Robert Downey Jr - The Futurist
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Free Music Notes for The Futurist
Free Music Review: Multi-talented Robert Downey Jr. can play with the best of them
Hit: 5 Stars
Since "Tropic Thunder," Robert Downey Jr. has become one of my favorite actors. While catching as many of his flicks as I can manage, I also enjoyed his portrayal of Larry Paul on "Ally McBeal." It was here I discovered that he sings as wonderfully as he acts. Given that this will likely be his only solo release and it played a key role in his newfound sobriety, I figured it was worth taking a chance on.
In a nutshell, this is wonderful ear candy for those who like to chill with the old school in a contemporary mix of pop, jazz and R&B. Downey plays piano on all tracks and wrote all but two ("Give peace a chance" by Lennon/McCartney and "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin, which he first recorded during his Oscar-nominated portrayal of the silent film actor). Easily, "Smile" is a highlight and makes for a great closer that leaves the listener with sound advice.
If you listen to the lyrics, the other songs all draw from personal experience and bring with them the emotions associated with each struggle and triumph. Other favorites include "5:30," "Broken" (as heard during the credits of his film noir comedy/drama "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang") and "Man like me," which succeeds in drawing you into the rest of the album and giving you a snapshot of Downey's essence as a singer/songwriter.
My only criticism is that the Lennon/McCartney cover feels a little out of place, but a solid effort by a man who is an actor first and songwriter second.
Highly recommended to all fans of the actor as well as those of contemporary jazz, pop and R&B. His voice may be rough around the edges at times, but in everything he writes, you can see the time and effort that went into this product nearly 20 years in the making.
Free Music Review: A "Stark" look into the soul
Hit: 5 Stars
Robert Downey Jr., known now as Tony Stark from Iron Man, makes a fantastic debut as a singer/songwriter/musician with The Futurist. With his mix of jazz/pop/rock influences, Downey Jr. gives us a beautiful, haunting collection of songs.
Initially, I purchased this disc after finding some samples online, and to add to my collection of cds by actors (I already have all 3 of Corey Feldman's discs, as well as 2 from Steven Seagal, and one from Bruce Willis) but was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of music included here.
It's hard to find a single track that stands out on this piece, as each one brings something new to the listener. Each song follows and builds on the great showing of the one preceeding.
I think my personal favorite is the very interesting medley track of Your Move and Give Peace a Chance. Obviously, these tracks are not written by Downey Jr. himself, however his creative mixing of the two classics brings a new experience to both songs. For Robert's own creations I would have to say that 5:30 is possibly my favorite. I've played the disc twice already, having opened it just yesterday, and will play it at least once more on the drive tonight. I will also make certain to copy these songs to my mp3 library, and load them onto my Nokia for play in this format as well.
An absolute treat, The Futurist is highly recommended for anyone who wants to try something new, or anyone who is a fan of well written songs, accompanied by haunting musical pieces.
Definately a 5 star work, and I only hope that more is to follow from Robert Downey Jr.
Free Music Review: PROUD AS A PEACOCK
Hit: 5 Stars
WAS LISTENING WHILE PAINTING I'M STILL SMILING THREE HOURS LATER.THANKS RDJ...I REALLY NEEDED THAT LIFT. IT WAS THE YES SONG..THESE DAYS, I HAVE TO MAKE COMPILATIONS AS SOON AS I GET A NEW CD ABOUT 200 A YEAR.ITS RARE THAT I LIKE MORE THAN TWO SONGS. A VERY PICKY B.
I DONT HAVE TO SPAZ OUT -SKIP OVER -CLUTCH THE REMOTE ON THIS ONE TO AVOID COMMERCIAL INTERUPTUS ALL THE SONGS ARE EQUALLY ENTICING BUT WITH ENOUGH VARIETY NOT TO ZONE OUT. THE YES SONG COULD BE SONG OF THE YEAR....KEEPERS..EVEN FOR THE HOLIDAYS..AS ANOTHER ARTISTIC TEMPERMENT,I TRY TO NARROW MY MUSICAL CHOICES TO ENLIGHTENING- THE- LOAD - MUSIC.
EVER SINCE MY MOTHER SAID TURN OFF THE WRIST -SLASHING MUSIC OF JONI MITCHELL..35 YEARS LATER HUB HATES ANY THOUGHT PROVOKING / DEPRESSIVE MUSIC. I DONT THINK ROBERT'S MUSIC FITS THIS CATEGORY. YES HE IS HEAVY ON THE DAVE MATTHEWS. THIS IS ONE MALE VOCALIST UP THERE WITH MICHAEL MCDONALD, VAN, JAHIM..TEDDY..I LIKE THE REAL GRAVELY SOUL DEPTH AND RANGE. HE IS USING YET ANOTHER OCTAVE OF HIS RANGE.BUT I'M SURE WE WILL BE SEEING PAINTINGS NEXT BEFORE HIS 88 KEYS ARE UP. OH, THERE IS AN AWESOME PHOTO OF ROBERTS PERFECTLY STRONG BODY . NOT EXACTLY CHEESECAKE.
I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF THIS LITTLE GENIOUS AS A LITTLE BROTHER..IN FACT MINE'S AT CORCORAN TOO. (STAY AWAY FROM CRAZY WOMEN) I AM THRILLED AT RDJ'S SUCCESS AND EVEN FAILURES. HES A MESSENGER..WARNING AND EXAMPLE. I HOPE ITS NOT TRUE THAT ONLY THE GOOD DIE YOUNG.
Free Music Review: Robert Downey jr. The Singer!!
Hit: 5 Stars
The first thing that hits you while listening to this cd is the unique qualities of Downey's voice. If you could mix up Bruce Springsteen, Joe Cocker, Tom Petty and a bit of Steely Dan you would have only the beginning. You need to add to this mix his own deep slightly raspy voice that is full of soul and raw emotion and you have what makes listening to this cd so compelling. His voice tells us right away that this a man who has gone through way too much life for someone his age. There is no hiding it and why should he. It is a voice that ranges from tenderness, to wistfulness, to anger, to hope and hopelessness and back again with all of the emotional terrain in between these stops. The lyrics are jazzy and remind me of the best of Beat Poetry. I keep changing my mind over my favorite song. There is a sense of remorse,loss, and nostalgia to "Kimberly Glide" that touches me over and over. The images are arresting and new such as "Cactus Angels". "Little Clownz" is fascinating with every listen. And "Hannah" just surprises me over and over with it's chord changes and harmonies. I love the title of this cd...The Futurist. There is a feeling of hope and optimism rising above the ashes of a difficult past. I can imagine sitting in a small club and listening to Downey singing these songs from his heart. Now that would be heaven.Free Music Review: complex and beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to start by saying I have been a huge RDJ fan for many many years so I could not possibly write an unbiased review if my life depended on it. That said, I honestly believe that anyone who gives this CD a chance...not just a quick skip through, but truly listens to it as a whole will have to admit that it's great.
Having heard some of RDJ's music before I thought I was prepared for what I was going to hear. Still, I was suprised and of course captivated with what I heard from this album. That's not to say I was blown away at first. Actually some of the songs are still growing on me. This is of course because the music is so much like Downey himself, multi-faceted, crazy, endearing, poetic, and mysterious.
After listening to this tonight a few times I actually feel emotionally exhausted. This was a far cry from the bubblegum pop I'm hit with on the radio all day long(which I love). This was real raw emotion, plain and simple.
To those who will dismiss this as another washed up actor with rock star dreams, they at the very least must admit his lyrics and voice are beautiful.
Buy this CD and give yourself ample time not to simply listen to it but to experience it and all the emotion that comes with it.