USS Clueless: Earth to Timi

I don't know if I want to say that he's experimented too much or if he hasn't experiment enough. To me, there is just a clear lack of worship music on this album. There are no PURE worship songs on the whole CD which is a HUGE turnoff. When you compare Kirk's albums, I think this is the worst album since...well since forever. Kirk tricked me this time. I got excited after hearing the first two songs. Then after track number 7 my feelings were seriously hurt.

You can still listen to the album by clicking here.

This is what I think of each song.

1. Intro

The African Kids Choir is singing "America The Beautiful". Alrighty then. Am I the only one who see the irony in that? Not to be funny or anything, but during this Intro, I wanted to shout, "I Am Malcom X".

2. Lookin' For You

This song took a while to grow on me, but I like it. I ain't mad at Kirk for sampling Patrice Rushen's "Haven't You Heard" for this track. The only thing that bothers me about the song is that it sounds exactly like "Haven't You Heard" with gospel lyrics. I wouldn't consider that sampling. That's simply taking a track and substituting lyrics. I bust out with my 70's groove moves when then song comes on.

3. Hero

The title track is always one of the better songs on an album. This song is no different. Save the intro and this is a great song...one of the best on the album. I love how the sound starts off soft, escalates into an orchestrated choir sound and then goes soft again. It gets quite churchy at the end when Dorinda Clark-Cole lends her vocals for the last minute of the song. Good stuff.

4. Interlude feat. Fred Hammond

There should be a moratorium on all album interludes...SKIP

5. Let It Go

Aww Nah! Is that SHOUT by Tears for Fears?

Dear Kirk Franklin,

I have been somewhat of a fan of your music for quite some time now. I think I've listened long enough to address you with a matter that is bothering me. Sir, I implore you never to sing, rap, or do any kind of rhyme/spoken word action on your albums ever again. I appreciate your track with T.D. Jakes on the last album. Though it was horribly bad, it still gets a C for effort. I thought we'd get past this with the new album.

It was going so well. Track 1...just an intro. Track 2...Big ups on the sample. Track 3...Ok I'm feeling that. Track 4...The obligatory interlude. Track 5...I'm shaking & scratching my head now Sir. Can I be honest with you Sir? Just between you & I. I say this in love to you. You aren't the greatest singer, and there about 3 million other who can do rap/spoken word better than you can as well. Can you hire one of them next time? What happened to Salt? She's a full-blooded Christian now. What about your son who does the Outro? Lauryn Hill would've been a wonderful option.

Don't get me wrong Sir. I appreciate the sincere honesty that comes through on "Let It Go". Your truths are rather heartfelt. It's just that I can't stomach your rapping. It's not horribly bad, but it's not great either. And the fact that you have Toby Mac & Sonny mimicking Tears for Fears on the track just hurts my feelings.

So in closing, please consider my request. If, during the next album recording, you decide that you want to rap or do poetry/spoken word, then please consider me. I'm ill with a mic in my hand. I'll even write the rhyme and perform it for free. Yes I said for free. I'll get on stage and rock the mic because I'm still seeking my 15 minutes of fame. I do it for the love too...of God that is. I come in peace God Bless.

Until He Comes,
T

6. The Process

This sounds a motion picture score. "Into The West" it is not...SKIP

7. Imagine Me

Imagine me, loving what I see when the/ Mirror looks at me ‘cause I imagine me/ In a place of no insecurities/ And I’m finally happy cause/ I imagine me

Wow! This is a beautiful song. It took me a while to get beyong this track. It touched me. It made me tear up the first couple of times I listened. I'm feeling this song so much because I can relate. I struggle with issues of insecurity, hurt & low self-esteem. I too have had a hard time overcoming things in my past. Someday I image myself being able to look past all the things that have happened to me.

8. Could've Been

Jay & I did the Kid N Play to this song. We also did a "School Daze" type party walk. We like the song.

9. Better

At this point in the album, I was hoping for a good worship song. I don't like this song...SKIP

10. Afterwhile feat. Yolanda Adams

I don't like this song either...SKIP

11. Brokenhearted

Another churchy song. This is ok. Classic Kirk. I love the organ in the background.

12. Without You

This song would be great if Kirk weren't singing. If it was just the Family, GP, Nu Nation or whatever name they're going by now, then it would've been even better. Nice melody, but no worship song.

13. Keep You Head

I can't get past the hook. Earth, Wind & Fire? No disrespect. I LOVE Earth, Wind & Fire, but that hook is too much. lol. I laugh because it reminds of me of Horace "The Taurus" from WDAS 105.3. Every morning he does the horoscopes and he closes his segment out with, "Keep yo head to the skyyyyy baby bubbas....OWWWWWWWWWWWW" Anywho...SKIP

14. Why feat. Stevie Wonder

Kirk gets a pass on his singing. This is a great Collaboration with Mr. Wonder. I love this song. I love the lyrics. Stevie gets political on us. One can never go wrong with Stevie Wonder. Kirk has also mentioned poverty in his last few songs. I like that. Cool song.

15. First Love

*Pause* When did Isaac Carree leave Men of Standard?

*Unpause* This song sounds like a slow jams groove...I skip this song too...SKIP

16. The Appeal

Ok so everyone is Kirk's new ensemble can sing really well. It's an ok song. Not a worship song, but close enough I guess.

17. Brokenhearted (reprise)

Alter Call...SKIP

18. Interlude

Ugh! Kirk...TobyMac already did this on "Momentum"...remember "Tru-Dog"? SKIP

19. Sunshine

Sunshine is the 3rd best song on the album. I like it. I like the "Oooh Ha Ha" at the end even more. lol

20. Outro

This is Kirk Franklin son and he refuses to be another black statistic.

The End

Aside from like 5 decent songs, this album gets the thumbs down. I'm a little disappointed, but I'll get over it. I have yet to listen to CeCe Winans new album. I hope it's good. If it's not, then I don't think I'll be buying another gospel album for awhile. Now excuse me while I go listen to Mercy Me & TobyMac. The Contempory Christian genre has yet to disappoint...