This is another thread to wonder what people see in Justin Timberlake

Message Bookmarked
Bookmark Removed
There aren't enough. The joy of the Focus Group -- rediscoveries and reconsiderations. The pain -- RECONFIRMATIONS. Dear god, people, "Like I Love You" makes "The Girl is Mine" seem like "Burning Inside" by Ministry. If it wasn't for Clipse there would be no there there (and the Neptunes box of tricks is running on empty -- this arrangement ain't all that special).

And to hell with the "Drums" line (as well as Mr. Mealy-mouth going on about 'dreaming about this when I was a little boy' -- you're still dreaming, motherfucker!).

Reminds me why one listen to the album was enough. MORE than enough. Could be worse, though, I admit, could be that cheese-ass Busted song...

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 17:46 (twenty-two years ago)

I have a new theory:

Justin Timberlake is the 90s/00s version of Davy Jones.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:07 (twenty-two years ago)

"'Like I Love You' makes "The Girl is Mine" seem like 'Burning Inside' by Ministry."

Brilliant. Ned, without even trying, you manage to truly honor the fire.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:07 (twenty-two years ago)

dude, that Clipse rap is boring as shit (as my friend TJ says "Clipse and J. Timberlake - how heavy is that? Not very."). At the very least J. Tim is saying weird shit about his jacket and its kinda special, right? Points for effort, while Clipse just note "how a few words turn into sex" even though they sound completely flaccid.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:12 (twenty-two years ago)

plus his last few singles with N'Sync were the shiznit. "Pop" is like "Public Image" cubed and he totally loses his shit at the end of "Gone." "Girlfriend" was at very least really pretty. I don't think his solo stuff is all that, though the video is fascinating in its Usher-meets-Corey Feldman vibe.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:14 (twenty-two years ago)

"'Pop' is like 'Public Image' cubed"

You do realize, Anthony, that I now must declare a zealous fatwa on you for such blasphemy. Sleep soundly, infidel.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

"Usher-meets Corey Feldman" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

"Gone" is one of the few 'NSync songs where I liked Justin's singing and "Girlfriend" is completely saved by JC (as usual). Also, "Girlfriend" would be nothing without Lance.

The best of the "recent" boy band singles is still BSB's "The Call", though.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex in NYC, it's the truth! Them lyrics take John Lydon to tha next level. Not to mention Lydon never did the human beatbox. Listen without prejudice, like Justin's true idol would say...

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

From where I sit, "Pop" is shit on shingle from concept to execution. Forget the "Public Image" comparison, it just eats. The rest of the singles from that batch bounced off me and stuck to nothing.

Justin Timberlake is the 90s/00s version of Davy Jones.

And Jay-Z does the showtunes better.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Them lyrics take John Lydon to tha next level.

"All that matters/Is that you recognize/That it's just about respect"

I think you meant to say either Dan Fogelberg or Andrew Gold.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:21 (twenty-two years ago)

The little girls understand, don't they?

Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:21 (twenty-two years ago)

I dunno, do they? Let's ask some!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Miccio otm re:Clipse rap. Only good bit about that is the small doused inflection on the "how heavy is that", like he's lost half the 'h' of 'how', s'great. The video is great 'cos Justin thinks he's sexy but he just looks like a palsied sylph. And he thinks he can dance, and he can. Guitars as hip-hop-beat-cudgels = great. "Blah blah effin Neptunes blah blah" (that's right, isn't it?). The falsetto is brilliant because it is overly-high and annoyingly stretched - like the kid who uses a 6-Iron when he knows he needs a 3/4-Iron to reach the green - but he'll stretch, cos, y'know, he's The Kid. I love this song, Raggett, you're just 'functionalist scum'. Teehee.

Oh yeah, I forgot about Jandek CD, err, I take that insult back.

dwh (dwh), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Justin Timberlake? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW! He looks like a greased ferret.

A little girl, honest (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

and Justin is proper good at flouncing with his jacket, and he wears a trilby somehow.

dwh (dwh), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Is that really Ned?

I dunno: I enjoy the overall tone of the record, the leaps between its kicked-back good-humor chills (the great call-and-response on the opening track) and its dramas, which are more clear-eyed and subtle than I'd have expected ("Cry Me a River," etc; I appreciate the way the vocals are artfully arranged rather than trying to wring buckets of "emotion" out of pained melismatics). I like it when he squeaks in falsetto, as opposed to crooning; I like the three or four tracks that sound like someone sent an all-star team into a studio and told them they had forty-eight hours to come up with a modern equivalent to side two of Thriller. I like the richness of the production across the board, I like how much humor surrounds a lot of the tracks, I like how meek and inarticulate Justin can seem sometimes. I dunno, I think it's a really pleasant and enjoyable record.

nabisco (nabisco), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

The falsetto is brilliant because it is overly-high and annoyingly stretched

When did "brilliant" start to mean "one of the worst sounds ever recorded"?

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

can I write for spizzazz now? (do the spizzazz crew use ILM?)

dwh (dwh), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:30 (twenty-two years ago)

He has a small tight white boy fro on his head.

Chris V. (Chris V), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:30 (twenty-two years ago)

when "one of the worst sounds ever recorded" became secret code for "geniusotic bliss-brilliance"

dwh (dwh), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:31 (twenty-two years ago)

You never listen to a word that I said
You only seen me
For the clothes that I wear
Or did the interest go so much deeper
Imust have been
The colour of my hair

vs.

It doesn't matter
'Bout the car I drive, what I wear around my neck
All that matters
Is that you recognize that it's just about respect
It doesn't matter
'Bout the clothes I wear and where I go and why
All that matters
Is that you get hyped and we'll do it to you everytime (come on now)

Do you ever wonder why
This music gets you high
It takes you on a ride
You feel it when your
Body starts to rock (body starts to rock)
And baby you can't stop (you can't stop)
And the music's all you got (come on now)
This must be POP

See, John Lydon could only bitch about how people bug him. N'Sync turned their whining into a reaffirmation of how fuckin' on point they are. As seen in this lyric:

Now why you wanna try to classify the type of thing we do
'Cause we're just fine doin' what we like
Can we say the same for you?
I'm tired of feelin' all around me animosity
Just worry 'bout yours 'cause I'm a get mine now people can't you see

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Cody Chesnutt rulez. He has a track on the recent Dublab comp that is pure evil. "serve this royalty"

Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:34 (twenty-two years ago)

i really can't understand why someone wouldn't like 'like i love you.' clipse and j timberlake is extremely heavy and that's not even the best part. it's got everything. it's hard to force people to like a song, i guess. you should force yourself to like this, though. because it deserves it.

have you heard 'cry me a river'? if you haven't heard 'cry me a river' you are speaking too soon. i didn't like it at first! but it's going to change stuff. i saw the end of the video last night. it's going to change stuff. in a good way.

it's like, imagine michael jackson coming from 1982-- he'd been frozen! in a cryogenic thing. and they were able to cure his various problems in 2002, 20 years later. and after he was all disease free and cleaned up they set him up with all the best pop producers.

people say he doesn't have enough character, that he's just a voice. but that's part of his character. he's-- well, i don't even fully get his character. i don't feel comfortable explaining it.

it all started with celebrity. he's sick of people asking about 'this pop life and when's it gonna fade out?' and he says that they're going to 'bring it till the end.' it's all part of his prophecy and such.

"It's gonna suck for the next Nirvana or whatever 'cool' rock band comes along in about ten years from now. The next generation of critics are being raised on *NSYNC and Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. Their measurement of quality is going to be different. It's going to be interesting to see the next Nirvana blasted for not having a big stage show."

the early 90s was his world war one. the early days in 'n sync was his joining the nazi party and the proclamation of the party program. celebrity was the beer hall putsch. then there was the time after celebrity had faded, his incarceration in landsberg and the refounding of the party. now, justified is the triumph in the 1932 elections. i can't wait for the final solution!

did anyone accuse hitler of not having enough character? probably. i mean, he might not have had so much charisma if he hadn't had such great producers and special effects and stuff, right? but hitler did have charisma! he had character! just a different kind. a kind of charisma and character very similar to justin timberlake's.

d k (d k), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:39 (twenty-two years ago)

just a different kind. a kind of charisma and character very similar to justin timberlake's

This may be stretching things a bit. Timberlake is cuter than Hitler, though.

Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I love this song, Raggett, you're just 'functionalist scum'.

*befuddled* If I knew the reference...

Justin is proper good at flouncing

I'll be the judge of that.

Is that really Ned?

Heavens, who did you want it to be? :-) I have to say most of the Focus Group has been great fun, generally speaking; it's a wonderful playlist. But between Coldplay and Justin, dear lord, what a glorious head of hate I am working up.

they had forty-eight hours to come up with a modern equivalent to side two of Thriller.

BUT IT DOES NOT. I agree with you that seems to be the intent, but my god does it ever just suck as a end result. Yours is the best defense I've seen for the album, Nabisco, but it still implies that neither Justin nor his backers had any hope but to think that people would be reminded of something else. In which case, I think I'd rather go ahead and listen to Thriller, thanks.

If the album is supposed to be the long-awaited fusion of two strands of hope in recent years (boy band ultra pop meets Neptunes take-in-everything), then I'm with Dan -- give me the remix of "The Call," because you can take this and bury it deep. They should have pulled a Smile and left it unreleased, then legends could have sprung up around it.

N'Sync turned their whining into a reaffirmation of how fuckin' on point they are.

THE WORLD DID NOT NEED A NEW "UP WITH PEOPLE," DAMMIT.

DK, that's the funniest Burnweed parody I've read in years. ;-)

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm listening to "Cry Me A River" right now. I will give him points for periodically floating his higher register rather than squeaking it all out of his nose the way he usually does, but his falsetto bits are still god-awful and MY GOD the beat tries too hard! Again, it's a song that Usher would have done about eight million times better.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Justin Timberlake is an assclown.

Chris V. (Chris V), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

but he's OUR assclown.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't see my name on him anywhere (and for that I am profoundly grateful).

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 18:55 (twenty-two years ago)

New theory:

Justin Timberlake is the "safe" version of Usher.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

safe as a steering lock

dwh (dwh), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

But Usher doesn't thug as much! Clipse is thugger than Chili! As true as it feels (seeing as I referenced it myself, up there a bit), it's hysterical to think of a "safe" version of a shmoe who does embarassing Twix ads.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

a shmoe who does embarassing Twix ads

The fate of Ja Rule in ten years (previous holder of this position: Chesney Hawkes [maybe]).

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:08 (twenty-two years ago)

In another ten years, Ja Rule will actually get to yell "Twix up in this bitch" as their new slogan.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

As true as it feels (seeing as I referenced it myself, up there a bit), it's hysterical to think of a "safe" version of a shmoe who does embarassing Twix ads.

MY POINT.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

usher couldn't touch this stuff. let usher do his thing and let justin do his. usher would be buried by 'like i love you' and 'cry me a river.' he would suffocate and die. that's the truth, i'm afraid.

d k (d k), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm totally high-fiving Anthony for reffering to the George Michael parallel, which seems to have been overlooked by most.

i love Girlfriend, and by the measure of my expectations based on that track, LILY was a bit of a disappointment, but i think it is lovably over-the-top, from the bizarre talking bits on down. it all feels a little stilted and overreaching, but i can't help appreciating it for all its ragged charm, almost like an ambitious rock band who tries stuff it might not be best at in an unpretentious and earnest way.

honestly, if i was in his position and had his image and abilities and fame, i'd probably do more or less the exact same thing...hire my favorite hip hop producers and make some weird modern blue eyed soul. and i might do it a bit differently from him, but i probably wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to go really overboard and alienate the pop audience...but if he delves gradually further and further in this direction, i can only imagine good coming from it.

also, i think the vs. Usher angle is interesting...i don't find Usher as interesting or consistent, but i can't imagine JT doing better with "U Don't Have To Call" if he'd gotten it. but that song is just perfection no matter what.

Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:22 (twenty-two years ago)

i'm totally high-fiving Anthony for reffering to the George Michael parallel, which seems to have been overlooked by most.

I'll grant you that. And I'd rather listen to HIM more as well. ;-)

weird modern blue eyed soul

This isn't a bad thing at all! But the trick is to make it not suck, which is where I think we are dividing in our opinions.

Is Robbie a comparative factor as well? I don't know, he seems more entertainingly ridiculous as an all-around personality than Justin could ever be. Let's have Justin top the 'rip off flesh for fans' video, then.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:27 (twenty-two years ago)

If Justin releases a video involving people pounding spikes into his eyes, I'll give him mad props.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey! I could get right behind that idea!

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

thought: it really really bugs me that some of my fun-hating r*ckist friends give this song grudging respect seemingly solely on the basis of the 'live' drums, which i think work for the track OK but don't really do much for me and certainly don't earn any extra points. although i think if the Neptunes had given the beat to just the Clipse or another rapper (preferably the latter...i just don't think they sound very comfortable in that BPM), i might like it a lot more, but for a whiteboy r&b crossover track, i could do without signifiers of 'authenticity' like live instruments from producers who usually fare better with programmed beats.

Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 19:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I really don't mind the whole album.
And I love the video for Cry Me a River.

He's not fantastic, but I seriously can't even imagine having that much bile towards his effort.

I'm sort of proud of him in a weird way.

The album is a big Michael Jackson-hip hop-prog mess.

Which is kind of nice.

Melissa W (Melissa W), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 20:53 (twenty-two years ago)

! Why Mel, ILx *has* changed you -- you were the anti-pop guru there a while back.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 20:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, but you see the whole album is like a minor key extravaganza.

Melissa W (Melissa W), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

the productions are the neptunes at their most mediocre, and he sings like a castrated sheep. that is not a falsetto, that is an EXCUSE for a falsetto! no dynamics, no charm! he'll be gone in 3 years.

Jay K (Jay K), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 22:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Riddle me this: Why are people who loathe product of Timberlake's vile sort considered and immediately dubbed "fun-haters" here on ILM? Why are empty TRL Pop and "fun" so synonymous? Who made you vaccuous pop-lovers the Fun Fuhrers? Maybe "fun" for me involves listening to music of QUALITY as opposed to this thin, shallow crap. STOP IMPOSING YOUR FASCIST DEFINITION OF "FUN" ON THE REST OF THE WORLD!

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 23:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Um... Alex, the first person on this thread to bring up the "fun-hater" tag was using it in conjunction with people who like "Like I Love You". You seem to be so strenuously hating fun-hating that you've inadvertently begun hating reading comprehension.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 23:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Dan, don't be such a pedant. You know what I'm talking about.

This, however, IS fun:

http://www.canal96.net/juegos/index.php?juego=jacksonbaby&ancho=600&alto=400

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Aw, I just wanted to use the phrase "you've inadvertently begun hating reading comprehension" in a comedic manner.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 23:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, reading is FUNdamental.

I'll get my coat.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 3 December 2002 23:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I do understand about the chin, Dan. I think it has to do with yearbook photos.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:37 (twenty-two years ago)

And he CAN'T STOP TOUCHING HIS CHIN. (I have no idea why this irritates me so much.)

http://www.angelfire.com/mo/ThePeoplesChamp/images/rocky3.jpg

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Wow V/Vee is right - no wonder Britney is pissed they broke up seeing as Justin has suddenly developed an amazing body out of nowhere.

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Ned Raggett is an EVIL EVIL MAN.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:39 (twenty-two years ago)

The answer was so obvious, Dan.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey whats up guys!

http://www.swr3.de/musik/stars/popnews/pix/nsync_justin_timberlake_160x208.jpg

Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris, don't do that, you'll make me feel bad about defending him.

Melissa W (Melissa W), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:50 (twenty-two years ago)

see, Ned? He IS our assclown.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Not when he looks like Heliogabulus about to engage in one of his notorious orgies, he doesn't.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:53 (twenty-two years ago)

apparently someone dumped their spaghetti on his head.

Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:54 (twenty-two years ago)

or its the mysterious spider that bit Michael Jacksons foot.

Chris V. (Chris V), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Okay, based on initial listenings, Usher's album shits all over Justin's. A large part of this reaction comes from the fact that I like Usher's voice and hate Justin's. As far as beats go, "U Don't Have To Call" definitely trumps "Like I Love You". (Melissa: "U Don't Have To Call" is also in a minor key.)

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 20:15 (twenty-two years ago)

I think she meant thuddingly morose when she said minor key, Dan.

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 20:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I've only heard U Got It Bad (and it's possible I'm confusing it with another song?) a couple times, but I really don't remember it being in a minor key. I'll have to check it out again. Wait, no, I take that back, I won't. The reason I've only heard it a few times is because it is one of those "I must change the station before my ears implode!" songs. Seriously, I cannot stand Usher. He's one of the most singularly annoying pop stars ever. His voice has this effect on me where it feels like it's pulling on my throat and ear drums and makes me clench my teeth.

Melissa W (Melissa W), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 20:34 (twenty-two years ago)

But Dan, FEAR the original ultra-slow version of "U Got It Bad"! And I said "apart from the singles", anyway.

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 23:35 (twenty-two years ago)

And Pharell rendered "U Don't Have To Call" obsolete by reprising the "situations will arise" bit on Jay-Z's "Fuck All Nite", a far superior track.

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Wednesday, 4 December 2002 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

That's not a pic of his PACKAGE, so duh, doesn't count

Vic, Thursday, 5 December 2002 00:09 (twenty-two years ago)

http://timberlake.330.ca/images/hqscans_02/01.jpg

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Thursday, 5 December 2002 00:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Thank U, Tim.

Still wondering, Ned et. al ?

Vic, Thursday, 5 December 2002 00:18 (twenty-two years ago)

The Chet Baker of genital self-appreciation.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 December 2002 13:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Okay, one of my new favorite reasons for liking the JT album is that it inspires such hatred in Ned! It's hysterical, it's even more fervent than the Black Crowes or RATM hate.

Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 5 December 2002 14:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Nicole has posted the best reason to like Justin T. so far.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 14:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Ned is the mad mullah of Justin hatred.

Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 5 December 2002 14:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Places where I think Justified is better than Usher: (a) more laid-back, less rambling, greater sense of humor, (b) more interesting song forms, (c) smoother, more lulling and "deeper," and (d) more Thriller album tracks than Thriller singles. Which is basically to say that Timberlake's stuff seems more measured and artful, whereas Usher's occasionally annoys me with its hyperactive effort to wring drama out of everything. "You Don't Have to Call" strikes as less fun and danceable and well-formed as a track than that sort of equivalent song on Justified that I can't remember the name of (the Very MJ one with the Nile Rodgers-type guitar); similarly I can't imagine Justin singing anything like "You Got It Bad" on Justified, because it would represent a really big shift in tone from "sweet" soul to "drama." (I can't find the terms I want here, but hopefully that at least hints at what I mean.)

nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I see that in the general direction of Boston and Michigan there is untoward 'merriment' over my approach to this matter. Oh ye of little faith.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

"You Got It Bad" really is the most boring and awful song ever, whereas nothing Justin has done has been that terrible.

Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Wow, now I want to hear this "You Got it Bad" song (I don't consciously recall having encountered it before -- was it in a focus group?) if only because Nicole's comparison means that must REALLY be awful! I must investigate the horror.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)

more Thriller album tracks than Thriller singles

_Thriller_ singles:

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"
"Girl Is Mine"
"Thriller"
"Beat It"
"Billie Jean"
"Human Nature"
"P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"

_Thriller_ album tracks:

"Baby Be Mine"
"Lady in My Life"

Which would you rather listen to?

"You Got It Bad" was the best ballad of its year, EASILY. The chorus alone makes it brilliant, but that "I'm your man/You're my girl" part completely puts it over the top. It's easily more interesting than, say, the new Mariah single or anything Puddle Of Mudd has done.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:50 (twenty-two years ago)

My nonexistent pet dog farting is more interesting than anything Puddle of Mudd has done.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 December 2002 15:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, yes, because by claiming you have a nonexistent pet dog you've inadvertantly informed us of your tragic struggle with schizophrenia. I'm sure Russell Crowe will do a fantastic portrayal of you in the movie. ("A Beautiful Mane"?)

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:00 (twenty-two years ago)

But "You Got It Bad" is soooooooooo boring. He just moans like a dying yeti, there's no tune at all.

Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Are you kidding? There's absolutely a tune! (If I had access to my music software, I'd try to write it out and JPEG it.)

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:03 (twenty-two years ago)

"A Beautiful Mane"?

And it shines in the sun.

He just moans like a dying yeti

Usher, gyuto monk.

Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:04 (twenty-two years ago)

I prefer "U don't have to call" over "u got it bad". I also like Usher and P. Diddys dance moves in the "I need a girl" video more than anything Justong has ever done.

Chris V. (Chris V), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Dang, he just MOANS "You got it you got it bad NUH NUH something NUH NUH..." over and over again.

Nicole (Nicole), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:09 (twenty-two years ago)

That's accurate in a completely inaccurate way.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 16:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Dan: you know what I mean about Thriller, count those second-tier singles as "album tracks." Say, more "P.Y.T." than "Billie Jean."

Also I think "Differences" or "Changes" or whatever it was called was a far superior ballad! In true radio fashion I can't even remember who it was, but it was so much better than "You Got It Bad" -- whenever the radio ballad slot popped up I'd sit there thinking please let it be "Differences" and not Usher. (Was it Ginuwine? I'm off to check.)

nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 5 December 2002 17:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes indeed, it was Ginuwine's "Differences." That descending bit that pulls up short at the end of the phrases! That strangely backward lilting rhythm! Plus Usher will never look like this:

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200_web/drp100/p173/p17376ip298.jpg

nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 5 December 2002 17:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Ginuwine is horrifying. "Differences" sucked so much ass it might as well have been called "Butt Hoover".

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 18:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Ginuwine wears a Clash t-shirt in the latest Fat Joe video ("Crush Tonight"?). For that......he must die.

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 5 December 2002 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Me and Dan: the honeymoon is over.

nabisco (nabisco), Thursday, 5 December 2002 19:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Awww. Do we have to return the place settings?

Seriously, though; name a Ginuwine song that isn't horrifying. Also, in what universe is "P.Y.T." less melodramatic than "Billie Jean"?

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

"Final Warning"--Cellphones, Spanish guitars, Aaliyah... what more do you want.

Ben Williams, Thursday, 5 December 2002 19:38 (twenty-two years ago)

35 seconds in and "Final Warning" is the first Ginuwine song I've heard that I like! Okay, he's started singing and I still like it.

This sort of begs the question "Why does he release his craptastic songs as singles?" Oh wait, he almost ruined the song with a "same old gee" comment, but the beat survived.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 19:53 (twenty-two years ago)

I also like Usher and P. Diddys dance moves in the "I need a girl" video more than anything Justong has ever done.

yay for that

naked as sin (naked as sin), Thursday, 5 December 2002 20:23 (twenty-two years ago)

"Seriously, though; name a Ginuwine song that isn't horrifying."

Dan, don't undermine the credibility of your own argument. Please purchase the 100% Ginuwine album and realise the error of your ways - I mean, "What's So Different"! "So Anxious"! "Final Warning"! "Remember What We Did Last Night"! "I Know"!

It's probably one of the strongest recent male R&B albums I can think of, and it's a concept album to boot (or at the very least, Ginuwine is endearingly fixated on the idea that everyone wants to break up his relationships by badmouthing him or his girl, just so that they themselves can sleep with him.

Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Thursday, 5 December 2002 22:09 (twenty-two years ago)

"What's So Different" is really, really stupid. I thought I'd gone on record a long time ago saying that Ginuwine was horrible. (I did like "Final Warning", though.)

I would download more, but I'm far too busy enjoying _3-D_.

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 5 December 2002 22:19 (twenty-two years ago)

OMG - have you forgotten how sublime was "Pony" ???????>?????????

Vic, Friday, 6 December 2002 00:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I never liked "Pony". In fact, I thought it was severely ass (and pretty much made me a Timbaland hata up until "She's A Bitch" and "Try Again" came out).

Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Friday, 6 December 2002 05:04 (twenty-two years ago)

kortbein: yes how can one ultimately not like a song with big bassy WOORNNOMP WOOONROMP WOORMPRPM talking likey noises in it
kortbein: it reminds me of frampton comes alive!
Dubplatestyle: it is one of timbalands greatest achievements
Dubplatestyle: it sounds like robots sobbing
Dubplatestyle: it is shiny and beautiful
kortbein: if only there had been a talkbox solo in the middle
Dubplatestyle: who are you, alex in nyc?
kortbein: hahaha
kortbein: maybe I can sell that idea to dmx instead
Dubplatestyle: hahaha too late, probably
kortbein: hahahaha

Josh (Josh), Friday, 6 December 2002 06:27 (twenty-two years ago)


You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.