Capitalizing on the success and momentum of the smash summer single ”Why Don’t We Fall In Love”, R&B newcomer Amerie is poised to make an impact on the music scene. Although I was an instantaneous fan of “Why Don’t We Fall In Love”, the Ashanti vibe radiating heavily from Amerie and her music is so powerful that its hard to be able to listen to her album outside of that context.
Sure, she’s her own artist but like the Murder Inc. chanteuse – she’s young, pretty, black and has that sweet voice that packs a bit of punch when unrestrained. Unfortunately for Amerie, she didn’t have Murder Inc. records producing her album or she might have been able to have the luxury of having better production and maybe even get a guest spot from Ja Rule, (perhaps that’s a good thing) but her album lacks the definitive polish to her peer and the fact that “Why Don’t We…” wasn’t even supposed to be a single shows that the album’s completion was a bit rushed and at times it shines through. Vocally Amerie mirrors City High beauty Claudette Ortiz a bit more than Ashanti, but she’s being pushed in the direction of the latter.
- Track Listing -
1. Why Don’t We Fall In Love
2. Talkin’ To Me
3. Nothing Like Loving You
4. Can’t Let Go
5. Need You Tonight
6. Got To Be There
7. I Just Died
8. Hatin’ On You
9. Float
10. Show Me
11. All I Have
12. Outro
”Why Don’t We Fall In Love” is a consummate summer jam. It’s a light, honeyed tune that screams summer love. Originally it was only supposed to serve as an intro to Amerie’s debut ”All I Have”, but when radio dj’s across the nation started to get feedback from it – it turned into her first single.
Really what keeps “All I Have” from being a breakout hit is production. It is a theme that runs consecutively throughout the albums songs. Again, it’s a shame that the album was so rushed because Amerie really does have a nice voice that lends itself to radio airplay and looks that lend themselves to television (hey – I’m not saying that’s what matters but you know looks are important).
- The Highlights -
”Nothing Like Loving You” is so digitized musically its not even funny, but there’s something about the slow tempo and the fact that Amerie (and not the music) is the focus. ”Got To Be There” is probably going to be a single for Amerie because it’s sample heavy and contagious. Just like “Nothing…”, I’m surprised that I liked it so much because the production is so saccharine but the vocals are strong and that makes it a viable song.
”I Just Died” starts off on a bad note music wise, but once the vocals drop – the pain eases into something lovely. Where Amerie does have Ashanti beat is maturity. Although the content on Ashanti’s album isn’t all jump rope and gummy beats, Amerie just strikes the listener as being older, wiser and eons more mature and that works to her advantage. ”Float” is the best song (“Why Don’t We…” aside) that “All I Have” has to offer up. What makes “Float” work so well is that the producers step back for a moment and choose music that suits Amerie and doesn’t work against her sugary vocals.
- The Bottom Line -
I said it before, I’m telling you again - PRODUCTION is so key in making an album work (ask Mariah Carey about that Glitter album). Production is what allows an artist like Jennifer Lopez who possesses limited vocal ability to sell millions of records. Just an example of the lack of production: there is not one live instrument to be found on “All I Have”. Not even a guitar or a flute or even a set of drums. That might work if you’re making electronica, but with R&B you have to be able to incorporate those things into the music.
Amerie is signed to Columbia Records who has a stable of talented producers including Corey Rooney who has worked with everyone from Celine Dion to Lopez. I think it’s a shame that Columbia allowed this album to be released when it’s obvious it’s not at 100%. Despite Columbia’s disregard for quality – Amerie does have “it”. She’s plenty talented but she needs to be surrounded by the write people in order to bring that out.
*I will listen to "All I Have" again, but I really wouldn't want anyone to spend their money on it so that's why the not recommended.
Great Music To Play While: Trying To Figure Out Why Tommy Mottola Didn't Capitalize On Amerie's Talent.
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