T-Pain’s ‘Thr33 Ringz’ gets two thumbs up
T-Pain’s synthesized trance-like voice can be heard as an accent to almost any hip-hop artist’s song on the radio. But with T-Pain’s album “THR33 RINGZ,” he proves that he is more than a sideshow used to put a little “ooh la la” in another artist’s song.
The song “Ringleader Man” is an imitation of T-Pain’s trance-like voice. The song is slow, but it sounds like spell-casting, as if he is using lyrical voodoo to draw you into the song.
The next song “Chopped N Skrewed,” featuring Ludacris, is a bit deceiving when it sounds like the CD is skipping in the CD player. It’s a creative play on the title of the track with the skipping effect and repetitive words. Ludacris’ few verses add a nice break from the synthesized vocal stylings of T-Pain. After listening to the song, you will find out that you don’t want to be “Chopped N Skrewed” because rejection is a cut to the male ego and very embarrassing.
“Freeze,” featuring Chris Brown, is a danceable song. It sounds more like a song that Chris Brown would have on his album with T-Pain as the featured artist. It’s one of those songs that doesn’t appear to have a purpose other than to make you dance.
At the opening of the track “Blowing Up,” featuring Ciara, you are seduced into the song with her calm, feminine and sexy voice. The song holds a plethora of R&B slow-grinding rhythm as Ciara and T-Pain exchange verses with the support of an easy-going beat and chorus.
Rolling in as the sixth track on the album, “Can’t Believe It,” featuring Lil Wayne, there’s a sense of familiarity with the song because it’s constantly aired on the radio. The sound of the booming bass as the backbone of the song, an on-point beat, and the combination of T-Pain’s voice with the raspy vocals of Lil Wayne make the song a sure hit.
Comedy is the name of the game with the song “It Ain’t Me,” featuring Akon and T.I. The message is clear that gold-digging women are not welcome in their posse. The song is up-beat and the collaboration between the three artists brings the song to life.
Somebody did T-Pain wrong as he answers back with bitter lyrics in the track “Therapy,” featuring Kanye West. This song could be a possible anthem for all men going through the frustration and anger that comes with a relationship ending badly. Kanye West’s rap adds a flare of wisdom and clarity to the song.
T-Pain adds his own flavor to the track “Change,” featuring Akon, Diddy and Mary J. Blige. It’s a clever remake of Eric Clapton’s song “Change the World.” Mary J. Blige’s gospel-sounding voice adds some sparkle to the already male-dominating sound of the song.
Towards the end of the album, the track “Superstar Lady,” featuring Young Cash, is one of the best songs on the album for some booty-popping fun. The other two recommended high-energy dance songs are “Digital,” featuring Tay Dizm, and “Karaoke,” featuring DJ Khaled.
In the last track “Karaoke,” T-Pain goes on a bashing streak as he calls out all the artists that can’t make their own way in music and choose to follow instead of lead. He calls the artists that follow “swagger jackers” because they have no originality. The song begins with the background of a church choir to give the impression of T-Pain being in a Catholic church. It’s the first time T-Pain’s voice is heard without the help of a synthesizer and it’s a success. The song sounds angry and harsh, yet still appealing.
T-Pain is a major force in the hip-hop industry today and will continue to be a strong artist from the impression that his album “THR33 RINGZ” gives. He’s a versatile artist in that he can stand on his own and bring life to other artist’s songs as well.
Artist: T-Pain
Album: Thr33 Ringz
Release Date: Nov. 11
Genre: Hip-hop
Grade: A-
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on Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 at 2:22 am and is filed under Album Reviews, Arts & Entertainment, Vibe.
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