Monica - Still Standing
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CD Details
Artist: MonicaEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 2010-03-23
Music Label: J-Records
Soundtracks:
- Still Standing featuring Ludacris
- One In A Lifetime
- Stay Or Go
- Everything To Me
- If You Were My Man
- Mirror
- Here I Am
- Superman
- Love All Over Me
- Believing In Me
Music reviews of Still Standing
Music Review: Fine Return After a Four Year Absence
Rating: 4 Stars
Monica is one of my personal favorite R&B singers (hard choice whether "The First Night" or "For You I Will" is my favorite!); vocally, her voice is pure and has a nice timbre (sound) to it. For me, it was disappointing to see that 2006's The Makings of Me failed to captivate the charts, debuting at #8 with under 100,000 copies. The album went on to flop by Monica standards, failing to go gold (2003's After the Storm went platinum and bowed at #1. 2010's Still Standing arrives much more anticipated than THE MAKINGS OF ME and is lifted by exceptional lead single "Everything To Me." Sure, "Everytime Tha Beat Drop" was a solid club cut from Mo's last album, but it wasn't truly distinctive enough to build sufficient buzz. And by the time the best cut "A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me)" was released as a single, there wasn't enough commercial support to save The Makings of Me. Perhaps that's the reason Still Standing seems a bit more conservative and mature in conception than other Monica albums. It is not necessarily better than any other Monica album, but the more adult-contemporary approach seems to flow better than Monica attempting to "take it to the clubs." The result is a solid, if somewhat safe album, though most important, Monica's voice is as pure if not more purer than ever.
The album opens with my favorite cut, the understated, yet overt "Still Standing" featuring Ludacris. Ludacris's verse is fine here, though Monica holds down the track very well with or without the Dirty South MC. The production is contemporary, though it even appeals to more "grown" listeners, which is one thing I personally think is clever about this album. Unfortunate that "Still Standing" couldn't have been a great hit single as I personally think it is stronger than just being a "buzz single" or the theme from Monica's BET show. With some great lyrics ("I'm letting go, I'm letting God... etc.), it is a dynamite opening cut. "One In A Lifetime" isn't quite as prolific as "Still Standing" but it is catchy enough and most definitely another solid cut from this affair. As always, Monica sings her face off in her own cool, connected and conservative vein. "Stay or Go," the third track is simply beautiful. Stripped down, rather conservative production in a time of "overt production" in urban music (save for rhythmic drums) makes this track truly noteworthy. Most importantly, "Stay Or Go" showcases the most beautiful, nuanced portions of Monica's voice. She never over-sings, and while some may criticize she is not flashy enough, I believe that her reserved vocal performances at times make her more appealing vocally.
"Everything To Me" is a clear valedictory cut. Most brilliant might have been choosing this #1 R&B hit as the first notable single from the album. The reason this song has been a success in my mind is because it hearkens back to the golden age of R&B. The problem with a lot of urban music today is that we've become too caught up in electronics and programming. The reason why a song like "Everything To Me" performs so well and stands out is because it is not inline with contemporary R&B, but rather more traditional R&B. Take "Pretty Wings" by Maxwell or even "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" by Alicia Keys - they resonate because they are a break from everything else on urban radio. "Everything to Me" is nearly the perfect cut on any album in my mind.
"If You Were My Man" finds Monica teaming up with Missy Elliott (where is Missy by the way) in an "80's" inspired dance-cut. Smartly, "If You Were My Man" doesn't settle for a hip-hop driven production but draws from past inspiration and seeks for a more adult contemporary touch. Not my favorite cut, but it works. "Mirror" finds Monica conceding to some hip-hop ideals, but who faults for one track? The production might be just the slightest bit too overt/too loud as during the verse it slightly covers up Mo's vocals. Despite this, the songwriting is well done and Monica provides yet another captivating performance. This cut would've been perfect on Toni Braxton's Pulse, maybe stripped down a little more. It sort of reminds me of "Yesterday" from that album in concept. The end vocals by Monica are quite dynamic by all means.
"Here I Am" is another standout. Dusty, but big drums help provide a nice supportive canvas for Monica to paint her alto-ish vocals. More soulful production has boded best for Monica for years ("The First Night", "So Gone", "A Dozen Roses {You Remind Me]"). This instance is no exception. "Superman" sounds like 1990's, early 00's R&B before the southern rap invasion. It is by no means a pathway that hasn't already been treaded, but isn't it nice to hear organs, horns, and soulful guitar? I think so.
Penultimate track "Love All Over Me" continues the more adult-contemporary vein of R&B, which best suits Mo. It allows her voice to shine, particularly with well mixed background vocals that never overshadow Monica's lead vocals. Maybe it is a little melodramatic, but I definitely feel Mo's passion and connect with her delivery. Closing track "Believing in Me" is a fine inspiration closure to the album.
No, Still Standing is by no means "the second coming," but it is a solid comeback album for Monica and one of 2010's best/most solid R&B albums. It is never overproduced like so many contemporary R&B albums and Monica sings just the right amount of notes when ad libbing for my fancy. I hope that the Recording Academy remembers this album when it come times for nominating Best Contemporary R&B album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. 4 stars.
Description of Still Standing
Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award winning recording artist, Monica, is set to release her new album Still Standing on March 23, 2010. Producers joining her in the studio on the new project include Neyo, Missy Elliot, Jermaine Dupri, Brian Cox, Stargate, and Carlos McKinney.Pop CDs
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