....annoint him the whaaaa..???


...that's what we need to do to whoever wrote that

Justin's ambitious triumph
Justin Timberlake's new album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, may have the biggest debut of the year. Its single, Sexyback, has been the top download by a wide margin for the two weeks it's been available, and it's headed for No. 1 on the national radio airplay chart. And now USA TODAY's Elysa Gardner gives the album a rave, praising the "grace and humility" with which he salutes his R&B role models, and his artistic growth overall.

MORE LISTEN UP: Mayer, Mars Volta and more

The reaction to the review of Beyoncé's album was overwhelming (in fact, it's ongoing). I'd think Justin may stir up even more heat. Love to know what you think.

Reports of Justin Timberlake's audacity are greatly exaggerated. When 'N Sync's most-likely-to-succeed graduate released his solo debut, Justified, in 2002, some pegged him as a Michael Jackson wannabe.

And the more ambitious, overtly carnal material on Timberlake's new album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (* * * out of four), is bound to inspire comparisons to another late-20th century R&B icon.
But just because Timberlake wants to be your lover doesn't mean he fancies himself the second coming of Prince. In fact, FutureSex nods to a wide array of old-school and older-school artists, from Donny Hathaway to Timberlake's fellow former teen idol George Michael.

And to his credit and our benefit Timberlake synthesizes his influences with grace and humility, and with an unapologetic pop savvy that proves he has not forgotten or forsaken his roots.

He also chooses great collaborators, prominent among them Justified alumnus Timbaland. The hip-hop producer emerges as an even more valuable player here, his distinctive rhythmic intuition propelling tracks such as What Goes Around ..., a sinuous, scrumptious sequel to Cry Me a River, Justified's irresistible account of romantic comeuppance.

Like his role models, though, Timberlake is at his most compelling when wooing or celebrating a love interest. On My Love, another sparkling serving of vintage Timbaland, he courts a special someone in a melting falsetto, then serenades her on the sweetly soulful Until the End of Time. The innocuous though hugely successful single SexyBack (the No. 1 download by a mile for the past two weeks) is outshone by the more wistfully romantic Summer Love.

Some other tunes find Timberlake itching for an edgier effect. Guest star Will.I.Am and producers JAWBreakers help fortify Damn Girl with more muscular funk accents, while a gospel choir shows up on the plaintive bolero Losing My Way.

But the most affecting song on FutureSex is the simplest, and last, one. (Another Song) All Over Again, co-written by Timberlake and Matthew Morrison and produced with a light, deft hand by Rick Rubin, is a plain-spoken, heartbroken plea for forgiveness; and Timberlake delivers it with a gentle urgency that his more ostentatious pop and R&B peers would do well to study.

It's the perfect finale for an artist who has learned enough from his heroes to know how much he still needs, and wants, to grow.

Posted at 10:01 PM/ET, September 11, 2006 in


make it stop
[Edited 9/12/06 7:19am]

....annoint him the whaaaa..???


...that's what we need to do to whoever wrote that

I love Justin but I find it scary that he was on BET of all places today.Wasn't his Ghetto Pass revoked a long time ago?

Is there such a thing as "vintage Timbaland"?

ABeautifulOne said:

and he said "ethnic people" shit again too..i mean..come on justin--if you're courting the black folks, just say "man i know it's a lot rougher out there for black folks or african-americans--don't keep saying fucking ethnic like we're in bosnia--hercegovenia

AND he looked like a damn nerd.
[Edited 9/12/06 16:02pm]

Fury said:

i think he was just reaching for words, and tryin not to say the wrong thing.. since i'm sure he was walking on egg crates by trying not to say anything remotely racist... after all, he just got picked out for saying "ethnic"..
.
[Edited 9/12/06 20:23pm]

he was refered to on a television show as the..... KING OF POP.

CHIC0 said:

That is one thing I never got. People try to take away Michael's title, but I don't see people calling other rockstars of today "The Boss" or "The King"

It gets old. The King of Pop is as much Michael's title as Prince's is "Royal Badness"

CHIC0 said:

That is one thing I never got. People try to take away Michael's title, but I don't see people calling other rockstars of today "The Boss" or "The King"

It gets old. The King of Pop is as much Michael's title as Prince's is "Royal Badness"

One day back in 2004, I realized why up to that point, I had always hated on Justin. It was because: I wished I had his life.

I know he wouldn't go there, but could Prince sue Justin?

Are the "rip-offs" close enough for Prince to actually do something about?

Of course Justin did sample Prince, right? So Prince had to give permission to use his work.

Isel said:

So he is directly sampling Prince? Do you know which song?

I honestly don't think FS/LS is that bad of an album but then I’ve always liked Timbaland’s production. Some of the stuff he did with Aaliyah and Missy is crazy but with JT I can’t get past this feeling that he’s just trying whatever works.

And he does seem one dimensional. A guy like him is better off not talking so much.

Okay, I thought he actually used something.

Dude just doesn't seem authentic at all and that rubs me the wrong way. And he's not as hot as he'd like to think he is. I hated seeing Timbaland on stage with him at the VMAs looking like his sidekick. WTF?