Ashanti has always struck me as one of those doomed-for-background-vocals type girls. Her unexceptional voice was always better suited to singing hooks behind some over-exuberant, crusty pop-rapper. After a set of mild albums and singles, Ashanti stepped outside of her standard set of producers from The Inc. and put out the album she’d always wanted to make with 2008’s The Declaration.
Ashanti’s voice is never brilliant. But unlike the other R&B paragons of mediocrity, Ashanti has a certain appeal as the star in front of her songs. She doesn’t grant a cure for insomnia like Cassie and she’s not as pedestrian as the ladies from Danity Kane, but she’s not particularly good either.
What can one say about The Declaration other than to press the point that this is about as average as average gets? It will sell well, it’s easy-to-digest and flavourless, and it’s wholly unremarkable.
There are tracks here that are respectable, proving that the Ja Rule duets from hell are in the rear-view mirror. Take “Body on Me,” for instance. The catchiness of the track and the services of Akon and Nelly create a concrete single which should see plenty of chart time.
The piano-heavy “The Way that I Love You” is a good tune too and Ashanti makes fine use of the limitations of her voice by confining herself to a level-headed range. She stays safe here, as she always does, but it somehow works with the undulating production of the track.
The cooingly sexy “Things You Make Me Do” is a tantalizing track, as Ashanti writhes and breathes with a sort of Janet Jackson sensuality. A video for this song would be scorching.
Unhappily, those three exceptions aside, the bulk of The Declaration feels less like a decree of autonomy and more like the same old bag of feeble tricks. The light “Good Good” is fronted by a bored-sounding Ashanti and the yawn-inducing “Struggle” doesn’t provide anything noteworthy either.
The Declaration continues to prove Ashanti as a background singer pretending to be a lead artist. She’s certainly not as mind-numbing as some other performers, but Ashanti’s fundamental lack of individuality and character do little to make The Declaration memorable.
4/10
Here I thought taste was something subjective, but you’ve gone and proven me wrong. I guess that means I “don’t know music.” Such an unquantifiable statement sounds pretty stupid, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. What does it mean to “know music” in your mind?
By the way, I’m glad you enjoy the album. That doesn’t mean I have to.
Comment by Canadian Cinephile — June 26, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
Do you really know music or are you just trying to write an article cause your bored. I bet you thought Rihanna had a great album. SMH, and I’m not an Ashanti fan, but this album is one of the best R&B albums to come out this year. I mean real R&B. The kind the artist write and the songs actually make sense. Canda must have a different feel for music than we (US) does. Still SMH…….
Comment by You Really don't Know — June 26, 2008 @ 4:34 pm