justin - cry me a river

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ok this is really really good but come on tim its bit too much like are you that somebody!!

― s trife (simon_tr), Monday, 25 November 2002 06:46 (twenty-three years ago)

for one really strange microsecond I thought this was about me

― Justyn Dillingham (Justyn Dillingham), Monday, 25 November 2002 07:13 (twenty-three years ago)

You think so? I don't hear it that way. It's less herky-jerky and more lush and orchestrated than Are You That Somebody.

I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but that album is really good. I've been listening to the Christmas glut of new R&B albums back-to-back, and it may well be the best. Missy seems rather mediocre in comparison--I guess Justin is paying Timbaland more than she can...

― Ben Williams, Monday, 25 November 2002 15:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Is it a cover of the Cry Me A River?

― Jeff W, Monday, 25 November 2002 15:20 (twenty-three years ago)

No.

― Ben Williams, Monday, 25 November 2002 15:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Thank God, 'cos that would have been the absolute worst thing ever.

― Daniel_Rf (Daniel_Rf), Monday, 25 November 2002 16:06 (twenty-three years ago)

I can't quite believe I'm saying this, but that album is really good.

I am going to fight a rear guard action against this belief for as long as it takes. Except I'm already tired of even doing that, so never mind. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 25 November 2002 16:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Thank God, 'cos that would have been the absolute worst thing ever.
how can you KNOW?because you base yerself on your (limited) knowledge of his music.
Pump up the bass and I hear a gospel tune. I think the record is average. Has some really good tracks - def not the timbaland ones - but the single is of course the stand-out track.

― nathalie (nathalie), Monday, 25 November 2002 16:46 (twenty-three years ago)

the single is of course the stand-out track.

But the single blows goats.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 25 November 2002 16:53 (twenty-three years ago)

someone (i.e. ben williams) agrees with me re. timberlake/missy! *faints in shock*

anyway nath you are supposed to be listening to the hard stuff again - back to yr xenakis/lunch/brotzmann regimen posthaste ;-)

― Marcello Carlin, Monday, 25 November 2002 17:07 (twenty-three years ago)

I like the single a lot, but more for the music than the vocals. I think its his most strained performance; maybe he felt like he had to really try on that one. But the way the Neptunes make acoustic guitar strumming sound like bumping hip-hop rhythms is very cool.

I think every track is great, no joke. Sure, this probably has more to do with the fact that most of it is put together by the two best production teams in the world, but still, even tho Justin Timberlake's persona grates sometimes and you could argue that it might be better with a really good singer on it as opposed to a singer who is much-better-than-you'd-expect-for-a-boy-band, his voice sounds pretty good most of the time and the overall sound is consistent in a way that isn't quite like anything else the Neptunes/Timbaland have done, and maybe Timberlake had something to do with that.

The thing I think is interesting is that this is basically an Adult Contemporary record--although it has the future-funk sheen you'd expect from Neptunes/Timbaland, it's actually much less stripped-down than most of their stuff--there's a lot of old school soul-type arrangements packed in the background. There's stuff in there that's total Debarge, Shalamar, etc. So musically, it's aimed at an audience that's much older than who you'd imagine the typical Justin Timberlake album to be. If it was put out by anyone else, I think it would be received quite differently.

(Note on seeing Marcello's post: I think this album is way more successful than Missy's at doing the retro thing)

I reserve the right to retract all this if/when I come to my senses ;)

― Ben Williams, Monday, 25 November 2002 17:09 (twenty-three years ago)

why the incredulity ben?

― mitch lastnamewithheld (mitchlnw), Monday, 25 November 2002 17:17 (twenty-three years ago)

Cos it's Justin frickin' Timberlake, duh ;) And he's got a credibility gap to jump for this kind of music. He's trying to be a grown-up Soul Man. Sometimes he pulls it off, sometimes he sounds like a geek who's trying too hard.

― Ben Williams, Monday, 25 November 2002 17:21 (twenty-three years ago)

sometimes he sounds like a geek who's trying too hard

In which case he and I are equal in the studio. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 25 November 2002 17:29 (twenty-three years ago)

I feel very un-indie saying this. But I liked this record. Alot. I d/led the first single to see what the buzz was about. And ended up liking it quite a bit. Enough to get the whole thing. Its a lite, fun, good sounding record. Its got good songs, catchy hooks, and the vocals aren't annoying(for the most part).

I think pop music like this has its place. And Justin Timberlake serves it well on this record. I mean you can't listen to Ruins, Magma, and Merzbow all the time. Right?

― Juan (Juan), Monday, 25 November 2002 20:25 (twenty-three years ago)

i don't like it! when you said it sounded like 'are you that somebody' i was kind of worried but there's not much similarity. a bit of a similarity but not enough to bother me. it's a pretty average song that could have been way better. in the bit in the source they said it was, like, an instrumental masterpiece or something that mary j. blige could have creamed. i'm not sure what that means exactly but i kind of agree with it after hearing this.

― d k (d k), Monday, 25 November 2002 21:14 (twenty-three years ago)

I like it. It's sort of glued itself inside my head by gradual accretion, the way layers of stuff get stuck on your tongue but more welcome, which is just as well as I don't have a mental toothbrush. It would be better if it was just a rip-off of "Are You That Somebody?" though.

― Tom (Groke), Monday, 25 November 2002 23:24 (twenty-three years ago)

"(Oh No) What You Got" and especially "Cry Me A River" are pretty great (the latter for Justin much more than Timbaland, I think), but otherwise Justin doesn't seem to inhabit the Timbaland tracks an awful lot. Actually there's a couple of weak Neptunes tracks too, but the best of them (anything in the first half of the album, basically) are just so perfectly realised from both ends. Who cares if Justin is trying too hard - I appreciate his efforts on my (the listener's) behalf!

It goes without saying that the best bit of the album is the crowd action in "Senorita", especially when the beat kicks back in - a la "Hot In Herre"!

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Tuesday, 26 November 2002 11:30 (twenty-three years ago)

i like how he has to mimic both the girls and the guys.

― Honda (Honda), Tuesday, 26 November 2002 11:34 (twenty-three years ago)

" the best bit of the album is the crowd action in 'Senorita'"

Heh heh, to me that is an embarassing "trying too hard" moment, although that's one of my favorite tracks overall. Just doesn't ring true.

― Ben Williams, Tuesday, 26 November 2002 13:35 (twenty-three years ago)

"Just doesn't ring true"

EXACTLY! HENCE ===> GREBT!!!

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Tuesday, 26 November 2002 23:13 (twenty-three years ago)

I figured you'd say that.

So how about the Michael Jackson hat and gloves? Great too?

― Ben Williams, Tuesday, 26 November 2002 23:16 (twenty-three years ago)

Not quite so much, truthfully.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Tuesday, 26 November 2002 23:42 (twenty-three years ago)

this is a dead ringer for a ginuwine song

― boxcubed (boxcubed), Saturday, 7 December 2002 18:56 (twenty-three years ago)

does it have any crying robots on it?

― Josh (Josh), Saturday, 7 December 2002 19:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Justin, obv.

― Ben Williams, Saturday, 7 December 2002 19:58 (twenty-three years ago)

― Josh (Josh), Saturday, 7 December 2002 20:04 (twenty-three years ago)

Holy crap! I saw the video for "Cry Me a River" last night. It was probably one of the best videos I've seen in a long time... Super spiteful and cruel specifically against poor Brit (plus filmed beautifully). I guess Jive wanted to pull the plug on the video cuz it was a bit too cruel. Basically Justin hangs around outside in the rain, goes into her apartment, destroys stuff, does some cool dancing, films himself making out with some girl, hides when Brit lookalike walks in, dances some more, then she takes a shower and sees the video. Amazing!!!

Anyway, I have no idea how this is gonna play with the teeny bopper massives, but I have to admit that Justin earned a bit of my respect.

― Aaron W, Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:17 (twenty-three years ago)

What for being horrible to his ex?

― Tom (Groke), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Nah, for making a great piece of art. For reals. Probably the most "artistic" song & video I've seen come from the teeny bopper set.

― Aaron W, Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Is it better than the video for "Dirrty"? Because the sheer wrongness of that video makes it an all-time classic.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:30 (twenty-three years ago)

wrongness? if only because it was made. puh-leez. the song was half good (like in the same sense she's anorexically speaking half-human) excepting the redman*cum*bunny scene - she spoils it all by gyrating like a skeleton on speed all over my screen. classick indeed

― nathalie (nathalie), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:37 (twenty-three years ago)

i heard this song on the radio and it sounded ace. should i get the album?

― michael wells (michael w.), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:41 (twenty-three years ago)

Aaron forgot to mention that A) Timbaland's in the video, too, sorta coordinating the methodical destruction (& sending in the girl to make out with JT) and B) when faux-Brit comes back, Justin trails her like a ghost, sniffing her hair, almost touching her, and then hides in the closet WATCHING HER SHOWER Norman Bates style for a good 15+ seconds before splitting.

I guess it's "shocking" for Justin to be in a video with such "mature content", but it's no different than Britney & Xtina asserting their womanhood via "Slave 4 U" or "Dirrty". Doesn't really put him in a flattering light, though - it sucks that your girl cheated on you, dude, but retaliating like that (even vicariously) isn't going to score you any more Brownie points.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:42 (twenty-three years ago)

though i'm slightly put off by the nastiness toward britney as she's worth a thousand of him.

― michael wells (michael w.), Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:42 (twenty-three years ago)

Yeah those are important bits I forgot to mention, thanks David.

I just like how dark the vid is... I mean, all the other attempts at getting "mature" by the kiddie set basically involve stripping, you know? This was more cold & callous. And I find the whole retaliation thing pretty interesting... Isn't the point of "art" (if you even want to call it that) to explore feelings (sometime darker feelings too) in some sort of productive light. That's Eminem's justification anyway. I like how the video says that, yes, even I Justin Timberlake have an evil side and fantasize about enacting cruel revenge against my ex-girlfriend. It's a lot more shocking than seeing Christina in that Dirrty video (which was just ridiculous).

I'm just impressed that he would go in this direction, even though, yeah, I don't know how it'll play out as a career move. Or if I were a 13-year-old girl what I would make of it.

― Aaron W, Thursday, 12 December 2002 15:52 (twenty-three years ago)

Based on description, The Backstreets still win for their video for "The Call", which has them morphing into each other as the girl they cheated on in the song stalks them and offs them one by one.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 12 December 2002 16:02 (twenty-three years ago)

that is a great video, dan.

― michael wells (michael w.), Thursday, 12 December 2002 16:05 (twenty-three years ago)

I was actually gonna mention "The Call" when the artistry of teeny-bopper videos came into question. I'm also partial to "Girlfriend", even if it's not pathos-laden and full of menace.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 12 December 2002 16:16 (twenty-three years ago)

You have no idea how these last few posts have made me glad that MTV is an unknown land to me these days.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 December 2002 17:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Ned, I wish I could say the same. Then I see the MTV-parodies and it makes me want to throw out the telly in a rock(cliche) way.

― nathalie (nathalie), Thursday, 12 December 2002 17:27 (twenty-three years ago)

so. why does he get to fly

― Honda (Honda), Thursday, 12 December 2002 19:34 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the great thing about the video is that it shows him in such a pathetic light. He's seeking petty revenge but he's really just hurt and pitifully obsessed. I think it's an interesting reversal--he's the one who is consumed by this and can't let go, whereas "Britney" is going on with her normal life. It makes the lyrics seem a bit delusional, as well. He wants to see her as lost and crying without him, because she made a mistake. But that's not what is portrayed in the video.

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Thursday, 12 December 2002 19:35 (twenty-three years ago)

all that stuff is true. it is a great video. there's always the problem with that kind of plot-driven thing that it'll turn out like one of enrique's. but whoever made this knew what they were doing.

i'm glad justin keeps justifying my faith in him.

― d k (d k), Thursday, 12 December 2002 19:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Was your pun there intentional or not? I have to figure out whether that sentiment deserves single or double death. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 December 2002 21:02 (twenty-three years ago)

Triple. With hot sauce.

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 12 December 2002 21:09 (twenty-three years ago)

Zesty! Bold even.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 12 December 2002 21:18 (twenty-three years ago)

You guys are zealots!

That video is sick, especially the bit with Timbaland waiting in the getaway car as Justin and Token Waifgirl come out of the house.

"The damage is done / so I guess I be leaving..."

― mark p (Mark P), Thursday, 12 December 2002 21:24 (twenty-three years ago)

Timbaland's part is good

― A Nairn (moretap), Thursday, 12 December 2002 21:25 (twenty-three years ago)

now THIS is MJ to tha next level. Love it. It's even making me like "Like I Love You" even more. Video is tre creepy, and the song has more drama than "Are You That Somebody?" by far. Makin' my day, every day. I may have to get this album.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 13 December 2002 02:17 (twenty-three years ago)

best paranoid "Billie Jean" pop track since Radiohead's "Idioteque"

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 13 December 2002 02:19 (twenty-three years ago)

Wait, did Britney dump him or vice-versa?

― Petit, Friday, 13 December 2002 06:36 (twenty-three years ago)

now THIS is MJ to tha next level. Love it. It's even making me like "Like I Love You" even more.

The nice white-coated men with the straitjackets? They're looking for you, you know.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 13 December 2002 07:02 (twenty-three years ago)

"tha next level"

I could *NOT* be sicker of that fuckin' cliché! Let's move on!!!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 13 December 2002 07:05 (twenty-three years ago)

Dude, Idi Amin took it to the NEXT LEVEL.

― Arbiter of Banality, Friday, 13 December 2002 07:52 (twenty-three years ago)

This new pair of toe-clippers takes toe-clipping to the NEXT LEVEL.

― Arbiter of Genius, Friday, 13 December 2002 07:53 (twenty-three years ago)

His wax figure looks like Screech! And he doesn't look too pleased.

http://www.canoe.ca/Dec12/jam.jpg

― Arthur (Arthur), Friday, 13 December 2002 19:18 (twenty-three years ago)

Which one is the wax figure?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 13 December 2002 19:29 (twenty-three years ago)

he dumped her! there was a big secret reason why. she was cheating on him with ben affleck. so, she broke his heart.

― d k (d k), Friday, 13 December 2002 21:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Dude if I was dating Britney I wouldn't dump her even if she cheated. What's wrong with him?

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Friday, 13 December 2002 21:11 (twenty-three years ago)

Britney's jowls have been getting a little puffy lately. I can totally understand by Justin dumped her.

― Petit, Friday, 13 December 2002 21:14 (twenty-three years ago)

I have to say....the video is pretty stylish. I doubt the Spears Organization is very pleased with it.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 14 December 2002 02:39 (twenty-three years ago)

It's pretty damned creepy is what.

― Kim (Kim), Saturday, 14 December 2002 02:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Y'know, after watching it again -- I'd suggest that ol' Justin's better off with the brunette, lip-biting hottie than Britney.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 14 December 2002 08:32 (twenty-three years ago)

I am terrified to admit it, but I think I'm beginning to appreciate this song (although it's largely due to Timbaland's contribution). I like the stalky, vengeful vibe of the video, at least.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 14 December 2002 20:50 (twenty-three years ago)

It's some addictive shit, Alex! Give in to the power of J. Tim. He just wants to love you! Put on his jacket, and THEN....

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 14 December 2002 20:59 (twenty-three years ago)

I do like this song, but the chorus isn't much. Just variations on the title phrase.

― Amateurist (amateurist), Saturday, 14 December 2002 22:32 (twenty-three years ago)

I like the fact that Alex is giving in -- see, pop is not necessarily bad. ;-) However, I happen to think this song is bad and Anthony should be admonished for his love of it, but I've already done that. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Ned, I really wish J. Tim was standing next to me (here in the library where I work) so we could look at your post, smirk, hi-five and then be whisked away to a wonderful dimension where I replace Joey Fatone in the ranks of N'Sync (where I instigate the Conor Oberst-J. Tim duet, hire Stephin Merritt for some lyrics - but keep that lo-fi dork away from the mixing board haha!, bring in Rick Rubin for some of that radio-rock ca'runch and define pop majesty for the new millenium).

I refuse to believe I can't do whatever the hell Joey Fatone does in that group.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:36 (twenty-three years ago)

where I instigate the Conor Oberst-J. Tim duet, hire Stephin Merritt for some lyrics

Jesus H. Christ, you have defined my vision of a sick, redemption- and talent-free hell. At least you didn't make the producer Glen Ballard.

Besides, only library dorks post wish fulfillment fantasies about rocking out with their heroes. As I should know very well. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:43 (twenty-three years ago)

I think we would take ILM to the next level if there was a thread of ILMers photoshopping themselves rockin' out with their heroes. I've got the will, but lack the technical skils. Someone care to start one up?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Sunday, 15 December 2002 00:56 (twenty-three years ago)

If anyone's replacing Joey Fatone, it's me. We sing the same voice part.

Last night I saw the video for Usher's "My Way" (a hip-hop tribute to "A Clockwork Orange" featuring a thugged-out dance off against a rival gang led by TYRESE) and was forcibly reminded YET AGAIN of how badly Justin is ripping off Usher ("Like I Love You" video = "My Way" video - "A Clockwork Orange" + Slurpees).

― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Sunday, 15 December 2002 19:20 (twenty-three years ago)

I greatly prefer slurpees to "A Clockwork Orange."

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 16 December 2002 01:12 (twenty-three years ago)

I must be losing my edge and my mind....I like this song/video more and more everytime I hear/see it.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 17 December 2002 20:52 (twenty-three years ago)

Heh heh heh. Alex's pop corruption continues...

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 17 December 2002 21:46 (twenty-three years ago)

Okay, is this the best song ever or what?

― Adam A. (Keiko), Thursday, 26 December 2002 00:33 (twenty-three years ago)

Seriously, I'm alone on xmas and I want someone to say something interesting about this song. Is that too much to ask?

― Adam A. (Keiko), Thursday, 26 December 2002 02:03 (twenty-three years ago)

It's made me appreciate a performer (I can't yet bring myself to call him an 'artist') I'd otherwise have wanted to bludgeon to death with his own severed limbs.

Merry X-Men.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 26 December 2002 02:06 (twenty-three years ago)

It is pretty goddamn great. I think I am a sucker for vocal samples that get pitch shifted a couple notches higher. And all that shuffling crunch in the beats. Good stuff.

― bnw (bnw), Thursday, 26 December 2002 04:09 (twenty-three years ago)

I think the video is better than the song, but I wouldn't turn off the song if it came on. It is the best video on MTV playing these days.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 26 December 2002 07:17 (twenty-three years ago)

And I like how Timba is now the lil' popeyed Muggsy that cameo's in every video on MTV.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 26 December 2002 07:18 (twenty-three years ago)

(As in Timbaland, not Timbalake... sorry)

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 26 December 2002 07:19 (twenty-three years ago)

I like the dude in the car, what is he singing? Sounds like "the jammy deed's done, so I'll guess I'll be leaving". And I like Justin's dance moves, and the brunette.

― jel -- (jel), Thursday, 26 December 2002 11:01 (twenty-three years ago)

"the damage is done, so I guess I'll be leaving"

― Timb (amateurist), Thursday, 26 December 2002 16:47 (twenty-three years ago)

one year passes...

IS BEAUTIFUL, SONG 'CRIMEA RIVER'. REMINDS ME OF YOUTH NEAR BLACK SEA. TELL ME OF TIMBERLAKE JUSTIN. HE IS FROM UKRAINE? RESPOND SOON THANK YOU SINCERELY PLEASE MUCH URGENT.

P.S. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND SONG 'RAKYERBADI'. IS UZBEK?

― ROOSKI, Friday, 23 January 2004 04:49 (twenty-two years ago)

five years pass...

tell me of timberlake justin

― johnny crunch, Sunday, 11 October 2009 02:44 (sixteen years ago)

He sings.

― the smug persian (The Reverend), Sunday, 11 October 2009 03:05 (sixteen years ago)

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