive complication of a true artist. Like a lot of Maxwell compositions, it's not the most lyrical song (in terms of how many lyrics there are in the song, at least) but the emotional complexity is there, his ad libs are stirring, and the song is just relatable enough to make you feel while retaining a lot of personal touches from Maxwell. It's been an r&b radio staple since its release and rightfully so.
If you're the type of listener that looks for the "jams" on a record, look no further than Help Somebody, the socially conscious call-to-arms that has the most infectious groove found on the record. I like the fact that the most uptempo track is also the message song, as a lot of listeners have been conditioned to know that the most uptempo songs are usually the most vapid in nature. The song manages to fuse elements of hip hop, soul, gospel, and funk to create its sound, a well-worn keys-and-horns combo with a lot of grit. Of the tracks on the record, I would have liked this one to be a bit longer, mostly because I want to see just how Maxwell could groove to this for another couple minutes. Stop This World sees Maxwell return to his comfort zone, i.e. bedroom balladry. This may be a bad thing but he's one of the best in the business at making sensual soul music with a brain. What separates Maxwell from most musicians is the amount of class he puts into his music, which adds to the sexiness of the song. This song has a very simple arrangement, a lightly sweeping melody with a plodding bassline and a genuinely romantic production. Sincerity and subtlety are the track's main assets, two themes that ring true not only on this record but the artist's entire career. Love You has an aggressive plea to it that never reads as desperation; Maxwell rides the melody admirably, this drum-heavy declaration having a purity about it that separates it from other songs of its ilk. It has the most gospel-tinged sound to it on the record, shimmering organs and said skeletal drums holding the track nice and strong. It may not be the most romantic song in the sexual way but there's a big heart to Love You and you feel it with every note.
Fistful of Tears showcases Maxwell's newfound rasp and vocal edge beautifully, and introspective look into the man behind the mystique. It may not be the most personal song in the world but for someone whose private life is kept under lock and key, bits and pieces about how they handle relationships, if they've been hurt, etc. provide a foundation to empathize. The more you empathize with someone, the more you can relate and that's always a good thing with the music industry. Playing similar to songs like Whenever, Wherever, Whatever, Playing Possum planted the idea in my head that for a future album, Maxwell should do something all acoustic. He has the voice to be able to make up for the lack of background support, especially if he does songs like this. The most personally affecting listen on the record, it's so mournful but never loses its poise; you feel the heartache with each riff, the pain with each lonesome lyric. It has this sensual waft to it that is oddly sexy; it floats and gently fades, a graceful way to unofficially end the record. Phoenix Rise sounds like the introduction to the first track on his next record; I don't really see any other plausible reason to lead out with a sub-3:00 instrumental. Maxwell is a smart musician so there is surely a method to his madness. The track is solid, an acid jazz-ish strutter with killer drums, lively acoustics, and golden horns. It's an interesting way to end the record, at least sonically, as it doesn't sound like anything else here.
You won't find a lot on BLACKsummers'night that the average 2009 contemporary r&b album has. There are no inane, phoned in guest verses from the likes of Gucci Mane or Young Jeezy; there are no soulless Ryan Tedder or Stargate paint-by-numbers productions; there are no pointless interludes or skits that damage whatever positive response the album got. In the course of this album's 37 minutes and change, you find a man channeling 8 years out of the spotlight into 9 songs, each with a distinct color and tone that fit together very nicely. While I would have liked a few more songs on the record, it has a nice flow to it and does a good job at building anticipation for the second release in the trilogy (set for release in 2010). After months of r&b not really being as great as I know it can be, this has been a breath of fresh air; let's just hope we get more albums like this in the last quarter of the year. Welcome back, Maxwell. You were missed.
Recommended:
Yes
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insomniac1587
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Member: Shilo Adams
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About Me:
Just a boy who loves himself some r&b.
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