Fantasy Fantasia (Fantasia - Fantasia)

Member Name: Lakerfanster

Product:	Fantasia - Fantasia
Date:	24/08/09 (62 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great voice, ballads

Disadvantages: Not enough ballads, not finished article.

**Introduction**

Fantasia Barrino is yet another success story in the history of American Idol. The North Carolina native made a name for herself during the Third season of the show back in 2004. You may not have known this but she comes from quite a musical family with her cousins Cedric and Joel Hailey of KCI & JoJo and Jodeci fame and also distant cousin of Dave Hollister of Blackstreet fame and solo singer Calvin Richardson. Fantasia had a tough life as a teenager and whilst a student at Andrews High School in High Point she was raped by a classmate and her life took on another challenge when she got pregnant at sixteen (not related) she raised the child on her own after her partner used to beat her.

**American Idol**

Fantasia impressed from the first audition In North Carolina with her unique vocal style and her infectious personality. She was also joined in the series by Jennifer Hudson who has since gone on to be a star herself with her performance in Dreamgirls alongside Beyonce Knowles and her debut album which she performs a song with Fantasia. Advancing through the stages Fantasia eventually won the series after receiving just over 1.2m votes more than runner up Diana DeGarmo. She released her debut album Free Yourself later in 2004.

**The Album**

Fantasia began work on her second album in early 2006 and the album was released on 12th December. It features production from some very well known producers. Including Babyface, Bryan Michael Cox, Danja, Dre & Vidal, Missy Elliott, Kwamé, Harold Lilly, Midi Mafia, Tone Mason and finally Swizz Beatz. The album features 14 tracks and collaborations include Big Boi from Outkast and Missy Elliot.

1. Hood Boy ft Big Boi
2. When I See You
3. I Nominate You
4. Baby Makin Hips
5. Not the way that I do
6. Only One U
7. I Feel Beautiful
8. I'm not that type
9. Uneligible
10. Two weeks notice
11. Surround U
12. Bore Me (Yawn)
13. Sunshine
14. Bump what your friends say
**My Review**

Opening up the album we have the impressively catchy "Hood Boy" ft Big Boi of Outkast. This has a funky beat with some 70's soul horns in the background. A very flowing opening. Next comes "When I See U" which is a very catchy track with a heavy beat and some nice keyboard tones. Fantasia's voice flows well with a fine purity and this track works really well with the beat on a more ballad like track. Next up is "I Nominate you" which is a very soulful track with Fantasia's vocals sounding like a modern day Aretha. This is a brilliantly flowing track which is up there with the best on the album.

"Baby makin hips" is a catchy up tempo track which has a great feel and some very catchy melodies. "Not The Way That I Do" Is a very funky up tempo track which sees Fantasia in a Beyonce like bootylicious mode if she had been doing the same kind of material she was back when she was younger as she is now."Only One U" is up next and this is a very flowing slice of R&B, It has a good beat and some very nice backing vocals with Fantasia's voice sounding centre stage. This is a very good track.

"I Feel Beautiful" is up next and this is a great Babyface penned track which has a great flow and a nice beat. This track is about how you feel when you come out of a bad relationship and you feel so much better for it that you feel that you can take anything on and win. "I'm not that type" is a catchy hip hop/electro track which sees Fantasia blast women who act a certain way. This blends the beat of the hip hop with the synth of the electro rather well and it makes for a different feel.

"Uneligible" is a funky up tempo track which has a great flow and is one of the best up tempo tracks on the album. This track does not show her vocal potential but what vocals they are are well defined and emotive. Next up is "Two weeks notice" which is a gorgeous ballad that slows the album down with gentle piano and then the beat comes in. Fantasia really excels with this track and the backing vocals add a nice touch. This is a brilliantly done track which is probably the best on the album.

"Surround You is up next and this is a funky old school slice of Fantasia. This has a good flow and although it does not really develop it's still a good track that you should enjoy. Next up we have "Bore Me, Yawn" which is a funky Prince like track about when you just get annoyed with someone's constant beating around the bush. A very flowing track that showcases the speed of Fantasia's voice at times.

"Sunshine" is up next and is a very pleasant mid tempo track which has some great hooks and sounds. Fantasia's vocal is very flowing and a lot less full on than usual which shows her tonal quality to good effect, Now we come to the final track on the album and this is a duet with Missy Elliot callled "Bump what your friends say" You may be surprised at this one as it's a smooth ballad which you would not expect Missy to be on but this is brilliant despite the addition of Missy.

**Overall**

This is a very good album which has some very good tracks and two stunners, It is better than her debut but there's still some work needed if Fantasia is going to have the career her voice deserves. I would like a few more ballads on her next album which is to be released next year. Although Fantasia won American Idol it was her Idol competition of Jennifer Hudson that has produced the better album so far. Time will tell how the two careers will go but one thing is clear, At her best Fantasia is an amazing singer with grace and power in spades. Good album.

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