Album Review: Timbaland, Shock Value 2 (Deluxe Edition)
Timbaland
Shock Value 2 (released December 8, 2009)
I guess you can never judge a book by its cover. Or in this instance, a CD by its case.
Going into Shock Value 2, Timbaland’s sixth album, my expectations were extremely low. Just check out the featured artists on the back of the album – Katy Perry, Jojo, freaking Miley Cyrus – HUH? Tim’s longtime collaborators like Missy Elliott, Jay-Z and Magoo are conspicuously absent. On top of that, critics haven’t been kind in their reviews and, oh yes, I hear there will be lots of auto-tune as well.
But you know what? Shock Value 2 ain’t bad at all.
Here’s the first thing you need to know – this is not a hip hop album. It’s a mishmash of rap, R&B, rock and pop – the blended style Timbaland has evolved into over the years. With so many contrasting styles it would be easy for the album to spiral out of control. But Tim’s solid, signature production keeps everything in place.
Probably the only thing resembling a traditional Timbaland track is “Say Something,” with everyone’s favorite rapper Drake. Drake has been hit or miss to me, but “Say Something” is easily my favorite song from him thus far. The subject matter isn’t anything new (he’s talking about the traps of fame…again) but Drake’s vocals glide over the thumping track.
Tim trades raps with Bran’Nu (AKA Brandy) on “Meet In Tha Middle,” and while you sure won’t confuse those two with Rakim and Bahamadia, they give the track a little grit to balance out the bouncy beat. I was all ready to hate on the goofy “Ease Off The Liquor” until Tim seamlessly introduced a mariachi band at the end of the track. You see, that’s what Tim has always done best – when you’re ready to write off a track for it’s lame lyrics or so-so beat, he adds a new element to jump start the experience.
And that’s what drew me into a track like “Tomorrow In A Bottle,” which features Chad Kroeger of Nickelback. You’ll NEVER, EVER find me listening to Nickelback – ask my friends, I’m so stingy you won’t catch me giving a penny back – but it’s Timbaland’s stellar production that gives this song entry into my personal playlist (despite Tim using that stupid auto-tune). Same goes for “Undertow,” which could do for the Fray what “Apologize” did for OneRepublic. Tim even flips Australian rock band Jet’s “Timothy” and makes it his own, literally, by transforming it into the autobiographical “Timothy Where You Been.”
But even Timbo can’t work miracles. Comparing women to fast food was stupid when Raheem DeVaughn did it, but somehow Tim and Justin Timberlake sound even dumber on “Carry Out.” The less said about Miley Cyrus’ “We Belong To The Music,” the better. It sounds like the theme song for a bad Nickelodeon show. And “Can You Feel It” is a bit too techno for my tastes.
Sure, I would have loved to have had Missy and Magoo on this album (it’s not like Magoo is doing anything anyway) but I must admit, I’m not mad at Timbaland for branching out. And that’s saying a lot, coming from a guy who’s always mad about something. Give it a chance, you might like it too.
Word of advice, though – feel free to pass on the deluxe version. The extra tracks don’t add much. Save the 3 bucks and give ’em to Magoo if you see him.
Best tracks: “Say Something,” “Undertow,” “Timothy Where You Been”
4 stars out of 5
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