4Play: Timbaland, Boyz II Men, 50 Cent, Kid Cudi

Feb. 7, 2010

Timbaland - Shock Value II - Blackground
Timbaland’s usual genre mix of collaborators, his ear for a great hook, and his skillful way around a recording studio is evident on his newest set, on which he works with a remarkably lengthy roster of almost a dozen guest musicians, including The Fray, Brandy, Chris Daughtry, Drake, and a return visit from previous collaborator Justin Timberlake. Unfortunately, Timbaland seems to rely a little too much on the ol’ Auto-Tune, which gives a flat, overproduced feel to otherwise catchy-cool tracks like “Undertow” (with The Fray and Esthero) and Timberlake’s “Carry On.”



Boyz II Men - Love - Decca
R&B classics Boyz II Men return with their third covers album, which - hence the title - focuses on romantic songs performed that equally classic Boyz harmony-infused way. There are a few surprises - namely their take on Take That’s “Back for Good,” the appearance of smooth-voiced Michael Buble on “When I Fall in Love,” and their densely arranged version of Chicago’s old chestnut “If You Leave Me Now” - but other tunes by Bonnie Raitt and Journey are pretty tepid. It’s a fun listen, but if the group wants to remain relevant, perhaps another set of originals is in order.




50 Cent - Before I Self-Destruct - Aftermath
More serious and far darker than his previous 2007 effort, 50 Cent brought Dr. Dre back in to assist him as both co-producer and guest artist. Fiddy mostly stays within his own persona on these tracks, although he does step into an interesting character voice on the track “Psycho.” The lyrics reveal a lonely, street-focused man who sings about having few friends in spite of his money and fame; whether that’s another character or not, only Fiddy knows, but this is a solid offering for both existing Fiddy fans and those checking out his tracks for the first time.




Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day - Motown
Although Cudi repeats far too often about his life as a “lonely stoner” (we’re not impressed, Kid), there’s no denying that the hip-hopster definitely has talent. Bringing in the beats from MGMT and Ratatat, his tracks are more affecting when he steps away from his brash outer personality (perhaps adversely influenced by equally cocky mentor Kanye?) and deftly verbalizes about family, fears, and romance, albeit with a veneer of braggadocio - now if he could just get rid of that whole eye-rolling “drugs are cool” attitude, he might really have something.