Product description
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Pop Internazionale - TLC: 3D; 3D (intro); Girl talk; Turntable;
In your arms tonight; Ower me; Hands up; Dirty dirty; So so dumb;
Good love; Hey hey hey hey
.co.uk
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The title of TLC's latest album, 3D catapults us straight into
the story of the death of Left Eye. The trio's most talented
member was killed in a car c in 2002. Though an accident, her
death came as little surprise considering the wild life she'd
been living prior to the sad event. 3D doesn't wallow in
sadness--TLC were never about that. Not with hits such as "No
Scrubs" and "Waterfalls", and simple but positive tracks such as
"Unpretty". Left Eye recorded much of this latest album before
her death and appears on five tracks. The problem today's reduced
TLC face is to stay up to date in an R&B market that has suddenly
switched up a gear after several years of stagnation. Tracks such
as "Turntable" and "So So Dumb" are musically out of date, left
behind by recent hits such as Redman's "React", Missy's "Work It"
and Truth Hurts' "Addictive". 3D is probably the sweetest work by
TLC yet; there's no "Silly Ho" here but that doesn't make it the
most palatable. They've matured yes, but have they taken risks?
No. Lead single "Girl Talk" is funky and catchy but it's not
innovative in the way TLC have been in the past. In truth they
can no longer reach the high standards they set before. Losing a
band member has been a terrible blow, however much remaining
members Chilli and T-Boz smile through it. Unfortunately it shows
in the work. --Jake Barnes
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Review
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The biggest girl group in the world return with the follow up to
their 1999, nine million copy selling Fanmail and it's hot... so
hot.
Since signing to LaFace in 1991 TLC have ridden the rock 'n' roll
rollercoaster all the way. From their humble beginnings in
Atlanta to the incredible breakthrough album that was
CrazySexyCool there followed record company fall outs, rumours
about break ups and bankruptcy. Not to mention their phenomenal
record sales and countless MTV, Soul Train, Billboard and Grammy
awards. Unfortunately, the incredible highs have been tempered
with the most unbearable of lows.
The loss of Lisa 'Lefteye' Lopes in a car accident earlier this
year sent a shock wave through the music world, one that still
mourns the loss of agenuine talent. Regrettably, she joins Biggie
Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Aaliyah, and Jam Master Jay who, for one
reason or another, have been taken prematurely.
Kicking off with a drum and bass intro 3D progresses through an
uncompromising take on the R&B sound. "Quickie" and "Girl Talk"
are upfront party jams propelled by bare faced cheek and female
power while the sweet, acoustic soul of "Turntable" provides a
welcome contrast with its beautiful harmonies. Pharrell Williams
and Chad Hugo team up with the girls on vocals and studio desk
duties on "In Your Arms Tonight". Although softer than most of
the Neptunes productions this pops, dips and surges on the
electro tip that has become their trademark style.
"Dirty Dirty" is a real high point with Missy Elliot and
Timbaland taking the lead on the writing and production. These
two are making the most forward thinking music that is above and
beyond anything else being made at the moment and we love them
for it.
Quite what the future holds for the band remains to be seen as
they have announced recently that they will not be looking for a
replacement to make the trio complete. If 3D is the last record
TLC will have gone out on a high, either way Lisa would have
loved it. Still crazy, still sexy, still cool.
Like This? Try These:
Brandy - Full Moon
Ms Dynamite - A Little Deeper
Tweet - Southern Hummingbird --Christian Hopwood
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