Album Review: Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains

Mary J. Blige - Growing Pains

01 - Work That - Lyrically, this song is all about postivity and the courage to be yourself no matter what anyone thinks or has to say; I applaud her for that! Instrumentally, it samples something and I can't put my finger on it and it's driving me crazy. That being said, it's not the most catchy instrumental in world, but the emphasis here is less about the instrumentation and more about the lyrics. Vocally, it's a less rigid version of Mary. Rating: 3/5

02 - Grown Woman (featuring Ludarcris) - Definitely a track that automatically makes you bop your head! The bass driven, excited instrumental is nice! Sure to be a nice club hit without a remix! The Ludacris rap slows down the song, though. Taking out the rap, the song is awesome. Rating: 3.5/5

03 - Just Fine - This album, thus far, is surprisingly less "real and deep" than any of her previous efforts, and I'm glad that it's a lighthearted effort. This song is akin to the first song on the CD; another encouragment track that's slowly starting to grow on me since it's been everywhere since it's release. Her vocal delivery is quite reminiscent of the Jackson 5, IMO. Rating: 3.5/5

04 - Feel Like A Woman - Lyrically, I think this track is a tad beneath her; this would be better suited for Beyonce or Ciara in that regard because I think it's a tad juvenile. Instrumentally, its a nice mid-tempo groove that has a thumping drum beat and bass line that makes that head bop. It's definitely a filler track, but its one of those rare filler tracks that's actually listenable without skipping. Rating: 3/5

05 - Stay Down - This is vintage Mary. This is one of those filler tracks that could go either way--with enough promotion and hype it could be an actual single. The accompanying strings used are actually what make this song go forward. It has that early 90s mid-tempo groove feel. I quite like this track. Rating: 3.75/5

06 - Hurt Again - Very, very, very old school. Very neo-soul flavored, too instrumentally. This is just a solid track overall. Just a nice groove. Rating: 3.75/5

07 - Shake Down (featuring Usher) - Man, this is another solid track as well. She and Usher's voices blend very well together. Again, another overall solid track. A filler, but a listenable one. Rating: 3/5

08 - Till The Morning - This is a remake, and I think Mary brings a refreshing, updated feel to the track. It definitely retains it's old-schoolness and vibe and Mary is definitely true to it, but it's just new-school enough to make it valid today. I could do without some of the "back of the throat" vocals, but that aside... Rating: 3/5

09 - Roses - I think I heard somewhere that this would be the next single and I think she's gaging that on the 'realness' of the track as far as her monologue. While it's definitely a decent track, it's not single worthy, IMO. It's definitely a head bopper, but this is a song that is really for the hardcore Mary fans who feel like when she sings she's talking DIRECTLY to them, if that makes sense. This is a relationship advice song. Rating: 3.25/5

10 - Fade Away - Nothing special about this song except for the "Who Would Imagine A King" way it ends. Just okay for me. Rating: 2.5/5

11 - What Love Is - This is her first real solid ballad on the album, and although it's not a true ballad in the Whitney or Mariah sense, it is definitely a nice track. It's very mellow and the instrumentation is excellent. It's really a hip-hop ballad, meaning that the bass and clap track really carry the song forward. But the piano track used here is awesome and Mary is doing some serious singing toward the end. This is her next "Be Without You." Rating: 4/5

12 - Work In Progress (Growing Pains) - This is another mid-tempo groove and you can sincerely tell that Mary believes what shes singing. But this song samples some older song from the 70s that I can't quite place (heck, I was born in 1983, so my 70s music knowledge is severely limited). But she delivers a passionate vocal here without getting screechy or scratchy. Good job, MJB! Rating: 3.75/5

13 - Talk To Me - Another awesome filler track! I really like this track, especially the bridge! The instrumental has been done and done again and lyrically, it's typical Mary. But she's delivering some vocal passion and soul on this track. I really like this one! Rating: 4/5

14 - If You Love Me - Instrumentally, especially with the piano track, it's almost the second coming of "We Belong Together." That's where the simliarities end, not that this track is not a good track because it definitely is; maybe not as strong as "We Belong..." but still a good, solid, mid-tempo soul groove overall. Rating: 3.5/5

15 - Smoke - It has a really weird, write the drum-track on the down-beat type thing going on, which is really creative but takes away of what she's singing about. This song could have just been she and the synthesizer and it would have been one of the most strong tracks. Vocally, it's nice; not overdone. Rating: 3/5

16 - Come To Me (Peace) - I was really waiting on this track from all the love it got from everyone. Maybe it's just musical preference, because it's not my cup o'tea. That's not to say that it's a bad track; it just has that borderline pop-country/rock infused "but lets keep it soul" vibe that I just have never liked. But the vocal track is nice! Rating: 3/5

Overall Album Review:

Well, while this album doesn't top "My Life" or "What's The 411" in my book, it's definitely welcomed to join their ranks and that says a lot because the aforementioned albums are hip-hop classics, IMO. It's like my favorite Brandy album "Never Say N.E.V.E.R." in the respect that I can put it on and just let it play while I clean, while I cook, while I drive, whatever because it's just good music. It's a more directed effort than "The Breakthrough" which I kinda thought was just all over the board musically, lyrically, and instrumentally. This is her feel-good album and it definitely does that.

Would I recommend buying this album? If you like good, solid, soul music, then yes. She's almost (I said almost) abandoned her hip-hop roots here, but don't let her fool you; it's still in her and she brings it out on a number of tracks.

Overall Album Rating: 3.25/5