Nearly fifteen years ago Ginuwine jumped on the scene with his first single, the overtly sexual “Pony”. Now, the 40-year-old who was once “So Anxious” is older and ready to show his fans the man he’s become on his namesake seventh album, Elgin, available today.
Ginuwine picks things up right where A Man’s Thoughts left off in that it expresses the same maturity…somewhat.
In an interview regarding the new album, Ginuwine explained that he wasn’t trying to get the younger crowd. “I realize where I am in my career, and I realize the age difference and everything. I’m just trying to keep the fans that once knew me back in the day, and I’m just trying to grow with them and have them grow with me.”
The latter may be true, but including the Trina-assisted “Batteries” (which happens to be the album’s only feature) says otherwise about attracting a younger crowd as it cries out as a cheapened attempt of recreating “Bottoms Up” and would be better suited for someone of both lesser caliber and age.
The same could be said for “Kidnapped”, which finds the married father of eight (his wife, rapper Solé, has two daughters from previous relationships) stating: “Girl you gonna get kidnapped. I’m gonna dress up like a robber and wear all black. Nobody’s gonna find out where I hid you at. You’ll get abducted and be my hostage. Let’s play a game tonight.” Although the track has been around for a while, if Ginuwine was truly interested in introducing fans to who he is as a man today, he could have done a much better job by leaving off this childish crap.
That’s not the say the whole Bryan-Michael Cox executive produced album is crap. The album opener penned and produced by Tank, “Heaven”, is a great starting point to kick things off from the last album and showcases Ginuwine at his best. “Break” follows suit in classic Diane Warren fashion as an emotionally-charged ballad while the album’s lead single, “What Could Have Been“, is another standout track.
But things soon head downhill on “Drink of Choice” as Ginuwine describes his lady as, you guessed it, his drink of choice. The same rudimentary lyrical content is included on “Why We’re Fighting” with Ginuwine explaining, “I don’t want to fight, and I don’t want to fuss. I just want to kiss you and just make love.” Really G, who wouldn’t?!
Ginuwine manages to redeem himself, though, by marking the maturity of a man going from “Pony” to the sexual sophistication of “Body” as well as utilizing the modern sound of “Frozen”, the coldest track on the album, to sympathize with a love gone and done wrong.
Elgin offers a couple more standout tracks than Ginuwine’s previous offering but also includes more wasted space. The standouts, however, happen to be some of his best material to date, and the album continues to present Ginuwine on his mission to mature and remain relevant, which true fans will appreciate as the journey continues.
Ginuwine is the MAN!
I support Inter/racial relationships! I believe love has no color!
___________blackwhitedate.c-/0m ____________
This club is for those of us that don’t discriminate! This is to all my people who don’t care about somebody’s ethnic background, just how they are on the inside.
If you want to find a sincere Inter/racial relationship. If you are serious. Come and join us!
YESSSSSSSS he is and I will continue 2 support this positive mullato!
I agree with this review. Freeze and Heaven definately are the standouts and deserve to be singles. Im suprised that B. Cox exec produced this project. He’s one of my favorite producers ever. and i wouldve thought he wouldve done a better job on the album. Not saying this album is bad. It’s just not that many tracks jump up at you.
he shouldve enlisted the underdogs on this project. This song was dope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSF4FwtWEdM
A bit more professionalism and more objectivity in your reviews would be much appreciated next time. Calling someone’s hard work “crap” is not what a professional music reviewer does. Maybe if you are giving your subjective take to your “buddies”, then fine. The entire tone of your article sounded very juvenile and amateurish. You should consider rewriting.
Thanks
I agree…..was smdh while reading it.
I did the same thing! Why would you write such a negative article? He definitely needs to re-write this. He didn’t show NO love.
I cosign! This review came off as very negative, almost if there was personal beef with Ginuwine.
I totally agree. He said that this was one for the mature fans that have been with him from the beginning and reading this had me wondering how old the reviewer was because he or she doesn’tsound very mature at all. This is the worst review I’ve ever read by anyone. Concreteloop plz keep the disrepectful bloggers away.
Throwing up the 666 on the slide…
Yes, he certainly is. That is the only way to maintain any longevity in the entertainment industry. They must accept the occultic teachings.
I’m sorry frozen is a good song but it sounds like something they would’ve given to Day 26. And to say
40??? Lost me there…since when is he forty….
LOL!!! Exactly, he is only 35. LMBO
this is actually a good album. Ive had it for about a week now and its a pretty good listen.
imma have to give it a listen. Gin is usually good with his
Sorry.
Mr Elgin gets a thumbs down on this one ..
Ginuwine u still looking good!!!
I love this. Sounds like the album may be something you can listen to straight through.
TO THE WRITER, you are a jerk. What was the reason for the negative comments. JERK
Reviewer…you are soo wrong on this Genuwine album.
People listen go out and get the Elgin album. NOw you do have to be grown and sexy to listen and understand first!
Genuwine loves his women…you can hear it!!
Batteries w/ Trina gave it that dirty south grown sexy shit too.. .. LOL