Album Review: Robin Thicke, Sex Therapy: The Experience
Sex Therapy: The Experience (released December 15, 2009)
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I’m 80 percent sure my wife would leave me for Robin Thicke if he gave her the time of day. Ever since his first album, 2003’s often-forgotten A Beautiful World, that man could do no wrong in her eyes.
That is, until she heard “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” featuring Lil Wayne’s hideous mistress Nicki Minaj. For those of you who haven’t had the (dis)pleasure of hearing her, lump her in the category of rappers your 11-year-old cousin says are “hot in the streets,” like Gucci Mane and Lil Boosie.
Like Alicia’s Keys’ latest album, Thicke experiments with a new sound – for him, it’s a sound that’s immersed in hip hop. Although “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” sounds like a reject Trey Songz track, most fare slightly better. Surprisingly, his trademark falsetto doesn’t get lost in the thumping bass of “Elevatas.” And “Meiple” features Thicke trading raps with Jay-Z of all people – and it doesn’t sound too bad.
Still, I don’t know about you, but I don’t buy a Robin Thicke album to hear him sound like one of those kids from 106 & Park. The first single “Sex Therapy” is the man we all know and the ladies (especially the wife) all love. Same goes for the gentle “2 Luv Birds” and “Mona Lisa” – they possess that slow groove that thrust him into the spotlight.
As good as this album is it could have been so much more. Next time, I hope Thicke leaves his rapper friends at home. But when Thicke sticks to script, he’s one of the best at his craft.
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