Teedra Moses - Complex Simplicity
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Artist: Teedra MosesBrand: MOSES,TEEDRA
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2004-08-10
Music Label: Tvt
Soundtracks:
- Still Got Love
- Be Your Girl
- You'll Never Find (A Better Woman) feat Jada Kiss
- Caution
- Rescue Me
- No More Tears
- Caught Up
- Complex Simplicity
- For A Lifetime
- Winter '96
- Cabaret
- Last Day
Free Music Notes for Complex Simplicity
Free Music Review: Still 'Rockin to Hot Tracks Like This' (An Extremely Long Review)
Hit: 5 Stars
One reviewer called Teedra Moses' Complex Simplicity the best album of 2004. I'd go a step further and say it is one of the handful of classic albums produced this decade and it is also one of the best R&B female debuts of all time. With this effort, Teedra reveals an artistry unsurpassed by most of her peers and created the type of album I still listen to regularly (and I'm being modest; I listen to Teedra almost daily) nearly four years after its release. Is this album worth purchasing? Emphatically, yes, for several reasons.
Teedra Moses introduces herself with this album with an intriguing voice, mood and juxtaposition. Her voice is best described as "pretty." She can sing, a rarity these days, but her voice never stretches or overpowers. It simply floats. Her voice is as clear as a bell and gracefully dances over every single track; I'd compare it to Deniece Williams or perhaps Amel Larrieux, but her voice is all her own. Most impressive about her voice on this album, though, are the omnipresent, hypnotic background vocals. They adorn each track and stir these mesmerizing melodies into the songs. I've never heard anything quite like it. As for Teedra's mood, it's a funny thing. You come across people who call her soulful, and some who call her gritty. She's both. She joins the sisterhood established by women like Mary J. Blige and Erykah Badu who give us soul and sass; Teedra is all the best of R&B's soulful nostalgia entangled with a formidable dose of street swagger. She walks the fine line between soul and hip-hop. And therein lays the juxtaposition. The title introduces it and the album builds upon the theme. Complex Simplicity. The album presents Teedra, in all her sincerity, as a woman who, like most people, is full of contradictions. The album is a classic not because it does so much to defy the current trends in music. It does exactly what your Beyonces, Keyshias, Monicas, Ciaras, Fergies, Alicias, etc do; she just does it better. She takes the same old themes and subjects we've heard a thousand times before, but adds an element of depth to them that makes them seem all the more fresh and entertaining. I'll explain this with the tracks.
"Be Your Girl", the first song, is the first song I ever heard from Teedra. It is a great song, too, subtle in the way it slightly reminds me of Groove Theory's classic from 1995 "Tell Me" or some Mary J. Blige song from around the same period (kudos to Poli Paul for the sound of this song and the rest). I immediately understood why reviewers talk about Teedra having that touch of "old school" in her sound. The song is your basic "I've got a crush on you" song but, the more you listen to it and fall in love with those pleasant background vocals, the more you begin to wonder is Teedra talking to the object of her affection, or herself? She presents herself as a shy girl in this song afraid to speak up and show her feelings. Yet, a couple of tracks later on "Caution", all of that hesitation dissipates and transforms into a stunning swagger that's teasing and effervescent. Poli again throws back on the production, this time recalling `80s songbird Cherrelle, while Teedra appears to be hyping herself and her merits up while singing, "I lick my lips and then I think about how good it is to be me/So to date me must be hot." Her logic is persuasive. The song is fun and playful and, while not being one of my immediate favorites, I grew to love it.
One of my favorite tracks is "Rescue Me." Soft and smooth in production but, again, the subject matter is familiar ground on which to tread. Teedra has been hurt in the past but is ready for a new love, someone to "rescue" her from loneliness, giving the song a tinge of fairy tale happily-ever-after effect. But there are two things that make this song absolutely amazing to me. One is the opening to the second verse: "He ain't gotta be no gangsta/He ain't gotta be no balla/Baby, if we're strugglin'/I'll ride with you `til we rise". Wait, what? Did she just articulate a sweet principle diametrically opposed to VIRTUALLY EVER OTHER R&B song? I mean, how many times have we heard singers explain that a man is only attractive if he has money and he's a thug, preferably if he has a record and has been shot at least 4 times? I was so struck by Teedra's line because it shows a level of emotional maturity and good sense that is untapped by most R&B singers. The second thing that makes "Rescue Me" amazing is that wondrous melody. Once you hear the bridge, the way she sings it, you must concede that Teedra constructs a melody finer than just about anyone out there.
"You'll Never Find (A Better Woman)" was a song it took me a while to respect, but I eventually did. This time, Teedra is in love with a hustler and narrates the trials inherent in their union, a "ghetto love affair", mainly his taking her for granted and neglect. Best line: "Tell me what you know about your man giving gifts/to compensate for all his s***." It's also great because, throughout the song, Teedra acknowledges that she's a fool to deal with this man; she's a good woman, but she too can make mistakes and give in to fruitless relationships. Which brings us to another "ghetto love affair", or something of the sort, a few tracks later. "You Better Tell Her" is the most illogical "hood" song on the album. I don't really want to like it, honestly, with Teedra on the brink of violence with another female who disrespects her, which compels her to confront her lover and admonish him NOT to stop cheating, but to make sure that his mistresses never to cross the line of decency and discretion. As Teedra deludes herself, avoiding conversations as to what actually exists between her man and the other woman, she wants no part in "these silly chicken games" she herself perpetuates with her absurdity. Who does not see the hilarity of the "too cute to fight" line? But what defense stands against that catchy melody and Teedra's brashness contrasting her sweet voice? The drama of it all compensates for Lil Jon's lackluster production. Poli Paul does a much better job on "Backstroke" which deals with a similar situation, Teedra being nonsensical and foolish. But, like in her song with Jadakiss, she acknowledges it all and argues with herself because of it. She stays involved with a man she does not really want, except for the sex. "It keeps me yearning you," she breathes on the sultry track, which is one of the catchiest and radio-friendly (I curse you, TVT!) on the album.
My other favorite song on the album swings the pendulum back toward the side of emotional depth and maturity. One of my favorite artists/producers makes an appearance on the track, "Take Me", which is likely the best duet since Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo professed their love for one another back in 1998. Raphael Saadiq produces an incredible track (the bass guitar and the strings are just phenomenal here) and he and Teedra alternately sing about a relationship whose initial fire time has quenched. They'd like to take their relationship (marriage?) back to the day when they first fell in love and renew their passions. It's delicate and soft, Teedra taking the lead and driving the song with a very melodic, love-inducing chorus. It's clear the chemistry here is compelling, making a modern day Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell pair who collaborated again on Raphael's album, creating "Chic" and "I Want You Back" (both excellent).
"Caught Up" also relies on nice guitar elements as Teedra sings about her interest in a guy. The melody and the background vocals make a very nice, sing-along mid-tempo that could have done well on radio (I curse you again, TVT). "No More Tears" is another favorite complete with a clever interpolation of Outkast's "Spottieottiedopalicious" as Teedra refuses to waste another tear or ounce of energy on a loser. All this as she makes references to her questionable recreational activities ("sipping, puffin, passin") as well as a concession she "rocks" to her own enjoyable music. She enjoys herself as well on "Complex Simplicity", a nice `80s inspired tune that juxtaposes party activities ("bounce, oh with me tonight/get low with me tonight") with mature insights to life ("You can't spend your life/Being in fear of all that may be/You gotta press on, you gotta be free/you gotta breathe"). Clearly, Teedra is a girl who can get down at a party and who is sometimes pensive, capable of pondering the questions of the world. Thankfully, she makes music for people who do both as well.
The album nears its end with three nice songs. One is "For a Lifetime", one of the best songs on the album. The mid-tempo is for all those who are fearful that they will never find love and who guard themselves against new possibilities because of their pasts hurts. Probably one of her most well-written, Teedra explains poetically, "Sure as all that breathe will die/And showers fall from April skies/A heart that's pure won't be denied." And here, you know she's singing to the listener, giving advice like a friend, but she is probably also speaking to herself, convincing herself that true love is possible even for her. Amazing. "Last Day" is probably the most original of the album's tracks, at least in terms of subject matter. I've never heard an R&B artist wonder aloud about what they would do if today was their last day on earth, but Teedra apparently has and discloses her plans to us. Again revealing the juxtapositions in her nature, she talks about wanting to party with friends and spend her last living moment getting "blown out" by her lover; then, as if to correct herself and get serious, she tells us she'd spend the day on the beach relaxing with her two sons and praying to the Lord. Finally, "I Think of You (Shirley's Song)" is Teedra's tribute to her deceased mother who, if the opening gospel song tells anything, gave Teedra her voice. A few artists have dedicated songs to their parents and family (Teedra also talks about her sons and siblings), but Teedra's voice floats prettily over a track as she is encouraged by her mother's strength in life and comforted by the cessation of her earthly pains. She takes on the humble role of daughter here, who still has a lot to learn about life but sincerely loves her mother and family. Teedra's mother must have been a great woman with a huge impact on her daughter, as her presence is found on a few of the album's tracks (this one, "Complex Simplicity" and "Last Day").
If you can't tell by now, I love this album. I neglected "Outta My Head" because it's the only track I skip. Teedra Moses deserves every word of this lengthy review and, even more, any new fan to her music. Unfortunately overlooked for less impressive artists, she's the best R&B artist to emerge in this decade. Yes, I said it. Buy her album and taste and see the underground phenomenon for yourself. Also check out Teedra's mixtapes and unreleased tracks. She's so good, her leftovers are better than most people's actual albums. "Closer", "Take My Love Away", "Wassup", "You Already Know" and others further reveal Complex Simplicity is no fluke and Teedra Moses is truly brilliant.
Complex Simplicity Poster
No Description AvailableNo Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: MOSES,TEEDRA
Title: COMPLEX SIMPLICITY
Street Release Date: 08/10/2004
Genre: RAP/HIP HOP
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