Rating:  -
...and I say AMEN TO THAT! For the longest time I've been curious to hear what Esthero has to offer, and albeit I still don't own her debut 'Breath From Another' I decided to order her latest EP based soley on the awesome message the album title conveyed. I am now extremely eager to buy everything she's ever released/contributed to up to this point in her career. I haven't been able to stop listening to this since the moment it arrived in the mail about a week ago and I am not the least bit disappointed. So your probably wondering why I gave this a rating of 4 stars then, right? Well, she's definitely not to fault here. It's more like my problem. Some of the styles she chose to work with really just aren't my thing. Therefore I can't seem to get into every song. I usually find myself strictly playing the title track, "This Lullabye", "I Drive Alone", and "Amber & Tiger's Eye" while skipping the other two. But by no means am I implying that they're bad (just not my thing, as I said before). Also, I wouldn't exactly say that she's treaded into untouched territory here because she doesn't reach any new levels with me. However, it's always nice to hear an artist experiment with their sound and explore many different genres (hence the reason for most EP's, right?), and I love her voice. The closest I can come to describing her flavor is perhaps a hybrid between Jem, Nelly Furtado, and a smidgen of Emiliana Torrini. You'll hear influences from bossa nova, smooth r&b, lush chillout and melodic trip-hop. And the opening lines, which she sings acapella but in a robust kind of way, will immediately grab your attention: "I'm so sick and tired of the s--t on the radio / MTV, they only play the same thing / No matter where I go I see Ashanti on the video... I WANT SOMETHING MORE... We're in need of a musical revolution... We're so tired of the same old same old."
I am very impressed and, once again, I close with AMEN!
Rating:  -
I, too read the initial very negative reviews and was scared at first. But I'm not ready to praise "We R In Need". A long time trip hop junkie, I realize that the genre has played out and we need fresh sounds. E's voice is truly amazing, but without Doc she has lost the "sexiness" if you will. She seems a little too eager to go minimal and showcase her voice on this EP, which might be ok if the lyrics were up to "Breath From" level-- but they are not. How can you dis Britney and Ashanti and sing "everyday is a holiday with you"? I think E lost her rhyming dictionary in the past 6 years. The title track is the strongest, and I also loved OG Bitch though the lyrics were also unimaginative. A 'dis'-appointment overall.
Rating:  -
I can't wait for Esthero's full length cd. On this brief EP Esthero shows that Doc didn't make her and that she was as much responsible for the Brillance of "Breath from Another" as he was. Once again expanding musical boundaries, Esthero dives into an eccletic mix of lounge, rock, soul, & Bossa Nova. She shows she is a true artist and that a true artists always evolves instead of always trying to duplicate familiar material. So, I am happy that she didnt' try to duplicate the Genius of "Breath From Another" instead she used as a way to transition herself into other musical genres. I look forward to hearing more stuff from her in the future. She's one of the artists that you wonder "What is she going to do next", which is very exciting. This is an essential record!
Rating: -
Esthero the band the girl are right on time for 2005. On this masterpiece don't expect to hear tired out trip hop but strictly more world underground influences. From soulful downtempo and jazzy bossa nova.."Esthero"..for those ready for musical growth.
Rating: -
This girl can do no wrong. She's been ill since Breath From Another. Many thought that since Esthero and Doc went their separate ways she would fall off or something, but she's proven through O.G. B_____ and this EP that she's as Original as ever and here for the haul. The title track is so true that it just screams to get banged at high volume. Everyday is A Holiday reminds me of this Kostars song probably because they both feature Sean Lennon, either way, It's tight. Gone is just sick Period. Cee-lo and E sounded great together on the Slam soundtrack (she's the only reason I bought the soundtrack,even though the movie was gravy). This Lull-A-Bye is mad mello and showcases her voice well. Actually the whole EP does that quite nicely. I Drive Alone and the bonus track are more of the same that I've come to realize is the genius of this woman. She's Beautiful too. Doesn't hurt to be easy on the eyes (I can say that right?)
Like I said in my title I'm an Underground HipHop Artist myself who listens to Aesop Rock and the Def Jukies, Living Legends, Little Brother, Rhymesayers, Weightless, Sage Francis, Hieroglyphics, and Immortal Technique. My musical tastes transcend all boundaries which is why I'm truly feeling Esthero, Goapele,Bjork, Emiliana Torrini, Kostars, Luscious Jackson, and Jerzee Monet. Esthero has been chilling in my top 3 since her first album.
You GOTTA peep this if you like originality in this new age of recycled plain popcorn. Also, check it out if you're feeling anyone that I mentioned above.
My only question is who was she talking about for the O.G. B---- single? She was heated on that one.
Peace
Raesho
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