This is evident, but only to a degree, on R&B crooner/rapper T-Pain's sophomore effort, Epiphany. The record kicks off with "Tallahassee Love," a synth-laden quasi-gangster track and of course a reference to 2Pac's "California Love."
Next comes the manic "Church," a funk-infused dance song with bright, stabbing guitars. Unfortunately, though, a cheesy, cheerleader-esque chanting section makes it a little embarrassing to listen to.
Another standout is "Suicide," a quiet and plaintive AIDS warning despite sometimes absurd lyrics ("I f---ed her / and didn't have a rubber on me," goes one particularly not-so-quiet-and-plaintive couplet).
The rest of the CD? Well, melodically, T-Pain is incredibly talented. The tracks benefit from stellar production, and they all dish out some pretty infectious yet soothing R&B attitude.
T-Pain falters lyrically, however. R&B has taken a nose dive in recent years, giving up the uplift of its classic years (T-Pain deserves credit for revisiting them in "Right Hand" and "Sounds Bad," the two closing tracks) in favor of coarse, rap-style street jive. It doesn't make much sense for nonstop profanity and locker-room sex talk to accompany a gentle beat and soulful singing, but that's exactly what permeates the radio.
As a result, T-Pain values thug rhymes over clever witticisms. The singer goes beyond gangsterism, but not very far � many of the songs deal with getting women drunk in bars and taking them home (or to Mr. Pain's car).
Is it worth a listen? Sure; it'll make the commute to work a little more bearable. But there's no reason to buy Epiphany instead of the latest CD from any other modern R&B artist.
Robert VerBruggen (http://www.therationale.com) is Assistant Book Editor at The Washington Times.
CD Info and Links
T-Pain - Epiphany
Rating:
Preview and Purchase This CD Online
More articles for this artist .
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
Megadeth Announce North American Destroy All Enemies Tour
Asia Announce The Heat of The Moment Tour
blink-182 Lead Inaugural South Star Festival Lineup
Enter Shikari Announce New Companion Record 'Dancing On The Frontline'
Sammy Hagar To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame
Beatles Legend John Lennon's Lost Help! Guitar Discovered After 50 Years
Paul McCartney & Wings: One Hand Clapping 1974 Live Studio Sessions Available For The First Time