Lyfe Jennings - The Phoenix
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Free Music Notes for The Phoenix
Free Music Review: The Rise of the Phoenix!
Hit: 4 Stars
Lyfe Jennings has got to be pinching himself right now because he's literally on top of the world. Girls are screaming at his jam-packed concerts, the brothers are showing him love for keeping it real, and his label has to be satisfied with their decision to take a chance on Lyfe and his music. After doing a bid and pouring his heart out for his monstrous debut Lyfe 268-192, the soul survivor gives his next chapter with his latest release The Phoenix.
The biggest difference between his first cd and The Phoenix has to be the fact that the interludes are separate tracks instead of slapping them at the end of each song. This is great for people who make their own mixes and don't want to struggle with an odd transition in their personal mix cds. All technicalities aside, The Phoenix starts off with the so-so track "Slow Down" with Young Buck. He then explodes into "Goodbye," a monster ballad that is arguably his most heartfelt song to date. "Let's Stay Together" is a good 'I'm sorry' song for those instant requests hours on late night radio when you want to smooth things over. "Biggie N!gga" is probably his most comical just from the title alone, while "Ghetto Superman" describes how Lyfe feels about being looked up to by everybody around him. His first single "S.E.X." is a song that all these growing ladies out here need to hear. "Down Here, Up There" is a simple acoustic song about dealing with the struggles on Earth to keep from going up to Heaven before your time.
The old school feel of the music on "The River" helps with conveying Lyfe's message of giving your life over to God. "Still Here" is another okay track, with help from Three Six Mafia and Project Pat. "More Than A Girl" tells about the importance of a woman in general, while "Stingy" is Lyfe's song about having a close bond with the one you love. "Radio" just talks about the power of hearing your favorite songs on the radio and putting aside the troubles of your life. His interesting take of 2pac's "Keep Ya Head Up" is not your everyday cover considering he harmonizes the verses and incorporates a group of kids for part of the song.
He closes out the album with a bonus track called "I'll Always Love You" that is worthy of being a radio single in the future.
Even though it's not as strong as his first album, The Phoenix proves that Lyfe Jennings has the skills to be a long-lasting artist in this business. There's no sophomore jinx here, that's for sure.
Free Music Review: Lyfe Jennings pours his heart and soul into another CD
Hit: 5 Stars
One of my old co-workers who knew that I was a music fan asked me if I had ever heard of Lyfe. Of course, at the time, I told her No and she told me about a track called "Stick Up Kid". She said that the video came on BET all the time on Midnight Love, which still came on at the time. Now I wasn't too thrilled about the subject matter, but the song was still pretty good. Once I heard "Must Be Nice" on the radio, I decided I would take a chance on "Lyfe 268-192". Although, I disliked the fact that he talked at the end of every song, I was definitely impressed by the CD. My favorite tracks ended up being "Must Be Nice", "I Can't", "Hypothetically", "26 Years, 17 Days" and "Let's Do This Right". His CD remained in constant rotation and was definitely one of my favorite r&b CDs in 2005. Although, the CD was released in 2004, most people didn't catch on to the CD until "Must Be Nice" was released.
Now in the Summer of 2006, Lyfe Jennings is back with "The Phoenix". The 1st single off of Lyfe's 2nd CD is a track called "S.E.X." which features La La Brown (Not Carmelo's fiancee). On this track Lyfe and La La send a positive message to all the young ladies that are growing up in the difficult world of today. They are bascially telling them that there is no rush to need to be with a man. We aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The purpose is to also tell the young ladies that there is no status or achievement to having sex at a young age. This is definitely something that should be done with serious thought and consideration, because you can't take things back, once they happen. Lyfe starts the CD with Young Buck and Doc Black on a track entitled "Slow Down". I definitely agree with the subject matter in the song, but Lyfe definitely has better songs on "The Phoenix", although Young Buck represents with his verse. The best song, in my opinion comes quickly on "The Phoenix" with "Goodbye". Lyfe has some powerful words to talk about on a ballad to decide whether or not saying goodbye to his woman is the right thing to do. If anyone is having doubts about Lyfe's sophomore CD then I would recommend them to listen to this track. "Let's Stay Together" is basically a midtempo continuation of "Goodbye" as he decides that the best thing to do is not to say goodbye and call it quits, he wants to try to make things work to stay together. Although, I am still annoyed by Lyfe talking on every other track, he definitely makes songs that men can relate to when it comes to things that go on in an average man's life. Now I have no idea why Lyfe wanted to name a track "Biggie N****". As reviewer "Constant" stated it was very humorous to me as well, but anyone that listened to "Stick Up Kid", knows Lyfe has some "gangsta" in him. "Biggie N****" allows him to display his gangsta side on "The Phoenix". The track isn't bad at all and he gives people who may not be use to the subject an interesting perspective on various events that happened in his life on the song, although the part when he says "I'm Biggie N****, reincarnated as a skinny n****", still mystifies me. Lyfe continues his "gangsta" on "Ghetto Superman" as he takes you back to the days when he was strugglin' and doing what he had to do on the block to try and make things work. Lyfe slows things down once again on "Down Here, Up There" as Lyfe sounds like he has written a personal letter to God to ask why are things so different on Earth today than they are in heaven. He is also trying to ask for some forgiveness for things that he has done in his past because he knows the life that he has lived would have God shaking his head. Lyfe puts his own interesting twist to "The River" as everyone knows the old school jam from the past. Lyfe definitely displays versatility on this track as the song has a gospel feel to it as well. One of my favorite tracks on "The Phoenix" has to be "Still Here" with Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat because the track comes out of nowhere. Although Lyfe is explaining the CD between tracks you would never expect a midtempo track with Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat on it. Lyfe goes through several difficult events in his life and eventually is just thankful to still be able to be alive and well. While Juicy "J" takes through tales of the hooo ooo ood and DJ Paul and Project Pat add their spin to things as well. Lyfe goes back to more of a traditional r&b sound on "More Than A Girl". The track wins with me but most people won't think that the track competes with most of the songs on "The Phoenix". "Stingy" starts off with a "nasty" guitar riff and Lyfe takes things from there as he is adds his own personal nasty to the track to talk about his woman. He even goes as far as saying that he cusses out his woman's bath water for every moment she is gone. "Radio" ends up being one of the better tracks on "The Phoenix" as well as Lyfe goes from talking about how frustrated he is with the world today to saying that no matter what is troubling him, once he hears one of his songs on the radio, all the trouble goes out of the window. "Keep Ya Head Up" has Lyfe using 2 Pac's lyrics to "Keep Your Head Up" but he sings them together to make a inspirational track in the realm of Jaheim's "Fabulous". Especially when you hear the end of the track when the little boy is singing "Keep Your Head Up".
Lyfe Jennings ends his 2nd CD on a powerful note with "I'll Always Love You". Although, I didn't need a computer voice telling me that it was a bonus track, Lyfe digs deep to tell a woman that he still loves that he was deeply sorry for all the bad things that he had done to her and how he regrets them. He basically leaves an open invitation for her to return if her new relationship doesn't work. That's deep.
Overall, if you enjoyed "Lyfe 268-192" then you will enjoy "The Phoenix". You will be annoyed from the narration that takes place throughout the CD but the songs themselves will try to help you forget that he is talking on every other track. Lyfe Jennings has done it again and if you haven't heard either of his 2 CDs, I suggest that you start paying attention and recognizing. You will be missing out on a great writer and a talented artist.
James' Top 5
1) Goodbye
2) Let's Stay Together
3) I'll Always Love You
4) Radio
5) Still Here w/Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat
Free Music Review: True R and B---Ahhh a breath of fresh air.
Hit: 4 Stars
I loved this CD but the interludes did get on my nerves ALOT...my favorite songs are: "Goodbye" "SEX" and "Down Here, Up There." He really did his thing but the interludes were a bit much and that is the only reason I gave this artist a 4 instead of a 5. I love his voice, especially the raspiness and truth in it...SEX delivers--how many people can make a song like this and actually get people to listen, this isn't the first conscious song like this out, but it reaches its audience and delivers. I love this singers and would buy more albums from him. Buy this CD it is worth it.Free Music Review: It's about Time...
Hit: 4 Stars
...For somebody to put out some real R&B music! I am tired of all these so called singers who can't sing or sing about stupid things. Lyfe on the other hand is a breath of fresh air. His voice is soulful and gruff, I love it. This is a CD you can put in and let it play. I love the song "S E X" which is a cautionary tale about keeping your virginity and waiting until the time is right. But as a whole the CD is good and I highly recommend buying it.Free Music Review: Lyfe Jennings - The Phoenix
Hit: 4 Stars
Lyfe Jenning's sophomore album is the "The Phoenix" (2006). Like many others I was really impressed by Lyfe's debut "Lyfe 268-192". Everything about that album made it one of my favorite R & B/Soul releases of recent years. I don't think this album has the continuity of the last, far to many interludes, and I am not impressed by the first two track's, Young Buck (who I am a fan of) seems who out of place on "Slow Down" while "Goodbye" is a bit to lengthy for my liking. The first track I am feeling is "Let's Stay Together", Ohio's Lyfe sings with passion in a track about overcoming and staying with one's love. Lyfe then provides something different with "Biggie *****" comparing himself to the late great Notorious B.I.G. in a track which is humorous. Lyfe shines on the outstanding rags to riches "Ghetto Superman". Lyfe talks about young women discovering their sexuality on "S.E.X." feat. LaLa Brown. The slow "Down Here, Up There" has a soulful Lyfe having a conversation with god. Lyfe then hits all the right notes on "The River" paying tribute to God while recalling his life. The album's second Rap/R&B collaboration is better then the former, as Lyfe teams up with Project Pat and Three 6 Mafia for the positive "Still Here". My favorite track on this album is easily "Radio", Lyfe delivers an exceptional soulful and feel good joint. Lyfe does his own rendition of Tupac Shakur's "Keep Ya Head Up" then closes the album off on a strong note with the powerful "I'll Always Love You". While "The Phoenix'" does lack some continuity Lyfe delivers a number of outstanding track's making this one a definite keeper for fans.