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: Not a Bootleg Buyer, But I Understand
Hit: 1 Stars
I know this album is called "The Carnival," but I don't understand why it only has Wyclef Jean's name on the cover. There are so many guest appearances on this album that it should be called Wyclef and Friends. When 11 out of 14 songs have a guest rapper/singer/musician on it (and some with numerous guest appearances), the album has bypassed a solo artists' album and become an collaborative concert. It worries me that Wyclef is such a strong artist but let the other artists carry him on this album, especially when "The Carnival" and "The Ecleftic" were such great albums because of songs he did alone.
The beats on this album don't stand out at all, and then when he does conscious songs about subjects like young prostitution, crime, and poverty, the beats bug me because they're so happy-go-lucky. It's like Jean decided to hide messages behind clap-your-hands-singalong tunes, and it didn't work.
I'm a firm supporter of cinema, music, and literary artists, but this is one time when I understand why people buy bootlegs. I couldn't be more disapppointed, and I'm such a fan of his music, but this CD was so dumbed down that I can't even find anything good to say about it.
Free Music Review: Wyclef dares to be different and kills with versatility
Hit: 4 Stars
This album grabs you from the moment it starts, as a rock guitar riff follows the intro into first song "Riot" featuring System of a Down vocalist Serj Tankian. Wyclef has assembled an all-star cast to successfully break the mold of most hip hop albums that are out today. Each song has its own sound and theme, and he does well to use his guests' best talents to mold those songs into what you hear. Strong tracks include "Sweetest Girl" featuring Akon and Lil Wayne, "Slow Down" with T.I., and "Fast Car" with Paul Simon's haunting vocals and signature sound along with a soothing guitar-laced flow. Mary J Blige soars on "What About the Baby" which talks about estranged parent/child relationships and Norah Jones lays her silky vocals over the acoustic-based "Any Other Day". Shakira and Chamillionaire also show up on tracks, but neither bolster the same creative effect as the previous tracks on the album.
Overall, I think each of Wyclef's two "Carnival" albums stand out on their own, but this album takes the vibe of the original to another level. Wyclef really seemed to take what everyone loves best about each guest performer and use their strenghts to create a song that both parties would be proud of.
No matter what your music preferences are, there is music to be appreciated by all on this album.
Free Music Review: Talented musician makes Global Party listenable for everyone
Hit: 5 Stars
Wyclef can really put together an album. This is a positive album with lyrics that provide hope for a world filled with strife. Wyclef employs a mix of beats derived from african, carribean, latino, and hip hop rhythms to really make this a world party. He hasn t sold out or overproduced in my opinion, just created more complicated pieces of music with more instruments. As for the lyrics they make you think a little but mostly Wyclef is here to bring the multicultural party to you and he succeeds on a grand scale. While his previous albums were often a little more mellow (the preachers son)or a little more hardcore and directed at other rappers (ecleftic) this one highlights all that is great about Wycelf without having too much of anyone thing. He has such a mix of songs here some upbeat and some more chill that it just make the album enjoyable to listen to all the way through without seeming too slow at any one point. the slower ones like "fast car" and "any other day" create something almost other worldly.
On almost every other song Wyclef has a guitar solo that fully fits the music. A hip hop artist that can play an instrument! I know that they exist but besides the Roots, Wyclef is one of the few that actually gets any attention.
Its a world party so join us ya'll!!
Free Music Review: Here for the spectacle, or for the message?
Hit: 3 Stars
This is a somewhat tough album to put a finger on, because while it is catchy, well-crafted and has a bit more depth than the great majority of pop albums coming out, it still is a pop album. The message that Wyclef fans found on the first "Carnival," "The Eclectic" and his other, less-played solo albums takes a second seat to the production and musical hodgepodge. Most of the tracks deliver a bouncy, catchy, poppy feel, so, say, even if were singing about war or politics, those messages are immersed in upbeat sounds. And while only a few people can pull off the multi-cultural musical blend that's here (and Wyclef is one of them), the CD suffers from overproduction.
It's not bad, and Wyclef sounds like he had fun recording this one, and it's an upbeat one, but just not a deep one. Wyclef pulls out many tricks, but few of the tracks have the subtle, straightforward power of, say, "Diallo" from "Eclectic."
Just like "Carnival" was a sign of its time, "Carnival II" is as well, opting for a more commercial onset, tackling various styles, touching on many music bases -- there's another song with Shakira (with whom he remade his own "Hips Don't Lie"), appearances by Sizzla, Serj Tankian (of System of a Down), Chamillionaire, Akon (one of the big hook guys of the moment), Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones and even Paul Simon (Paul Simon??!?).
Unlike most acts who get together with so many guest artists, the sound here is definitely that of Wyclef.
But, unfortunately, as solid as this album is, it just feels like some substance is missing, mostly due, again, to the overproduction. If only Wyclef chose to make an album more for his base, rather than the mainstream.
But, for an album named "Carnival II," this album is definitely a global party and, yes, worth getting. Party to this one, and you won't find fault in it.
Free Music Review: Eclectic Collaborations hurt by over-production
Hit: 2 Stars
Wyclef Jean likes music, and he doesn't discriminate by genre. His jack of all trades approach to his past albums brought a distinctly unique feel to them, but with this latest effort, it seems that while he may well be a jack of all trades, he's a master of none.
Jean's a producer at heart, and it's always shown. Relying on the collaborative effort to produce his visions has always worked well for him, and this album is no exception. A huge issue in production, however, is knowing when to stop.
Almost every one of Jean's songs feels like a mess. There's energy and passion, but there is no clarity to it. Mixing genres is fine, but the plan wasn't realized here, and just taking the different musical styles and throwing them into a blender isn't going to be enough.
For all the passion, talent, and exploration here, there just wasn't enough planning.