| Another effort
from the winner up to the title of top r&b diva (cracked out Whitney still reigns the
top). Mary J's personal issues have definately not been a secret, and on this album she
plans to tell the world that she is going to have no more drama in her life. Let's see if
that makes for good music. Love
A nice little headnocker here, that gets by more on
its beat and catchy hook than its content. During the hook, Mary sings in rhythm with the
beat about the letters in LOVE. She also spits a little rap. Its hot for this song, but
its something she should never EVER do again.
$1.25
Family Affair
The Dr. Dre produced track that is causing more movement at the clubs than a mad man with
a gun. This track is a hot dance track, and as the first single gives Mary that kick to
move comfortable into the next wave of musical females. Like the song says, Mary is back.
$2.50
"Doesn't matter if you're white or black. Let's get crunk cause Mary's back!" -
Mary J.
Steal Away (ft. Neptunes)
Damn these Neptunes being everywhere. Am I the only one who grows tired of their recycled
beats on everyone's tracks? Anyway, the Tunes give Mary one of those beats they have to
Philly's Most Wanted and create a fairly boring track overall.
$.40
Crazy Games On
this track, Mary sings about how crazy this game her significant other is playing on
her..and how its no fun. Once again, she manages to create a catchy song that the ladies
can relate too.
$1.70
"Working so hard to complete myself. Now I'm thinking about the love thats on the
shelf. Livin our life, I loved no one else. That's how crazy this game is." - Mary J.
PMS The fact
that this song is titled PMS lets one know that Mary is going to have something to say on
this song. For the first 40 seconds, a guitar strings blares. Then Mary talks to the
ladies. She talks about all the mental and emotional things women go through during this
time. I can't relate to this song, but in a way I can see where women are coming
from a little more. Course, I can see this song becoming a theme to many women across the
world. Woe is me.
$2.00
No More Drama The title track for
this cd, Mary tells the world that she's not going to have any more drama. She's tired of
crying and fears, and she's free from all the pain and stress to find her true hapiness.
This song is one of those inspirational tracks that uses strong piano chords that remind
me of the intro to a soap opera. (Which would tie in with 'drama')
$2.75
Keep It Moving A funky futuristic beat,
that creates another dance beat for Mary J to work with. Its a nice change of pace after
the two emotional ballads. Course, unlike Family Affair, this song has a point. On this
track, that she's not going to let any trivial little things hold her down. She's gotta
keep it moving.
$1.20
Destiny- Mary brings up some serious points that
Vigilante have always wondered. On this song, Mary says that as a young person she has
been told that her destiny is set out for her. She has all this pressure and opinions
about what she should become, but she says the main thing is that she searches for what
makes her happy.
$2.00
"Searching for my destiny, searching for what makes me happy. Screw what others
thought of me. Gotta be happy. Finally happy." - Mary J.
Where I've Been (ft. Eve) This
is the album's inspirational track. I think every artist, no matter who or what they
sing/rap about has one of these. On this track, Mary tells a story about where she's been
in her life. Eve comes in towards the end to do the same. A nice song.
$2.00
Beautiful Day This song is similar to
Destiny's Child "Happy Face" song. One of those songs thats used as a method to
brighten ones day. Unfortunately, the song is not corny enough or emotional to
brighten ones day.
$.20
Dance For Me - I wonder what kind of track this is? This is a dance track where
Mary asks people to dance. Not very original, and not very catchy. In fact it becomes more
of annoyance towards the end.
$.25
Flying Away A track that is begging to be
skipped the second it starts. On this song, it just seems that Mary needed some filler
material. Nothing to see here.
$.10
Never Been On this old school type
track, Mary says that she's never been kissed, and loved like this. This song has Missy
Elliott all over it...you can also here her talking in the background. In fact, this song
would probably be something I could see Missy's version of Mary J. (Nicole Wray) signing.
Anyway, the song is decent. Nothing earth shattering, but nothing on Nelly's level either.
$1.75
2U - On this song, Mary hopes that her other has
been thinking of her the way she has been thinking of him. Its a rather corny track, that
barely is listenable had Mary not put so much heart and soul into it.
$.80
"I hope that you have been
thinking about me 2. The way that I have been thinking about u."
In The Meantime Here, Mary sings another
inspirational track from Mary J. This song is about the Lord, and how she didn't know what
to do in the meantime until she turned to him. Nice message, but this song is just blah.
$.60
Testimony Mary recites a poem to close off her cd, a poem that acts as a
testimony of how she went from a person filled with burden to a woman who is unbounded and
happy. Its a nice poem, but after you hear it once..you will never really listen to it
again.
$.50
Testimony Mary sings about the trials of her life and uses this song as the
testimony of all her trials an tribulations. Another solid song, but nothing that would
make a person rush out to purchase this album.
$.75
Well, I'd hate to say this, but is appears that Mary has
better material when she's going through all the rough shit in life. This album is much
lighter in content than any of her previous releases, and because of it her emotions are
not allowed to seap through the lyrics like so many times before. For some, this isn't a
problem. But Mary is an emotional singer. Personally, I think that unless you are a
diehard Mary J fan...this album will fall far beyond your expecations of the very talented
singer. Maybe she needs just a little drama, instead of none at all.
Album worth: $20.75
Album price: $13.99 |