Album : Ashanti Concrete Rose
Tuesday 2 March 2004
Ashanti
Album : Concrete Rose
Release Date: December 14, 2004
Label: Def Jam
Reviews :
The best way to make the fans happy is definitely by being thankful or by excessive touring; it is simply about keeping the hits coming. Take, for example, Tweet, who released a great album back in 2002 with hits and more, yet is deteriorating with time and no one has heard of a sophomoric return. On the other hand, Ashanti, who released a lesser-quality album on the same day as Tweet’s debut, maintains a strong hold on the market still going into 2005. The reason is, hit or miss, Ashanti kept the albums rolling (this being her third, excluding her Christmas album) and kept up guest appearances.
Even with an irritating idiosyncratic penchant for the word baby, as demonstrated by her hits "Baby" and "Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)," Ashanti released mediocre albums with solid smashes. She partied with "Happy" and mourned with "Rain On Me." Murder Inc.’s only maven remained a staple for rap choruses and a figure of a million video cameos.
Overcoming the slump of Chapter II, Ashanti return with Concrete Rose, which she explains is a metaphor of her sound. But listeners will take this with a pinch of salt when they realize that Ja Rule’s crew gal refers to hip hop as "grunge-y." Does she even know who Kurt Cobain is? The album, which is her favorite, is lacking on numbers in the same sense that her previous efforts are. An Ashanti album usually has three or so hits and the rest is filler. "Focus" is good and ready for release, as it is definitely a catchy R&B number. "Take Me Tonight" featuring Lloyd is also an exceptional soul ditty. "Wonderful" has its moments. Other tracks waver between mid-tempo balderdash like "Still Down" and "Don’t Let Them" or redundant like "U."
The lead single saves the album with its alarming beat and sultry sound. "Only U" sees Ashanti in the most attractive light she has ever been in.
Concrete Rose fits the Ashanti mold. It has its good times but also has its blandness. Get the singles and ignore the rest.
Track Listing :
1. Still Down featuring T.I.
2. Message To The Fans (Skit)
3. Only U
4. Focus
5. Don’t Let Them
6. Love Again
7. Take Me Tonight featuring Lloyd
8. U
9. Every Lil’ Thing
10. Turn It Up featuring Ja Rule
11. Buck 3000 (Skit)
12. So Hot
13. Don’t Leave Me Alone featuring 7 Aurelius
14. Sister Stories featuring Shi Shi (Skit)
15. Freedom
16. Wonderful Remix featuring Ja Rule (Bonus Track)
