The-Dream: Love Vs. Money (Album Review)
March 9, 2009 at 10:42 am
Categories Filed Under
Album Reviews, Featured, Muzik
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After a brief intro, the album begins with the catchy hit single “Rockin’ That Shit”, produced by the other half of their dynamic duo, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart. The 80’s inspired “Walkin’ On The Moon” features The-Dream and Kanye teaming up to recreate the experience of love at first sight. This record is heatrocks and features Kanye post-autotune, dropping gems like “I ain’t tryna hound you / Just tryna take you where the stars gon surround you” [....] “I know a lotta people mad cause they ain’t wit you / Wait, is it because we on the moon? / Tell em “save the hate, we’ll be home soon.”
Up next is rising second single “My Love”, a duet featuring songstress Mariah Carey, followed by back to back baby makers “Put It Down” and “Sweat It Out”. The former features The-Dream bragging on his sexual prowess while the latter finds him pining for his lover to “call Letitcia, your beautician” because he’s planning on an steamy, intense lovemaking session and her hair is not going to survive it.
“Love vs. Money (Parts 1 & 2)” and “Fancy” make for the foundation of the LP. The dual set “Love Vs. Money” continue the “Nikki” chronicles, a song from his fantastic debut. The first song features Nash lamenting over a lost love and how money can overshadow love since for her, “money can’t match love” while the sequel finds him reflecting on when “love is the problem and nothing can solve it”. The album then segues into the sultry ballad “Fancy”, arguably the centerpiece of the album, which features The-Dream softly crooning about a mate and her expensive tastes.
“Mr. Yeah” is another excellent selection, which could serve as his next (hit?) single. This record finds Dream getting extremely cocky and feeling himself, exclaiming “Cupid ain’t got shit on me”. The album concludes with the raunchy “Kelly’s 12 Play” and promo/bonus record “Let Me See The Booty.” “12 Play” references R. Kelly’s milestone solo debut and finds The-Dream playing homage by engaging in a music-ridden sex session to R. Kelly’s famed album while “Booty” sees Lil’ Jon adding some crunk juice to a club banger, ridden with The-Dream’s trademark adlibs.
The-Dream continues to making amazing music with his excellently crafted followup album, effectively increasing his stranglehold on rhythm and blues. While his first album was strictly composed of possible singles, this album features a more focused, cohesive album. Production is kept in-house, split between Christopher “Tricky” Stewart and LOS Da Mystro and a single cut produced by Lil’ Jon. Guest are kept to a minimum and while a few hooks can become repetitive (“Put It Down”, “Sweat It Out”, “Mr. Yeah”), The-Dream creates an enjoyable experience, clocking in at just under sixty minutes. Love vs. Money is a fantastic disc of music and serves as an excellent precursor to The-Dream’s third album (expected to drop later this year, the aptly titled Love King.
5 mics (out of 5 mics)
*Note: For some of my older reviews, visit my blog at sketchesofmysoul.blogspot.com
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Damn thats a nice ass review I didn’t even plan on checking this out but if u say so then i might
I been off the R&B tip for awhile. Should I jump back in it with this one?
Hells yeah. It’s pretty much playful R&B, a lot of playful lyrics and catchy hooks. That “Fancy” is something mean though…
Yeah, that FANCY is something serious! I could’ve done w/o the one w/ lil jon b/ whatever overall he gets a thumbs up from ME!
this is a great album let me see the booty was actually a bonus track the alnum ends with kelly’s 12 play
It was supposed to be the 1st single, a club joint, but I can get with it. Kelly’s 12 Play is a heater too… Love King (coming soon)