Track Listings (12) - Disc #1| All Artists: Wyclef Jean Title: Carnival Iimemoirs of an Immigrant Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label: Columbia Europe Release Date: 11/26/2007 Album Type: Extra tracks, Import Genres: International Music, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B Styles: Reggae, Experimental Rap, Pop Rap, Contemporary R&B Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 886971959628 |
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Search - Wyclef Jean :: Carnival Iimemoirs of an Immigrant
 | Wyclef Jean Carnival Iimemoirs of an Immigrant Genres: International Music, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B
Wyclef Jean Carnival II (Memoirs of an Immigrant) Includes the hit Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) featuring Akon & Lil Wayne, plus songs with Chamillionaire, Nora Jones, Paul Simon, Serj (of System of A Down), Shakira, TI... more » |
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Album Description Wyclef Jean Carnival II (Memoirs of an Immigrant) Includes the hit Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill) featuring Akon & Lil Wayne, plus songs with Chamillionaire, Nora Jones, Paul Simon, Serj (of System of A Down), Shakira, TI, & more. Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsSeductively summery. modern jazz | 12/04/2007 (4 out of 5 stars) "Now Lauryn Hill's gone bag-lady bonkers, the Haitian Fugees' boss rifled through his little black book for more laydeez to play with. Norah Jones, Shakira and Mary J Blige are a few that answered his call. Wyclef Jean is a rare artistic breed - the more big names he collaborates with, the better he gets. On this laid-back fifth album he rounds up another impressive cast list, mixing rock, rap, reggae, Bollywood beats, dancehall and even samba. His latest star-studded collection sees him returning to one of his favourite themes: immigration and identity. The heroes and heroines of his narratives are illegal immigrants, strippers, deadbeat dads and single mothers - but, with the help of his guests, his portrayals of these outcasts are remarkably sympathetic. The reggae-lite production is seductively summery (especially on the gorgeous "Slow Down"), if slightly aimless at times; despite the influence of Wyclef's conscience, his eye is too firmly set on a carnival atmosphere to ever sound preachy. The new single "Sweetest Girl" has "hit" written all over it, a reggae-tinged track with a vocal contribution from Akon, Lil Wayne and Niia that fits in perfectly with Wyclef 's sound. Paul Simon provides a classic chorus on "Fast Car", a folky warning against youthful foolishness. Sizzla's slot on "Welcome to the East", "What About the Baby" featuring Mary j Blige and the silky "Any Other Day" with Norah Jones also stand out on this impressive display Easy on the ears, this album is a shot of summer for the chilled days ahead. Enjoy. " Eclectic Collaborations hurt by over-production D. Hoelck | Chico, CA USA | 12/05/2007 (2 out of 5 stars) "Wyclef Jean likes music, and he doesn't discriminate by genre. His jack of all trades approach to his past albums brought a distinctly unique feel to them, but with this latest effort, it seems that while he may well be a jack of all trades, he's a master of none. Jean's a producer at heart, and it's always shown. Relying on the collaborative effort to produce his visions has always worked well for him, and this album is no exception. A huge issue in production, however, is knowing when to stop. Almost every one of Jean's songs feels like a mess. There's energy and passion, but there is no clarity to it. Mixing genres is fine, but the plan wasn't realized here, and just taking the different musical styles and throwing them into a blender isn't going to be enough. For all the passion, talent, and exploration here, there just wasn't enough planning." Here for the spectacle, or for the message? SteppingRZA | USA | 12/06/2007 (3 out of 5 stars) "This is a somewhat tough album to put a finger on, because while it is catchy, well-crafted and has a bit more depth than the great majority of pop albums coming out, it still is a pop album. The message that Wyclef fans found on the first "Carnival," "The Eclectic" and his other, less-played solo albums takes a second seat to the production and musical hodgepodge. Most of the tracks deliver a bouncy, catchy, poppy feel, so, say, even if were singing about war or politics, those messages are immersed in upbeat sounds. And while only a few people can pull off the multi-cultural musical blend that's here (and Wyclef is one of them), the CD suffers from overproduction.
It's not bad, and Wyclef sounds like he had fun recording this one, and it's an upbeat one, but just not a deep one. Wyclef pulls out many tricks, but few of the tracks have the subtle, straightforward power of, say, "Diallo" from "Eclectic." Just like "Carnival" was a sign of its time, "Carnival II" is as well, opting for a more commercial onset, tackling various styles, touching on many music bases -- there's another song with Shakira (with whom he remade his own "Hips Don't Lie"), appearances by Sizzla, Serj Tankian (of System of a Down), Chamillionaire, Akon (one of the big hook guys of the moment), Mary J. Blige, Norah Jones and even Paul Simon (Paul Simon??!?). Unlike most acts who get together with so many guest artists, the sound here is definitely that of Wyclef. But, unfortunately, as solid as this album is, it just feels like some substance is missing, mostly due, again, to the overproduction. If only Wyclef chose to make an album more for his base, rather than the mainstream. But, for an album named "Carnival II," this album is definitely a global party and, yes, worth getting. Party to this one, and you won't find fault in it." |
