Wyclef Jean - Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
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Free Music Notes for Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant
Free Music Review: It's like King Midas as I was told....
Hit: 5 Stars
Everything Clef touches turns to gold. Wyclef has definitely sold out (see his "concert" exclusively for WalMart) but it only means more of his easily earned cash will benefit the charitable causes he sustains. He is one of the few stars who blends activism and humanitarinism in his lyrics, his phat beats and the resulting non-stop Carnival vibe he rides on.
The collaborations on this party album have matched voices no one else would ever attempt...Wyclef and Norah Jones??? Paul Simon??? Wow. Shakira leaves her imprint as does Mary J. Blige, but they're regulars.
More impressive to me is Clef's ability to weave the legendary voice of Sizzla Kalonji into this record. Sizzla doesn't disappoint, but he might get outshined by Akon and Weezy on "Sweetest Girl," or by Chamillionaire on "Hollywood Meets Bollywood." See, Wyclef knows there are billions of potential fans in India, so he puts some wicked bhangra on his record. He knows Mexicans love music, so he sings a tribute to Selena, accompanied by the impressive Melissa Jimenez.
This may be part two of the multicultural masterpiece Wyclef dropped on Carnival, but it's decidedly less Carribean, and less emotional. Now you hear juicy beats and pumping bass, even the intense ramblings of Serj Tankian from System of a Down. Wyclef is a mad chemist!
Just wait for the finale, the 13-minute "Touch Your Button" Carnival extravaganza, the surest way to drive totally across town riding Clef's raucous riddims. Now let's see Wyclef lead the way to solve problems in Haiti and everywhere else where people starve.
Free Music Review: Not bad, but not my favorite
Hit: 3 Stars
I'm a long-time Wyclef fan and while I enjoyed this album, it failed to grab me as most of his previous works. On each of his previous albums there would be something that would immediately stick in my head, and sadly I don't have one that keeps coming back to me. While there is social meaning, there is no Diallo or Who Gave the Order or even a Baby or Take Me Like I am, or heck not even a It Doesn't Matter.
Even though he gets a lot of flack for it, two of the things I most like about Wyclef are the diversity of styles/genres he will cover in any given album, and the collaboration with other artists. While we have other artists, we don't really have a wide range of style. Nor do we have much of his sense of humor which I also enjoy.
What we do have is a nice, slickly produced mostly club dance beat record. Nothing wrong with that, but nothing really great either. One of the previous reviews talked about Wyclef really being a producer -- my initial impression of this was "Wyclef does Black Eyed Peas" -- nothing against BEP.
I'm hoping this will grow on me, but right now I'm more likely to pop in The Preacher's Son or even Carnival I.
Free Music Review: Addicting Album!!
Hit: 5 Stars
Wyclef Jean's "Carnival II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant" is quite outstanding, and very, very good, compared to, say, Fergie or the other popular stuff in stores now. Each song is quite good, with exceptional beats, wonderful vocals, and the co-singers are so incredible, and add on so perfectly to the song they accompany. This is a must buy for anybody who truly enjoys listening to very good, entertaining music.Free Music Review: Great, not perfect but still worth buying
Hit: 4 Stars
Hmm I'LL keep it short and sexy.. The album is great, not perfect but great!
POSITIVES
Amazing beats (hollywood meets bollywood is fiyah!)
Nice large eclectic mixture of talents
consistent theme throughout
NEGATIVES
It appears to me that he at times overproduces some of songs.
SHAKIRA AND MARY colabs are the weakest and thats a shame.
Free Music Review: Loved everything about it!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have to say that I am a long time Wyclef fan and was a little worried about this album. However I think Wyclef did a great job of not only challenging what's out there lyrically but pushing the limits with his style. Many of the tracks are more upbeat but I love dancing music so I did not mind. What I thought was interesting was that he did not miss an opportunity to convey a strong message whether it be in an upbeat tempo or laid back reggae style.
This is my summary from another review I wrote:
"If there are stars to give Wycelf gets all five. If there's a grade requirement, he gets an A+. Lyrically, Wyclef does not stick to what's popular but tackles some poignant, time appropriate issues. Musically he demonstrates his versatility and willingness to test the limits within the confines of a commercial album".