ALBUM REVIEW: ANGIE STONE’S UNEXPECTED
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Following the success of her Stax debut, her fourth album, The Art of Love & War, which marked her first inclusion at the top of the Billboard R&B/hip-hop chart, R&B/soul singer Angie Stone returns after two years with her aptly-titled album, Unexpected.
Fans of the singer may be in for a shock as this is a slight departure from her past offerings: “I wanted this album to be something different. I didn’t want to make the kind of neo-soul record I had made in the past. That would have been repetitive.”
Known for her use of old samples on classics such as “Wish I Didn’t Miss You” and “No More Rain (In This Cloud)” and her simple melodies on new beats for tracks like “Baby” and “Brotha”, Angie flipped the script for Unexpected, citing the sudden passing of her father as the inspiration for the album title. This time around, she’s going for a more trendy sound as evidenced on “Free”, which sounds like a reject from Rihanna and “I Don’t Care” which replicates the hip-hop tinged soul of the ’90s.
Old school influence still manages to shine through, though, on the first single, ♫ I Ain’t Hearin’ U, as well as “Think Sometimes” which stands out as one of the album’s best tracks and sounds like it could have been included on Angie’s debut, Black Diamond. The auto-tuned “Tell Me”, however, is definitely unexpected from someone as talented as Angie. The same is true for “I Found a Keeper” which is reminiscent of a mid-tempo “He’s Mine” from mid-’90s R&B trio MoKenStef.
On ballads such as “Why Is It” and “All Over Your Body”, Angie sounds best showcasing everything we’ve come to know, love and expect from her. It’s understandable that after four albums, Angie would go searching for a different sound. Unfortunately, she didn’t find anything new. Her “new” sound is more of a throwback to the ’90s which fails to highlight the talent that is Angie Stone.
And that, certainly, is Unexpected.
20 Comments
1.
hi my name is mike
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
im over angie and her new sound
that album cover is dreadful she look like a hoochie on that bike and that dress isnt flattering AT ALL…
funny she has an album out i havent heard not one single on the radio..
2.
Pretty as a...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
@ #1
i concur….who the the blue f*ck rides a bike in an formal dress like that…if she was going to the the bike thing…she shoulda went with a different look. having you legs open over a bike in a dress is just….tacky…
3.
.::TWINKLE::.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
LOL! I can’t get past that album cover lol!!!
4.
Pretty as a...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
but i actually like that first top picture…she’s lost some weight at least
5.
PURE GIMMICK
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
ANGIE IS A BEAUITFUL WOMAN I LOVE HER VOICE ALTHOUGH I CANT REALLY REMEMBER ANY OF EM OUTSIDE OF THE GIRLFRIEND THEME SONG IM NOT FEELING HER IMAGE OF TRYING TO BE SEXYYYY NAH
6.
V
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
Angie and Rihanna are the 2 albums ill be getting!
7.
Gta
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
Angie Stone is an amazing artist. Are you people talking about Angie Stone the artist? listen to more of her music and then you might have a clue of who she really is.
8.
MINDFUL
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
She has the right album title because this is CLEARLY “Unexpected”. I didnt even notice she had a album coming out. I’ll have to preview it.
9.
dctrinigyal
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
Stunning!
10.
Juicy J
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
FYI- I went to Amazon today (11/24) and that album was not on sale for $3.99.
11.
Vee1
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
It amazes me that when an artist with real talent comes out with an album she is tore to pieces, but when a puppet comes out with one…everyone loves it and it’s just the bomb, and she is this and that. Because there is nothing bad to say about Angies talent and singing ability everyone reverts to the physical apperance. SMH. Angie’s music is great and she stays true to herself instead of being pimped in the industry.
12.
Leon
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
I never understood the big deal about Angie Stone’s voice. There seems to be nothing special about her voice. I also think that her best album cover was “Black Diamond,”
Someone called her an “amazing” artist, and that is just so perplexing to me, because I honestly don’t understand what’s so “amazing” about her voice or even her music.
13.
Frida
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 /
This here is grown folks music. I’m def buying it.
14.
N.O.Finest504
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 /
Happy you’re back Ang! And I see ya mami with the weight-loss, lookin’ good!
I will buy the album, just like the other ones- One Chocolate beauty to the next!
15.
Brown Sugar
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 /
She is so cool! Her music is amazing…
16.
tunzi
Thursday, November 26, 2009 /
thats sad.. lol now she all weaved and permed up…..watevr it takes to sell records i guess
17.
Mims
Saturday, November 28, 2009 /
You know my friends have made fun of me for being “soulful” and “listening to old ppl music”. iLike the songs posted up here, because i’ve always liked the Angie songs i’ve heard! iLike all types of music, as long as it sounds good to my ears! iMean cmon she has some wholesome [maybe not religious] music that isnt always glorifying sex, money, men, fashion, materialism.. blah blah. iLike that music as well as iLike some Beyonce, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Trina, Nicki Minaj, P!nk, Electrik Red, who else sld iName!
18.
Mims
Saturday, November 28, 2009 /
iDo agree on the album cover… NOT the best. esp for someone of her genre/caliber… honestly idk if anyone else in the industry wlda chose that particular cover look, espp if they had good ppl. idk who her ppl are but they shlda known better that to let that pic hit the public… the post pic wlda been well suited. you know something that seems more true to her… cuz THAT dress on the bike is just not cute.
now it’d be different if it was a long dress and say she was ridin as the passenger, looking back at the camera, and the tail of the dress was just flowing in the wind…. lol
19.
Nayomi
Saturday, November 28, 2009 /
I have to agree with some of the people above , the album cover is a NO (bike and dress - not sexy, just cringe worthy) . I also do miss the afro, I mean I admire that hair, it was so beautiful… She stills looks good though but different ( I don’t whether I like the different but w/e).
I don’t like the first track posted “Free” it just felt like it lacked soul (to me)… It wasn’t memberal at all… In fact to minutes later I forgot what it even sounded like. However the second track “Maybe” was quite better, still poppy but hanging onto that old Angie style.
I dunno maaaan…. I hate when artist switch to fit with the rest… Wouldn’t buy the album but it worth a listen I guess…. Maybe it will be a grower…
20.
Nayomi
Saturday, November 28, 2009 /
Last track alright too “Think Sometimes”… It seems lika an “alright” album, nothing special.