03/19


On Saturday (March 18), Timbaland tweeted a photo of himself sitting alongside pop singer Justin Timberlake in the recording studio.

“The masters at work,” Timbaland wrote, adding the hashtags #timbaland #justintimberlake.

Over the years, Timberlake and Timbaland have proven to be a winning team, turning out hits such as “Cry Me a River,” “My Love,” and "Suit & Tie." (Credit: MTV/Billboard)

Justin Timberlake's past outings have been nods to Michael Jackson, for the most part. I wonder
with Prince's passing if he's going to make a nod to him.

on every Justin Timberlake album,I alwys find at least a few songs that I really like.

SoulAlive said:

on every Justin Timberlake album,I alwys find at least a few songs that I really like.

Agreed.

He doesn't construct great albums, in my opinion, because he doesn't have the artistic ability
to do so. But dude is usually good for two or three really great songs and a decent live show
too.

First, I don't believe JT is making albums as a purposeful nod to Michael Jackson. He might be influenced by him, but he's not making a tribute album or something. JT definitely has his own approach to music.

I think FutureSex/LoveSounds was a very well constructed album. It flowed, it did things with songs and endings into intros etc., that people like The Moody Blues were doing (not in sound, but rather in idea or approach). There are a lot of nods to Prince on that record. "Sexy Ladies" is one for sure, "Damn Girl" is another. "Chop Me Up" is the one stinker on there, in my opinion. Hell, even John Blackwell and Mike Scott were in his FS/LS band, and I think Mike Scott still plays with him. He even had Rose Royce's Terry Santiel on his tours. Dude is legendary.

The 20/20 Experience was a nod to how people used to make music. The songs were 7, 8, and 9 minutes long. It reminded me of the old days when disco artists, or R&B artists would just let loose on a song, put 6 or 7 songs on a record, and they were 6-minutes each, opposed to the usual 3-4-minute-radio-friendly format. I liked it more also, because it wasn't as heavy as FS/LS was in the production. For a while there, JT&T was using really heavy and layered rhythm tracks, along with dose of JT's beat-boxing sampled here and there. It's evident on things like "4 Minutes" by Madonna, and Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre album - like "Nite Runner" - where it wasn't only a non-Duran sound, but sounded like Timbaland featuring Duran Duran. It's a reason Andy Taylor left the band again. It was all starting to get old and dated because everything they did sounded like it was all recorded at the same sessions.

20/20 was a delight to listen to, especially part 1. So many interesting tracks, lyrics, production. There's some Jacksons in there, some Prince, some MJ, some Earth Wind & Fire. It was varied, yet had a cohesive feel to the whole thing. Part 2 wasn't as strong overall as a record, but there were some songs on there that are brilliant. "Drink You Away", "Not A Bad Thing", "TKO", "Take Back The Night" are crazy good. I have both parts on vinyl, and they have that great mid-level warmth that only adds to the experience.

I hope they do something new and interesting on this new project. I don't want more 20/20 or FS/LS. Those stand on their own.

TrivialPursuit said:

First, I don't believe JT is making albums as a purposeful nod to Michael Jackson. He might be influenced by him, but he's not making a tribute album or something. JT definitely has his own approach to music.

I think FutureSex/LoveSounds was a very well constructed album. It flowed, it did things with songs and endings into intros etc., that people like The Moody Blues were doing (not in sound, but rather in idea or approach). There are a lot of nods to Prince on that record. "Sexy Ladies" is one for sure, "Damn Girl" is another. "Chop Me Up" is the one stinker on there, in my opinion. Hell, even John Blackwell and Mike Scott were in his FS/LS band, and I think Mike Scott still plays with him. He even had Rose Royce's Terry Santiel on his tours. Dude is legendary.

The 20/20 Experience was a nod to how people used to make music. The songs were 7, 8, and 9 minutes long. It reminded me of the old days when disco artists, or R&B artists would just let loose on a song, put 6 or 7 songs on a record, and they were 6-minutes each, opposed to the usual 3-4-minute-radio-friendly format. I liked it more also, because it wasn't as heavy as FS/LS was in the production. For a while there, JT&T was using really heavy and layered rhythm tracks, along with dose of JT's beat-boxing sampled here and there. It's evident on things like "4 Minutes" by Madonna, and Duran Duran's Red Carpet Massacre album - like "Nite Runner" - where it wasn't only a non-Duran sound, but sounded like Timbaland featuring Duran Duran. It's a reason Andy Taylor left the band again. It was all starting to get old and dated because everything they did sounded like it was all recorded at the same sessions.

20/20 was a delight to listen to, especially part 1. So many interesting tracks, lyrics, production. There's some Jacksons in there, some Prince, some MJ, some Earth Wind & Fire. It was varied, yet had a cohesive feel to the whole thing. Part 2 wasn't as strong overall as a record, but there were some songs on there that are brilliant. "Drink You Away", "Not A Bad Thing", "TKO", "Take Back The Night" are crazy good. I have both parts on vinyl, and they have that great mid-level warmth that only adds to the experience.

I hope they do something new and interesting on this new project. I don't want more 20/20 or FS/LS. Those stand on their own.

i wouldnt be opposed to having Justin work with Pharrell again weither what happened to that relationship?

Yes i agree about 20/20 there was some very nice sections on those albums. The second part sound like it was out-takes but still some pretty experimental stuff going on in there like on Murder and Cabaret and was still worthy of release. i feel the 20/20 Experiences were more cohesive than Futeuresex lovesounds, but Futuresex had the better pop song structures. However I'm down for more crazy productions like on Spaceship Coupe (a ode to Ciara's "Promise") and my favorite "Don't Hold The Wall". Timbaland is an exquisite producer who stays rich in bringing vision to his outrageous sounds.

paisleypark4 said:

i wouldnt be opposed to having Justin work with Pharrell again weither what happened to that relationship?

Yes i agree about 20/20 there was some very nice sections on those albums. The second part sound like it was out-takes but still some pretty experimental stuff going on in there like on Murder and Cabaret and was still worthy of release. i feel the 20/20 Experiences were more cohesive than Futeuresex lovesounds, but Futuresex had the better pop song structures. However I'm down for more crazy productions like on Spaceship Coupe (a ode to Ciara's "Promise") and my favorite "Don't Hold The Wall". Timbaland is an exquisite producer who stays rich in bringing vision to his outrageous sounds.

I wonder if part 2 was outtakes, or what. They did record a lot of music in a short amount of time. And after his week long appearance on Fallon's show, Questlove revealed there's a part 2 coming in the fall (this was March when Part 1 came out). It does seem a bit less cohesive than Part 1, but still has works with overall darker songs throughout, whereas Part 1 is mostly a brighter feel.

I agree about FS/LS being more pop-oriented. No one was playing 7-minute songs on the radio (and haven't for a long time). FS/LS offered up quick grabs for airplay.

"Don't Hold The Wall" is totally twerk-worthy.

I'm not opposed to a Pharrell work either. JT doesn't fully sink into a producer's sound, so he maintains his personality and individuality throughout. Yet ironically people like Madonna & Duran Duran get lost in a JT & Tim production. It's sure to be interesting, whatever they come up with.

TrivialPursuit said:

First, I don't believe JT is making albums as a purposeful nod to Michael Jackson. He might be influenced by him, but he's not making a tribute album or something. JT definitely has his own approach to music.

A "purposeful nod" means acknowledging your predecessors and those who influenced you, Trivial.
It does not mean "making a tribute album." If I meant to suggest that a "purposeful nod" was akin
to or definitionally reflected by "making a tribute album," I would have said as much. So, there's
that . . .

And then there's this "JT definitely has his own approach to music" which I would need you to clarify
as if I understand it correctly, Timberlake's approach to making music involves often and mostly
incorporating the artistic vision of a producer, and his music consistently harkens to a sound that
predates his own. In other words, a Justin Timberlake album is not going to be the result of his sin-
gular vision. An even cursory glance at any of his album notes is proof of this . . .

I say these things as somebody who likes Justin Timberlake and defends him in this forum which
believes, and sometimes justifiably so, that any acclaim he receives in the media is due to the color
of his skin.

You had me playing both albums yesterday LOL.

Dasein said:

A "purposeful nod" means acknowledging your predecessors and those who influenced you, Trivial.
It does not mean "making a tribute album." If I meant to suggest that a "purposeful nod" was akin
to or definitionally reflected by "making a tribute album," I would have said as much. So, there's
that . . .

And then there's this "JT definitely has his own approach to music" which I would need you to clarify as if I understand it correctly, Timberlake's approach to making music involves often and mostly
incorporating the artistic vision of a producer, and his music consistently harkens to a sound that
predates his own. In other words, a Justin Timberlake album is not going to be the result of his sin-
gular vision. An even cursory glance at any of his album notes is proof of this . . .

I say these things as somebody who likes Justin Timberlake and defends him in this forum which
believes, and sometimes justifiably so, that any acclaim he receives in the media is due to the color
of his skin.

We're both in the same book, just on a different page.

I did clarify his approach to making music, and not losing himself behind a producer, as Madonna & Duran did when JT & T produced them. These days, people work with producers because of a sound. You don't go to Rodney Jerkins when you want Zedd's dance sound. Nor do you go to Zedd, when you want that swaggering heavy bottom beat like Darkchild provides. Pharrell has a minimalistic yet melodic take on music, where Timbaland has a thick and layered percussion section.

As far as the purposeful nod, let me be clear: I don't think he's trying to mimick MJ, nor do I think you meant that either. But his influence by Prince, MJ, and even people like James Taylor is really obvious sometimes. He brings those sensibilities into a time in music where it suffers from lack of inspiration and just a decent fucking hook. The smart thing about JT is that he might be influenced by someone like MJ, and he might add some horn hits or something similar to MJ, but he's not making dated music. Even Bruno Mars, which had a strong foot in music of the past keeps it fresh and modern. I really enjoy that about JT. "Take Back The Night" and "Let The Groove Get In" (right there right there) are great balances of EWF or Chicago, as well as staying firmly planted in the years they were released.

I defend JT too. I don't blindly see him as the next MJ (as you and I both know some people try to dub him, as they do with Miguel or Bruno being a new Prince). I don't know how old you are, but I'm just old enough (and will be older on Wednesday - grrr) to have grown up in the 70s when that type of music was so brilliant and wonderful. I love that JT, Bruno, & a few others are bringing that type of excitement and love back into music.

Needs to breakaway from Timbaland.

Dasein said:

Justin Timberlake's past outings have been nods to Michael Jackson, for the most part. I wonder
with Prince's passing if he's going to make a nod to him.

Derek1984 said:

Needs to breakaway from Timbaland.

I can't disagree with this.

my favorite producer with my least favorite culture vulture.....SIGH

2020 said:

Would have rather seen Timbaland working with Nelly Furtado again versus JT

I tried to like 20/20 but never connected with it, and now I don't remember anything on it. Kinda over him, and I saw him in concert ten years ago.

Cinny said:

All I know is (and I know its wishful thinking but) I hope his machine doesn't over hype and oversell his "BIG RETURN TO MUSIC" like they did with 20/20. It was nauseating! I know its his job to get the word out that he has new music but damn. That was a bit much. Jimmy Fallon falling in love all over again, over and over again for a whole week. The Grammys was the worst. The television special were all strategic PR moves but HOW they sold it was just overkill for my taste...

-

And for the record... I hated it when Clive Davis was selling Alicia Keys as the next Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack. I hate it whenever Beyonce's breathes and her machine pretends she just walked on water. Hyperbole. That's the word I was looking for. I hate hyperbole. I know its their job but damn...

-

I'm done ranting now

Musicslave said:

All I know is (and I know its wishful thinking but) I hope his machine doesn't over hype and oversell his "BIG RETURN TO MUSIC" like they did with 20/20. It was nauseating! I know its his job to get the word out that he has new music but damn. That was a bit much. Jimmy Fallon falling in love all over again, over and over again for a whole week. The Grammys was the worst. The television special were all strategic PR moves but HOW they sold it was just overkill for my taste...

-

And for the record... I hated it when Clive Davis was selling Alicia Keys as the next Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack. I hate it whenever Beyonce's breathes and her machine pretends she just walked on water. Hyperbole. That's the word I was looking for. I hate hyperbole. I know its their job but damn...

-

I'm done ranting now

He is still an established name but the industry has gotten smaller since even his last album.

As long as he is still photographable, he will probably have some magazine covers.

Cinny said:

Musicslave said:

All I know is (and I know its wishful thinking but) I hope his machine doesn't over hype and oversell his "BIG RETURN TO MUSIC" like they did with 20/20. It was nauseating! I know its his job to get the word out that he has new music but damn. That was a bit much. Jimmy Fallon falling in love all over again, over and over again for a whole week. The Grammys was the worst. The television special were all strategic PR moves but HOW they sold it was just overkill for my taste...

-

And for the record... I hated it when Clive Davis was selling Alicia Keys as the next Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack. I hate it whenever Beyonce's breathes and her machine pretends she just walked on water. Hyperbole. That's the word I was looking for. I hate hyperbole. I know its their job but damn...

-

I'm done ranting now

He is still an established name but the industry has gotten smaller since even his last album.

As long as he is still photographable, he will probably have some magazine covers.

-

Yup. I have no problem with any artist promoting their new tunes. It's the hyperbole that's aggravating for me. And I don't hate the dude either. The Grammys were promoting his new music and appearance as if it was Stevie Wonder's new studio release or something. Coming up next.... we have "Justin Timberlake's Return to Music, Live on the Grammy Stage on Music's Biggest Night."

-

He'll do well, I'm sure.

Oh. goody. can't. wait.

TonyVanDam said:

Dasein said:

Justin Timberlake's past outings have been nods to Michael Jackson, for the most part. I wonder
with Prince's passing if he's going to make a nod to him.

If this was any indication in the past

scorp84 said:

He's working with Pharrell again. I don't want to hype it too much, but I think there will be much more depth this time around, being that the "Justified" tracks were pretty much MJ worktapes from the late 90s - early 00's.

Right Seniorita and Rock your Body were MJ rejects lol.

Musicslave said:

eww

Derek1984 said:

Needs to breakaway from Timbaland.

I disagree.He and Timbaland are a great team.They create some good music together.No need to change the formula

MotownSubdivision said:

Musicslave said:

-

Yup. I have no problem with any artist promoting their new tunes. It's the hyperbole that's aggravating for me. And I don't hate the dude either. The Grammys were promoting his new music and appearance as if it was Stevie Wonder's new studio release or something. Coming up next.... we have "Justin Timberlake's Return to Music, Live on the Grammy Stage on Music's Biggest Night."

-

He'll do well, I'm sure.

My feelings exactly.

-

Looking forward 2 this. I follow Justin's career casually now, but I am a big *NSYNC fan. Glad 2 see that Justin is still having success in the music industry.