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MeloDrama

A Review by

Vigilante


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


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