377 - TLC - CrazySexyCool

[csberry]

CrazySexyCool polished TLC's music into a more mature sound and reaped great commercial rewards for it. Left Eye's raps were cut to mere occasional interludes. New Jack Swing is combined with a more raw sexual edge. This is music for teenage weekend nights - sweet but with a slightly awkward sexuality. While the music alone (with deft hands like Babyface and Jermaine Dupri) will automatically dim the lights of the room playing this album, the lyrics unfortunately demonstrate the youth of the band. "Red Light Special" wants to be a Prince song, but suffers from cheesy lyrics.

This album has a lot of "interludes" like many other 90's rap albums, but these are not skits (although "Sexy (interlude)" goes for some lovely potty humor) and most actually fit the role of assisting in the segues between songs. But not all segues are all that smooth. How does one make the transition from the effort towards being sexy in "Red Light Special" to the morality tale (and part AIDS contemplation piece) of "Waterfalls?" TLC is no Marvin Gaye.

I did have a good smile when I heard Andre Benjamin (Andre 3000 of Outkast) rapping on "Sumthin' Wicked This Way Comes."

Songs I knew I liked: "Creep" and "Waterfalls"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Diggin' on You" (although I get annoyed with how loud the drum machine is in the mix), "Case of the Fake People," and "Switch"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: "Kick Your Game" and "Red Light Special"