Product description John Legend - Once Again - CD .co.uk It takes guts, if not outright egomania, to abandon your given surname and adopt a loaded one like Legend, but the former John Stephens must have sensed that loftiness would one day be his calling card. Once Again, the follow-up to the Grammy-gobbling, platinum pile-on that was Get Lifted, surpasses expectations. Not that it bears much relation to its predecessor. Again again trots out a stable of talented, modern-minded producers--Raphael Saadiq, Legend comrade Kanye West and the unsinkable will.i.am--but it's nowhere near as self-conscious about embracing the old-school as the knowing, R&B edge-skimming Lifted. Don't expect a derivative mash of smudgy, nostalgia-filching sounds, though, because despite its retro leanings, what's in store somehow crackles with currency. Call it neo-retro if you must, but never call it unimaginative: first single "Save Room" coasts, drifts and floats along a ponderous path spiked by a cool keyboard-y crescendo; second single "Heaven" busts out a big, busy beat over a slow seduction; and a couple of selections--"Each Day Gets Better" and "PDA"--are so bright and twirly they seem custom-made for dizzy love scenes or jaunty, sunny-day skips through the park. Maybe the most unusual track is "Show Me," a rock song that pilfers elements of Hendrix and finds Legend climbing a few octaves to sound, weirdly, like Jeff Buckley, but it works: so slippery is its beat and so affecting are its hope-laced lyrics that, oddness aside, it's among the disc's best. Sandwiched as it is among 14 songs that all sound like future classics, that's saying something. --Tammy La Gorce
L**M
The Legend lives up to his name!
'Get Lifted'was without doubt my favourite album of last year and a day rarely went by without me listening to it. I worried that John Legend would find it difficult to produce anything that came even close to living up to the success of that album. But he has truly proved the appropriateness of his name by bringing us a stunning album that is completely different to but equally as brilliant as his debut. This has a more mellow sound to it but retains Legend's wonderful ability with lyrics resulting in some deeply emotional and exceptionally beautiful tracks. I thought it almost impossible but his voice has developed too, I can't imagine ever tiring of hearing this man's sound. Some stunning love songs - 'Each Day Gets Better' and 'Where Did My Baby Go' mix with the more risque lyrics of 'PDA (We Just Don't Care) and 'Another Again' and there are some more upbeat numbers there too 'Stereo' and 'Save Room'. This would be a perfect soundtrack for a night in with the love of your life!I'm sure this album will have a more widespread appeal than his first and will bring appreciation of his talent to a wider audience. At the moment it seems that he can do no wrong. If you liked 'Get Lifted' you'll love 'Once Again', if you haven't yet tried John Legend you could ask for no better introduction.Buy this album you won't regret it.
T**N
Excellent
Great cd
J**Y
Absolutely great! He is my favourite singer
Absolutely great! He is my favourite singer. I wish he visited UK more. Great music, lyrics and great jazz orientated voice. Knows his music and is very creative. Would certainly recommend this CD.
M**S
Nice...
An accomplished follow up to his debut album. Less stand out tracks than on the "Get Lifted" LP but a pleasant collection of ballads and mid tempo songs.
S**S
Good
Me
M**N
2nd anniversary present for wife
She loved it as she is a massive fan of John Legend but has never actually bought his CD's. Definitely lots of brownie points for me.
R**E
Hmmm?!
No denying his voice is as great as ever but I think I need to keep listening and hope it grows on me.
K**3
Mellow magic!
This was the CD that got me into John Legend's music.
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