Search - N2U :: Issues

(4.75 Stars) - Don't Sleep On N2U!!!

Jamaal A. Bivens | Jacksonville, Florida | 06/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"N2U is the product of Chris Stokes, who rose to fame with his groups IMX, B2K, and the female counterparts Gyrl and TG4. Whereas all those other groups focused entirely on their labelmates, along with dance cuts and sappy ballads, N2U strays away from the format; the result is a wonderful album that cannot be missed.



All of the songs are definitely worth listening to. This is one of those rare albums that you can play all the way through without skipping any. This album isn't for dance fanatics, for this is a very ballad-heavy album, but that's definitely not detrimental to it. This album simply WORKS.



Anytime you start off with an excellent intro, you know you have a soild album, and N2U does just that. "Because of You" is an excellent vocal masterpiece, with lovely vocals and excellent backdrop instrumentals. "Freakin' You (Set the Mood)" is excellent and has a lovely lead vocal with some serious backgrounds, with some good lyrics. By far my favorite two songs on the album.



What also makes this album work is the various subject matter. It's not all about "ooh baby, I love you forever", but N2U deals with some issues that go on in everyday life. "Baby Mama Love" is relatable to a lot of men, and the song works because it's nowhere near overdone vocally, production-wise, or lyrically. It sounds like it's read straight from someone's journal or thoughts. Interesting. Also, "Breakin' the Law" is a sexy song that tells you what a man is going to do to his lady, but not in a raunchy "et me lick you way", but also not having any cares about the act's surroundings. A lovely song at best! "Beauty" tells you how many people go to someone's looks to keep the relationship knowing that it can't keep it going. And the song is, again, not overdone at all. And of course, the hidden track "What Goes Around Comes Around" teaches us the old adage of karma. Beautiful.



Why 4.75 stars? First, because "Because of You" had the perfect potential to be a whole song and it was just an interlude. When it went off, I was like, no!!! I would have loved to hear a whole song of that. Also, Jermaine Dupri is the only guest star on this album and even he was unnecessary. N2U could have done this album without anyone! lol



All in all, this album is one of those rare finds that you have to have. It's such a shame that it's underpromoted and overlooked, for it is definitely a classic. It's funny that N2U shines where the other groups under Stokes has failed -- in the vocals -- yet doesn't get the recognition they deserve. Here's hoping that we get some more N2U played!"

I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE THIS CD

Nicole "Unique" Hill | Los Angeles, Killa Kali, USA | 04/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I MUST ADMIT, I WAS SKEPTICAL AT FIRST. I MEAN, I HAVE FAITH IN MANAGER CHRIS STOKES, HE DOES HAVE AN EYE FOR TALENT, BUT IT LOOKED AS THOUGH HE WAS TRYING TO REPLACE B2K. WHEN I HEARD THE FIRST SINGLE "ISSUES" I WAS BLOWN WAY BY THE MATURITY OF THE SONG AND THE STRONG SOUL FEEL OF THE SONG. AFTERWARDS WHEN "BABY MAMA LOVE" WAS RELEASED I WAS HOOKED. I REALLY LOVE THE SONG, IT IS SO TRUE TO LIFE, AND SOMETHING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE CAN RELATE TOO. I BOUGHT THE ALBUM, AND I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT. BEING A FAN OF R&B/SOUL MUSIC, THIS CD DEFINATELY SURPASSED MY EXPECTATIONS. I LOVE THE WHOLE D, I REALLY LOVE THAT THEY STUCK TO THEIR STRONG POINTS, BALLADS. I FEEL LIKE THAT MADE FOR A BETTER, MORE MATURE ALBUM, VOCALLY AND IN GENERAL. I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS ALBUM TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY FANS OF THAT OLD SCHOOL, BOYS II MEAN FEEL MUSIC. THIS ALBUM IS DEFINATELY A MUST HAVE."

Makes you think of when music was good and hartful

mick low | New york, NY USA | 05/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"when i herd the second and later the first i was hooked and the most soulful albums i have herd lately i hope TUG keeps it comming cuz i dont know what they been doing in the pass but now they realy want to mack good music and i will support that any day. When you can feel the music thats a good thing for all the R&B fans that just want bubble gum pop it's cool and all but it don't last but this goup will dont sleep on em there on the top of there game"