Lyfe Jennings - 268-192 Lyfe is extremely talented. He is a five time apollo champ, and he has an excellent and very articulated tenor voice. And on top of all that he is a excellent guitar player. But the biggest problem with this album, is also its biggest plus, and thats its almost non exsisting commercial appeal. This album has no brightly produced tracks. Almost all of the tracks are produced by Lyfe himself, and the ones that are produced by other producers, are no name producers. Which really sets the mood of the album to be very bland, and very strait forward. Which helps and also hurts. While i believe that Jennings is at his best with the guitar in his hand and a mid to slow tempo track, i still think he could have done a couple of uptempo tracks to keep the listeners interested. Not that this album isnt interesting, its just, the whole "Ghetto Guitar" music, where all it is pretty much is Lyfe strumming away at a guitar with a few hand claps and a couple of bass snares, does get old after a while. Granted, songs like "Hypothetically" is a classic, slow tempo song that really asks the question, what would you do in his situation? And "26 years, 17 Days" is also another classic, with a little more bass and a more mid tempo track. But almost all the other songs are the same old accoustic guitar laced mid tempo tracks about either love or heartache in some way. All i am really trying to say, is Lyfe Jennings is definetly talented, but he needs to add more spice to his music, i am not saying to completely get rid of the guitar thing, because thats where he excells, but add somthing to your album to keep the listener attached next time. This is an alright debut, if it did anything it showed Lyfe does have a great voice and he does have a knack for strong songwriting.
Grade: C
all about Lyfe upon listening to Lyfe for the first time. it was pretty obvious that i was feeling this cd after only listening to a few songs. But by the time i had listened to it all the way through. I made it in my mind that i will continue to listen to "Lyfe 268-192" for quite sometime and with another release already out and another on the way soon. We'll have many chances to get the maximum exposure of Lyfe Jennings as he writes all about his everyday life experiences (including his time in prison). He writes from the heart and does it on every song on his debut cd. I totally love the cd and his voice. I dont mind that at all he's singing with passion, feeling and thats something that i think most folks won't have a problem with at all.
Excellent work!!
Great CD This CD is nice. The writers did an excellent job. However his voice becomes aggravating after a while so its not an all day repeat type CD for me.
This be the realest thing I ever wrote...... Lyfe's debut album is just that -- a reflection of life in itself. Definately a refreshing dose of reality that many of us can relate to. Lyfe has a story to tell, he delivers a message of pain, love, and hope for a better future. In my opinion, this album is up there w/ "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill". The lyrics are unique and profound, the music and arrangement are original, and the overall production is very good, especially for a debut album. This is one of those albums that I am thankful to God that I did not sleep on. I remember seeing him on the Apollo and I was moved by "Made Up My Mind", which talks about good old church folk judging and discouraging others by their hyporcrisy. Hopefully you too will not miss out on this one.....
Soul Stirring This man's music will have you crying, laughing, and everything in between. One of the best CD's I own. Definitely buying his subsequent album
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