Lyfe Change

Lyfe Jennings's surprise is really pleasant

One of the best soul and R&B performers of the new century Lyfe Jennings' third album has not made us wait too long being released in two years after his platinum classified second record The Phoenix. During the time the singer has made up his mind to introduce a number of changes into his creative work: if the first two albums were characterized with the alternation of compositions and interludes on which Lyfe would tell the prehistory of a song, and he wrote and produced all the tracks by himself this time the artist has built the album in a somewhat different way. Aptly named Lyfe Change has been recorded with the participation of such producers as Wyclef Jean and and boasts collaborations with them and Snoop Dogg as well. Besides there are practically no non-music numbers here. The themes have also changed a bit, thus, quite pessimistic songs about social struggle have given place to love lyrics and the album's general slant is filled with the happiness of lasting relations. Certainly the surprise made by Lyfe Jennings is really pleasant and Lyfe Change will occupy a worthy position among the year's most successful R&B works.

Lyfe Change proves that is good be in love and be loved

The album opens with Change The Game (Intro), the only monologue on which Lyfe is telling how the idea of the third album came to him and why it is called like that, and the first composition Keep On Dreaming with a piano accompaniment is an encouragement not to give up to everybody who dreams. On Warriors Lyfe's voice range gets wider, and a splendid guitar solo adds emotion to this song with life lyrics. Single Never Never Land reflects the main idea of the album that changes are the only constant thing in life and is also an anthem of serious relationships. T.I. joins Lyfe on Brand New which is dedicated to a woman that is always there for the song's character while those fond of a beat that makes one feel romantic will be pleased with a very contagious track It's Real. Another single Cops Up with a beautiful catchy melody is based on a classic metaphor about feeling so strong that one wants to call the cops or 911 as he is shot into the very heart, and a reggae flavored composition You Think You've Got It Bad performed with Wyclef Jean with whom Lyfe does perfect harmonies as a duo is filled with gratitude to everything good in life. Song Hmmm is good both with a simple chorus allowing to sing along even to those who do not speak English and the singer's most outraged vocals ever, while composition Old School featuring Snoop Dogg is definitely one of the best tracks on Lyfe Change reechoing the previous albums with the topic of financial struggle. The only interlude Us is a very emotional and vocally impressive short ode to relationships, while a concert song Will I Ever and the final Baby I'm A Star (Bonus Track) have become the best prove that it is good be in love and be loved.

Lyfe Jennings' reviving old R&B music traditions

At last we can be sincerely happy for Lyfe Jennings as his creative work has turned into a positive direction. Of course the mentioning of various life difficulties on Lyfe Change does not yet allow calling him a regular optimist but the changes are always changes. As it has turned out this talented author, performer and producer is just great working as part of a team due to which the third album has resulted in such a harmonious and consistent one that it seems to have been completely made by one person only. Collaborations are a success, too, with Lyfe neither dominating nor remaining in the shadow but easily carrying out wonderful duets. Judging by Lyfe Change the suppressed mood is largely in the past and the simple life values like family, love and taking care about one's nearest and dearest are now foremost. On the whole the new record has proved to be closer to the mainstream and some of the tracks are more commercially oriented than the previous works, but at the same time this is an album honest and unusual enough to fully correspond to Lyfe Jennings' creative potentials. Reviving old R&B music traditions he has remained contemporary and stylish and his music is once again at the top level.