cletta1201's Full Review: Eve-Olution by Eve (Rap)
The self-professed “pit bull in a skirt” is back yet again for this her third album on the Ruff Ryders labeled. While the album might be entitled ”Eve-Olution” there’s nothing here that would suggest that Eve is taking it to the next level – in fact the majority of the album has an 80s music feel as well as having an almost manufactured quality to it. All of that aside, Eve isn’t a slouch – she can rhyme and she knows what’s going to work for Eve and so that’s what makes this album consumer-friendly (much like the work of Nelly).
- Track Listing -
01. Intro
02. What featuring Truth Hurts
03. Gangsta Lovin’ featuring Alicia Keys
04. Irresistible B*tch
05. Party In The Rain featuring Mashonda
06. Argument (skit)
07. Let This Go
08. Hey Ya’ll featuring Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg
09. Figure You Out
10. Stop Hatin’ (skit)
11. Satisfaction featuring Tracie Spencer
12. Neckbones
13. Double R What featuring Styles P and Jadakiss of The Lox
14. Ryde Away
15. As I Grow
16. Evolution
The lead single from Eve-Olution was the sub par ”Gangsta Lovin’” which featured media darling Alicia Keys. All fingers point to the fact that Eve, coming off the success of her duet with Gwen Stefani (“Let Me Blow Your Mind”) was looking to duplicate that same dynamic success with Keys and regrettably it falls way short of being anything special and simply ends up being annoying.
Dr. Dre stops by to bless two tracks; the definitely going to be a single ”What!” featuring Aftermath Records protégée Truth Hurts as well as for ”Satisfaction”. “What!” sounds like Dre gave Eve a leftover beat from his kitchen drawer, the saving grace is the hook and the omnipresent Dr. Dre thudding bass line. ”Satisfaction” isn’t anything special either. Here the beat is hot but Eve’s delivery, which is barely faster than speaking is terrible.
”Irresistible B*tch” (yep, a la Prince) conjures up the feeling of leg warmers and doorknocker earrings. Its a throwback to about 86 I can almost vibe it – almost. ”Party In The Rain” finds Eve mixing it up a touch with a rap and reggae vibe. This track is one of the album’s shining moments complimented by vocals by Mashonda who reminds me of Lil’ Mo. It does still sound like a Swizz Beats track but a tad more electronic and the result is a solid track.
Don’t have enough dogs in your life? Well it’s the west side train dropping off Snopp Dogg and Nate Dog for the funky ”Hey Ya’ll”. Funky doesn’t always mean good though – but like the majority of Eve’s material the song walks that fine line between Hip-Hop and Hip-Pop and certainly adding a hook by Nate Dogg doesn’t make the track sound hard or edgy.
On ”Let It Go” Eve drops her best bars on the entire album: ”I wanted to love you til the end of time / but f*uc*k it, I'm done with you at the end of this line” Clearly an ode to a former lover (cough – Stevie J – cough) Eve is good when she’s being angry and vitriolic and there’s just not enough pit bull on this album. ”Double R What” which features label mates Styles and Jadakiss couldn’t be produced anymore. Swizz Beats really takes a turn for the worse (or more worse depending on how you feel about his style of production). The track is noisy, distracting and busy but Jadakiss and Styles are likeable and the hook (which features an old Schooly D sample) is kind of catchy.
”Ryde Away” features a reprise by Nate Dogg and a less edgy Eve who claims sometimes she just wants to slow down and get away from it all. ”As I Grow” is Eve’s positivist anthem. Corny? Yup. Sweet? That too.
- Final Thoughts -
While there aren’t many femcees who have managed to catch the public’s attention, Eve has managed to put her name out there and keep it there. Eve-olution isn’t spectacular, but it will sell. It’s edgy enough for rap fans to justify tuning in and poppy enough for 14 year olds to listen and think they’re cool.
Final Rating: 3 ¼ stars (I know, just can’t nail a solid star rating down)
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
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