If You're Out There:
Evolver by John Legend
"The future started yesterday/we are already late...
If you’re out there/I’m dying to believe..."
Given our current climate which aspires to be be post-racial, post genre, post-everything, it’s appropriate that John Legend’s third offering EVOLVER, positions him as R+B’s Obama.
Legend doesn’t have the traditional R+B roots of poor/struggling hood kid. He’s got an Ivy League pedigree… He sings with a relaxed coolness that doesn’t overpower… His subject matter is more love/relationship than sex.
For better or for worse, John Legend’s just a different kinda of R+B cat.
From its “Good Morning” intro thru its last track “It’s Over” remix (by a reinvigorated Teddy Riley), Evolver lives up to its name: It’s R+B that pushes beyond the Black-Lovaman-seeks-Hood-Freak so many R+B artists get hustled into serving up. Even with standout appearances from A3K (Green light), label-mate Kanye (It’s over), and Estelle (No Other Love) focusing on staple topics of hooking up and flings, Evolver is more rooted in exploring possibilities of love, regret, and live-learn-and-let-live optimism.
Consider, the title of this review is from If You're Out There Legend's uplifting-but-destined-to-be- overplayed-ode. It's almost a follow-up to the Yes We Can joint he co-wrote with will.i.am. like most of the album, it's a song and a style that begs to wonder if Legend thinks he/we are smarter than what we shown so far and are simply afraid to stretch out and live it out.
I’m trying not to over-analyze this album because I really like it a lot; but it’s pretty different from the traditional R+B that I normally get into stuff. There’s a breezy, almost free-spirited quality to Evolver's arrangements and lyrics. Legend flows from Reggae tinges to relaxes seaside flavors while still sounding soulful and cohesive. Even when Legend's singing about tragic break ups, dangerous women (Take Me Away) and last-chance at love (Quickly w/Brandy) he sounds like a guy who’s gonna be just fine and is just happy to learn from the experience.
Legend displays another admirable quality throughout Evolver: It’s never the woman's fault when things go wrong in a John Legend love song.
She's never some money grubbing ho or a babymama drama fiend, or a psychotic window-smasher that can't take a hint. No. For Legend, stuff just didn't workout. It could've been but they didn't quite get it right;maybe somebody got scared; maybe someone was immature; but both parties are usually equally at fault in Legend's world. (And in all honesty, isn't that a lot closer to the truth in most relationships than the trifling-dog/crazy-bitch back-n-forth that fills too many R+B records?)
Also, like most of John Legend’s work, Evolver stands more on strong songwriting that paints scenes and catches flavors of feelings than on beats or sensual melodies. If the Obama pose does work, JL should be fitted for the Black Burt Bacharach crown. In fact, Hollywood, if you’re reading this, John Legend should be writing music for your next romance flick.
Overall, Evolver's not gonna grab you by the throat. It's not gonna smash through your speakers or rattle your floorboards. But it'll get under your skin... It'll tickle you in some spots; it'll make you wink as much as it makes you smile. And it'll make your iPod say, "Yep... I think we've got us a real keeper."
My Evolver Faves: It's Over (Teddy Riley Remix) (Bonus Track), If You're Out There, Good Morning, Take Me Away, Everybody Knows
Evolver drops Oct. 28th
John Legend
EVOLVER
G.O.O.D. Music/Sony
2008
1. "Good Morning (Intro)" 0:46
2 "Green Light" (ft. André 3000) 4:44
3 "It's Over" (ft. Kanye West) 4:27
4 "Everybody Knows" 4:35
5 "Quickly" (ft. Brandy) 3:42
6 "Cross The Line" 3:22
7 "No Other Love" (ft. Estelle) 3:59
8 "This Time" 4:23
9 "Satisfaction" 4:45
10 "Take Me Away" 3:03
11 "Good Morning" 4:01
12 "I Love, You Love" 4:35
13 "If You're Out There" 4:23
14 "Can't Be My Lover" (Bonus Track) 4:33
15 "It's Over" (Teddy Riley Remix) (Bonus Track) 4:19
