Mary J Blige - Growing Pains
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Free Music Notes for Growing Pains
Free Music Review: "Growing Pains" Doesn't Dissapoint
Hit: 5 Stars
Mary J. Blige follows "The Breakthrough" with "Growing Pains" which to me was an even stronger effort that claims the title of being one of her best, if not the best, albums of her career. She found her footing with "The Breakthrough" and any fears that she'd return with a cd that wasn't as strong should be put aside. "Growing Pains" has something for all of her fans and new ones, a sound that mirrors old R&B but also goes into territory that music seems afraid to venture into. After listening to the entire album, I found myself saying this was true quality. There isn't really a track to skip here; each song adds something to the mix and covers everything from a dance-vibe to a laid-back groove about love and loss.
Some of the standout tracks are "Work That" which is one of the upbeat songs, "Grown Woman" that could be this albums "Enough Crying" with Mary dishing out her good qualities and what makes her stand out at this point in her life. "Feel Like A Woman" is a new kind of song for Blige where she puts aside her reservations about being with someone and shows her most vulnerable of traits in this ballad-like track. "Stay Down" stands as my favorite, another turn for Mary J. Blige as she's asking her man to stay through the troubles and paints a picture of better days in their relationship that are to come. "Roses" is another track, more hard in sound, with Blige proclaiming she's all right and doesn't need people telling her what's wrong with her. "Fade Away" and "What Love Is" both are tracks that stand out for their production and the feeling she evokes. In what's perhaps one of her best closing tracks, "Come To Me (Peace)", is a big R&B/80s type of song that's a no-holds-barge explosion of sound and is moving and leaves you wanting more.
In all, "Growing Pains" is an absolute must own. Where most artist hit their peak at some point and become predictable, Mary J. Blige seems to be getting better with each year. The songs on this cd are fresh, original and yet sound different and a bit experimental for Blige as she matures into her new sound and comfort zone as an artist. Buy this cd, you will not be disappointed.
Free Music Review: Growing in leaps and bounds...
Hit: 5 Stars
Mary J. Blige returns with her eighth studio album, "Growing pains". I've been a fan of hers ever since she burst onto the scene singing about "Real love". Sixteen years later, she's still as strong as ever; "Growing pains" became her fourth US chart topping album and has sold over a million so far. It's the latest instalment in a musical journey, which intentionally or not has chronicled the state of her life at the time of each release.
This is no different. Very much in love (with her husband and with herself), the songs reflect this. From lead-off single, the upbeat joyous hand-clap filled "Just fine" where she states she's just that, thank you (from the same team that gave Rihanna her chart "raining" hit "Umbrella"), opening cut "Work that" (a song of female self belief/assertion no matter what you look like, lovely song), the more sparse guitar driven "Grown woman" (with Ludacris), There is a bit to dance to. "Roses" is an angry mid tempo song with unsettling beats (where you wouldn't want to mess with her; she's having one of them days), and closing cut "Come to me (peace)" is a lovely song with a hypnotic throbbing bassline and a pop feel (Love it!).
For ballads, we have just about everything else, with lyrics dealing with unabashed love, or vulnerability; "Shake down" (a duet with Usher), "Feel like a woman", "Stay down", "Hurt again" (lovely harmonies), the string swathed "What love is", "Work in progress (growing pains)" (with autobiographical lyrics, the title says it all), "Talk to me" (where she's trying to rekindle conversation in the relationship), the piano sprinkled "If you love me", and the pseudo jazz feel of "Smoke" (with a slightly off kilter beat).
My favourite cut is her song about wanting to get away from it all when things get tough; "Fade away", a dreamy plodding mid-tempo number (a bit like "Everything" from "Share my world") with soothing harmonies. It's like sailing on a calm sea. Outstanding!
Mary has been on an upward tangent ever since the day she appeared on the scene, a tangent that shows no sign of dipping any day soon.
Free Music Review: ABSOLUTELY STUNNING
Hit: 5 Stars
Most people love "What's The 411" and "My Life" and they think they are totally classic, and then there's "The Breakthrough" which is a 5 star effort in itself - but here Mary J. Blige surpasses everything she has done - the cut SHAKE DOWN with Usher is so commercial it's sickening which is GREAT it's like the sweetest candy you could ever want - but don't think for a minute she's sold out. NO NO NO - this CD is so deep, so heartfelt, so BLACK, so true, so much full of emotion. Mary J. Blige I think this is her "THRILLER" - this CD is phenomenal from start to finish. Even if you've never heard of her before - you will be infected with these songs - they stay in your mind, soul and heart. This CD is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING - her best effort yet, and how do you surpass "My Life" - she has done it - you will be TOTALLY REWARDED WITH THIS PURCHASE - look out for Mary in 2008 and 2009 - SHE TRULY IS THE UNDISPUTED "QUEEN OF HIP-HOP SOUL" Girl you GO GO GO GO GO!!! Man O Man, Mariah you know you're my heart, and Rickie Lee you are my favorite - but she even revamps some old Emotions samples - THIS CD IS BEYOND BEYOND. Just listen, GUARANTEED!!! Thank you ET for my favorite gift this Christmas. God is alive - Listen to Mary - you'll be a witness!!! It's THAT UNBELIEVABLE - miraculous. Anyone who rated this CD less than 5 stars has not listened to it more than twice, this CD rewards the listener with repeated listens and you see how brilliant this CD is. It's really A NON STOP PARTY. Keep playing this at your Christmas or New Years Party's - you'll see - this grows on your without ANY PAIN. MARY J BLIGE - much respect. This is one of the best CD's I've ever heard - period. Trust me, listen to it a few times - you'll start becoming infected with her "Growing Pains". THIS IS A SLAMMER - all respect to the TRUE QUEEN OF HIP HOP SOUL. God is my witness!! If Mariah is "the voice" - and Rickie Lee is "my heart" - then NO QUESTION Mary J. Blige is QUEEN OF MY SOUL. This CD is too good. YOU WILL NOT REGRET YOU BOUGHT THIS CD EVER.Free Music Review: Another Breakthru, Feels Like Another One.
Hit: 5 Stars
I think the biggest improvement Mary J. has made during her last 2 albums is she has remained consistant. You can now listen to her latest cds without skipping over tracks that interrupt the flow. Aside from "What's the 411" and "My Life", her albums were littered with junk that were just plain unlistenable. Of course every mary J. Blige album has at least a couple of good songs on it, but "Breakthru" and "Growing Pains" are a complete journey you can play from start to finish. I don't really like the title of the album though, "Growing Pains" reminds me too much of the old 80's tv show and it sounds too harsh like "groin pains". I love the cover of the cd. I love Mary's pose, it looks retro and Egyptian and she's also laying on a bunch of records which is great for me becuz I used to dj. You go with the shout out to vinyl, Mary. As for the songs on the cd, I love "Work That", I could listen to this song a million times, "Just Fine", "Roses", and "Til The Mornin'" are other standouts for me. "What Love Is" and "Fade Away" are some of my all time faves from Mary J. "Fade Away" sounds a little alternative like Depeche Mode sounding, the background music is moody and deep. Towards the end of the cd, some of the songs go in that direction which is strange considering her R and B roots. It's unique and groundbreaking, giving her music a fresh sound while remaining innovative. The only song which doesn't do it for me is "Grown Woman". It's not exactly groundbreaking material, the rap thing is so dated and played out at this point. My favourite lyric on the album where Mary really hits you with it is on "Roses". "Sometimes I need a hug!" Who doesn't. Thanks for breaking it down Mary.Free Music Review: The Queen Returns with her newest Growing Pains
Hit: 5 Stars
Mary J. Blige, the ultimate "Queen of Hip-hop Soul," has returned with her brand new album Growing Pains. Last year, Blige had her most successful year as an artist, and this year she is at it again. With Growing Pains, Blige has successfully revamped her sound and style keeping her "no more drama" mantra.
Mary J. Bilge perfects her soul style with her intensely passionate soul ballads, and perfects the hip-hop style with her fiery, energic anthems like the second single "Work That" now featured on the new iPod commericals. Mary shows us "it ain't all roses; flowers and posin'," and "it ain't all candy" with her stellar song "Roses." You can tell by the lyrics and the passion behind Blige's voice that she feels the pains she talks about. It is real. This album was made by Mary in every sense--lyrics and all. It is hard to find an album like this nowadays with such passion and realism.
Mary might feel just fine (like her new single), but her album, Growing Pains, is more than just fine; it is spectacular. With not a bad song to be found on the entire16 track album, it is definitely Mary's best work to date; a magnificent accomplishment. Mary will have difficult time topping this album.