James' Top 5

1. Don't Change
2. Time
3. Newness
4. Half Crazy
5. Stoplayin


GRADE: B+   June 27, 2002
Knyte (New York, NY)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Musiq has definitely stepped up his vocal game since 'Aijuswanaseing'. In my humble view, Musiq seems to have that "little engine that could" quality that makes him instantly likeable. When I got a chance to hear Musiq perform live (opening for Erykah Badu), you could literally see and hear the effort he was putting into his (still developing) stage presence and vocal ability, and now we're finally geting a chance to hear even more of his musical growth (and experimentation) on Juslisen. Now I'll attempt to elaborate:

After a warm, neo-soul style introduction, we're off into "Newness", a song that is similar in vibe to the material found on 'Aijuswanaseing', except it sounds less organic, and even more polished. "Newness" (to me) is a pure and honest head-nodder that a lot of us can probably relate to in everyday life. "Everything is cool", Musiq sings, "when love is all brand new, you're learning me, and I'm learning you..."

Next up is "Caught Up", an early favorite of mine, and the first of the two funk-jazzified, cane-swinging tracks on 'Juslisen'. "Stoplayin" has a very similar beat to Michael Jackson's "Butterflies", and is one of the stronger cuts on the album. But it's "Religious" (funk-jazzified, cane-swinging track #2) that is my favorite uptempo song on the album. I LOVE this song; it employs the very same sample that Heavy D mined in 1988 for "Gyrlz They Love Me" (anyone remember that one?). Employing a church organ and similarly themed lyrics, "Religious" marks a new (and confident) approach for Musiq, and I think he pulls it off beautifully -- a definite single in my opinion.

"Babygirl" is a simply decent (and relaxing) midtempo that I could learn to love. "Halfcrazy" is the album's first single, and what I like about this song is the unresolved tension I feel the lyrics (and musical accompaniment) communicate. "Time" is a 6/8 time ballad with a melodic feel that vaguely reminds me of the late, great (and ahem, real Princess of R&B) Aaliyah's "I Care 4 U". Next up is "Future", a track that is another just okay/filler track (in my opinion) that I'm sure someone else out there actually likes...

After a moderately funky intermission, the 'Juslisen' experience picks up again with "Realove", one of Musiq's best songs yet (to me). Thematically, it deals with a woman who has turned bitter after a negative experience with love, and while the subject matter isn't exactly revolutionary, it's a very real phenomenon for much of Musiq's audience...and the sonic vibe of the song (which plods along a la 'Just Friends (Sunny)' with a hypnotic DJ Premier-like edge) just works really well for me.

But it's "Onenight" that I consider a real winner (Musiq's biggest experiment here), as he channels the late (great!) Marvin Gaye's warm, tender, and textured musicality in this impressive work of emotional, neo-soul balladry, this is my favorite 'non-radio' track on 'Juslisen', and would love to see this song performed live. "Previouscats" is the most traditionally "modern R&B" song I've ever heard Musiq perform, and it seems to be begging for a contribution by Mary J. Blige; her passionate vibe has somehow found itself embedded into this song.

"Solong" is a decidedly different turn (singing in a deeper voice than usual) for Musiq that provides a pleasant, midtempo segue into "Bestfriend", a lyrically (and musically) interesting duet with newcomer Carol Riddick that is definitely a highlight of the album. "Dontchange" (the 2nd single from 'Juslisen' and deservedly so) will probably become the biggest slow jam (or song, period) from this album, and could very well end up a career-defining hit for Musiq a la K-Ci and JoJo's "All My Life"...

"Motherfather" is a traditional-sounding, gospel flavored tribute from Musiq to his parents, and anyone listening closely to the lyrics can appreciate his sincerity on this track. Musiq's cover of "Something" by the Beatles is nice, but plays it too safe for me to really like it; he doesn't "own" the song the way I wish he would have. "Ifiwouldaknew (Girlnextdoor remix)" uses the same Debarge "Stay With Me" sample as Ashanti's "Foolish", and the late (great!) B.I.G.'s "One More Chance"; I think I can safely speak for most urban music fans when I say I'm sick of that sample...

Overall I'm definitely impressed with 'Juslisen', but at over 75 minutes I feel some tracks could have been left off. This is in stunning contrast to my feelings about'Aijuswanaseing' (which is a much more concise album). I wouldn't pass up 'Juslisen' if you are a fan of organic singer-songwriting styles in R&B (aka neo-soul), or even if you're into recording artists like Usher, Ginuwine, or even Faith Evans because Musiq seems to be wanting to court those fans as well with his newer, more "polished" look and sound. Grade: B+


In this case....TWO is the charm!!   August 20, 2002
Glenn Hadley, Jr. (Newport News, Virginia)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

On his first album, Musiq Soulchild provided listeners with a brand new vibe that we had really never heard before from modern R&B artists -- a vibe that other artists, such as India Arie, were able to be inspired and motivated by as time went on. Such singles as "Love" touched our hearts and made us think back to a special moment in the past when we were in love, and could agree with every word Musiq beautifully worded through his lyrics. "Juslisen" is no different. This album has a similar flow as his first one, talking about life, childhood, and the effect that relationships on peoples' lives, and how decisions made in a relationship can definitely change the relationship all together. BUT THE BEST TRACK, to me, ON HIS ALBUM is: "Dontchange". This song is the most beautiful R&B song I have heard in a while. The overall message is: No matter what time does to a person physically, the love will never change and it'll only grow stronger. Other tracks like "Religious" get you up and moving to the beat! "Half-Crazy" was his first single, and many might think that was the peak of his CD and all else is downhill.....well, YOU ARE WRONG!! Go out right now...don't burn this CD from your boy, or your best friend's sister's boyfriend's cousin's baby mama. NO! NO! Go...scrap up your change, and go buy this CD, because this is a definite MUST-HAVE for your collection -- no matter how skeptical you are!


Don't sleep on Musiq...he's the real deal...   September 19, 2002
Kevin R. Richardson (State College, PA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

For some reason, people hate on Musiq. I guess his sincere lyrics rub the average thug the wrong way. I mean his last cd was pretty cool carried of course by the extraordinary single, "Just Be Friends" but he definitely learned alot from his last outing. This current effort is tight all the way. I tried to peruse the album when i first picked it up but i seriously listened to the entire cd without hitting the "skip" button. That is an accomplishment considering i can't remember the last time i did that. He maintains the lyrics that his grandmother would be proud of but i don't know if grandma could groove with the heavy bass rhythms throughout. Musiq also incorporates popular urban motifs that the average fan of hip hop and R&B will know causing a sly smile to appear on your face. Highlights abound in this piece but more importantly, no lowlights. Overall, this is a perfect mid-tempo cd cool for any occasion...


Juslisen   September 12, 2002
SID (BOSTON)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Some may dismiss Musiq as a goody-goody, but for those repulsed by the amorality and parade of pathologies found in so much current R&B and hip hop, he's probably a blessing instead. Even compared to sensitive new-soul contemporaries like Maxwell and Bilal, Musiq sounds like an innocent; however, with that innocence comes a common touch that makes Juslisen special.

The G-rated love songs here, most set to warm, Stevie Wonder-esque grooves, are less inventive than the competition (although Musiq's improved as a vocalist since his debut, Aijuswanaseing, showing a convincing lower range and the confidence to update the Beatles standard "Something"). Yet it's the little details in tunes like the getting-to-know-you fencing of "Newness," or "Religious," where Musiq dreams of seeing a girl in church "in your glory/looking so fine," that make them resonate--offering familiar ground to folks whom racier fare would never reach. Though Musiq sometimes lays it on a bit thick, Juslisen proves that virtue can still be a virtue, indeed