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Review
While it’s not exactly been languishing in development hell, Timbaland’s sequel to 2007’s starry Shock Value – which saw the likes of 50 Cent, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Fall Out Boy, The Hives and even Elton John collaborate with the accolade-laden producer – has nevertheless seen its release date shunted and shunted until now. And a year-end emergence doesn’t bode well, pre-listen. Few artists unleash their newest wares in December, knowing full well they’re sure to be swallowed by the flood of festive specials and list-topping recommendations. It’s usually a case of damage limitation, labels hoping critical types have already clocked off for Christmas.
The first thing to note here is how the quality of guests has rather dropped since Timbaland’s last solo venture – Furtado and Timberlake return, but both are long-term associates of the man born Tim Mosley. RnB star Brandy appears in her rap guise Bran’ Nu, but elsewhere the credibility tumbles to unforeseen lows. The Fray’s spot on Undertow turns the piece into a slushy Keane-echoing nightmare of sugary excess; teeny popper JoJo – she scored a worldwide hit in 2004 with Leave (Get Out) – shrieks her way through Lose Control like Christina Aguilera having a temper tantrum; and the presence of Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger alone is enough to have many a recipient of this disc scratching it up straight out the box, if only to prevent any stranger picking it up from the second-hand racks.
Alongside JoJo, turns from Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry go some way to painting this album as one focused firmly on pop market disposability, rather than looking to emulate the crossover achievements of Timbaland’s previous, rap-focused material. Cyrus’s We Belong to the Music sounds every note as you expect it to – U-rated, Disney film-friendly lyrics shackled to some beefier-than-normal beats. The banality of her appearance plumbs new depths for Timbaland, who must’ve been on autopilot during the creative process for this particular number. Elsewhere, limp acoustic effort Timothy Where You Been, featuring Jet, answers the question nobody asked: just what has Timbaland been up to since the first Shock Value?
Forget the song’s replies – the straight, honest answer is forgetting what made his name in the first place. There’s nothing here of a vibrancy comparable to what Timbaland’s managed in the recent past, and his (perhaps career-best) breakthrough work with Aaliyah and Missy Elliott now feels like another lifetime ago. --Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Mr Mosely is a collaborator. It is his modus vivendi and
of course there's nothing wrong with that in principle.
His stripped-down earlier work with the likes of Missy Elliot
and Magoo remains incomparable and unimpeachable.
Perfect in its own way in fact.
Fame and money have inevitably influenced the sound
over time, sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
In some ways he has become a sort of celebrity musical
zoo keeper or circus ringmaster. There are few performers
who wouldn't balance on a beach ball with one hand whilst
consuming a sword with the other for him.
When Timbaland calls you come! (Or pay the price and he's there!)
Having said this, 'Shock Value II' is in many ways a stronger
and more coherent contender than its 2007 namesake.
The formula and the beats are familiar. There's a lot to sing
and dance along to and who could ask for more than that?
The best of the bunch would have to include :
'Carry Out', featuring Mr Timberlake, an enduring creative
partnership which still cuts the mustard. A perfectly pleasant
simple, mid-tempo, number with all the rhythmic and melodic
components tidily tucked into place.
'Losing Control' has a pretty-enough tune, relatively undamaged
by JoJo's pedestrian rapterlude. The vocal punctuation, beloved by
Mr Mosely, can be a bit wearing at times but I think it's here to stay.
Brandy Norwood's feisty performance on 'Meet In The Middle'
complements The Boss's efforts beautifully. Simple stuff but
arguably one of the best and most infectious tracks on the album.
'Undertow' finds a mellow groove with the help of The Fray and Esthero.
Mr Slade's and Ms Englishman's warblings work very well together.
Ms Furtado and Ms Epstein (SoShy) also make a good pairing
on 'Morning After Dark'. The skittering beats and synths frame
their labours effortlessly. Another strong track.
On the other hand : The sanitised rock-chick episodes challenge credibility.
Miley Cyrus pops up on 'We Belong To The Music'.
Erm ... what was he thinking ?! No. Just No!!
'If We Ever Meet Again'. Katy Perry? (Cough!) Well if you must.
With a few reservations 'Shock Value II' is a hugely enjoyable album.
At the end of the day Mr Mosely still gives good product!
Recommended.
of course there's nothing wrong with that in principle.
His stripped-down earlier work with the likes of Missy Elliot
and Magoo remains incomparable and unimpeachable.
Perfect in its own way in fact.
Fame and money have inevitably influenced the sound
over time, sometimes for the better, sometimes not.
In some ways he has become a sort of celebrity musical
zoo keeper or circus ringmaster. There are few performers
who wouldn't balance on a beach ball with one hand whilst
consuming a sword with the other for him.
When Timbaland calls you come! (Or pay the price and he's there!)
Having said this, 'Shock Value II' is in many ways a stronger
and more coherent contender than its 2007 namesake.
The formula and the beats are familiar. There's a lot to sing
and dance along to and who could ask for more than that?
The best of the bunch would have to include :
'Carry Out', featuring Mr Timberlake, an enduring creative
partnership which still cuts the mustard. A perfectly pleasant
simple, mid-tempo, number with all the rhythmic and melodic
components tidily tucked into place.
'Losing Control' has a pretty-enough tune, relatively undamaged
by JoJo's pedestrian rapterlude. The vocal punctuation, beloved by
Mr Mosely, can be a bit wearing at times but I think it's here to stay.
Brandy Norwood's feisty performance on 'Meet In The Middle'
complements The Boss's efforts beautifully. Simple stuff but
arguably one of the best and most infectious tracks on the album.
'Undertow' finds a mellow groove with the help of The Fray and Esthero.
Mr Slade's and Ms Englishman's warblings work very well together.
Ms Furtado and Ms Epstein (SoShy) also make a good pairing
on 'Morning After Dark'. The skittering beats and synths frame
their labours effortlessly. Another strong track.
On the other hand : The sanitised rock-chick episodes challenge credibility.
Miley Cyrus pops up on 'We Belong To The Music'.
Erm ... what was he thinking ?! No. Just No!!
'If We Ever Meet Again'. Katy Perry? (Cough!) Well if you must.
With a few reservations 'Shock Value II' is a hugely enjoyable album.
At the end of the day Mr Mosely still gives good product!
Recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
LOve this album, well worth buying. The last one was good and this has definitely followed in it's footsteps.
Format:Audio CD
two years on and im still listening to this awesome album. timbaland is a pure genious! there are some very good singers on this album that make it even better, especially with the likes of katy perry and other great music talents. very good RnB album. well worth getting if your into RnB or are a fan of his first album.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
shocking value
what can i say......after listening to this c.d i was disappointed.Compared to shock value this is so lame.
Theres about 2 good tracks and the rest is tosh. Read more
Theres about 2 good tracks and the rest is tosh. Read more
Published 9 months ago by D.G
good album with some very big hits however he is not good on his own
Shock Value 2 features some very big hits with some very big singers such as morning after dark FT Nelly Futardo & Shoshy. Read more
Published 23 months ago by IAMEPIC
Superb
I prefer this to the first Shock Value album although going by the BBC reviewer, it should be a disappointment. Read more
Published 24 months ago by marmaladecat
Always a Fan
I was hoping for more of the same as Shock Value I. It was - and it wasn't. The same old gang were there - Justin, Nelly, et al, and a few more surprises to boot, but its more pop... Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2010 by Mrs. S. A. Kennedy
5 Stars for the effort, 4.5 for the result
This album seemed to have a rather quiet release and didn't have the advertising force behind it that Shock Value did. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Mr Entropy
NOT AS GOOD AS THE FIRST ONE
This is the album I have been waiting for All year BUT unfortunatly it doesn't match to the first Shock Value. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by JOE THOMAS
Total Awesome
This album is better than the first shock value if that is possible. Some very unusual colabriations. Very catchy some of them. Definitely a good listen.
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by Mrs. S. Harper-ashton
Timbaland shock value II
Amazing album a must buy. Love all the collaborations especialy love the song with Chad Kroger (Nickleback). Timbaland is an amazing producer and artist. Read more
Published on 28 Jan 2010 by R. Toone
Great Album
Timbaland's second Shock Value Album is really good but didn't impress me like Shock Value I, because after excellent first album, Timbaland increased expectations too much with... Read more
Published on 13 Jan 2010 by K. Serkan SARIGÜNEY
Best cd in a long while
Great new Cd,Timbaland is the tops, if you are thinking of buying it go ahead,you wont regret it, its fantastic
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Julie Vincent
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