I have always been an avid music lover and every month I will try and give you a review from an old album that I still love. Back in the days when physical copies of CDs were the only way to play music and albums were really important.
This month’s entry is from US R&B singer Mario and his album “Turning Point” which was released in 2004.
Mario became well known for his 2002 song “Just a Friend” featured on his first album and which is also added here.
My favourite tracks on this album have to be:
18: This is the first track on the album and I feel it was very necessary to start off the project. Most people would still see Mario as the young boy in his “Just a Friend” song and so this intro track reminds us that’s he’s “grown up”.
Stand out Line: “Next time y’all underestimate me (Don’t do that)”
Let Me Love You: Classic throwback. This song was so big when it came out and rightly so and is still probably Mario’s biggest hit. The song, which was written by Ne-Yo had a beautiful sentiment behind it and I’m sure everyone remembers the baggy clothes Mario wore in the video! The song is based in Mario pleading with a woman to leave her unhappy relationship and be with him as he would treat her like the Queen she is.
Stand out Line: “You’re a dime plus 99 and it’s a shame, don’t even know what you’re worth”
Couldn’t say No: The tone of the album changes with this song as we start to see Mario isn’t as innocent as we think. This song is Mario asking for forgiveness and trying to explain why he cheated on his girl (“Couldn’t say No”). The production on this song is really good too.
Stand out Line: “I got bad news that I gotta break to you. I know you gonna act a fool but I gotta let her know”.
Boom: This song features Juvenile and from the first few seconds you can tell how upbeat the song is going to be. This song for me embodies a classic early 00’s song. Listening to it now, you can’t help but feel a little nostalgic. There are many references to lyrics from old 90s songs too which help.
Stand out Line: “Represent yo town” (When the beat changes and he names some places)
How Could You: This song is like the opposite of “Couldn’t Say No”. We get the impression his girl has cheated on him and here he sings about hurt. The songs feels like a typical R&B song with the slow melody, the frequent harmonies and Mario singing his heart out.
Stand out Line: “How could you put him on to the Ghetto Kama Sutra??”
Girl I Need: The song featuring Cham has a reggae feel that fits so well. Mario sings about the qualities he wants in a potential girl and with his harmonies make this song one of my favourites. Cham’s verse is also a great addition.
Stand out Line: “I need a girl that smart (and really intelligent) a girl with heart somebody who dont take no shit”
Here I Go Again: This song is about Mario who keeps going back to an ex despite the negative things she does. He begins to question his strength seeing as he keeps going back to the stress and aggro. Probably a very relatable situation with some people.
Stand out Line: “Am I crazy? Have I lost myself? Is this a sin?”
Nikes Fresh Out The Box: Here Mario compares his woman to a fresh pair of Nike Air Forces! Sneakerheads will see the connection..the idea that he will treat her as something precious like he does with his trainers. I’ve yet to hear an analogy like this and it is quite a compliment to compare a woman to something he cares about the most. The sentiment reminds me of a different version of metaphysical poetry where lovers are compared to unusual objects.
Stand out Line: “I see her, I want her, Got to have her like (Nikes fresh out the box)”
Like Me Real Hard: I love the vulnerability in this song. Mario is singing as a man who has suffered heartbreak in the past and is trying to convince a woman he likes, who also has suffered, that she should take a risk with him. He encourages her to take it slow explains that he does not want to rush into anything serious. I like how he sings about reassuring the woman who is obviously having doubts.
Stand out Line: “We’ve been broken by love and we both need time to heal”
C’Mon: This song is such a feel good song from the beginning to the end. The production is also great.
Stand out Line: “Where did you come from, I wanna thank your moms for bringin’ u into this life, and makin u my type”