salaciousV said:[quote]

Alexandernvrmind said:

http://www.youtube.com/wa...F0PKC9NRgM

http://www.youtube.com/wa...re=channel

Now lets talk after we actually see Bria later this week... I think I'm on to something
[Edited 3/24/09 17:09pm]

Alexandernvrmind said:

looks like I'm going to be eating some crow

http://www.accesshollywoo...eo_1070221

Alexandernvrmind said

Okay, now we talking.

First, can we just say that Amel video is almost the same as Bria's? Bria's looks more expensive though.

I think Goapele and Amel are in the same look, league, vocal prowress, tone and genre and they both add SOUL.

I think the only thing that Bria has thats similar to them is her sometimes breathy voice. Her tone is light and sweet, but no depth or soul. She is pretty and polished looking but not sexy, natural and earthy.

While Amel and Goapele are sexy neo soul, Bria is more pretty, bland adult pop.
NOW MIND YOU, THE CD WILL BE DIGESTIBLE cus after all it is Prince writing and producing and the girl is no Carmen or Mayte (thank you Buddah) but she's not all that and a bag of

Now if the bitch spits out rhymes and wails like Jill Scott, then I will shut my fat lips (if physically possible) and sit down!

Alexandernvrmind said:

Alexandernvrmind said:

OK, it's one thing to have a positive opinion about her voice, material, or whatever. But that statement about her singing better than MJB is just a delusion of grandeur. Even the comparison to Amel Larrieux is ridiculous to me. But, oh well, enjoy.

salaciousV said:

No, but we can say that Bria's video is basically the same as Amel's, as well as others.

Alexandernvrmind said:

You're kidding me...right?

WaterInYourBath said:

Mary J Bliege is an awful singer and trust me there are lots of folks that are better singers than her.... easily

It's spelled Goapele.

KidaDynamite said:

yeah, and it's Amel Larrieux

Heard one song. And if the rest of the album is like this song the entire thing will sound way over produced and terribly outdated.

BlaqueKnight said:

Amel Larrieux is the REAL DEAL. Anyone ever calls her neo-soul needs to be beat down. She came through Oakland and played 8 sold-out shows last fall for $25 admission. She is an independent artist, she owns the label she puts her records out on, and I will speculate as a result she does not have the cash to purchase airtime on the radio, or purchase slottime on these wack video channels,or what have you, so her music doesn't get the exposure it deserves, and folks only really can get hip to her via word of mouth. So dig these last two posts and get hip. Like I said before, Bria Valente could not warm the crowd up for Amel Larrieux. People who follow trends don't know Amel Larrieux, people who know what is music and what is bullshit, definitely do, or will soon enough.

BlaqueKnight said:

I say she's pretty close with AYA and while SADE is my queen ! Amel's range exceeds Sade's ..... but when you want to go to that place and feel your heart tell you it's alive SADE hands down.Bria's ELIXER fits well into the whole LF package.

lowerregister said:

I categorize Amel as neo soul, but only for the musial category. She is nasty live, isnt she? She may sound breathy on the studio versions but live she is Fire!

nonasky said:

Right, and Mary J. Blige

salaciousV said:

But thats the thing... the comparison was made with the style of music and breathy voice. We don't know what Bria sounds like live now do we? It was not inteded as a put down of Amel
[Edited 3/26/09 18:58pm]

salaciousV said:

So... you 1st. What do you think. I listened to it for the 1st time today but I want to hear what you have to say 1st

There's no comparison between her and Amel whatsoever. Amel is a jazz vocalist with crazy chops. This broad's abilty is more suited to Adult Contemporary-Pop MOR.

Ottensen said:

your not paying attention...

Alexandernvrmind said:

There; fixed it for you.

...and um, yes I am paying attention...and I stand by what I said previously

BlaqueKnight said:

Have you ever seen Amel sing the song "Down" with her jazz trio? Lawd h'ammercy she puts her upright bassist THROUGH it. The first time I saw her do that I was like GAT DAYUM

Ottensen said:

the kind of music dude.. the kind of music I think Prince is putting out there for Bria has that kind of vibe. Also you have no idea what Bria's training is and we don't know how well she can really sing because we haven't heard her live. We might find out tonight

Ottensen said:

Damn...it's "you're"...

Alexandernvrmind said

I just got off two back to back shifts at the hospital. I will respond later tonite. So tired.

And dont want to listen to the cd again sleep or else it really will be a ville

salaciousV said:

cool

salaciousV said:

cool

Okay Alexander, jus for you. Took me awhile cus I jus didnt feel like mustering up the courage.

Anyway I listened to this at least 4 times while doing chores (homework, cleaning) and this is what Ive come up with.

The Album is not terrible. Its actually ok. The songs are well constructed and it doesnt suck. It does have some great melodys becaause I was singing some later, but that doesnt mean shit cus Im always singing Womanizer and we know that song is a piece of shit.

Now because you were comparing this to Goapele and Amel I listened to them right after.

The feeling is kind of like this: if someone gives you frozen yougurt sweetened with asparateme you like, dammmmn that shit is good.

An hour later someone gives you an italian made gelato and your like fuck the youghurt!!

And thats exactly what I felt after I listened to these other artists afterwards.

Now Bria herself has a really thin voice. That is a fact. I dont think anyone would deny this if you really listen. It doesnt have depth. And that isnt a bad thing, there are plenty of successful singers that dont have that (Christina Millian, Britney, Cassie, etc)

But the music WITH the singer doesnt make for the same categories as these ladies. Especially since she mostly coos thru the music. I wouldnt call it singing to be real. Its like that talk singing.

That being said, I think ALL THIS LOVE :* out of 5 is great. Prince really did work with her voice and maximized it to sound richer and fuller with lush backings, vocal manipulation box or whatever that is, and funky little track. Its good, I really do like this song and will be the one that rips to the ipod for the cool down mode.

HERE EYE COME (no stars): I think the lyrics and her singing are contrived. Dont like it.

HOME : The chorus is catchy but the lyrics again, Prince you are getting cheezy on me. I think the lyrics sound thin because she doesnt give any feeling emotion behind it. And the way she "sings" DO for DOOR is aggravating. Again that fake contrived sexy feeling.

SOMETHING U ALREADY KNOW 1/2: I love the melody and instrumentation and chorus in this but the lyrics are trying to be sexy but I feel like they sound forced. Like Prince was trying to chanel his own inner girl but making Bria sing "sho nuff kicking it" and PRINCE singing this would make this a whole different song. A BETTER SONG. This is a song about a lover telling her lover some crazy intimate things and her voice doesnt deliver. Prince should have kept this one for himself.

EVERYTIME (negative one star) If you played the music without lyrics or vocals its nice leisurely muzak you would hear at a beach resort. It sounds like Burt Baccharach or some old guy shit. Dont like it.

2NITE 1/2 Its the best with her cooing voice, better than All This Love. But I dont particularly like the song that much. Sounds like JLO LITE.

ANOTHER BOY
KEPT WOMAN
I skipped over these two after the first few seconds. Another Boy sounds like a dumb early 90s pop song Stacy Q would sing (dont ask how I know about her my ghetto cousin is to blame) OMG I JUST REALIZED SHE SOUNDS LIKE STACY Q!!

Kept Woman, I didnt like Tamar's version and I definitely dont like Brias version.

IMMERSION. pretty trippy weird music but it sounds like Prince and her voice is over manipulated.

ELIXER :*: Best song. Prince's voice in falsetto and hers barely audible is a perfect match. My personal opinion you need an obscure whisper girl voice singing with Prince so it doesnt obstruct or Rosie Gaines voice with that sound that captures and complements his .

2 out of 5 stars.

Your turn!

Alexandernvrmind said:

@ sade comparison

please dont ever compare her to amel larrieux again. that is sacred. Not even close.

No comment on other comparisons but leave amel out of it