Complicated With Quality (Complicated - Nivea)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Complicated - Nivea
Date:	16/02/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The title track Complicated

Disadvantages: Too many so so tracks.

**Introduction**

On the 1st June 2008 I reviewed Nivea's self titled debut album and eight months on I have decided to review her second album which was released four years after her debut in 2005. If you are aware of Nivea then you will know that she is one of a long line of solo female R&B artists who have come out over the last few years. Although she is not as well known as say Brandy she has still worked with several well known producers with the likes of R Kelly, Bryan Michael Cox, Lil Jon and of course Jermaine Dupri.

**Complicated**

Nivea's second album was released on 3rd May 2005 on the Jive Records label. Nivea co produced the album with help from The-Dream, Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, R. Kelly, Nastacia Kendall and Larry Campbell. The album features collaborations with Lil Jon & YoungBloodZ, The-Dream, Rasheeda and another track featuring R Kelly after their collaboration on the track Laundromat on her debut album from 2001.

1.) Rain (Interlude)

This is a Gospel tinged interlude to open the album, You hear the rainstorm and then the backing vocals come in with Nivea's vocals. This track uses Rain as a metaphor for getting through your problems. A decent little interlude to kick off the album.

2.) Complicated

This is a really impressive title track, A superbly flowing ballad with Nivea's sweet vocals blending well with the backing vocals. The track is finished off with a fine guitar solo which is like the solo in Usher's awesome track U Got It Bad. Complicated is A great ballad which some of you may have heard before.

3.) Okay ft Lil Jon and Youngbloodz

This is a decent enough track when you take the collaboration with Lil Jon and Youngbloodz out of it but as they are in this track it lets the track down as I really do not understand the appeal of Lil Jon especially as he just seems to come out with nonsense in his tracks. This track is too repetetive for my liking too.

4.) Parking Lot

This is a funky track which comes in with some thumping drum beats and then as the track develops you get the fantastic melody in the background which gives the track a great flow. You would be forgiven for thinking that this track was about dogging given some of the lyrics about meeting in the parking lot. This is an ok track if a little silly.

5.) Fulton County Correctional Call (interlude

This interlude is in the form of a phone call to Fulton County Correctional, This seems to be about a boyfriend or an ex calling from the correctional facility. She declines the call.

6.) I Can't mess with You

This is a track featuring The Dream who was Nivea's then husband. The track opens with a sample of If you think you're lonely now which stays in the background throught the track. This is a decent enough track but lacks a little spark. The Dream provides a decent enough rap but does not feature much throught the whole track.

7.) Breathe (let it go)

This is a nice enough track which opens with keyboards and electronic sounds. I feel that this track should be more ballad like as I feel that it would be better if it was a little slower and the beat was lighter. An ok track though.

8.) Quickie

This track features female rapper Rasheeda and is a catchy uptempo track with the combination of Nivea's clear voice and Rasheeda's rapid fire rapping skills. A very flowing track that is one of the more pleasant suprises of the album.

9.) Indian Dance

This is a funky uptempo track which has more than a hint of Ciara. This has a very similar sound to the material that Ciara has done with Jazze Pha. Although a catchy track this does not have enough about it to counter the slightly repetitive feel of it.

10.) No More

Another midtempo track here which could have been better if it was more of a ballad format. Her vocals flow well along with the beat but this track is just ok when it could be so much better if it was a more stripped down ballad. Much the same as a couple of other tracks on the album.

11.) Gangsta Girl

This track features R Kelly and reminds me of some of his more uptempo tracks which use a spanish guitar along with the funky bassline to create a different sound. This does not live up to the possible quality of the track considering R Kelly is on it. Should be better.

12.) It's All Good

This track opens with a stop start beat and has a hip hop element with a little electro mixed in. It is a decent enough track but I have to say that Overall it is a poor end to the album and lacks a spark.

**Overall**

Nivea's second album is much the same as her debut in terms of overall quality, There are some promising songs but there is not one track that stands out as a great great track. Having said that Complicated is a very pleasant track which will probably be the only one I would still listen to. I listened to the whole album online and will not be buying the album as there are too many weaker tracks. Don't let this put you right off as you should feel free to check the album out for yourself.

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