Day26 – Forever In A Day Album Review
The music industry is fickle to say the least. At times you
must either adapt to the times or stand steadfast in what you do no matter
what. Both of these decisions can make or break you. This is the dilemma that
Day26 has faced with this new album. Since they are only on their sophomore
album and being the only R & B group in the business right now, it would
seem a no brainer to continue on that R & B path right? Common sense is not
always so common. On this album they try unsuccessfully to blend the best of
both worlds, Tried and true R & B mixed in with some new upbeat material. There
are some definite bangers on the album but there are also some definite misses
on the album as well.
Just Getting Started
– When I first heard this up-tempo, braggadocios autotunes supported track I
honestly though it was an intro. 3 minutes and 49 seconds later I realized I
was wrong. The first 34 seconds would
have sufficed.
Imma Put It On Her
– The first official single. This song is an excellent example of how they
should mix their vocal ability with a club track. This mid tempo track is
exactly what I believe the happy medium should be for them. This is something
that the club or dancers can enjoy as well as the music lovers.
Shawty Wats Up Ft T –
Pain – Their attempt to follow the crowd on this one by adding auto tunes,
getting T – Pain and singing about all the trappings of musical success i.e.
alcohol, money and promiscuous women, has failed getting out of the gate.
This song lacks any type of creativity and is repetitive and after about 2
minutes in starts to become somewhat annoying. This is one of the tracks that seem
out of place.
Think Of Me – This
track is the Day26 that people have gotten to know and love from the first
album. This Tim & Bob produced song sounds similar to a Bobby Valentino
track that was left off of one of his albums. The vocals scream that signature
Bobby Valentino Crescendo. Robert seems to shine the most on this track. His
voice best suits the melody.
Stadium Music –
The second single off the album is totally different from what I would have
expected. This is one time that the change from slow jam to the club bouncer
hit actually works. This Bryan Michael Cox produced hit is similar to what you
may have heard but different enough to gain a few different listeners.
Bipolar – This mid-tempo
track is actually right on the mark. This is a lyrical masterpiece and the
piano heavy instrumental is right on point. The chorus could use a little work
but it serves the purpose.
Perfectly Blind –
This is easily one of my favorite songs on the album. When they stick to true R
& B slow jams they can’t be touched. This is very reminiscent of ‘My Funny Valentine’ sung by Ella
Fitzgerald, with it’s whimsical, breathy melody. Lyrically, Dawn Richards
*formerly of Danity Kane* and Que have produced a near perfect love song.
So Good – Another one
of my favorite tracks. This love song is a definite baby maker. They hit the
mark lyrically and instrumentally on this one. This slow grinder should be
released as a single, in my opinion.
Girlfriend – This slow
melodic track seems to fit the recipe for a good R & B song. Not too over
the top with the harmonies but you can tell they are there, singing to the
ladies is always a plus. This will more than likely be a fan favorite as they
imagine the guys singing this to them and wanting to be that ‘girlfriend’ that
they’re looking for.
Baby Maker – This
song seems to showcase Will the most. His voice and flow seem to match the
theme of this. The slow melody seems repetitive and simple but still seductive
as intended. I think the title matches the song.
Then There’s You –
This Carl Thomas inspired song breaks up the monotony of the previous slow
jams. This mid-tempo song about inspirational love is a good segue out of the
repetitive slow tracks.
Need That Ft Jermaine
Dupri – This Jermaine Dupri track would fit well in the
& B album. Mr. Dupri’s attempt to “make them dance” seems to be more forced
than just free flowing. I actually like this song but it is definitely not
something that I would play everyday. The House inspired track does make you
want to move but gets repetitive lyrically rather quickly.
Reminds Me Of You –
An up-tempo track that is made for radio. This is very reminiscent of something
another artist has had success with. There is no creativity or anything to
distinguish their style from any other artist. Think Carl Thomas’ Summer Rain.
Your Heels –
Another song that is reminiscent of another artist. This time they borrow a few
ad libs from J. Holiday. The beat is recycled from Diddy’s Press Play album (Last Night Ft Keyshia Cole). This sounds like a Diddy produced J.
one.
Truth Is A Lie – This
up-tempo song is actually one of the few that work. This futuristic track is
very repetitive though. After the first verse it seems to drag on until the
end.
There are your standout hits like Think Of Me, So Good, Girlfriend, Perfectly Blind and Baby Maker. On the other hand there are
also some standout misses such as Just
Getting Started, Shawty Wats Up, Need That And Truth Is A Lie.
I would give this album a 3 out of 5 overall and chalk this
up to the sophomore jinx. Sometimes it’s better to stay in your lane, develop
and perfect your craft before trying your hand at other things. Like the old
saying goes “if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it”.
Album Reviews, Making The Band, Music | Sincere April 20, 2009
7 Comments to “Day26 – Forever In A Day Album Review”
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By A. Red, April 20, 2009 @ 12:55 PM
I haven’t got the album yet, but I plan on copping it today. I knew this was going to happen when I was watching the actual show and Que was whining, as always, about wanting to switch their style up. Now it seems like they have an album all over the place. I’ll still support them though!
Great review as always!
By Sincere, April 20, 2009 @ 1:01 PM
Thanks!
Yeah I knew this would happen too. They tried to switch up styles too early and too much. it's cool to experiment but don't switch up too much & lose your base. Overall it's an okay album though. The first is better.
By Sane, April 21, 2009 @ 7:33 PM
Alright Sin, I’ma use your review to see if it has any weight. I’m on my way to Album Hunt right now to download it. I’ll let you know my rating once i’m done with my asessment
By Sincere, April 21, 2009 @ 7:49 PM
*gasp* you don’t take my word for it? lol yeah let me know what you think of it. Is it a baby maker *their words not mine*, a dud or in between? have you heard the first album?
By Mack of Sound-Savvy, April 22, 2009 @ 2:51 PM
Sane, Sincere and I feel the exact same way about this… trust us on this one!
By Sane, April 25, 2009 @ 6:59 PM
First off, *hugs to both of my brothers, Sin and Mack*.
Sin, yes I have the first album. I don’t listen to it though.
I will say this though, I have finished listening to Forever In A Day and I actually like it. I mean, of course, I have my favorites, and one of them is Truth Is A Lie. I also dig Bipolar and I like the track for Stadium Music. It sounds good in my car. LOL. All in all, I’d give the album a 7 cause I’m gonna have to play it alittle bit more in order to really really taste it. I’m so into lyrics this part of my life, so if the lyrics say something, then that’s always a plus with me.
By Sincere, April 25, 2009 @ 7:08 PM
awww!! * e-hug* sigh… I’m big on lyrics too so I could get with it lyrically but instrumentally they weren’t doing it for me. I will add this album into rotations though.