I really dug his first two albums, particularly Once Again, but Evolver is a really poor effort.

I can't help but get the impression he had less to do with this album than his other two. Some of the songs aren't even written by him and he hasn't produced any of it. The up-tempos sound a little contrived as if his A&R team told him he needed to be more "contemporary" and they handed him a bunch of dross R&B tracks to perform.

How's the album doing Stateside? Hopefully it'll bomb, it doesn't deserve success.
[Edited 10/24/08 2:33am]

I have to disagree with you. Whereas his previous album, One Again was patchy and boring, Evolver is consistently good. Legend can be accused of being too safe with his musical choices and creatively idle to the point where you question whether the man can go beyond what he normally does and go to that next level but with Evolver he manages to tread between the genres of soul, funk and reggae in inspired fashion. It's not an stark out type of evolution meant to stun the music world but rather the evolution is an incremental one, which will serve his music in good stead in the coming years.

"Everybody Knows", "Quickly" feat. Brandy, "This Time", "No Other Love" feat. Estelle, the Will.I.Am produced "I Love, You Love" and the bonus track "Cant Be My Lover" are the standouts for me, all banging tracks.

Highly recommended.

I happen to like it too... I've had it for about 2 weeks and i'm really enjoying the CD... I wake up singing the Good Morning track

I haven't heard the new one yet but I actually really loved Once Again, particularly "Show Me", some great subtle guitar playing!

Interestingly, two people that have heard me playing that track thought it might've been Jeff Buckley!

Wish he'd explore that direction more...

_

I only liked a few cuts on his first CD, "Used to Love Her" and "Ordinary People". John reminds me of a black, Tony Bennett. He bores the hell out of me... Sorry.

John Legend is poor. Having a beard don't make you marvin gaye.

I did not even know he had out a cd. I'll check it out this weekend.

shorttrini said:

I said the same thing until I saw him live. After seeing him, I gained a new appreciation for his music.

I actually like the new album. It's not as good as "Once Again", but it is good.

Graycap23 said:

It hasn't been released yet.. the official date is 10/28/08

banks said:

Thanks. Make that Tuesday.

My favorites are:

Green Light
It's Over
Take Me Away
It's Over (Teddy Riley Remix)


everything else, meh

The cd is WACK. Damn I'm not digging this cd at all.

ive had this since october 7th and ive dug it since the 8th
i didnt really like the last one, but im liking this one much better

John Legend is boring and totally unoriginal. His name for one and then he calls his latest album Evolver? Please. He needs to get an identity of his own.

Dudes a one trick pony

John Legend is weak. 'Ordinary People' is a really good song, but dude seems like he's trying too hard and he is very boring.

I downloaded the new cd....listened to it once....deleted it....and emptied the recycling bin.

3121 said:

so true

I kind of disagree. It't not the best CD in the world, but it has a few good songs on there. It's no different then all of his previous CD's. I personally think his last one before this one, was his best release. I think he has had what maybe 4 CDs if you include the live one.

I think he has a pretty smooth voice, it's just his music lacks on the production side. But isn't that the case with 98% of todays music?

He needs to work with some other producers other than Kanye. Kanye himself is becoming played out. He needs to stay away from the T pain sound. Which we all know that Tpain needs to also stay away from. Tpain has no talent what so ever. The computer voice was cool with Roger and Zapp and Blackstreet, but enough is enough.

I think this John Legend Cat is going to be around for sometime. At least he writes his own music. He just needs some work on the production end.

The "Green light" song is cool. The last track on the CD is a pretty moving song if you listen to the words.

So I would say that this last CD is a typical John Legend CD. If you like John Legend you will probably like it. Then again, not everyone is a fan of john legend.

Once Again was great, but Evolver is really bad and cheap sounding. I listened to it once when I just got it but since then I don't dare to touch it anymore. Dissapointing.
[Edited 11/5/08 14:10pm]

His last album, "Once Again" was an excellent work from him for the simple fact that he sounded like a true artist doing real music. Being a fan of his previous albums, it was hard for me to listen to "Evolver" because much of it sounds manufactured. This certainly isn't a leap forward for him and it isn't a good record by any means. I was only feeling about 20% of the material on this album.

Good tracks:

Green Light
Good Morning
It's Over
No Other Love
Satisfaction

Empress said:

i agree

junebug18 said:

you emptied the reycle bin.

John is so boring. i already knew that. Seriously ordinary people was kind of a boring song to me.

maybe we are not listening to the same cd. I think this one is his best yet. By far better than his previous efforts. The flow is easy and smooth, not trying to be neo soul or piano man. Just a beautiful cd.

"Everybody Knows", "It's Over" (which I originally didn't like when it leaked) and "Take Me Away" are the songs that have been repetitive play since I purchased the album.

I think it's a step up for him because it's the first work he's done that I would call cohesive, misteps (his little dip into reggae) or no misteps. The other two albums were loosely tied together and had some songs that were flatline-dead. This one strays away from both of those negatives in exchange for what may be an, overall, less "challenging" work.

I can do less challenging, when it's done right. "Evolver" is pretty safe R&B pop but, hey, I think it's a different direction for John.

There's no way I can listen to "Get Lifted" or "Once Again" all the way through at this point. "Evolver", however, may remain fresh over time.