Well its been long awaited by many, Spin and Vibe call it the most anticipated RB cd of the year, well the USA will have to wait quite a bit, but the UK and Japan will get it on May 14th! The record has already leaked through various sources, and i was lucky to get a sample of all of the tracks until my 20+ dollar import arrives, and its been worth the wait.

Amerie has TAKEN CONTROL of everything, shes the writer the arranger and Executive Producer, gone is Rich Harrison, but in reality she was the creative force behind the "go go" sound of 1 thing and Talkin Bout. The Japan version of this cd features some Bonus tracks from past albums to get listeners overseas more familar with her. Currently Amerie is doing a UK tour and she says she wouldnt mind living there because the "scene" is so alive!

This album is full of potiential singles, its a shame that the US market is the way it is, if this was the 80's there easily would be 5-6 singles from this album. The tracks range from GOGO to RB to New Wave to 80's riffs, very similar to the Amazing Dignity album by Hilary Duff but just not dance/pop. By far the top track is CRUSH which could be the next single, most likely it will be the next single in the US, as of now the label has said Mid July for its release BUT nothing is firm with that yet.

Some shots from the New CD



and of course the Album cover is one of my favorite covers in a real long time for anyone!!

I was just listening to a few tracks. I'm digging Hate2LoveU at the moment. It does have a strong 80s sound. I thought I was in 1983 listening to Some Like It. I don't know if it's that embraceable from what I've heard so far tho. I need to hear more.

JackieBlue said:

I dont think it will have a market here, but im just glad the thing is coming out somewhere so i can get it. I like the 80's vibe since Amerie seems to be someone who is a 70's 80's girl just happening to be recording in the 00's, which is fine by me. With her track record and fan base i think CRUSH could be a hit here and usually Amerie averages sales of 500,000 here so i wouldnt expect anything more than that in this climate too.

I didn't know she was producing. Good for her. I'll definitely get it. I have a few friends that are really anticipating this CD. She does have a loyal fan base.

JackieBlue said:

Yeah she wrote and arranged all the tracks which i think is really impressive since labels usually fix people up with producers and writers and arrangers. But Amerie is credited with writing and arranging all the tracks, and she is the overall executive producer meaning she picked who she would work with as opposed to being "fed" producers. Brian Cox is one of the main people who did work on this album and some various others.

what's it like?

Well its a mixed bag of things, I like Ameries style most of all because she isnt following anyone at this point, though some say she follows Beyonce, its really the other way around if the truth be told. But you really get a little bit of everything, u get that gogo feel in the track "Gotta Work" which is Amerie sounding like she was made for MOTOWN in its hey day, to tracks like Take Control, which is a Sexy 007 track that makes you wish Amerie was in the room with you! And thats another thing about Amerie, shes sexy without trying, its effortless with her. To other greats like CRUSH which makes u wanna cchange the world, the album is just a solid effort from a female (now 29) that deserves positive acclaim. She wrote all the songs, Arranged them, She put the whole cd together, has her own company and Executive Produced the damn thing too, Oh yeah directed her Video too!

lastdecember said:

this is my song of the year, i was driving home from school after have taken my last exam to get my bachelor's and i swear when this song came on it almost moved me to tears, it made me feel so damn happy!

lastdecember said:

impressive

i downloaded this 2 days ago and will definetly be picking it up in stores when its released in the states

so far i love:
Take Control
Crazy Wonderful (a little Prince vibe)
Crush (my fav)
Hate2LuvU
When Loving U Was Easy/Paint Me Over(if only for the lyrics and the intro)

Some Like It is lovely as well

All I Have is still my favortie though. This is just a couple notches below Touch but it's still great

funkin4kix said:

i wasnt almost moved to tears but i know what you mean about the damn happy part
musical euphoria

i heard some snippets yesterday and it sounds pretty good. i just don't think she has a very strong voice but whatever. if it sounds 80's i'll get it!

Its good to hear some LOVE for Amerie!!





Some shots from her current stay over in the UK and Europe

I love this chick and cannot
stop playing this album

I can't wait to get this. I love "Take Control"

I'm going to have to take a listen to this. I've enjoyed Amerie's sound in the past couple of years, it steers away from the modern R&B we've been hearing. Definitely intrigued to here how this album sounds with her at the helm.

I just wish I had that heffa's legs

AND I WISH...

They were wrapped around me.

CalhounSq said:

Thanks for the heads-up, I'll definitely be taking a listen!

She makes me say OWWW!
Hope the music is good as you guys say it is.

Gonna check her out

Listened to the album last night and it's some very good stuff. Hate 2 Love U is my favorite track, I hope she releases it as a single. Crazy Wonderful comes in a close second - hearing some of those Linn drum samples got me going. Some Like It probably comes in third. Definitely sounds like a track straight from the 80s. Special mention goes to Paint Me Over, that's probably my favorite ballad on the album.

Glad that I stumbled across this thread. I gotta buy this when I can, now.
[Edited 5/16/07 9:31am]

lastdecember said:

Really? Hmmm, have to check it out then.

the reason you guys are
getting an 80's vibe
from "Some Like It"
is because it samples
some song from back then
the name/artist escapes me
I have it in my stash somewhere

So is it officially available anywhere?

I'm downloading the album...will give "Matronik-opinion" in a few hours...

JackieBlue said:

Its out in the UK i believe, however the Amazon sites are so backlogged on it, it says it ships out in 4-6 weeks. There is the Japanese Import due out May 22nd. As for the USA it doesnt look like there is a set date for it, rumours are that its gonna be July 17th or something like that, but the way its been pushed around here and the same thing with the MYA record i dont trust USA street dates.

DirtyChris said:

The sample is "World Famous" by Malcolm Mclaren

CalhounSq said:

In a recent interview in the UK she recently said she insured them for 2million dollars, due to dancing routines that she has been learning she says Her Legs are an important feature in her shows.




I think we can agree that they are worth 2 million at least!
And her new cd is just as good too!

lastdecember said:

Thanks. I will hunt for it or have my friend send me one from Japan if I have to.