911
The introduction to the album would not sound out of place in a lift (elevator) and invites the listener to hold for the doctor (Thicke), who is about to provide the Therapy.
Mrs. Sexy
This is a seriously cool song. Robin sings in a soft voice, almost a whisper in places and keeps the falsetto to a minimum. The song is dedicated to a lady that the singer wants to make his wife (Mrs. Sexy). It rolls along nice with the string and brass accompaniment both muted, along with the vocal. Perfect for the beach or the bedroom in equal measures, we are off to a strong start.
Sex Therapy
The title track and lead single from the album has a strong drum beat and sweeping strings to accompany the high vocals that are signature Thicke. Sex Therapy is Thicke's take on the Marvin Gaye classic Sexual Healing and this song gets seriously steamy pretty quickly. Anyone that has seen the video can testify that the visual echoes this sentiment, with Thicke singing the track through a pair of legs for much of the clip. The take on 'It's My Party (and I'll Cry If I Want To) works and this is another strong track. A remix featuring Ludacris that is doing the rounds is also worth a listen.
Meiple feat. Jay-Z
The vocal on this is different to what has gone before it and sees Thicke singing in a speaking voice that Jay-Z takes into full on rap in the second verse. It's another naughty track and documents what Robin is prepared to do for the lady in his life. Pronounced Me I Play, the song is all about living the high life and the players in question pull off a cracking track.
Make U Love Me
Drums, bass and finger clicks provide the backing for this song about doing it better than the listeners' boyfriend ever could. Thinking to warm up towels whilst the lady is in the shower, he may have a point! The vocal is in a lower register and has a similar vibe to the first track. This one may need a few more listens than the others for you to get into it but it is great. Even the bigfoot metaphor works.
It's In The Mornin feat. Snoop Dogg
Another sexy track about when Robin likes to get it on with the lady in his life. The brass just before the chorus sounds like a herd of elephants which conjurs up an imagery all of its own. Snoop's laid bag tones slide in easily and this is another goodie.
Shakin' It 4 Daddy feat. Nicki Minaj
Laid back this song ain't. This is a full on club banger and there is a video on Thicke's website that was taken where he premiered the track on the radio, which I recommend you check out. The vocal is low, fast and smooth. Minaj's feisty rap is brilliant and is perfect to represent the woman that is working it for Daddy.
Elevatas feat. Kid Cudi
The narrator (doctor's receptionist?) that makes appearances throughout the album in the introduction and interludes starts this one off, which breaks into the rap from Kid Cudi laid over electric guitars, giving this track a distinctive sound. Robin's vocal by comparison is high and soft; spoken in places, but the sounds come together well and, whilst this may also need a few listens for it to be up there with the other tracks, it soon will be. The bridge could easily be found on a Justin Timberlake song.
Start With A Kiss
The narrator is back again for this interlewd! This is a naughty step by step guide from start (the kiss) to finish (fondling) via all sorts of places as to how to go about seduction.
Rollacoasta feat. Estelle
Recently announced as the second single, this is another party song which opens with Estelle giving way to Robin saying, 'Slap me in my face, punch me in my eye'. I've never heard lyrics like that before! It likens the rollercoaster ride to a relationship but not in the up and down sense that has been done to death. This concentrates on the twists and turns and excitement of the ride and compares the journey around the track to sex. Both will have you screaming. My favourite part has to be where the music suddenly stops for the sound of an actual rollercoaster climbing up a steep incline only to drop back in once the summit has been reached. A firm, funky favourite.
Million Dolla Baby feat. Jazmine Sullivan
This is a more soulful song and Sullivan and Thicke sound great together. Thicke's trademark high vocals feature once more and the brass crecendo leads to another large nod in the direction of Marvin Gaye. This time with excellent use of 'Trouble Man' and you will love this.
2 Luv Birds
This track would have fit perfect on the brilliant 'Something Else'. It is a love story, pure and simple. Thicke by numbers.
I Got U
Another interlude with the female voice this time coming from a lady with relationship problems who has come to see The Doctor. The girls will like this one, though it can be overlooked.
Jus Right
Thicke's high vocal over a slow, smooth song is a winning combination. Though this song fails to grab much attention.
Mona Lisa
Jus Right is not so terrible to count as a wrong move by Thicke but this song is a massive step in the right direction. Acoustic guitars, a woodblock and cymbals provide the musical accompaniment to a beautiful lyric for Thicke's partner. He says that if he were a painter, she would be his Mona Lisa. This is a favourite of mine.
Brand New Luv
This has elements of 'Feeling Good' and is a nice track. Like Jus Right, it fails to stand out, however. May be this needs a few more listens for me to love it, as it stands, I like it but not as much as the rest of the album.
Diamonds feat. Game
You could be forgiven for thinking that the album is winding down based on what I said about a couple of the last tracks but we most definitely end on a high in this soulful groove about beautiful women (Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Oprah and Michelle Obama amongst others). It likens how pressure builds diamonds to how women sometimes shine in times of pressure. The artists dedicate this song to their Mums, which will no doubt increase their appeal to the fairer sex, which is what this album is all about.
Sex Therapy is one for the ladies, that is clear to see but this has not stopped me from having this on repeat in my car since the album dropped in December. Shakin' It 4 Daddy does get some strange looks depending on who is my passenger on the day but that is no bad thing. Something Else was a fantastic album and Sex Therapy is a step up from that. The quality of the collaborations goes some way to show the standard that you can expect when you put the CD in your stereo and this serves the purpose in the car, on the beach and in the bedroom. Whilst the women swoon over the smooth vocals and the sheer sexiness of the production, men, take notes. There are tips in there for you to raise your game and be able to administer Sex Therapy of your own.
Robin Thicke's Official Website: www.robinthicke.com
No comments:
Post a Comment