5.) Rebirth
(March 2005)
The Set-Up
Every album Jennifer has put out always takes place in the middle of a relationship of hers (which means every song has to deal with that certain person). And after the fiasco that was Bennifer, it was hard to take this album seriously because it was all about her new marriage to Marc Anthony (whom she is still with and has the most adorable twins with).
The Play-by-Play
Things get started off right with Jennifer’s best single to date “Get Right”. Again, it is either the most annoying song in the world or one of the most fun and inventive. Producer Rich Harrison was in his prime after hits with Beyoncé (“Crazy in Love”) and Amerie (“1 Thing”). And while this song goes right along with the same sound and vibe the two previously mentioned songs have, it stood on its own as a fun opening single, coming right out of the gate strong and building up to sick-ass song! It’s hard to follow an opener like that, but longtime collaborator and producer Rodney Jerkins comes out with a sultry, sexy number with “Step Into My World”. We know that she may not have the best voice in the music industry, but her soft whispering and hush hush singing provides so much sexiness. She’s in her sexy prime with this one. “Hold You Down” comes right after, a sweet duet with Fat Joe (whom she previously collaborated on her first album with “Feelin’ So Good”). It’s a different feeling on this one, but it never quite builds up to the hype surrounding it. It tries too hard to capture the same magic that occurred on her last album with LL Cool J on “All I Have”, but it didn’t come even close. And it was a horrible choice as a follow up single to “Get Right”, which might explain why the album never did all that well. After that small hiccup, she comes back strong with the second Rich Harrison production, “Whatever You Want”, exuding more sexiness and lots of fun. Think “1 Thing” part 2. “Cherry Pie” comes next, a fun throwback to 80’s pop music, but the lyrics do get a little bit cheesy and amateur. But she makes a strong return once more with the second production credit from Rodney Jerkins on “I Got U”, one of the highlights on the album. It’s a classic Jennifer Lopez song, taking us back to the kind of music she came out with on her first album. From there unfortunately, it’s a downward spiral of weak, unimaginative efforts. “Still Around” is declaration of her love and devotion, dedicated to her husband Marc Anthony (which he happens to make a surprise appearance in). Her voice has never sounded worse by the way than it does when she tries riffing and hitting high notes nowhere near her range. Then comes the sloppy seconds from Brandy with “Ryde or Die”. You can still even hear her voice in the chorus! After that it’s “I, Love”, the most boring song the album has to offer, followed by a decent track from hit producer Timbaland “He’ll Be Back” (and ya’ll know I love me some Timbo!) Then it’s time for the album to end with an unnecessary, overly dramatic song “(Can’t Believe) This Is Me”. And last but not least, we’re treated to another version of “Get Right” featuring a verse from rapper Fabolous.
The Point
While the second half of the album is weak and boring (very unoriginal as well), listening to “Get Right” through “Cherry Pie” is reason enough to put it at #5 in the J.Lo albums countdown.
The Essentials
“Get Right” is no doubt the big highlight of the album, and the video is a memorable one as well!
“I Got U” is a sweet reminder of when Ms. Lopez first came out into the music industry.
*Sorry for the poor quality video down below.
And “Whatever You Want” is a fun, hip club banger thanks in large part to producer Rich Harrison.
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