Search - Keyshia Cole :: A Different Me

"A Different Me" Review

Antoine D. Reid | Durham, NC United States | 12/16/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Keyshia Cole's third album makes the attempt to try some different styles and show a 'different' side of the singer. For me, she's best on songs that play into her strengths and what we've come to expect from her than those tracks that attempt to be and sound different from typical Keyshia Cole. "Trust Me" and "This is Us" stand out because they feature her vocals paired with a performance tinged with emotion. "A Different Me" is more upbeat than Cole's previous releases, which is a change, but something feels off or lacking on this release. The production of some songs is questionable - her vocals are marred by beats that sound dated and like throwbacks, while her attempts to be different makes her lose the individuality and uniqueness that made her stand out from other R&B artists.



There were some songs that stood out, even if they sounded a bit generic and beneath her usual performance and vocal abilities. "Make Me Over" is one of the best tracks, an upbeat song with something of a gospel-sound. "Please Don't Stop" is quick and fast paced, "Erotic" is just as it sounds - a slower, more sensual song that definitely is a more open and expressive song than you'd expect from her. As for the other songs, they were just okay for me. The release sounded a bit rushed and had less emotion than previous releases. It was a bit of a let down to hear a great singer like Keyshia Cole performing songs that didn't stretch her vocal abilities any and sounded like songs that any up and coming artist could perform. "A Different Me" is average at best, a bit rushed, the production is weaker than the previous releases."

Excellent

barry | Boston, MA United States | 12/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my very first intro to Keyshia Cole. I had no idea who she was - had no idea she's been around for years or has her own reality show. I read a review of this cd that glorified her strong r@b vocals that intrigued me so I purchased it. And am I ever glad I did. I heard that she has often been compared to other artists such as Mary J. Blige. Remember, I am reviewing this as my first listening of Ms. Keyshia Cole and I am stunned. We have here a young woman vocally gifted with strong, powerful, expressive and inspiring vocal gifts. Add to this that she writes her own songs and you have the whole package.



She is obviously an artist who writes and sings from the heart. Her songs are personal and I understand she has had a difficult journey in getting to this point. But this cd is very confident in its message and delivery. Whether this cd is indeed A DIFFERENT ME for Keyshia I don't know but I love the one living strong on this collection. Many singers today sing with overproduced tracks and overdubbed vocals. Keyshia makes sure her vocals are in the forefront on every song. She can belt, she can carress, however she does it her range is on full display as she emotively delivers each track. There are many standouts here from the uptempo tracks MAKE ME OVER and PLEASE DON'T STOP where she is seductive and joyful. Ballads are awesome too. BRAND NEW, THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW and THIS IS US are amazing expressive tracks. WHERE THIS LOVE COULD END UP is a stand alone huge success. It is powerful, joyful yearning and shows Keyshia at her best as she sings of how thrilled she is with her love and the promise she has in its future.



Bottom line for me is that Keyshia Cole is a huge talent. She is confident and has amazingly unparalled vocal gifts. Her vocals can be broad, soft, expressive, yearning, sexy, angry or joyful as she utilizes that broad range. There are some great artists here on duets but I must admit other than TRUST with Monica they hinder the cd a little for they take the cd away from the strong vocals of Keyshia Cole. She is center stage here and deserves to be there. She is a hugely gifted talent and I can't wait to explore music from the rest of her life journey.



Highly recommended."

Different isn't always better

Sista Soul | NY | 12/21/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While many artists evolve on their own terms, something about this album seems contrived and completely unnatural. I'm all for growth, but musically this album appears to be her label's attempt at commercializing an R&B gem. Highlights are oddly enough the intro/outro "A Different Me," "Make Me Over," "You Complete Me," and the re-hashed version of "Trust" with a new Monica feature. Production for a lot of the material seems dated with little innovation- although the utilization of live instruments intermittently brings much needed energy. Album has a lot of fillers, to the point where even single choices seem to be uncertain. An odd point is the 80s pop infused "Please Don't Stop" which sounds like something written for the useless mutterings of Rihanna. "This Is Us" seems to be reminiscent of a theme song for a family based sitcom with airy vocals and cliche lyrics. The closing track "Beautiful Music" is forgettable and repetitive.



The album's few high lights make the album worth buying-- but it's simply disappointing to see the effects of Geffen's commercialization tactics on Cole. Keyshia's vocals seem to be more refined, but long gone is the emotion which left you immersed in her song. The entire album bares waspy vocals...and way too much restraint. Overall I wish her success, but this simply isn't her best. There's a way to write about happiness and personal growth without being...well, boring."