t-time

So the last couple of weeks of September saw the release of some long awaited LP’s. t-time takes a look at what the critics have to say about what these artists have put out for our listening pleasure:

Artist: T.I.
Album: Paper Trail
Release Date: Sept 30

Hilary Crosley/Billboard
When you’ve got a lot of distractions, especially looming prison time, it’s not always the best muse. But T.I. hasn’t given in to his situation. Instead, he’s embodied literature’s most popular archetype—the survivor—by transforming his woes into a reflective, enjoyable album.

Artist: Robin Thicke
Album: Something Else
Release Date: Sept. 30

Billboard
Given his weakness for bongos and syrupy strings, the new set isn’t without a whiff of schmaltz; more than once you’ll think he’s about to cover “Take My Breath Away.” Fortunately, Thicke’s strong singing—and a few winning uptempo numbers, including the infectious “Magic” and the R. Kelly-ish “Sidestep”—right the ship.—Mikael Wood

Artist: Jazmine Sullivan
Album: Fearless
Release Date: Sept. 23

Concrete Loop
On Fearless, Jazmine Sullivan experiments with a lot of different sounds. No track sounds like the next. There’s a little something for everyone on here, and it definitely just goes to show you that her voice can shine on any type of track. Not only does Jazmine tap into many different genres musically, Fearless features a myriad of diverse concepts and topics to choose from. On “Bust Your Windows,” Sullivan explores the rush of knocking out her lover’s windows after catching him with another girl, while on “Call Me Guilty,” she toys with the idea of taking action against a man who hits her. Even at her young age, Jazmine exhibits an effortless vocal as well as a bit of life experience.

Artist: Jennifer Hudson
Album: Jennifer Hudson
Release: Sept. 30

Rashad D. Oilson/baltimoresun.com
The disc, in stores today, goes out of its way to show off Hudson’s musical diversity. There’s a smidgen of hip-hop, a little pop, some neo-soul, a gospel cut and, of course, lots of big, big notes from the sassy powerhouse.

Ultimately, though, the album doesn’t achieve much cohesion or offer anything in the way of an identity. Executive-produced by Clive Davis, the legendary pop impresario who always favors style over substance, JenniferHudson has a made-by-committee feel to it.

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