Search - Lyfe Jennings :: Phoenix

Lyfe Jennings pours his heart and soul into another CD

J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 09/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of my old co-workers who knew that I was a music fan asked me if I had ever heard of Lyfe. Of course, at the time, I told her No and she told me about a track called "Stick Up Kid". She said that the video came on BET all the time on Midnight Love, which still came on at the time. Now I wasn't too thrilled about the subject matter, but the song was still pretty good. Once I heard "Must Be Nice" on the radio, I decided I would take a chance on "Lyfe 268-192". Although, I disliked the fact that he talked at the end of every song, I was definitely impressed by the CD. My favorite tracks ended up being "Must Be Nice", "I Can't", "Hypothetically", "26 Years, 17 Days" and "Let's Do This Right". His CD remained in constant rotation and was definitely one of my favorite r&b CDs in 2005. Although, the CD was released in 2004, most people didn't catch on to the CD until "Must Be Nice" was released.



Now in the Summer of 2006, Lyfe Jennings is back with "The Phoenix". The 1st single off of Lyfe's 2nd CD is a track called "S.E.X." which features La La Brown (Not Carmelo's fiancee). On this track Lyfe and La La send a positive message to all the young ladies that are growing up in the difficult world of today. They are bascially telling them that there is no rush to need to be with a man. We aren't going anywhere anytime soon. The purpose is to also tell the young ladies that there is no status or achievement to having sex at a young age. This is definitely something that should be done with serious thought and consideration, because you can't take things back, once they happen. Lyfe starts the CD with Young Buck and Doc Black on a track entitled "Slow Down". I definitely agree with the subject matter in the song, but Lyfe definitely has better songs on "The Phoenix", although Young Buck represents with his verse. The best song, in my opinion comes quickly on "The Phoenix" with "Goodbye". Lyfe has some powerful words to talk about on a ballad to decide whether or not saying goodbye to his woman is the right thing to do. If anyone is having doubts about Lyfe's sophomore CD then I would recommend them to listen to this track. "Let's Stay Together" is basically a midtempo continuation of "Goodbye" as he decides that the best thing to do is not to say goodbye and call it quits, he wants to try to make things work to stay together. Although, I am still annoyed by Lyfe talking on every other track, he definitely makes songs that men can relate to when it comes to things that go on in an average man's life. Now I have no idea why Lyfe wanted to name a track "Biggie N****". As reviewer "Constant" stated it was very humorous to me as well, but anyone that listened to "Stick Up Kid", knows Lyfe has some "gangsta" in him. "Biggie N****" allows him to display his gangsta side on "The Phoenix". The track isn't bad at all and he gives people who may not be use to the subject an interesting perspective on various events that happened in his life on the song, although the part when he says "I'm Biggie N****, reincarnated as a skinny n****", still mystifies me. Lyfe continues his "gangsta" on "Ghetto Superman" as he takes you back to the days when he was strugglin' and doing what he had to do on the block to try and make things work. Lyfe slows things down once again on "Down Here, Up There" as Lyfe sounds like he has written a personal letter to God to ask why are things so different on Earth today than they are in heaven. He is also trying to ask for some forgiveness for things that he has done in his past because he knows the life that he has lived would have God shaking his head. Lyfe puts his own interesting twist to "The River" as everyone knows the old school jam from the past. Lyfe definitely displays versatility on this track as the song has a gospel feel to it as well. One of my favorite tracks on "The Phoenix" has to be "Still Here" with Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat because the track comes out of nowhere. Although Lyfe is explaining the CD between tracks you would never expect a midtempo track with Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat on it. Lyfe goes through several difficult events in his life and eventually is just thankful to still be able to be alive and well. While Juicy "J" takes through tales of the hooo ooo ood and DJ Paul and Project Pat add their spin to things as well. Lyfe goes back to more of a traditional r&b sound on "More Than A Girl". The track wins with me but most people won't think that the track competes with most of the songs on "The Phoenix". "Stingy" starts off with a "nasty" guitar riff and Lyfe takes things from there as he is adds his own personal nasty to the track to talk about his woman. He even goes as far as saying that he cusses out his woman's bath water for every moment she is gone. "Radio" ends up being one of the better tracks on "The Phoenix" as well as Lyfe goes from talking about how frustrated he is with the world today to saying that no matter what is troubling him, once he hears one of his songs on the radio, all the trouble goes out of the window. "Keep Ya Head Up" has Lyfe using 2 Pac's lyrics to "Keep Your Head Up" but he sings them together to make a inspirational track in the realm of Jaheim's "Fabulous". Especially when you hear the end of the track when the little boy is singing "Keep Your Head Up".



Lyfe Jennings ends his 2nd CD on a powerful note with "I'll Always Love You". Although, I didn't need a computer voice telling me that it was a bonus track, Lyfe digs deep to tell a woman that he still loves that he was deeply sorry for all the bad things that he had done to her and how he regrets them. He basically leaves an open invitation for her to return if her new relationship doesn't work. That's deep.



Overall, if you enjoyed "Lyfe 268-192" then you will enjoy "The Phoenix". You will be annoyed from the narration that takes place throughout the CD but the songs themselves will try to help you forget that he is talking on every other track. Lyfe Jennings has done it again and if you haven't heard either of his 2 CDs, I suggest that you start paying attention and recognizing. You will be missing out on a great writer and a talented artist.



James' Top 5



1) Goodbye

2) Let's Stay Together

3) I'll Always Love You

4) Radio

5) Still Here w/Three 6 Mafia and Project Pat"

The Phoenix Flies High

Nash Tovi | Dallas, Tx | 08/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Phoenix opens with none other than yes you guessed it, narration, what Lyfe is known for. Then it leads into the album's loudest track "Slow Down," that starts off with a demanding drum pattern with an opening verus by G-unit's Young Buck. I thought to myself is he taking the r&b turned hip-hop route like so many of his contemporaries. This bothered me a bit because I was a big fan of his soulful very lyrical Lyfe 268-192. "Slow Down" is a very energetic opener as Lyfe croon's "I can't force you, to slow down, slow down, slow down." Then "Goodbye" opens with a beautiful piano composition that continues throughout. This is definitely my favorite track off the album. "Goodbye" shuts up the critics that said Lyfe can't hold a note or his voice is a bit too gritty. Anyone going through a hard time with the person you love can relate to this song on many different levels. Lyfe's ability to construct a amazing set of lyrics really shines here as he sings "Sometimes memories are not enough, sometimes you out grow the ones you love." You will ware out your repeat button due to this song. "Let Stay Together," then opens with a angelic set of la la la's, as Lyfe says in the song some people will thank him for this song because it really can make you want to stay together. Only on the third song and he's already taken you through breaking up and staying together. Next is "Biggie N****," which probably is my least favorite track on the album as Lyfe compares himself to the late Notarize Big. The beat fades in and out with a hard thunderous bang throughout which keeps you interested. On "Ghetto Superman" Lyfe sings of the struggles of the ghetto and being a superman if you can stand up to the adversity. It reminds me a lot of "Stick Up Kid" from his first album and if you listen closely you can actually hear him sing stick up kid somewhere in the song. Next is the first single, "S.E.X." I have to say my respect for Lyfe completely shot through the roof when I heard this song. I don't have to get much into it because you've seen the video and you've heard Lyfe's positive plea. "Down Here, Up There" beings thereafter, where Lyfe prays to god and tells of the problems down here over a beautiful acoustic guitar arrangment. Then its the powerful, soulful "The River" track. I have to admit this is the realist song I've heard all year as he sings "I was born in a hurry, cause my mother had to be back at work at eight thirty." As Lyfe sings of the broken relationship he had with his mother, you can't help but feel his pain. The tempo picks up after "The River" as the album leads into "Still Here," which features a guest appearance from Three Six Mafia. Next is "More Than A Girl," which features a laid back guitar arrangement with a bit of a fast paced drum pattern. This is a ode to a loved one as he sings "you will be always be the highlight of my life." I really like the laid back feel of this track and the bridge is simply amazing. "Stingy" opens with a electric guitar solo then leads into a soft crooning. The word play is such that only the gifted Lyfe would put together. This is a very sexy track as he sings "I'm jealous of your clothes cause the touch you more than I do." Definitely another one of my favorites. As the opening cords of "Radio" sound you can't help but get a really big smile on your face because it really takes you back. Its about how when a certain song comes on the radio you forget all your troubles. Lyfe raps toward the end of it and you think to yourself wow is there anything he can't do. Just when you thought he has pulled out all the treats from his bag Lyfe closes the album with powerful song about the most important people in our lives, our women, in the r&b cover of Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up." This is one of my favorite Tupac tracks so my mouth literally dropped to the floor when I heard this. This shows Lyfe's creativity and ability to have no bounds or limits to his music. And the little kids rapping at the end are just too good not to listen to. The hidden track "I'll Always Love You" tops off the icing making the album well worth buying. I've been asked by the friends how this album compares to his last and I must say even though Lyfe 268-192 was simply a amazing album The Phoenix flies high above it. The maturation of vocals, lyrics and diversity of sounds throughout The Phoenix make it a bit more superior."

Nice job!

jonas1015 | Cali | 09/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Loved the 1st CD and wasn't sure if i'd like the 2nd but I do! Great job Lyfe. I recommend adding this CD to u'r collection, all of the songs are good!"