Keyshia Cole - A Different Me Review

Posted by Weng Yu on 12.19.2008

Keyshia Cole is back with a new album, but will it live up to expectations?

Track Listing

1. A Different Me (Intro)
2. Make Me Over
3. Please Don't Stop
4. Erotic
5. You Complete Me
6. No Other (feat Amina Harris)
7. Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea (feat Nas)
8. Playa Cardz Right (feat Tupac)
9. Brand New
10. Trust (feat Monica)
11. Thought You Should Know
12. This Is Us
13. Where This Love Could End
14. Beautiful Music
15. A Different Me (Outro)

Only 14 months after her platinum selling sophomore effort Just Like You was released, A Different Me has dropped into the stores. With Keyshia Cole's status as a top urban artist cemented after shifting over 5 million records, expectations have been high for A Different Me, especially when she talked about this album being more mature both lyrically and musically. To ensure this, she has writing credits on every single song on this album. Will this album be yet another success for the young star?

The album stars with the banging intro "A Different Me", a hot beat where Cole sings 'I would like to introduce a different me'. For once this is an intro for an r'n'b album that actually got me interested and wanting more. "Make Me Over" is s smart way to follow this, a finger clicking percussion driven song which runs along the theme of the title. Which makes "Please Don't Stop" somewhat of a disappointment, a fast paced uptempo number which has quite an 80's sound. This track doesn't really work, as the focus is more on the beat than on Cole's superb voice. However, even though I don't like it, I think it could be a successful single release, as it has that uptempo pop sound that is so popular nowadays in urban music.

"Erotic" brings the goodness back by returning to the style of production that made Just Like You so good. Simple backing, enhanced by various string or piano riffs, but never to the point where the music overpowers her vocals. The song builds and then cuts back in exactly the same manner, which is a good thing. Unlike a lot of stuff out there today, it's not overproduced, and Cole's vocals take this to another level. "You Complete Me" is a slow jam with a nice variable beat that keeps things simple, and Cole really cuts loose and showcases what a fantastic singer she is. In "No Other", she sings about unrequited love for one person, and features her cousin Amina, with a beat that is very similar to the hit single "Shoulda Let You Go".

The next track "Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea" runs over cleverly as the same beat is then slowed down and altered slightly. The theme is exactly the same as "No Other", except this time Nas jumps in to give the male perspective with a typically poetic guest rap. "Playa Cards Right" orginally appeared on the "Pac's Life" album two years ago, and has been one of my favourite tracks ever since. This version is enhanced slightly with some extra sings and vocals added. It's was a great song then, and it still is now, as Cole's fantastic vocals play off the legendary 2Pac perfectly, although to be honest, I preferred the orginal as it was just a simple, effective, and smooth song. The extra effects will be more welcome for others.

"Brand New" has a nice soft backing, but is spoiled by the chorus which has an unneccesarily male vocal that disrupts the rhythm of the song. "Trust" is a duet with Monica where they sing about earning a partner's trust, instead of going through the traditional way of a man having to prove himself to the woman. They harmonise really nicely with some wicked vocals, but again there's a really annoying strong male voice saying 'Trust' at certain points, which is totally uncessary, and goes some way towards spoiling the song. Following this is "Thought You Should Know", a midtempo number that has an early 90's Babyface New Jack kinda vibe. Nice.

The obligatory love song is "This Is Us". As expected its very radio friendly and upbeat. "Where This Love Could End" goes back to midtempo beats, interspersed with some strong electronic sounds. "Beautiful Music" rounds things off, a wistful midtempo swayer about falling for someone who's already taken.

When I look back at this album one thing stands out - consistency. It's very rare to pick up and album and listen to it all the way through without reaching for the skip button. A Different Me is a very solid collection of r'n'b that maintains a good standard throughout. Keyshia Cole is a rare talent backed by an excellent production team - together they know when to go big, and when to hold back. Her vocals are excellent as always, and she displays a good grasp of her material. After reviewing the over produced Brandy album two weeks ago, I found this to be a much more pleasurable listening experience that strikes a balance between good beats and soulful lyrics. It may not be perfect, but its a very fine effort.

The 411: Keyshia Cole steps up to the plate and delivers again, with another good effort that bears comparison to some of the classic r'n'b albums of the 90's. In a year laden with disappointments, this stands out as quality urban music that is worth the money. It may not be groundbreaking or innovative, but A Different Me sets a benchmark that very few have been able to reach. Get it!

Final Score:  8.0   [ Very Good ]