New Edition

Home Again

(3-1/2 stars) Not a BAD reunion...

Review Score:

(6/10)
A lot of people were abuzz about this New Edition reunion album back in '96 (I know I was). But now you have to ask yourself...did anyone really care if they got back together or not? They had been apart for almost ten years, and during that time they all released a number of solo or mini-group albums, if not always successful (Bell Biv DeVoe and Ralph Tresvant both fell victim to the sophomore jinx). But this was the first time all six members were there, so it supposedly would signify a new sound.

One good thing is, of course, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis writing many of the stellar songs like "I'm Still In Love With You" and the title track. And another good thing is that we were reintroduced to the group through the first two tracks: "Oh Yeah, It Feels So Good" and "Hit Me Off". But as you listen to the rest of the album it feels like something is missing. I think that something is more of Johnny Gill's vocals. True, Ralph is the lead singer, and Bobby is second (according to magazines, but I personally don't agree with that), but think back for a minute. When you played New Edition's 1989 album Heart Break, whose voice were you REALLY listening to? You heard that booming voice at the end of the title track, and you knew that wasn't Ralph. I know this may be unfair, but if Johnny is gonna be a background singer in a song, what's the point of even having him there? (LSG is an exception.)

There are songs on here that aren't necessarily bad, but the album wouldn't have suffered if they weren't there: "Something About You" (even though it's a Jam & Lewis creation), "You Don't Have To Worry", and "Tighten It Up"; the latter features an uninspiring rap from Ronnie. And that's another thing. Except for his verses in BBD's "Poison" and "Word To The Mutha", Ron was never that good of a rapper. Mike isn't exactly anything to celebrate either, but he's better than Ron. And in Jermaine Dupri's "Shop Around", it's hard to tell if they're being serious or funny, but that song should've COMPLETELY been left behind.

There are some standout songs on the album, like the aforementioned "I'm Still In Love With You" and my personal favorite, "One More Day". "One More Day" is where Ricky really shines; in fact, the group needs to learn to recognize his talent because usually he just sings the first half of the first verse of songs.

This reunion wasn't a bad idea, but the music community maybe could have just as well done without it. But I'd listen to this album over any "solo" album any of them did afterwards (except LSG, of course).

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