"the US release of Angie Stone's "Stone Love" is ruined by Copy protection. Soem cds say "Content protected". When a cd is labeled as "Content protection", usually it includes SunnComm MediaMax Version 5 content protection software that may expose security vulnerability when played on PCs and usually you can make small amounts of copies to cd-r's and I-pods or other digital music players. but this is "copy protected". I can't even transfer it onto cassette. And from my understanding, every international release of this album except Japan, also is copy protected. I know that the music industry is trying to cut down on Piracy but I feel that once you purchase a cd, it's yours and you should be able to do whatever you want with it. I don't think it was fair that I had to buy this twice : once on cd form and the other on I Tunes. I am against music piracy but I'm also against copy protecting cds. I hate that I can't transfer this cd onto my i pod"
Love the Album; Hate the Strigent Tactics...
CJaneRun | 04/07/2007
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased this CD for personal use only which includes adding the tracks to my MP3 Player...In actuality I was the one who got played because of the strigent tactics to prohibit piracy I can't enjoy the music on the go as I had planned. Lesson learned; blessing earned: I will purchase no more "copy-protected" music. I nor other music lovers should be punished for the greed of others...What is our crime but the love of music?"
SHE'S ALWAYS ON THE CUSP...
Neil Sol | Los Angeles, California United States | 12/07/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Angie has been in the game for about 2 decades now and she just can't seem to make that breakout leap, ya know? But it's all good. This one is nice though. Not her best effort but a solid one. Nothing really jumps out at you sans the lead single.
Typical Angie-esque. Bonus is that Anthony Hamilton appears, so that makes it all good.
"
It's too bad...
Cypripedium | Cambridge, MA | 05/07/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I like Angie Stone's music not just because it's got that classic old-school/soul sound, but also because the groove of her music suits her singing style. She's a gifted singer with an amazing voice. This album once again displays her talent and is a nice follow-up to Mahogany Soul, if perhaps a teeny bit more commercial with all the guests she brings in -- which isn't a complaint, but I suspect the guests were brought to give this album a broader appeal. And they often yield great results. But while the guest appearances by Floetry on "My Man" and Anthony Hamilton on "Stay for Awhile" were brilliant, I was less impressed with Snoop on "I Wanna Thank Ya." I liked the rap-free version better -- I don't think Snoop was really needed, and maybe could've been used better elsewhere. Other standout tracks include "U-Haul," "Lover's Ghetto," "You Don't Love Me" and "Karma."
Overall, it's another stellar performance by Stone which musically deserves 4 stars, but I'm only giving 3 because of the Content Protection. I don't believe in piracy but if I buy the CD, I feel I should be able to copy it to my iPod. Nor should I have to shell out $35 just so I can buy the Japanese import that isn't Content Protected. So my advice: this is an excellent album and worthy of your collection, particularly if you're a fan of that classic '70s soul sound. But if you listen to most of your music on an iPod (as opposed to a CD player), you may want to consider purchasing the entire album in an mp3 format."