Artist: Mary J. Blige
Album: My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)
Release Date: 11.21.11
Throughout her 20-year career, Mary J. Blige has brought some undeniable classics and changed the face of hip-hop music with songs that continually prosper years after their release. But even a living legend has to learn a valuable lesson: you don’t mess with a classic. By titling this new album “My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I)”, Mary attempts to pay homage to her stellar sophomore album “My Life”, but this album doesn’t really measure up. That’s not to say it’s a train wreck; the album is solid (barely) but it has nothing on the album that really made the world pay attention to the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul. When I think of the original My Life album, instant classics come to mind like Be Happy, I’m Goin’ Down, I Love You and the title track My Life – songs that, 17 years later, STILL resonate. I don’t hear anything with that type of longevity on this album.
Let’s start with the lackluster lead single 25/8, an old-soul type record that just really isn’t a strong single for this album or Mary at all for that matter. But the album gets better, kicking off with Nas on Feel Inside, a thumping track produced by Jerry Wonda. In fact, the first half of the album puts out some decent hip-hop jams (save for the all-wrong cover of Chaka Khan’s Ain’t Nobody, courtesy of Mr. Darkchild), but the second half is where Mary shines the most. No Condition is one of Mary’s better R&B records in recent years and would be a great choice for next single simply because it’s a record you can feel. Actually in line for next single is her collaboration with Drake, Mr. Wrong, noted for its stirring vocals and how it stylishly evokes the soulful hip-hop sound Mary is known for. This song = HIT. I was a bit let down by Love A Woman, Blige’s duet with Beyonce; iconic by appearance, not so much delivery. I guess I should be happy it didn’t become an all-out shouting match between the two vocal divas, but the song is seriously lacking something and neither artist sounds at her best. Empty Prayers is another highlight, a toned-down ballad that tells a vivid story in the lyrics. The album closes with The Living Proof, an amazing song contributed to the soundtrack of the movie The Help, released earlier this year. This final track is the one song that ties this album to its predecessor and has the best delivery of all 14 tracks (standard release).
Like many of her previous albums, My Life II is a great marriage of hip-hop and soul but by the title, I can’t help but to expect an album like My Life – and THAT is where this project doesn’t meet my expectations. I respect Mary’s evolution, so I wasn’t hoping for an album of heartache and pain; I do, however, expect music that’s more than just alright. While a few tracks will stay in rotation, the reality is most of the content here is forgettable. The passion behind the My Life album isn’t captured or revisited in large supply, and the music is designed to suit the popular taste more than anything. But just to be clear, even if the album went by a different name, it still doesn’t give what you expect from Mary. If you’re a fan of her, expect this album to give you just enough to get by, but when she releases Act II next year (another sequel) MJB has gotta come a lot stronger.
Sound-Savvy rates My Life II: The Journey Continues (Act I) with 3 out of 5 platinum headphones.
I loved this album. Get the Deluxe edition it’s the “New” Mary!!
She shouldn’t taint the My Life legacy by even mentioning that title… She doesn’t have that quality of music in her… #FOH for the Album name… GARBAGE & I ain’t heard it…
I really tried to like this cd, and tried to distant it from the original to try and understand why she would name it My Life 2. I feel “The Breakthrough” was My Life 2. The singles are not classics, but likeable. The fact that the cd didn’t sell it first week proves I wasn’t alone.
Hopefully Mary’s year will be highlighted with a Golden Globe and Oscar Nomination for “Living Proof” from “The Help” Nice review.