Apparently, 2006 is going to be the year of the sophomore, with second releases from Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé and Robin Thicke. Next in line for the sophomore class is singer-songwriter, John Legend, whose follow-up is aptly titled, “Once Again.”
During his break, it’s clear that he took a good look of his strengths and weaknesses, because he’s returned with an album far superior to his debut. This release is a well-crafted collection of songs reminiscent of ’60s era easy listening.
The album’s opener is his current single, “Save Room.” I’m not sure if it was the best choice for a first single, but it does a great job of establishing the tone for the album.
It has a strong melody, the lyrics are cool and it also works well with Legend’s voice. Overall, it’s a good song. Not the greatest in the world, but a respectable effort.
Another track, “Heaven,” does a great job of updating Legend’s sound, without being forced. My main problems with his debut were the cameos and faux-thug lyrics. Legend’s a talented musician and there’s no need to vie for street credibility. Furthermore, it just wasn’t believable coming from him. Seriously, who really believed him singing, “You don’t want it with me”? This song, however, is the right balance for him, because the track is sample-based, but it still has movement, unlike most Hip-Hop tracks.
Another track, “Show Me,” is the perfect vehicle for Legend’s unique falsetto. The genre-bending track finds him exploring a more soft rock sound. The track relies more on guitars, but the vocals are soulful enough for him to explore without getting lost in the music. The end product is great and the song is definitely one of the album’s highlights.
My favorite song on the album is a bossa nova track named “Maxine” about an unfaithful lover. The track mixes a smooth Latin arrangement with moog synths, giving it a Stevie Wonder feel circa “Music of My Mind.” The lyrics are melodic and colorful, adding the right touch for an awesome song. Let’s just say, with this song, Legend actually lives up to his name.
Another great song, “Where Did My Baby Go?” continues the theme of a lost lover. The song is piano-driven and has a feel that’s somewhere between tin pan ally and ’50s doo-wop. He also adds strings to the arrangement, which give it a dramatic flair and, again, Legend shows his strength as a songwriter, combining great lyrics with a strong melody.
Ultimately, Legend has crafted a collection of songs, brimming with melodies that are both breezy and melancholy. It has the same feel of a Dusty Springfield record or Stevie Wonder in his prime, which is the perfect vibe for autumn.
I can’t say that had Kanye West helmed this project, like Legend’s debut, the results would have been the same. However, by stretching out and working with different producers, like Will.I.Am and Raphael Saadiq, Legend created a more sincere album.
Bottom line, Legend brought his A-game to this album and I can honestly say it plays well from beginning to end. So buy it when it comes out, because this one is actually worth your money.
