BlackStreet wasn't kidding around when they named their new album Level II, they really have hit the second level of their music career.
And this isn't to knock old hits like "No Digity," which was deemed one of the greatest pop songs by Rolling Stone and MTV, but Level II shows off a new, more mature BlackStreet.
This could be good for old BlackStreet fans who are now in college and crave more depth than the average boy band has to offer, but the younger audience may not latch on.
By just listening to the first track, "Ticket to Ride," it is clear where this group is headed. The rhythms and melodies stretch into the direction of R&B legends like Al Green. Still the group doesn't forget to hold on to some of its more funky and gritty roots.
How could BlackStreet forget that four godly built men with overly sensual voices singing about sex sells like hot cakes? No complaints here.
The album has received nothing but critical acclaim, yet it still hasn't hit the Billboard charts. Nor has the first single, "Deep," rocked Albuquerque radio stations. DreamWorks Records must have this record on the backburner, which is unfortunate for Teddy Riley, Chauncey Hannibal, Mark Middleton and Eric Williams, who have really put their heart into taking this journey.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
And I don't mean journey as only a figurative word - the album takes the listener thorough an up-and-down BlackStreet relationship. Beginning with "Don't Touch," a story of the first encounter at a club, to "She's Hot," then finally "Deep," you can guess what this one's about.
Somehow, after the sex song, things take a turn for the road of distrust on "Friend of Mine," and it keeps getting worse with "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye" and "Why, Why."
As you probably already guessed, the rest of the album is apologies. This is probably the worst part of the record. How many ways can a person possibly say they are sorry? Well, BlackStreet apparently has about 17 minutes worth of ways.
But then again, their good looks radiating sexuality and angelic voices that make women weak at the knees may give them lots of practice in the art of apologizing to women.
BlackStreet doesn't need to apologize for Level II. In fact, maybe the group members should be asking someone to apologize to them for not promoting this record properly.
Mr. Cheeks and Mystical lend their voices along with Lil' Kim copycat-rapper Chyna who contributes her dirty mouth to "Friend of Mine." Besides that, "Why, Why" and "Ooh Girl" borrow some hooks form songs we all know and love.
Giving this album a chance may make it more of a favorite than the last BlackStreet album, if that's possible.
