cletta1201's Full Review: Born to Do It by Craig David
I had so many high hopes for this album. Even after American radio and TV spoiled it for me by playing Fill Me In every 15 minutes for like 6 months. I thought to myself, that if the lead single were this good, there was bound to be plenty of other good stuff too. I waited awhile before picking up this album because I was wanting to hear another single, just to solidify my belief that he was indeed as talented as the press said he was. I got lucky and got a used copy at my music store for around $7. Usually, if there are lots of copies of an album used, that’s not a good sign, but this was the only one so I figured I was safe.
Having sold like a billion records in the UK, Craig was poised to make the biggest debut since that little rock group called, um…oh yeah The Beatles. Using the unique two step and UK garage sound, blended with some R&B, and you would have in theory what is supposed to be good music. I wish that were the case.
The Highlights
Fill Me In
Is a hit, in fact I still don’t mind listening to it now, its lyrics about sneaking around behind a girls parents backs are sweet and kind of catchy. The beat is catchy too, and it definitely made me nod my head.
Rendezvous
Although the lyrics to this song are cornball as hell, Craig’s voice makes up for it. Especially annoying is this song is the little background loop of ”You know we’ll be getting some/ Getting jiggy just for fun”. I don’t know, but last time I checked its 2002 and the word jiggy has officially been banned from usage. If you’re able to skip over the lyrics and just vibe on the way his voice sounds and the music, it’s decent.
7 Days
Is another of the album’s tracks that if you lived in North America, you already heard it. Just like it’s predecessors, the thing that kind of irks about this song are the lyrics, they detract from the musicianship, which is strong, in fact, if I had an opportunity to just have an instrumental version of this album, I would hop on it.
Follow Me
Is without a shadow of a doubt the best song on the entire album. It gives me an old school R&B vibe that I love. I’ve read many interviews with Craig David where he says that he really likes Usher and it shows on this track, because he sounds just like him and I could picture Usher doing this one. This song is kinda sexy, kinda smooth, and definitely good.
Booty Man
Although I’m sure I’ll get blasted for liking this one, I think it’s kind of cute. On this one, Craig shouts out his prowess with the ladies, and uses a couple of kiddie rhymes to make a hit. It starts with One, two unbuckle my shoe…. Yeah, I know and the chorus is even better: If you’re looking for the man who can/ Go check all the girls messing up with your program/ With the lyrics that make you say damn/ The booty man can/ Click off, Click on/ www.cd.com/ international bomb/ the booty man really got it going on… After I just typed that, I realized just how cornball it was, but I like it, so it STAYS in the HIGHLIGHTS.
You Know What
Has such an infectious beat that you can’t help but like it. One of those silly little love songs, it’s saccharine-y sweet, but once again, Craig David’s vocals are amazing. You can also here the influence of the two-step here, the song uses a fairly simple loop, that somehow manages not be annoying. The kid can really sing, and he’ll be around for some time. He’s very good at vamps (little stuff sung between actual choruses and lyrics, like oo yea’s and the like.) and he makes them work for him.
Unfortunately, the fact that I can only pick 6 songs that I really like from this album sucks. I had hoped for so much more from Craig David. Another agitating thing that happens consistently throughout the album is how often Craig David feels the need to say his name (kind of like I did in this review, parallelism). It gets annoying round about the 3rd or so song, and he never stops doing it. So if you forget his name, don’t worry – he’ll remind you. I think the production on this album is solid and I think he has potential. Craig David along with a guy named Mark Hill (of another Brit act by the name of the Artful Dodger) take co-production and co-writing credits. Being as young as he is (I think early 20’s) his strength as a songwriter can only get better. I think also, that mid to slow tempo suits Craig David, most of the songs that I didn’t include in the highlights are pretty fast, and maybe that’s the “garage” sound coming through, but I didn’t care for it all.
I’m recommending this album because I don’t think it’s terrible. I would recommend it to a friend, after I burned a copy, I wouldn’t want a friend to buy it, so if you’re interested, try to find someone who has a copy or download it from one of the music pilfering services on the internet.
Track Listing
1. Fill Me In
2. Can’t Be Messing ‘Round
3. Rendezvous
4. 7 Days
5. Follow Me
6. Key To My Heart
7. Fill Me In (Part 2)
8. Last Night
9. Walking Away
10. Time To Party
11. Booty Man
12. Once In A Lifetime
13. You Know What
14. Rewind
At age 18, the Southampton, England-based Craig David became the youngest British male ever to score a number 1 hit, when his debut solo single, Fill ...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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