Music Review: J. Holiday & The Dream

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The Dream: Love vs. Money

The Dream releases his sophomore album Love vs. Money, Tuesday, March 10. Along with artists like Kanye and Ne-Yo, The Dream is trying to rejuvenate a complacent and asleep music industry. He definitely brings the triple threat to the game; He writes, sings and produces. He’s been writing for well over a decade now, and is behind Rhianna’s #1 single, Umbrella. His first album was a smash, earning him the self proclaimed title “Radio Killa”.

Track List for Love vs. Money:

1. Money Intro
2. Rockin That Sh*&
3. Walking On The Moon feat. Kanye West
4. My Love feat. Mariah Carey
5. Put It Down
6. Sweat It Out
7. Take You Home 2 My Momma
8. Love vs. Money
9. Fancy
10. Right Side Of My Brain
11. Mr. Yeah
12. Kelly’s 12 Play
Bonus: Let Me See The Booty feat. Lil Jon

The new CD, like his debut Love/Hate (2007), is filled with singles. Now, The Dream’s production is hottt, he’s like a young R. Kelly with the use of his instruments and timing, etc. His vocals are sub par, but with an industry full of singers that lack that old school soul in their vocal cords, we’ll let him sneak by with just an OK on vocals. Oh yea, I have to say, he’s from Bankhead, so you know he throws A’s in there throughout the whole cd, like every other ATL artist making music.

My favorites, in no particular order, are Put It Down, Sweat it Out, Rockin That Sh*&, Let Me See The Booty, and Love Vs Money. Like I said this one is filled with singles, just like his first CD, so you really can let the whole album play, and that’s so rare these days. The song with Kanye is just OK to me, sounds like some Michael Jackson from the early 80’s. I do like how the beat breaks down while Kanye is flowing, but his 16 isn’t that hot on here. The song with Mariah is just OK too, the beat is a sample from the 80’s, it sounds like Atlantic Star’s Secret Lovers. Guess my prediction about 3 years ago was right, that every thing from fashion to music, is going to go back to the way it was back in the day.

I think this guy has the creativity of Prince, the lyrical content of R. Kelly, and beats like Timberland, so he’ll be making tracks for a long time. Whether he’s singing or producing the hits, “Radio Killa” definitely describes the beginning of the reign of his career.
So what do I think, Buy it or Burn it?

I say Buy It!!!

Fresh Factor: 3.5 Stars out of 5 (If he could sang, I’d give him 4!)

J. Holiday: Round 2

J. Holiday Releases his sophomore album, Round 2, Tuesday, March 10. This follows his very successful debut album, Back of my Lac’ (2007), which had the smash single that got stuck in every body’s head, “Bed”. Back of my Lac’ was one of those cd’s that you could listen to behind closed doors and under the covers with your special someone, or as the title says, in the Lac’.

J Holiday is a definite crooner. He has a voice that reminds me a lot of Jesse Powell, high pitched (for a man), yet silky smooth. However I do have to say, I am getting tired of hearing the male falsetto thing that every body from Usher to Omarion uses. But I guess J Holiday gets to pull it off since his voice is naturally like that!

Here’s the Track List for Round 2:

1. Intro
2. It’s Yours
3. Fall
4. Don’t Go
5. Wrong Lover feat. Rick Ross
6. Run Into My Arms
7. Sing 2 U
8. Lights Go Out
9. Make That Sound
10. Forever Aint Enough
11. Fly
12. Homeless
13. I Tried

Ok my favorite track on this CD is Wrong Lover feat. Rick Ross. I have a certain special spot for Rick Ross since I lived in Miami, and got to hang out with him on several occasions up in the VIP at Opium on South Beach. Of course Ross spit’s a hot 16, and the beat sounds like it has a sample in it from an old school song, so you can sit back and sip your cognac to this one, I drink Remy, but I know y’all love that damn Henny!

He starts off with an acappella intro, which is nice. It’s Yours is the lead single off this album, and it’s in typical J Holiday, slow jam, fashion. Fall is a nice track every body can probably relate to. Sing To You is a pretty hot track. Lights Go Out, and Make That Sound are certified official “Baby Makers“. A “Baby Maker” is a song that has that old school vibe that you can get your freak on, to! Forever Aint Enough is a nice song, you can dedicate to your special someone. I love the message in Homeless, because it’s true, you never know with the economy the way it is right now, when you may find yourself in that situation. I tried is an ok blend of R&B and Rock, but it’s just OK, not really that hot.

This album in totality, is just ok. It doesn’t have the “Baby Maker” feel his first album had. The songs are just OK, no real anthems or bangers on it. Some of the tracks you can definitely skip through. I am definitely still a fan, but won’t be running out to buy this one!

So what do I think, buy it or burn it?

I say burn it, you don’t have to break your neck to get this one!

Fresh Factor: 2.5 stars out of 5

Tagged as: J. Holiday, Music, Music Review, Sports & Entertainment, The Dream

Article by April Jackson

I'm a Cardiovascular Perfusionist who loves sports, good music, entertainment and any thing that has to do with young, motivated black people! I was Ohio raised, Dade County made, and now I'm Texas paid! O yea, and I bleed Scarlet and Grey, GO BUCKS!

April has written 5 article(s) for us.