Album Description: The incomparable Ashanti is back with "The Declaration"!!This multiple Grammy winner and R&B superstar has delivered some of her most powerful and passionate songs yet. "The Declaration" features the smash hit "The Way That I Love", which showcases the power of Ashanti's soulful voice as she tells the heart wrenching story of a scorned lover. This 13 song set is Ashanti's 4th studio album and first since 2004. Ashanti has been busy developing her acting career with John Tucker Must Die, Coach Carter, and Resident Evil, and now she returns to deliver a career defining album!
Very Nice. I really liked this album, the songs are well produced and Ashanti's voice has matured since her first album. She has really gorwn up and listening to the album I can tell that she is serious about her career. She looks and sound amazing and no matter what people say about Ashanti and that includes Irv Gotti, Ashanti's "The Declaration is HOTT!!
Song I like: Good Good, Mother just to name a few.
The Declaration I had a difficult time reviewing this offering by Ashanti because after such a lengthy absence I expected her to come back harder - I expected an edgy album that'd re-introduce Ashanti to the music world and that it'd be a true "declaration" that she was BACK! I felt such high anticipation after the video & single, THE WAY THAT I LOVE YOU were released - a lot of people who'd written her off loved the track and were curious about how the entire album would sound.
I'm not anti-Ashanti either, I've always loved her style & attitude and although she's not the best singer, her songs for the most part are fun and quite enjoyable. I like that she cut out the skits and doesn't have a lot of guest rappers on the project BUT she played it way to safe and stayed in that hip-pop lane without bringing anything new to the genre.
The only standout track to me is: THE WAY THAT I LOVE YOU
The "ok" tracks that I think are very "radio friendly" are: YOU'RE GONNA MISS, GOOD GOOD, STRUGGLE, IN THESE STREETS & BODY ON ME (although I can't stand Akon)
The last two tracks of mention are exceptional lyrically but don't do much for me otherwise: MOTHER - a very sweet & heartfelt tribute to her Mom but it's too indulgent a track and THE DECLARATION - on which Ashanti speaks frankly about her career.
I was hoping for so much more from her but I can recommend that only fans who want to complete their Ashanti collection get the whole disc otherwise, check out the singles and purchase what you like.
Shanti Definitely Did Her Thing With This One ! I Absolutly Love This Album ! Ashanti Did Her Thing With This Album, Her Vocals Are Crazy ( Amazingly Good) The Songs Are Hot. You're Gonna Miss Is A Banger As Well As Girlfriend, So Over You, Struggle, Good Good & Many Others. She Has These Two Beautiful Songs On The Album Called Mother & Shine. Ashanti's The Declaration Is A Must Have, Just Like Solange's New Album Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams ! Go Get Both !
Backpedaling Miss Ashanti the disputed Princess of HipHop Soul, a titled she rightfully covented while Murder Inc., has a string of hits with Ja Rule the frontman on some really catching hits Always On Time, and many others. Well I truly felt that with each of her new releases she made progress from her debut which was a hit filled offering with the exception of Chapter II(almost a sophmore slump) which I felt was a little too soon to Concrete Rose(solid and definative). Away from Murder Inc., The Declaration, really should have been a coming out cd as the title suggest however it was more lack luster with the exception of the first single The Way That I Love You, which I thought was a nice start but may have climb to #2 on the R&B chart, it was heartfelt but not quite the soring hit that she need to reclaim her title without any speculation. The album is okay; however, I would be hard pressed to find another song that be a second single.
Sounds Dated... Honestly, "The Way That I Love You" is probably the best song on this CD (although I hated the video, yet another "Go Kill Yo Man if he cheats on you" video. Sorry, but D'Angelo already did it. But I digress...
I can't name one memorable track aside from that single. The album was terrible and I can't see myself listening to it again. Initially when I read the reviews, I thought that a lot of people were just hating on her, but after listening to the CD, sadly I have to agree. Whoever picked her song/track selection needs to be shot.
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