At seventeen tracks 'Love After War' is a big listen but it's also a great
listen too. Robin Thicke is a fine singer/songwriter and aside from
this being his fifth album he has also produced songs for many other
present day R&B luminaries. A man of ambition, talent and broad vision.

A great strength of this recording is its creative restlessness. It never
quite settles down into any kind of predictable groove, which means that, even
given its substantial length, it keeps our attention and interest in thrall.

Take a composition like 'Never Give Up'; with its rich orchestral arrangement
and dramatic vocal it could almost have stepped fully-formed from a Broadway
musical. In contrast 'The New Generation' is a slick slice of Philadelphia soul,
kitted out with fruity brass accents and deliciously keening backing vocals.
Mr Thicke's central performance is the epitome of cool, loose-limbed class.
So too the soft Latin shuffle of title track 'Love After War'. Sitting somewhere
between the best efforts of Daryl Hall and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen it is
one of the album's low-key highlights. In all honesty there's not much that this
guy can't do and do well. His perfectly articulated falsetto on 'All Tied Up'
and the dreamy 'Tears On My Tuxedo' demonstrate his remarkable skill and
versatility as a singer and when he steps on the gas on opening track 'An
Angel On Each Arm' he's not afraid to rip up the rug and party. Cracking stuff!
If I had to pick a winner, however, it would have to be the simply beautiful
song 'I Don't Know How It Feels To Be U'; sung with the lightest of touches
and eloquent emotional authenticity it warms the heart like a new love affair.

If I had to drop one track it would certainly be 'Pretty Lil' Heart' but this
has everything to do with the ubiquitous presence of Lil Wayne (am I the only
listener grown-tired of his sleazy-chipmunk vocal interruptions?) and little
to do with Mr Thicke's, nonetheless, consummate artistry, I'm all Wayned-out!

If you haven't already written to Santa do make sure that this one's on your Xmas list.

Highly Recommended.