Robin Thicke Album: “Something Else”
 Description :
Personnel: Robin Thicke (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, glockenspiel, shaker, sleigh bell, background vocals); Bobby Keyes (guitar, acoustic guitar, banjo, sitar); Pro J (guitar, drums, congas, bongos, tambourine, percussion); Andrew McKay (guitar); Alfredo Rivera (flute); Jerahm Orozco, Dan Higgins, Kamasi Washington (saxophone); Chuck Findley, Gary Grant, Josef Leimberg, Brian Warfield (trumpet); Isaac Smith, Charlie Morillas (trombone); Larry Cox II (Fender Rhodes piano, organ, Wurlitzer organ, synthesizer); Sean Hurley, Greg Malone (bass guitar).
<p>Audio Mixers: Rich Travali; Fabian Marasciullo.
<p>It would almost seem like an insult to call Robin Thicke's SOMETHING ELSE "neo soul." That term is often applied to slavish retro rehashes, and Thicke's fourth album is anything but that. SOMETHING ELSE assimilates the influences of everything from Marvin Gaye to Prince to Philly soul to disco, and puts them in a sonic blender that delivers a distinctive, original-sounding end product. While this album isn't a wild stylistic divergence from what Thicke has done previously, it's a more singular, atmospheric experience, an album of mellow blue-eyed soul that you can really sink your teeth into, from the Jeff Buckley-meets-Otis Redding "Dreamworld" to the romantic, horn-punctuated falsetto-fest "The Sweetest Love." Think of Thicke as something like a hipper, alternate-universe version of Justin Timberlake.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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UPC:602517809895
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:Rock & Pop
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Artist:Robin Thicke
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Guest Artists:Lil Wayne
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Label:Star Trak/Arista
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Distributed:Universal Distribution
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Release Date:2008/09/30
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Discs:1
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
- Refreshingly Something Else
Robin does it once again! Something Else is a perfect fusion of Beautiful World and Evolution which are BOTH world class albums. Of all the new music I have purchased recently, Robin has bullied his way into the number one spot with constant repeats.
The opening track "You're My Baby" is like a sweet lullaby, lulling us into his world. "Magic" drew me in on the radio with its old school intro that makes you want to get up and dance. "Side Step" follows its lead and will have the steppers and swingers spinning on the dance floor. "Dreamworld" reminds me of "Beautiful World" from his first album. It is a hopeful song for all of the believers and definitely matters for what we are experiencing in the states today. "Loverman" is definitely for the Grown & Sexy and I agree with the previous reviewer, Robin has created a genre of his own. "Hard on My Love" immediately made me think of his debut, Robin is a great storyteller and even those who may not like the track are forced to listen in order to find out what happens. On "The Sweetest Love" serenades us with his piano and its just what the song says: sweet! "Something Else" gives us something else, its funky, mellow, and sweet. "Shadow of Doubt" is my least favorite so far, which means it will most likely be my favorite next week. "Cry No More" is my anthem, listen to it and you will see why. And last is "Tie My Hands" with Lil Wayne, this track is one of my favorites for Tha Carter III, the song is important and Lil Wayne definitely "puts on" for his city. Robin's falsetto is perfect for the grit that Wayne paints with his words.
This is a wonderful follow up from Robin. If you don't have, GO GET IT!
Ray (Michigan) - September 30, 2008
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
- Excellent Follow up
Just to make it simple and short, this is a great follow up. While most probably thought like i did i when i heard the evolution of robin thicke, i kinda thought one hit wonder. Then i heard Magic and loved it. So i downloaded rest and there are actually several tracks on here thats better than the evolution cd. I like the Sweetest Thing, Ms Harmony, Side Step, Magic..not really a totally bad song in the bunch except one or two ok tracks. Pick it up! Its decent! 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
- Without a doubt one of the best albums of the year
It's no question that Robin Thicke is one of the most talented people in music. On his third CD, Mr.Thicke displays a charisma and charm that only few artists come close to matching. The lead singles from the CD Magic & The Sweetest Love are still in heavy rotation on numerous stations; however the CD is full of equally worthy songs. One on the standout songs is Dreamworld which I could easily see serving as the background for an art house movie. I also enjoy Your My Baby and the Curtis Mayfield esque Sidestep. All in all this is an excellent album and I can't wait to see Mr. Thicke headline his own tour. Biluxi (Atlanta, GA) - October 04, 2008
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- If you like R&B, buy it
You're My Baby - too much Marvin Gaye influence on this one. but maybe you're into that.
Sidestep - He says 'Sidestep' like 100 times, but the beat works.
Magic - the radio jam. i dig it.
Ms. Harmony - smoothed out, romantic.
Dreamworld - Robin speaks on the environment, racism and Marvin Gaye's
death all on one song.
Loverman - great love song.
Hard on My Love - Robin repeats the chorus alot, but you won't care
because of the production.
The Sweetest Love - if he doesn't stop singing the chorus over and
over!!!
Something Else - the disco song!
Shadow of Doubt - i liked the concept/message.
Cry No More - a graceful ballad.
Tie My Hands - Lil Wayne speaks on New Orleans/Katrina. great song.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
- Robin Thicke
Fantastic CD. I am anxious to get everything else Robin Thicke has ever recorded. Highly recommend this R&B CD. |
