The title to this post has a double meaning to it. Yes it is about the new Robin Thicke joint that just came out today, but it's also in meaning to a new person. A new Robin Thicke if you will. As you read on, you'll see what I mean by the double meaning.
Sex Therapy is pretty much not what I thought it would be, classic Robin if you will. A bunch of ballads and lounge songs that made RT known for what he is. I know that many people (myself included) thought that it would be like albums from the past: a bunch of kick back and relax, enjoy the breeze in the sunset, ride along in your car on a hot summer day type songs. But Robin had another thought in mind for all of his fans.
This is where the new Robin comes into play. Sure enough, he's done duets with rappers (one of my favorites being Shooter w/ Weezy), but even in those, he's always stayed true to his form....a singer. Never has he tried to take on the role of the person that he's doing the song with. Well I guess this is a new era...a new decade....a new Robin. Cause on the first half of the cd, that's all it is...the hip hop, "rappin" Robin. IMO it's a different look on him, but given some more practice, one that the world could (and would) get used to. Now I will admit, I think he ran into some writers' block on those songs (see Shakin It 4 Daddy, and Meiplè), but they introduce a more upbeat, fun Robin w/ looks from Hov, Nicki Minaj, and the Doggfather himself, Snoop. Even Kid Cudi makes a hot track with Robin in Elevatas.
Now that's not to say that classic Robin doesn't come out...cause on the last half of the cd, that's when true to form, what we're used to Robin shines through. "Jus Right" is a personal favorite from this part of the cd, and even "Mona Lisa" does it for me. Let's not forget the song that put this CD on the map in the first place: Sex Therapy. That song just drips all kinds of sex from the first intro to the end. Honestly, it's a look that Robin should never COMPLETELY stray away from, cause it's what created who he is, and it'll continue to bring him success in life.
But all in all, even though it seems like 2 separate cds from the first half to the second half, I still think it's a pretty good cd in all. I'd give it a B+, simply because he still needs to work at the "new" Robin more before I can give him an A on that type of effort. But as of right now, I like it, and I give it my stamp of approval.
Good job Robin!
oh I totally disagree with the beginning of this post. It isn't typical Robin AT ALL. not sure if you heard his music on his debut Beautiful World/Cherry Blue Skies or most of the long version of Evolution--but this CD is NOT it. lol Too many features and without his usual penchant for love songs its lacking, IMO. Its not horrible but for someone as talented as Robin it seems like he's trying to be Trey Songz/Pleasure P and not a grown ass man. Mona Lisa is a nice track agreed, and a couple others on that second half that titles escape me.
ReplyDeleteReecie
In listening to RT this AM on Steve Harvey this morning, I believe that he said this one was a little different than his previous efforts (and it most definitely is). I think I'm a much bigger fan of the 2nd half of this CD than the first.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I would have much preferred him to do another track with Weezy and drop the ones with Snoop, Game, Cudi, AND Jay - although Meiple is starting to work on me).
My guilty pleasure song - "Shakin' It for Daddy". Reecie, did you know that Jay suggested that RT add Nicki Minaj to the song? RT mentioned this on 106th yesterday and I was like WORD?!
As an aside, I got a hold of "A Beautiful World" and will listen to it on the way home (I'm only familiar with "When I Get You Alone" - which Gap radio used to play ALL THE TIME when it first came out).
I agree with you Robin, doing a solid feature with Weezy wouldve been better than all the others. His collabos with Pharrell and Busta in the past(the remix to I Wanna love you) weren't bad either. I dont hate features totally--I don't mind the collab with Jay but I don't really like that song--for either of them.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm ready to comment. :-) Had to listen to the tracks that I was iffy on a 2nd time. Overall I liked the cd. He's branching out, trying some different sounds, and doing some different things. I think the worst thing for an artist is to be labeled (i.e. the "Ballads" guy, the "Club Songs" guy). All props go to the guy that chooses the order of the tracks. I think I would have a different view of this cd had the tracks not been ordered the way that they are. I find that with RT's cds the classic stuff comes at the beginning and end. The more "experimental" tracks normally come in the middle of the cd. When I hit "Elevatas" and "Rollacoasta", I got a little discouraged, but he did bring me back in with the remainder of the cd. "Jus Right" took me back to the old RT. This cd wasn't nearly as mellow as some of his other cds. Lord knows I hope he doesn't stay in the hip-hop genre on any future cds. However "Shakin' it for Daddy" is my jam. Nicki Minaj was a great choice in regard to collaborators. "Meiple" is growing on me. Totally diggin' "It's in the Mornin". With the release of "Sex Therapy", I thought this cd would have been different, a lot more ballads and baby makin' music. The cd gets a strong B+ from me. Enough of this foolishness though RT, let's get back to the blue-eyed soul! :-)
ReplyDeleteNow I will agree with Reecie and Robin, in the fact that he and Weezy shoulda done another solid collabo for this one (since he featured errybody else), but I like the features that he has on here. I'm gonna peep out his first CD and listen to it, although I got a feeling that it'll be the Robin that we all know and love.
ReplyDeleteAs for this "new" Robin, I still like it tho...but like Lametric said: The new Robin won't go far, but old Robin will!
you know i havent really gotten on the Sex Therapy band wagon. I expected way more from him, he did way too many features and not very good features I think. It was like he just wanted to work with these people and just went in the studio and put something together.
ReplyDeleteIt is cool to try something new but it needs to be up to par with your level of work.
I was a fan of Robin when he had long hair and a guitar. I loved him when he sampled Beethoven. I appreciated hum trying something new in this album. He will always be a crooner to me, but I think the whole album is a banger!
ReplyDeleteShakin it for Daddy is truly my secret fav song on the album....cuz I HATE Nikki Minaj but its just so damn catchy!