New Edition

Home Again

NOT QUITE AT HOME...BUT STILL A TREASURE

Review Score:

(8/10)
A listen to the album will tell you that it was well produced, with virtually no filler tracks, however the strongest ones are the ones produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, who should have done the whole thing. The first song, "Oh Yeah! It Feels So Good" really hits hard. All six members get their moments, but the songs true highlights are Ronnie's Rap and Bobby's countdowns. The group sounds great here, and the harmonies are to die for in the background.

The next song, "Hit Me Off" is slick and catchy, but vocally, the group sounds awkward. The fans cannot be wrong however, since the single debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts. Then on "You Don't Have To Worry", Bobby leads the group on this plead for a true relationship. The single remix is better than the album version, but the beat on the album version fits Michael Bivins' rap better than on the remix. Anyhow, my least favorite song is "Tighten It Up", because it sounds rather boring. So So Def superproducer Jermaine Dupri produced this one, but it doesn't deliver...however on "Shop Around", New Edition does update to a 90's feel with Johnny's signature line from the song, "cuz it's in my nature..." great.

"Hear Me Out" is another vocally awkward song, especially the background vocals which seem overproduced. Some will appreciate the message however. On "Something About You", Ralph does well leading the song, but it sounds more like a solo joint al la "Money Can't Buy Me Love" rather than a collaboration of all six members. Then, on "Try Again", the group shines, but this time, Puff Daddy lets us down with a boring beat that needed more. Don't get me wrong, the song is a good listen, but after making us wait so long, N.E. should have realized that they needed to come harder on this one.

"How Do You Like Your Love Served" is good stuff. Ralph is perfect here and Ricky opens up the song extremely well with exquisite vocals. While Johnny fulfills all of his vocal obligations on this track effortlessly, the medal goes to Ricky and Ralph for pouring out their heart and soul on this one. Then, on a Jam & Lewis masterpiece, Ricky Bell finally leads the six-man group on "One More Day", the tie for best track on the album. However, you wish there was more collaboration between the group members again, like a vocal riff from Johnny in the background, or more pronounced background vocals. Anyhow, the "oohs" and "ahhs" by the group on this song sound the most like the New Edition we grew up to. Unfortunately, the group had fallen apart by the time the single was released, and Ricky Bell was robbed of his moment in the sun. The true fans will always know that Ricky Bell should get the New Edition lifetime achievement award for most improved.

The other best song on the album is of course, "I'm Still In Love With You", in which Ricky and Ralph co-lead. Stunningly beautiful, this song stormed the radio during winter 96-97 and re-earned them a spot in music industry consciousness. This song is the most classic N.E. cut since "Can You Stand The Rain" eight years earlier. The difference between "One More Day" and "I'm Still In Love With You" is that "OMD" is a newer sound for New Edition, while the "Still In Love" is more of a Heartbreak sounding ballad. We get a Johnny Gill interlude which is alright...but that's O.K. because "Home Again" is a fitting ending for the album.

Effort went into this one. The only thing that seemed to be missing was love and group unity. Maybe it's time to carry on as the five-man NE. I guess only time will tell...

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