BELL6983 said:

Is it me or do Robin Thicke's new album Blurred lines sounds like a Prince produced album. From his up tempo songs to the more falsetto style tunes.

I thought was irrelevent and now he's supposed to have produced or influenced a Robin Thicke album?

It's a kickass album,I'm enjoying it I hear a slight Prince influence in Robin's vocals (on certain tracks),but the production doesn't sound too much like Prince.

databank said:

BELL6983 said:

Is it me or do Robin Thicke's new album Blurred lines sounds like a Prince produced album. From his up tempo songs to the more falsetto style tunes.

I thought was irrelevent and now he's supposed to have produced or influenced a Robin Thicke album?

2 funny. The man that has the "song of the summer" copied Prince, yet Prince isn't relevant.

[Edited 7/30/13 17:14pm]

Mr. Thicke sound has always been rooted in the Prince sound.

It's a mixed bag. I like the disco sounding tracks but. There are a few formulaic tracks I don't like

the most 'fun' album of the summer...three solid disco tunes in a row ("Ooh La La","Ain't No Hat 4 That","Get In My Way")...this is a straight up party album just what I needed right now.

BILLBOARD REVIEW

Robin Thicke, 'Blurred Lines': Track-By-Track Review

• ARTICLES
• REVIEWS

By Chris Payne, New York | July 30, 2013 11:20 AM EDT

Long a staple in the R&B world, Robin Thicke entered 2013 as an artist on the outer reaches of the pop landscape. While he wasn't entirely unknown to pop fans, considering he's had four singles crack the Hot 100, all to often he was known, rather condescendingly, as a poor man's Justin Timberlake. But while Timberlake rolled out his "20/20 Experience" comeback, Thicke kept a low profile and introduced a new single, "Blurred Lines," without the promotional assist of his label.

After its release on March 20, the words "low profile" would never describe Thicke's "Blurred Lines" again. First, it gained viral status, from its controversial, boob-laden music video and key synchs like a spot in a television commercial for Beats By Dre's Pill, which aired heavily during the NBA playoffs. Its status became legitimate when it hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 on June 12 and hasn't fallen since. Thicke has since shared two additional songs from his forthcoming album: "For The Rest Of My Life," an R&B cut much closer to his trademark sound and the EDM-heavy "Give It 2 U," which strays even further from his roots than "Blurred Lines."

If it seemed like Thicke was setting up fans for an eclectic -- or more negatively scattered -- album, then he's confirmed those suspicions with "Blurred Lines," out today (July 30). The album finds the 36-year old singer trying to take advantage of his newfound spotlight by striving to become the full-fledged pop star he's never quite been.

How do his forays into dance and funk hold up alongside his familiar R&B bedroom jams? Billboard takes a track-by-track look at "Blurred Lines."

1. "Blurred Lines" feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams

Thicke leads with the reigning No. 1 song that placed him in the worldwide spotlight this year. Its video was criticized for being demeaning towards women, its lyrics were called out for their alleged "rapey-ness," but you'd be hard-pressed to find a critic with ill will towards the song itself. Pharrell's playful, minimalist electro-funk beat was an old trick from his Neptunes songbook, revived in the nick of time for 2013's song of the summer. It could have proved an interesting theme to weave throughout the album, though Thicke chose a far more eclectic route.

2. "Take It Easy On Me"

If this one sounds a lot like a 2013 reboot of "SexyBack," well, that's because it was produced by Timbaland, making the Thicke-Timberlake comparison unavoidable. Its electronic thump and patented Timbaland guest vocal stylings are a far cry from the more organic R&B sound of his earlier work, but since this is 2013 after all, it's almost surprising Thicke hasn't ventured down this path before. But could he have at least channeled some present day Timberlake/Timbaland?

3. "Ooo La La"

Thicke edges further into his comfort zone with this jubilant disco-soul romp, which he co-wrote with his father (actor Alan Thicke) and produced himself. This one's an absolute winner, as Thicke lightens up and channels 70s dance floor indulgences without sounding like he's trying too hard.

5. "Get In My Way"

If Robin Thicke led an R&B zumba class, it would probably sound something like this. In all seriousness, "Get In My Way" is begging to be made into a workout song, which is the effect you get when singing, "Ain't nobody gonna get in my way, I'm gonna make it no matter what you say" over a jubilant horn section. By keeping the mood loose and funky, this mid-album sweep stays winning.

6. Give It 2 U Feat. Kendrick Lamar

Here's where a lot of Thicke's old fans will start scratching their heads, and where, years later, we'll probably be thinking "Give It 2 U" sounds an awful lot like 2013, though not in the best way. On this club hopeful, Dr. Luke gives an ill-fated will.i.am impression while Thicke sounds about as lyrical as Pitbull, spouting cliché after cliché (though the line "I got a big dick for you" is delivered so free of pretense, it's actually kind of funny). Kendrick Lamar adds an uninspired verse, which doesn't help matters much.

7. "Feel Good"

"Feel Good" is one that actually was produced by will.i.am. "Give It 2 U" is followed by another EDM-tinged track, though this time, the light trance flourishes are understated enough to allow the song to breathe on its own. Meanwhile, Thicke interrogates his lover a la 50 Cent in "21 Questions:" "If I ran all out of money, would you pay for me?"

8. "Go Stupid 4 U"

The acoustic guitar, which played a much more intimate role in Thicke's previous efforts, gets a reprise on this low key track, which, somewhat surprisingly, was also produced by will.i.am. It's not one of the album's highlights, but it's serviceable in lightening the mood after several dance tracks and bridging into the final 3 songs.

9. "For The Rest Of My Life"

Here's another one that's likely to win over Thicke's core fan base. It's a lovey-dovey R&B ballad with slow dance potential that tells the tale of two teenaged lovers: Thicke and his wife, actress Paula Patton, whom he began dating at 16. On an album the singer has described as his least personal yet, "For The Rest Of My Life" is an honest, welcome change of pace.

10. "Top Of The World"

Thicke keeps the storytelling going with this rags-to-riches story of a female muse who's risen to power and wealth from her community college days, yet still suffers from stress and loneliness. The music matches the good life feel of the lyrics, with a smooth trombone and sax combo guiding the groove along

11. "The Good Life

"The good life, I know I made it," Thicke sings triumphantly on this piano and strings number which sounds like a solid graduation ceremony number, or in this case, album closer. Another song written by Thicke, it closes off a strong 3-song sequence on "Blurred Lines." If only the whole album could have benefited from this continuity.

TOTAL SCORE: 70

It LOOKS like a Prince album cover. Cheap.

SoulAlive said:

BILLBOARD REVIEW

Robin Thicke, 'Blurred Lines': Track-By-Track Review

• ARTICLES
• REVIEWS

By Chris Payne, New York | July 30, 2013 11:20 AM EDT

Long a staple in the R&B world, Robin Thicke entered 2013 as an artist on the outer reaches of the pop landscape. While he wasn't entirely unknown to pop fans, considering he's had four singles crack the Hot 100, all to often he was known, rather condescendingly, as a poor man's Justin Timberlake. But while Timberlake rolled out his "20/20 Experience" comeback, Thicke kept a low profile and introduced a new single, "Blurred Lines," without the promotional assist of his label.

After its release on March 20, the words "low profile" would never describe Thicke's "Blurred Lines" again. First, it gained viral status, from its controversial, boob-laden music video and key synchs like a spot in a television commercial for Beats By Dre's Pill, which aired heavily during the NBA playoffs. Its status became legitimate when it hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 on June 12 and hasn't fallen since. Thicke has since shared two additional songs from his forthcoming album: "For The Rest Of My Life," an R&B cut much closer to his trademark sound and the EDM-heavy "Give It 2 U," which strays even further from his roots than "Blurred Lines."

If it seemed like Thicke was setting up fans for an eclectic -- or more negatively scattered -- album, then he's confirmed those suspicions with "Blurred Lines," out today (July 30). The album finds the 36-year old singer trying to take advantage of his newfound spotlight by striving to become the full-fledged pop star he's never quite been.

How do his forays into dance and funk hold up alongside his familiar R&B bedroom jams? Billboard takes a track-by-track look at "Blurred Lines."

1. "Blurred Lines" feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams

Thicke leads with the reigning No. 1 song that placed him in the worldwide spotlight this year. Its video was criticized for being demeaning towards women, its lyrics were called out for their alleged "rapey-ness," but you'd be hard-pressed to find a critic with ill will towards the song itself. Pharrell's playful, minimalist electro-funk beat was an old trick from his Neptunes songbook, revived in the nick of time for 2013's song of the summer. It could have proved an interesting theme to weave throughout the album, though Thicke chose a far more eclectic route.

2. "Take It Easy On Me"

If this one sounds a lot like a 2013 reboot of "SexyBack," well, that's because it was produced by Timbaland, making the Thicke-Timberlake comparison unavoidable. Its electronic thump and patented Timbaland guest vocal stylings are a far cry from the more organic R&B sound of his earlier work, but since this is 2013 after all, it's almost surprising Thicke hasn't ventured down this path before. But could he have at least channeled some present day Timberlake/Timbaland?

3. "Ooo La La"

Here, Thicke ventures back into familiar territory with a glossy, bedroom-ready R&B joint that would have fit nicely on his last effort, 2011's "Love After War." "Ooo La La" employs a lavish studio treatment, which serves it well, as Thicke's feather-weight vocals bask in multi-tracked glory.

4. "Ain't No Hat 4 That"

Thicke edges further into his comfort zone with this jubilant disco-soul romp, which he co-wrote with his father (actor Alan Thicke) and produced himself. This one's an absolute winner, as Thicke lightens up and channels 70s dance floor indulgences without sounding like he's trying too hard.

5. "Get In My Way"

If Robin Thicke led an R&B zumba class, it would probably sound something like this. In all seriousness, "Get In My Way" is begging to be made into a workout song, which is the effect you get when singing, "Ain't nobody gonna get in my way, I'm gonna make it no matter what you say" over a jubilant horn section. By keeping the mood loose and funky, this mid-album sweep stays winning.

6. Give It 2 U Feat. Kendrick Lamar

Here's where a lot of Thicke's old fans will start scratching their heads, and where, years later, we'll probably be thinking "Give It 2 U" sounds an awful lot like 2013, though not in the best way. On this club hopeful, Dr. Luke gives an ill-fated will.i.am impression while Thicke sounds about as lyrical as Pitbull, spouting cliché after cliché (though the line "I got a big dick for you" is delivered so free of pretense, it's actually kind of funny). Kendrick Lamar adds an uninspired verse, which doesn't help matters much.

7. "Feel Good"

"Feel Good" is one that actually was produced by will.i.am. "Give It 2 U" is followed by another EDM-tinged track, though this time, the light trance flourishes are understated enough to allow the song to breathe on its own. Meanwhile, Thicke interrogates his lover a la 50 Cent in "21 Questions:" "If I ran all out of money, would you pay for me?"

8. "Go Stupid 4 U"

The acoustic guitar, which played a much more intimate role in Thicke's previous efforts, gets a reprise on this low key track, which, somewhat surprisingly, was also produced by will.i.am. It's not one of the album's highlights, but it's serviceable in lightening the mood after several dance tracks and bridging into the final 3 songs.

9. "For The Rest Of My Life"

Here's another one that's likely to win over Thicke's core fan base. It's a lovey-dovey R&B ballad with slow dance potential that tells the tale of two teenaged lovers: Thicke and his wife, actress Paula Patton, whom he began dating at 16. On an album the singer has described as his least personal yet, "For The Rest Of My Life" is an honest, welcome change of pace.

10. "Top Of The World"

Thicke keeps the storytelling going with this rags-to-riches story of a female muse who's risen to power and wealth from her community college days, yet still suffers from stress and loneliness. The music matches the good life feel of the lyrics, with a smooth trombone and sax combo guiding the groove along

11. "The Good Life

"The good life, I know I made it," Thicke sings triumphantly on this piano and strings number which sounds like a solid graduation ceremony number, or in this case, album closer. Another song written by Thicke, it closes off a strong 3-song sequence on "Blurred Lines." If only the whole album could have benefited from this continuity.

TOTAL SCORE: 70

I absolute hate how RnB music is reviewed by the music press. If this were a pure pop cd and Robin had a track record as a PoP star he would so have his butt kissed by the media. He is getting the same treatement Teena Marie use to get when Teena and Madonna put out music back in the 80s.

I managed to give the deluxe edition a listen yesterday on Spotify. I thoroughly enjoyed it and Robin is on the ball this go round! I'll be buying a physical copy sooner or later.

funkycat00 said:

It's a mixed bag. I like the disco sounding tracks but. There are a few formulaic tracks I don't like

Over all I really like this album. I hope he continues to make more uplifting jams like these. It does get a bit boring towards the end but it's ok. You can tell with these album he was serious about acheiving mainstream success. He was over being "indie". I have a feeling he's gonna get some Grammy nominations for this album. Is it me or does "for the rest of my life" sound like a straight up Prince track, long lost from the vault? It's screams Prince in every single way.

Don't know how it is in the States but "Blurred Lines" the single is being played to absolute death on the radio here in the UK. The song grates on me no end...I think its the MJ whoops randomly throughout that do it. Good old UK radio always kills new artists for me by overplaying their tunes (Bruno Mars, Jessie J, etc)

But I kinda like Thicke's style....the album worth picking up or is it all as annoying as the "Blurred Lines" single?

Sampled a bit of each track yesterday. I continue to be underwhelmed by the single, the album and unfortunately the artist, who's got a great album in him somewhere.

jaimestarr79 said:

jaimestarr79 said:

thanks2joniandu said:

It LOOKS like a Prince album cover. Cheap.

i was thinking the exact same thing! HYSTERICAL!

"Blurred Lines (Bee Knees Remix)" (available on the Target Deluxe Edition)

DaveT said:

Don't know how it is in the States but "Blurred Lines" the single is being played to absolute death on the radio here in the UK. The song grates on me no end...I think its the MJ whoops randomly throughout that do it. Good old UK radio always kills new artists for me by overplaying their tunes (Bruno Mars, Jessie J, etc)

But I kinda like Thicke's style....the album worth picking up or is it all as annoying as the "Blurred Lines" single?

the album is worth picking up If you want a fun,danceable album that's mostly uptempo,this is the album to get.It's the party album of the year! It's been a long time since I've been this enthusiastic about a "new" album.

The only highlight is Ohh La La and Blurred Lines.. Robin ruined the whole thing with that Timbaland produced song, the Will.i.am song...etc, I might hear a Prince influence vocally but musically it's just so weak and unoriginal.. the production is AWFUL but the vocals are good (Actually very good).

marvin gaye or princer whomever he trying 2 copy its a failed attempt every white person that tries 2 do soul sing in this awful flassecto voice and people instantly try 2 throw some comparsion 2 prince either u 2 bored or 2 high.

so,what do you guys think the singles should be? This album is filled with potential singles! These are the ones that I would choose,in this order....

"Blurred Lines" (obviously,lol)

"4 The Rest Of My Life"

that's five strong singles right there

itsjustaroundthecorner said:

thanks2joniandu said:

It LOOKS like a Prince album cover. Cheap.

i was thinking the exact same thing! HYSTERICAL!

Cover art simply isn't what it used to be, period.

cbarnes3121 said:

marvin gaye or princer whomever he trying 2 copy its a failed attempt every white person that tries 2 do soul sing in this awful flassecto voice and people instantly try 2 throw some comparsion 2 prince either u 2 bored or 2 high.

there are white artists who make R&B music....deal with it

SoulAlive said:

cbarnes3121 said:

marvin gaye or princer whomever he trying 2 copy its a failed attempt every white person that tries 2 do soul sing in this awful flassecto voice and people instantly try 2 throw some comparsion 2 prince either u 2 bored or 2 high.

there are white artists who make R&B music....deal with it

Plus, the Prince comparisons are played out regardless of the artist's color (as the artists deserve to be judged on their own merits, good or bad).

I listened to this album and I really like it but... Prince??? Gimme a break!!! It's funny how people assume things sound like when they don't... Just because a dude sings R&B in falsetto doesn't mean that they "sound" like ! This album sounds NOTHING like ! I can't hear a single thing in it that makes me think of let alone think it sounds like he may have produced it... No offense to the OP but it says a lot about his knowledge of music and his capacity to analyze it, which would be ok if he hadn't the nerve to claim who's relevent and who's not