After her last album, Because I Love It… back in 2007, which didn’t see a United States release, Amerie is back with her fourth studio album, In Love & War, which hits stores today (November 3), on Island Def Jam Records.
In Love & War finds itself mimicking those same hard blaring, live horn percussive sounds from her days with producer Rich Harrison. However, the album boasts no collaborations from him. Even with it’s over the top, Ray Kay-directed music video, the first single, “♫ Why R U,” co-produced by The Buchanans, didn’t seem to grab attention of the fans.
In contrast, “♫ Heard ‘Em All,” the next single to follow, got a little more love from radio and in the clubs. The online blitz began when they put out a teaser video, and fans became a little more excited to see promotion on the label’s end for Amerie. But soon after, a 106 & Park guest spot, there was little-to-no promotion coming from her or her camp.
Bryan Michael Cox laces Amerie with a soothing, sexy synth ballad on “Red Eye,” while the dynamic duo of Jim Jonsin and Rico Love help her out on “Swag Back,” which is a song about leaving a broken heart, with a clear head and a new-found sense of confidence.
In Love & War isn’t a bad album. Although it’s not the great material that Amerie was known for with Rich, she has some solid records and the album is pretty cohesive, considering the different producers that she paired with this time around. Truly, the only real gripe with the album is the lack of promotion behind it. Def Jam really dropped the ball in that aspect. But in recent interviews, Amerie says that she plans to reunite with Rich Harrison. I think that’s what she realizes her fans are really waiting for.
♫ OTHER TRACKS YOU’VE GOT TO HEAR: “Pretty Brown Eyes,” featuring Trey Songz, “Red Eye,” and “The Flowers.”
@ 115, I wouldn’t of had as much of a problem with the negative tone of his review if were more detailed. My biggest problem was that the review was so short. The album reviews are one of the things I love about CL and how they go into depth about who the artist worked with, the differnet tracks, I just expected more.
@116, your entitled to your opinion about her music. I may not agree with it, since I feel she keeps getting better with every album. I agree about Heard Em All, it’s pretty much in the same vein as “Touch”, it seems like it was just thrown on for commercial effect. I think their are songs on the album just as good if not better than “Why R U” though. And although I would love to see her get back with Rich, I can understand her wanting to venture out and work with other people instead of working with the same guy over and over again. Now when she goes back to Rich she will be able to bring something new to the table because of her experience with other producers. But your opinion is your opinion and I repsect that.
Putting on my Flip FLOPs.
She’s boring and her music sounds empty.
I think she’s trying to go the ‘unique’ with this album but it sounds like little effort was put into this project. Amerie seriously tries to hard to be ‘different’ and it doesn’t come of right, just awkward. Hell! Even Rihanna has more personality then this girl.
LMAO @ 122 FLOPALICIOUS!!!
I loooove Pretty Brown Eyes. Whooo With Trey on it too.
I loooove Pretty Brown Eyes. Whooo With Trey on it too.
Amerie is the truth! Concrete Loop is a breeding ground for idiots!
people dont know what there talking about on here, i agree with Tjack25, i really really really lve amerie but in the u.s she’s wack she is so beautiful but i heard the album and the only song i really liked was, red eye, and it’s NOT THE RECORD LABEL FAULT ITS HER FAULT SHE NEED TO PROMOTE HER OWN SHIT,,,,,,,,
ALONG TIME AGO THERE WAS A RAPPER CALLED MASTER P HE DID NOT WAIT ON HIS ANYBODY TO PROMOTE HIM THE MAJOR RECORD LABEL CAME LOOKIN 4 HIM SO WHAT IM SAYIN IS………U I MEAN U GOT 2 GET YOUR OWN SHIT OUT THERE IN THE STREETS ….. AS A ARTIST
Def Jam aint shit ! It went down hill when Jayz got there ! He care about himself only, trading in friendships for money will come back and bite u n the ass !!!!