A Man's Thoughts | ||||
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Released | June 23, 2009 | |||
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A Man's Thoughts is the sixth studio album from American R&B singer Ginuwine. It was set to be released June 2 but was pushed back to June 23, 2009. The album received average critical reception from pop critics.
The first single from the album is "Last Chance", which was produced by Bryan-Michael Cox and written by Adonis Shropshire. The single speaks about a man's plea for one last chance to prove his love. "'Last Chance' reflects the maturity of my personal growth over the last few years," explains the singer. A video for the single was recently shot in Los Angeles and will feature appearances from singer Tyrese and actress LisaRaye. It was directed by Juwan Lee, who has also done work with Mario, Nelly and Young Capone.
"Last Chance" was released to Urban AC radio on March 3 and was released to mainstream urban markets on March 24. On March 26, on 106 & Park, Ginuwine stated that his second single will feature Missy Elliott and describe to album as a sort of reunion. He also stated that he had not spoken to Timbaland within 5 years, because they simply grew apart.
Despite "Get Involved" being listed as the second single for the album, the track "Trouble" featuring Bun B was the second music video to be shot and released. The music video was done for the version of the track that did not feature Bun B. [1] The official remix of "Trouble" features Hurricane Chris, Gucci Mane, & OJ Da Juiceman.
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 53/100 [2] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
About.com | [3] |
Allmusic | [4] |
Boston Herald | B− [5] |
Chicago Tribune | [6] |
Entertainment Weekly | C [7] |
Los Angeles Times | [8] |
Metro News | [9] |
PopMatters | 5/10 [10] |
Robert Christgau | C [11] |
USA Today | [12] |
A Man's Thoughts was met with "mixed or average" reviews from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, this release received an average score of 53 based on 10 reviews. [2] In a review for AllMusic, critic reviewer Andy Kellman called he album "a decent set of modern R&B, dominated by seductive slow jams, that stimulates a little more often than it fades into the background. It does take a serious tone on a handful of songs dealing in a wider range of relationship issues than lust, heartache, and devotion." [4] Similarly, Steve Jones from USA Today found that "Ginuwine has always been a smooth purveyor of steamy slow jams, but here the sex involves more emotional entanglement, and that can lead to complications [...] The simmering tempo is interrupted only by the percolating "Get Involved," which reunites him with early mentors Timbaland and Missy Elliott. It's like a sunny commercial break in the middle, before regular programming resumes." [12]
The Boston Herald 's Lauren Carter called A Man's Thoughts "a sultry collection of body-worshiping, bedroom-centric tales [...] But this is not the same ol’ G. Though he reunites with former cohorts Timbaland and Missy Elliott [...] Ginuwine has traded in the synth burps and stuttering percussion for a mature sound that mixes contemporary with quiet storm. Yes, his vocals still burn, but the total package has lost some sizzle." [5] Mikael Wood from The Los Angeles Times argued that "the vocals are fine. In fact, their relatively rough-hewn humanity is kind of refreshing in the Age of Auto-Tune. But with only a few exceptions [...] the material here doesn't live up to his performances, making the music easier to admire than to enjoy." [8] Entertainment Weekly 's Simon Vozick-Levinson remarked that "a handful of uptempo highlights aside, the rest of the disc turns out to be an unduly generous helping of syrupy bedroom pleas that'll have you wishing Ginuwine had decided to keep some of those Thoughts to himself." [7] Tyler Lewis from PopMatters found that A Man's Thoughts "continues the uneven work" Ginuwine's had been doing since 2001. He critiqued the singer for replacing himself "with the latest trendy producers" and noted that "as a result, very few songs on the album stand out." [10]
The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, selling 38,000 units in its first week. [13]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Intro (A Man's Thoughts)" |
| Naylor | 1:10 |
2. | "Show Off" |
| Pop & Oak | 3:21 |
3. | "Trouble" (featuring Skyzoo) |
| Dante Jackson | 4:01 |
4. | "Last Chance" |
| Cox | 4:29 |
5. | "Interlude" |
| Naylor | 1:15 |
6. | "One Time for Love" |
| Cox | 4:38 |
7. | "Open the Door" |
| Pop & Oak | 3:45 |
8. | "Get Involved" (featuring Missy Elliott & Timbaland) | 3:38 | ||
9. | "Orchestra" |
| Pop & Oak | 3:31 |
10. | "Touch Me" |
| Coleman | 4:13 |
11. | "Lying to Each Other" | Blac Elvis | 3:41 | |
12. | "Even When I'm Mad" |
| Coleman | 3:33 |
13. | "Bridge to Love" (featuring Brandy) |
| Blac Elvis | 4:00 |
14. | "Used to Be the One" |
|
| 4:29 |
15. | "Show Me the Way" |
| Bei Maejor | 3:32 |
Notes
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
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Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
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Various | June 23, 2009 |
| [16] |
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott, also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She embarked on her music career with R&B girl group Sista in the 1990s, and later became a member of the Swing Mob collective alongside her childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she wrote and produced music for acts such as 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total. Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she began her solo career in 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the top 20 single "Sock It 2 Me". The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, the highest charting debut for a female rapper at the time.
Elgin Baylor Lumpkin, better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic Records as a solo artist in the mid-1990s, Ginuwine has released a number of multi-platinum and platinum-selling albums and singles, becoming one of R&B's top artists during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had significant commercial success with his first four albums: Ginuwine...The Bachelor, 100% Ginuwine, The Life (Platinum), and The Senior (Gold). According to Billboard, Ginuwine has sold roughly 10 million albums in the US.
Timothy Zachery Mosley, known professionally as Timbaland, is an American record producer. He has received widespread acclaim for his innovative production work and distinctive "stuttering" rhythmic style. In 2007, Entertainment Weekly stated that "just about every current pop trend can be traced back to him—from sultry, urban-edged R&B songstresses [...] to the art of incorporating avant-garde sounds into No. 1 hits."
Charlene Keys, better known by the stage name Tweet, is an American singer-songwriter.
Timbaland & Magoo were a rap duo consisting of producer/rapper Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and rapper Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff, formed in 1989.
Swing Mob was an R&B/hip hop collective consisting of artists and record labels first discovered by Jodeci member DeVante Swing. The artists on Swing Mob included: Missy Elliott with the group Sista, Timbaland, Magoo, Ginuwine, Playa, Darryl Pearson, Mike "Funky Mike" Jackson, Tweet with the group Sugah, Majik, Jimmy Douglass, Stevie J, Maija Max, Renee Anderson, Bazaar Royale and Chad "Dr. Ceuss" Elliott among others, although all official members had never been confirmed. A list of some known artists in Swing Mob at the time of the group's activity can be found in the liner notes of Jodeci's third studio album, The Show, The After-Party, The Hotel.
Supa Dupa Fly is the debut studio album by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, released July 15, 1997, on The Goldmind, East West, and Elektra Entertainment Group. The album was recorded and produced solely by Timbaland in October 1996, and features the singles, "The Rain ", "Sock It 2 Me", "Hit Em wit da Hee" and "Beep Me 911". Guest appearances on the album include Busta Rhymes, Ginuwine, 702, Magoo, Da Brat, Lil' Kim, and Aaliyah. The album was recorded in just two weeks.
Miss E... So Addictive is the third studio album by American rapper and singer Missy Elliott. It was released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on May 15, 2001, in the United States. The album spawned the club and R&B/hip-hop hits "One Minute Man", featuring Ludacris and Trina, and "Get Ur Freak On", as well as the international club hit "4 My People" and the less commercially successful single "Take Away".
Under Construction is the fourth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released by The Goldmind Inc. and Elektra Records on November 12, 2002, in the United States. The album was primarily produced by Timbaland, with additional production by Craig Brockman, Nisan Stewart, Errol "Poppi" McCalla and Elliott herself.
The Cookbook is the sixth studio album by American rapper Missy Elliott, released on July 4, 2005, by The Goldmind Inc. and Atlantic Records in Germany and the United Kingdom, and on July 5 in the United States and Japan.
The Senior is the fourth studio album by American singer Ginuwine. It was released in the United States on April 8, 2003, via Epic Records. The album was primarily produced by Bryan-Michael Cox, with additional production from Scott Storch, R. Kelly, Brandon Howard and Joe Little III. The album debuted at No. 6 on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 122,000 copies and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The Senior was supported with the release of three singles, with all of them appearing on the Billboard Hot 100: "Hell Yeah" peaking at No. 17, "In Those Jeans" peaking at No. 8, and "Love You More" peaking at No. 78.
The Goldmind, Inc. is an American record label founded in 1997 by rapper Missy Elliott. Elliott and Goldmind were once distributed through East West Records & Elektra Entertainment Group, Until 2004 when Time Warner sold WMG to a private investment group. The new owners then merged the Elektra with sister label Atlantic Records, transferring Elliott and Goldmind. Goldmind is home to Missy Elliott, specializing in R&B/hip-hop/soul music.
The discography of American rapper, singer, and record producer Missy Elliott consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, seventy-four singles and twenty solo music videos.
American singer Aaliyah has released three studio albums, two compilation albums, and 26 singles; She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At age 10, she appeared on Star Search and performed in concert alongside Gladys Knight. At age 12, Aaliyah signed a deal with Jive Records and Blackground Records. During that time, she met R. Kelly through her uncle Barry Hankerson; eventually, he became her mentor, sole lead songwriter, and producer for her debut album. Released in May 1994, her debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, was certified double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and sold three million copies in the United States. Months after the release of her album, Aaliyah ended her contract with Jive and signed with Atlantic Records due to allegations of an illegal marriage with Kelly.
"Make It Hot" is the first single from Nicole's debut album of the same name. The single was released June 2, 1998. The single was written by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Tim Mosley, and A. Richards, and was produced by Timbaland. The song features Mocha and Missy Elliott and uncredited lead and background vocals from Keli Nicole Price.
"Need U Bad" is a song performed by American recording artist Jazmine Sullivan from her debut album, Fearless (2008). The song features rapper Missy Elliott, as well as rapper Pepa of rap duo Salt-N-Pepa speaking a Jamaican chant. "Need U Bad" is Sullivan's debut single and the lead single from Fearless. It was first released on May 13, 2008 in the United States by J and Arista Records. The song was co-written by Sullivan in collaboration with Elliott, Cainon Lamb, and Taurian Osbourne. It was produced by Elliott and Lamb. The song uses a sample from Nicholas Taylor Stanton's "Higher Meditation Riddim Version", and Tapper Zukie's "Papa Big Shirt".
"Take Away" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott and Timbaland for her third studio album, Miss E... So Addictive (2001), while production was helmed by the latter, with Elliott and Craig Brockman served as co-producers. The downtempo track features guest vocals from R&B singer Ginuwine. While the album version of "Take Away" credits background vocals by 702 member, Kameelah Williams, the single version replaces Williams's vocals with then-newcomer, Elliott's former protégée Tweet.
"Here We Come" is a song by American producer/rapper Timbaland. It features frequent collaborators Missy Elliott and Magoo and serves as the lead single for Timbaland's solo debut album, Tim's Bio: Life from da Bassment (1998). The song also features background vocals by Playa and Darryl Pearson. While the song charted and was released via radio airplay on November 17, 1998, it was not granted a physical release in the United States until March 2, 1999; and on October 5, 1999, for Germany.
"Get Involved" is a song by the American singer Ginuwine from his sixth studio album A Man's Thoughts (2009). The song was co-written by Missy Elliott and produced by Timbaland and featured guest vocals from the pair. Although the song was originally scheduled to be released in summer 2009 as the second single from the album, it was pushed back to 2010 as an international single from the album because of a dispute between Ginuwine and Timbaland.
Charlene is the third studio album by American singer Tweet. It was released on February 26, 2016, by eOne Music. "Won't Hurt Me" was released on September 21, 2015, as the album's lead single. The second single "Magic" was released on January 21, 2016, followed by "Neva Shouda Left Ya" on February 11, 2016. Rolling Stone listed Charlene as the 12th best R&B album of 2016.