Search - Troop :: Attitude

NEW EDITION'S BIGGEST COMPETITION AT THE TIME...

Knyte | New York, NY | 12/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The New Jack Swing Era was well underway by the time Attitude hit stores on October 13, 1989; and Guy, Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat and New Edition were already household names across urban America by then. With Attitude, Troop triumphantly joined this list as well, solidifying their status as a force to be reckoned with after storming the charts with their debut single, "Mamacita" from their self-titled debut in 1988. There are three songs in particular that make Attitude a timeless New Jack classic: "Spread My Wings", "All I Do Is Think Of You", and "I Will Always Love You".Featuring sweeping instrumentation and incredibly upbeat lyrics, the Chuckii Booker-produced "Spread My Wings" is easily one of the best New Jack mid-tempos ever recorded. The unforgettable "Spread My Wings" video also deserves mention - it featured memorable scenes of the quintet dancing on top of a skyscraper, and singing on the beach at sunset around a grand piano. "Spread My Wings" is probably the song Troop is best known for."All I Do Is Think Of You" is the second Chuckii Booker production, but is actually a remake of a 1975 Jackson 5 ballad. Beginning with an elegant piano intro, the song warms up into a stunningly majestic proclamation of young love. Lead vocalists Steve Russell and Allen McNeil sound wonderfully flawless on "All I Do Is Think Of You", and the harmonies on this track shimmer very brightly. Next to New Jack Era classics like "Can You Stand The Rain", "Make It Last Forever", "I'll Give All My Love To You", and "Let's Chill", the ultra-plush "All I Do Is Think Of You" sounds absolutely right at home. After the double-whammy of the previous two sonic gems, "I Will Always Love You" is almost too good to believe. Not to be confused with the Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton hit of the same name, "I Will Always Love You" has an urgent, yet wonderfully tender feel to it. More than anything, there is a sense of profound vulnerability a la Force MDs' "Tender Love" on this song that just doesn't happen anymore in today's "thug-oriented" R&B. Fans of anything by Usher, Ginuwine, or even Justin Timberlake will probably be able to get into this one. Notably, this song features early production by future TLC producer and `Drumline' filmmaker Dallas Austin. Other standout tracks on Attitude include the singles "I'm Not Soupped", and "That's My Attitude", which were fast songs definitely guaranteed to pack dance floors at urban clubs circa 1989-1990. The aforementioned tracks (especially "I'm Not Soupped") had great videos too. There is a "Soupped Mix" near the end of the album that is for the most part, an instrumental - but it features sampled elements that are very "Rhythm Nation 1814/Control-ish" in nature. The album cuts "My Love" and "My Music" could have also been single releases - there was nothing really `filler' about them at all. And the last song on the Attitude LP is a mellow version of "Spread My Wings", which rounds out the album perfectly. It should be noted that as an act, Troop was clearly influenced and inspired by the Jacksons and especially their one-time contemporaries, New Edition. However, Troop took on a more trendy approach to their sound and image than N.E., and specialized in their own brand of dazzling choreography (not unlike comparing the more energetic `Nsync to the classier Backstreet Boys on which they were based). While Attitude isn't as epic as say, Heartbreak, this is definitely not one to miss by any stretch of the imagination. And of all the Troop albums to own, without a doubt - it's this one.Njs4ever (New Jack Swing 4Ever)"

Am I really the first???!!!!

cheren28 | 04/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thinking back to the beginnings of the New Jack Swing era I can only say one thing: After Guy came this incredible energetic act. With songs like Attitude and Soupped they thrilled fans on the dancefloor. Having Chuckii Booker donate two of his most brilliant songs didn't hurt either. Spread my wings is a definite classic and I will always .... is still the bomb.After all this time I'm still waiting to see them top this one, it won't be easy but hey, If you won't try you'll never succeed. Troop was without a doubt one of the frontrunning teams for the wave of acts like Silk, Shai and a lot of other groups."

When R&B was something special

Derrick Dunn | Woodbridge,VA | 05/24/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With the founding father of R&B groups New Edition doing the solo thing in the early nineties and Boyz II Men still a year or so away, Troop was the premire R&B group of 1990. The songs Spread My Wings, All I Do Is Think Of You and I Will Always Love are some of the best songs to come out of early 90's R&B and the boys earned their spot in R&B in my opinion."