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Ciara
The Evolution
(LaFace/Sony BMG)
"I was inspired to do something different this time around," confesses Ciara on The Evolution. In fact, Atlanta's first lady of crunk 'n' b does several things differently on this followup to her platinum 2004 debut Goodies.
First and foremost -- along with most unexpectedly -- she all but abandons crunk in favour of '80s-inspired soul and dance-pop. These tunes are fuelled by neo-disco grooves, beatbox handclaps, synth-tweaked vocals, the odd James Brown sample and, on one cut, much of the melody from Rockwell's Watching Me. This all sounds a lot more nostalgically fun than it really is, mainly because most of these songs don't have new hooks to go with their old sounds.
Second, she manages to get lacklustre performances or production out of heavy hitters like The Neptunes, Fitty and even Lil Jon.
Third, she peppers the CD with egotistical spoken-word interludes like The Evolution of Fashion ("Be your own trendsetter"). Fourth, she includes a DVD with step-by-step dance lessons.
Different is good and all -- but ultimately, Ciara's Evolution feels like a 1, 2 step in the wrong direction.
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Track Listing:
1. That's Right - Ciara,
2. Like a Boy
3. Evolution of Music (Interlude)
4. Promise
5. I Proceed
6. Can't Leave 'Em Alone - Ciara, 50 Cent
7. C.R.U.S.H.
8. My Love
9. Evolution of Dance (Interlude)
10. Make It Last Forever
11. Bang It Up
12. Get Up - Chamillionaire, Ciara
13. Evolution of Fashion (Interlude)
14. Get in, Fit In
15. Evolution of C (Interlude)
16. So Hard
17. I'm Just Me
18. I Found Myself
19. Promise