J. Holiday - Back of My Lac
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Free Music Notes for Back of My Lac
Free Music Review: A promising debut
Hit: 3 Stars
Early in 2007, I was mesmerized by J. Holiday's single "Bed," a sultry love song that works as both a catchy single and a seductive slow jam. When I heard the next single, the equally wonderful "Suffocate," I was sold and went out to purchase "Back of My Lac." This is a solid debut album. J. Holiday has a familiar, youthful voice and delivery comparable to Usher, Trey Songz, Omarion, Chris Brown, or TQ. He's smooth and energetic, and is backed by some great production. Live instrumentation is found on most of the tracks, and the sound is rich and textured. J. Holiday struggles to find a balance between R&B balladeer and soulful thug, so there's a mix of tracks that display both characters. This conflict is a problem on "Back of My Lac." I much prefer the ballads, I find that the well-written ballads display his talent much better than the songs about the ghetto and smoking. A lot of the album does feel familiar, and listeners may be disappointed to find that no other track is as good as the two hits "Bed" and "Suffocate." At fourteen tracks, it's a nice length, but multiple tracks could be classified as filler because they lack originality or catchiness to make them memorable. Although I was a little let down by the album given the wonderful singles, J. Holiday's traditional R&B approach is refreshing in a year dominated by crossover artists such as Rihanna and Chris Brown.
The album opens wonderfully with the title track, a song about personal struggles and how to deal with them. I enjoy the subject matter and the funky production. "Ghetto" is a familiar track about urban struggle, and "Thug Commandments" takes a page out of Biggie's book for a decent cut. The single "Bed" was one of my favorite songs of 2007, with the great production, ridiculous lyrics, and soulful performance. "Betcha Never Had" is forgettable, and I don't like "Laa Laa," a how-to manual of smoking herb. "Come Here" is a pretty weak song that sounds like a Chris Brown B-side. The original single "Be With Me" isn't too original but is well executed, while "Suffocate" is phenomenal, a gorgeous love song with subdued keyboards and a great hook. "Fatal" is a pretty good slow cut, and "Without You" is upbeat but similarly solid without being great. "Pimp in Me" is surprisingly enjoyable, with a pumped-up, dramatic production and nice performance. "Thank You" doesn't quite stand out, but the closer "Fallin'" is excellent and a real highlight. The production is among the best on the LP, and the soaring sax in the hook is glorious. This song was one of the best I've heard in a while and a great finish.
J. Holiday's debut isn't amazing, but the handful of excellent tracks make it an album worth your purchase. "Back of My Lac"'s singles were my favorite R&B songs of 2007, and those who liked those tracks should also enjoy the album for the most part. Hopefully, for his next album he can find a middle ground between lover and gangster and find consistency. J. Holiday's not a revolutionary talent, but he's a well-produced artist that I look forward to hearing more good music from in the future.
Free Music Review: J. Holiday CD
Hit: 4 Stars
J. Holiday has a beautiul voice. I wish he had more than 4 songs that I liked....but these day you'll be lucky if you have 2 that are good, so I guess I shouldn't complain.Free Music Review: J. Holiday
Hit: 5 Stars
I love all of the songs on this cd and I can't get enough of J. Holiday!Free Music Review: FOR THE LAST TIME, I DON'T CELEBRATE HOLIDAYS!!!
Hit: 2 Stars
When I first heard of J. Holiday, I saw his "Be With Me" video (to get this out of the way one of the few bright spots on this album) I said to myself this dude got some potential. He has a real laid back swagger yet singing from the heart and not to Pretty Rickish with it. Then me and my wife was watching 106 & Park and they debut his Dream assisted "Bed" video and we both was blown away at the same time very impressed. Then he dropped "Suffocate" and I was like "That is it, I got to hear his album." So I pop the CD in to expect a very well written, well produced album from Mr. Holiday, and as the minutes began to play, I instantly got confused.
"Back of my Lac" got things off to an ok start with J introducing himself about his background and what he went through. Then "Ghetto" just really brought things down hill for me. Songs like "Thug Commandments", watered down "Betcha Never Had", and "Laa Laa", J Holiday trade in personality and realism for raunchy lyrics and R. Kellish type delivery that you tend to wonder, "Is this the same dude that singing love ballads for his first three singles?" The album finish a little strong with "Fatal" (one of the best songs on the album)and "Fallin" but the overall album is just too "trying to be hardcore" than it is. J Holiday didn't really show much range with his voice either, all the songs talk about the same thing, and sound the same as well. If you like hardcore R&B (which I wouldn't have mind if he was more creative) than this album is for you otherwise, the more mature crowd will only listen to the hit singles, and what you got left are the people that want a original R&B album, and this album isn't it!!
2 1/2 stars. Download the singles, bypass the album!!
Free Music Review: J. Holiday - Back Of My Lac
Hit: 4 Stars
J.Holiday's (A.K.A. Nahum Grymes) debut album "Back Of My Lac" (2007) is an impressive fourteen track project. The Washington born singer shines on solo throughout this release, my favourite track is the feel good opener/title track "Back Of My Lac", Holiday provides a smooth head nodder, singing about his life, lacing the track with a memorable chorus. Another track I like is "Thug Commandments", Holiday delivers a positive upbeat ballad, laying down his own insightful thoughts. The Los Da Mystro produced hit single "Bed" is another highlight contribution from Holiday, an intimate love track, one which has received a lot of love and about fifteen different remixes. Other single's include the Darkchild produced "Be With Me", where Holiday looks to take things to the next level with a special woman & the laidback love ballad "Suffocate. Production is on point throughout this release, I agree with some who feel Holiday could expand his topic matter more, all the same this is a very solid debut. "With Back Of My Lac" J.Holiday delivers his own distinct fresh sound and style, winning his audience over with feel good music that vibes well.