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Album’s Singles Review: “Fanmail” and “3D” by TLC

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Fanmail (album)
The girls took a break after some fallouts and released their third album which was dedicated to their die hard fans who supported the production of the album. The album is rich with R&B and hip-hop songs which fits the modern R&B at that time. The album was a big hit globally and gone 6x platinum in UK.

No Scrubs
“No Scrubs” was released to carry the album “Fanmail”. It is a R&B sonh which had hip-hop influence on its music video version, by which the rap verses was taken from pne of thwe tracks from the album. It went to number 1 in United States and other countries.
Rate: 8.5 out of 10

Unpretty
“Unpretty” became the second single off “Fanmail”. The song is a R&B track with pop rock influence with the guitar riffs. I love the song’s theme which was about inner beauty. The song was the second number 1 from the album in the US.
Rate: 9.0 out of 10

Dear Lie
“Dear Lie” was the last single from “Fanmail” album. It was a R&B ballad which has a meaning about regrets for lying. The single was less successful in the US only peaked at number 51.
Rate: 8.75 out of 10

3D
TLC reunited with this album “3D”, but was a posthumous for a member, Lisa Lopes after her demise. The album contains more upbeat R&B and hip-hop songs. It wasn’t as successful as their previous album going to number 6 and platinum in United States.

Girl Talk
“Girl Talk” became the carrier single off “3D”. The single is an upbeat R&B song with rap verses by Lisa Lopes. The song only charted at the top 30 in US and UK.
Rate: 8.0 out of 10

Hands Up
“Hands Up” had became the second single from “3D”. The slow R&B song failed to chart the Billboard Hot 100.
Rate: 7.25 out of 10

Damaged
“Damaged” was the final single of “3D”. The song was in pop rock mode, different from their real sound. It peaked at number 53 in United States.
Rate: 8.25 out of 10

Credits: Billboard / OCC / Wikipedia

Video from YouTube / TLCVEVO

Music

Album’s Singles Review: “CrazySexyCool” by TLC

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CrazySexyCool (album)
TLC did well with their debut album “Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip”. With their success, they released their second album “CrazySexyCool”. This time, their music has gone more matured with sounds and lyrical themes. Their first album sounded more of upbeat hip-hop R&B songs. With “CrazySexyCool”, their music has gone slower R&B with still hip-hop sounds. The album did very well with reported sales of 23 million globally.

Creep
“Creep” was released to lead the album “CrazySexyCool”. It is a R&B track which became one of their most notable songs. Its music video is also very notable and iconic as also paid tribute in Keri Hilson’s music video. The song went to number 1 on Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at the top 10 in United Kingdom, specifically at number 6.
Rate: 8.5 out of 10

Red Light Special
“Red Light Special” became the second single from the album. It is a R&B song which is slower than the previous single. The music video has been the most daring by the girls. Also, its lyrics has adult themes. The single became a hit in America for reaching number 2 on Billboard Hot 100.
Rate: 6.0 out of 10

Waterfalls
“Waterfalls” was the third single from “CrazySexyCool”. The R&B track with rap verses became their most memorable song and somewhat their biggest hit. The lyrics is very meaningful with issues tackled and social relevance. The single became a huge hit in America when it became their second number 1 from the album, and third top 3. It reached number 4 in United Kingdom.
Rate: 9.25 out of 10

Diggin’ on You
“Diggin’ on You” became the final single from “CrazySexyCool”. The song is a slow-tempo R&B song which has sexual themes. The single eventually became a number 5 hit for them in US, and top 20 in UK, their lowest peaking single from the album.
Rate: 6.75 out of 10

Credits: Billboard / OCC / Wikipedia

Video from YouTube / TLCVEVO

Music

Girlbands With Number 1 Albums in US and UK: TLC / Danity Kane / Spice Girls / Girls Aloud

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TLC
United States- TLC has been one of the biggest selling girl groups worldwide. Their album “CrazySexyCool” is the biggest selling album in America but never went number 1 there. Their only number 1 album in the US was “Fanmail”, which went multiplatinum too.
United Kingdom- The trio never had a number 1 album in United Kingdom. Despite that, they had platinum albums which went top 10 with “CrazySexyCool” has the highest peak at number 4.

Danity Kane
United States- Danity Kane is one of the top female groups in America who had hit albums there. In fact they scored 2 number 1 albums, something that successful girl groups haven’t achieved in Billboard Hot 100. Their number albums were “Danity Kane” (self titled album), and “Welcome to the Dollhouse”.
United Kingdom- The group failed to achieve album success in United Kingdom, without reported peak.

Spice Girls
United States- Spice Girls has been one of the biggest female group in America. Their debut album “Spice” went to number 1, and eventually the biggest selling album in America in 1997, the year it was released. Their second release “Spiceworld” failed to reach number 1 but peaked at third and RIAA certified 4x platinum.
United Kingdom- Spice Girls has been huge in their home country, United Kingdom. In fact, their success was considered to be like The Beatles’ success. The girls scored two number 1 albums with their first two albums. “Spice” and “Spiceworld”, which the former went 10x platinum and the latter with 5x platinum as reported by BPI.

Girls Aloud
United States- Girls Aloud never broke the American market which never gave them a number 1 album.
United Kingdom- Girls Aloud became one of the most successful girl groups in UK. They scored two number one albums, which were “Out of Control” (their last studio album) and “The Sound of the Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits”, their biggest seller.

Credits: Billboard / OCC /Wikipedia

Video: YouTube / emimusic

Music

Pop Groups that People Wanted to Have Reunion

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I am a fan of music and I fell in love to the music of a lot of groups. As a music fan, I knew there were a lot there who are fans of groups too. I still follow such groups and see if they have something new to offer after their disbandment and ever wanted to reunite. Many fans still crave for these bands to make music again.

TLC
It might be impossible that the trio can reunite as a trio again. Sadly, that in early 2000’s, Lisa Lopes known as “Left Eye” passed away. She didn’t reach the point that their album “Girl Talk” was released, where she still has vocals, of course as a rapper. But fans still want the remaining two members to release new music. I think it is in the works.

NSYNC
Justin Timberlake had became a huge superstar but currently enjoying life out of the limelight as a father and a husband. When they had reunited in a perforance in VMA, fans looked back and wanted a reunion of the group since they took a hiatus and never heard back of new album since “Celebrity”.

Destiny’s Child
The two members Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams shown up and performed with co-member Beyonce during the latter’s performance in Superbowl Halftime. It went fans to request the girls for a reunion album, yet, it didn’t happen.

Jonas Brothers
The guys has planned for an album released before, however, it was not released which frustrated a lot of fans. Maybe someday they will release a new one.

Spice Girls
They were the biggest pop group during 1990s and popularity was cut off when Ger Halliwell left the group. They had reunited in 2007 for a tour and a compilation album. But fans still wanted to see them back together. There were negotiations though for a reunion.

One Direction
It was just months ago when hiatus was announced but it seems fans are missing them and see them together again. Well, they recently had released the music video for “History”. While a reunion? It is still unlikely. Directioners though are hoping for the best.

Music

Album’s Singles Review: TLC “Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip”

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Back in the early part of 1990’s, R&B and hip-hop group TLC was born through this debut album of them. The album sounds quite weird but it became the group’s breakout and debut album. The album is full of upbeat songs. It is loaded with hip-hop, R&B, new jack swing songs (genre that is very popular at the time) which has relevant meanings. The album became a hit in the US as it went multiplatinum. Though internationally, they are yet to reach their breakthrough at the time.

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
TLC sounds more hip-hop at the time with this debut single of them. Lisa Lopes was given the chance to standout in this song. The song’s content is somewhat matured, though the girls are still young at the time. The song eventually gave the group their first top 10 hit when it went to number 6 on Billboard Hot 100.
Rate: 7.0 out of 10

Baby-Baby-Baby
This song is somewhat slower than their first single. Lisa Lopes don’t have a rap part in the song too unlike “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. The music videos shows the girls in slumber party. It became the highest peaking song from the album as it reached number 2 in Billboard Hot 100.
Rate: 7.5 out of 10

What About Your Friends
TLC released this track to be their third single from their album. Majority of the vocals were provided by T-boz. In my opinion, it is the best single released from the album. It becae the group’s third consecutive US top 10 hit, while it was their third to chart in UK. The song was less successful outside America.
Rate: 7.75 out of 10

Hat 2 Da Back
This is the final release from “Ooooooohhh… On the TLC Tip” album. The song is quite similar to “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. It failed the top 10 in the US.
Rate: 6.25 out of 10

Credits: Billboard / Wikipedia

Video from YouTube

Music

Hiatus of Pop Groups since 1995

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There were a lot of pop groups that gained a lot of fans. Record after records, fans bought them in years to show their support. So when the time came when these groups decided to take a break from music, it saddened a lot of fans. Recently, the hiatus that break the hearts of lots of fans were One Direction.

Take That
The British boyband was doing very well in their homeland and eventually to other parts of the world until in 1995, Robbie Williams left the group which started the breakup of the group. Many fans were very saddened with the breakup. Three members: Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow and Mark Owen had notable solo releases, with Robbie as the most successful. Four members had reunited which led to multiplatinum success in UK and Robbie eventually rejoined. But now, members Williams and Orange left the group.

Spice Girls
The Spice Girls became huge worldwide and breaking records until after two years since debut, Geri Halliwell announced departure. It was a very sad moment and broke the hearts of fans. It also became a newsmaker in 1998. The remaining members announced hiatus until in 2000, the four reunited which also led to hiatus. In 2007, they reunited for a tour and compilation album and after that, they took hiatus again. Recently, news spread that they were negotiating for reunion.

NSYNC
Boyband NSYNC had two fast selling albums which is their second and third official albums and fans are still very much supporting them. But in 2002, Justin Timberlake released his solo record. It saddened some NSYNC fans though Justin’s fans suported him and became a successful solo artists. Fans are still hoping for the reunion of the boys.

TLC
The trio had multi-platinum records in 1990s until at the end of 90s, they released a comeback. After the third album’s released, which is “Fanmail”, they released a new album, but sadly Lisa Lopez died. It saddened their millions of fans knowing they can never reunite as original members.

Destiny’s Child
Destiny’s Child was initially a quartet. When two members left, it was never a big deal as two new members were introduced. However, the other left turning the group into a trio with remaining original members Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, with Michelle Williams as the remaining replacer. The trio had succesful albums but took a break when they pursued solo careers. They made a reunion which pleased the fans. Despite the reunion’s success, they took a break again as a group.

One Direction
The British superstars has been topping the charts and fans are screaming for them since 2011. But last March, fans were shocked after Zayn Malik left the group. The band remained intact and decided to record a new album which was the recently released “Made in the A.M.”. Despite success, the group now announced their hiatus after final performance in X-Factor UK. It broke the hearts of a lot of their fans. Still no concrete plans when they will reunite.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Memorable lines in songs: TLC

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TLC is one of the top R&B groups ever and their songs had various themes. Some songs of them has social messages, others are love songs, or some with mature content.

Creep
” I love my man with all honesty
But I know he’s cheatin’ on me”
The guy is cheating on the girl despite all the honesty she has shown. This song is one of the most memorable sonhs about cheating during 1990s.

Waterfalls
” Is it because my life is ten shades of gray
I pray all ten fade away
Seldom praise Him for the sunny days”
The lines above were realization when we sometimes turn to God when things are unfavorable. But we should also be praising him during favorable times.

Diggin’ on You
” When I heard the lines you threw
Although it usually turns me off”
Silly conversations makes the lady turned off, though with the next few lines, something turned her on. Hhmmm…

No Scrubs
“‘Cause I’m lookin’ like class and he’s lookin’ like trash”
Classy girls doesn’t like guys who has nothing and lazy, and the girls looks at them as trashy. This song became a comeback number 1 hit for the ladies.

Unpretty
“But if you can’t look inside you
Find out who am I too”
The song’s about looking at the inner beauty instead of trying so hard to become beautiful in the outside.

Dear Lie
” Afraid the truth would hurt me
When it’s you that hurts me more”
Lies can never do good. It is a realization that lying hurts more. Good job Babyface for this song.

Girl Talk
” Listen y’all need to know this
That we’ll straight up go tell your business”
If guys talk about girls, then girls talk about guys too. It was like don’t mess with the girls as they can do something too.

Damage
” You know that I’ve been hurt, by some guy
But I don’t wanna mess up this time”
When the girl got so much hurt and felt like damage with the previous guy and just making not to get hurt with the new one.

Lyrics from azlyrics.com
Credits to the the songwriters

Music

Top R&B Songs 1995-1999

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During the second half of 1990s, R&B is slowly chnaging its landscape to more upbeat from the slow jams R&B lovers used to love. Here are the 15 R&B songs I listed that made impact during this era.

Montell Jordan- This is How We Do It
Going back to 1995, I used to hear this hip-hop R&B hit on radio and on MTV. It was very popular then as it became Montell’s signatue song.

Shaggy- Boombastic
The song was also popular as it waa used for a clothing/denim brand. It was very huge then and that one of Shaggy’s biggest hit ever.

Mariah Carey- Fantasy
This is one of the earliest rap-sung collaboration and remix hit, Mariah is slowly going to deeper R&B sound and this track was a chart-topper.

Whitney Houston- Exhale (Shoop, Shoop)
In this song, Whitney Houston showcases lower register of her voice which sounds so relaxing. It was a chart-topping song in some countries which of course included US.

TLC- Waterfalls
This is one of my favorite songs ever because of its simple melody and timely and relevant lyrics. It has become one of the most successful R&B track of the decade.

Coolio- Gangsta’s Paradise
This hip-hop song became Coolio’s masterpiece and was eventually a worldwide and one of the biggest sellers during 1990s.

Bone Thugs N Harmony- Tha Crossroads
The hip-hop group went spiritual this time and was a good formula as it scored them their biggest hit.

Toni Braxton- Un-break My Heart
Toni Braxton came out with another heartbreaking song which was one of the biggest songs of 1997. The song also was one of her best vocalled song.

R. Kelly- I Believe I Can Fly
This could have been R.Kelly’s most notable song with its nice R&B ballad melodies. It is also inspirational for many as it was used as winning piece for some singing competition contestants.

Usher- You Make Me Wanna
This has been one Usher’s earlier hits and the song was too tender and smooth with some guutar riffs on it.

Puff Daddy ft. Faith Evans & 112- I’ll Be Missing You
The song’s chorus was interpolated from The Police’s hit and helped the song become a big seller. It is also a tribute for Notorious B.I.G.

Boyz II Men- A Song for Mama
This is one of my favorite R&B hit during the period it was released as I dedicate it to my mother. It settled to a top ten position then.

K-Ci and Jojo- All My Life
This is a sweet song by a guy for a lady and one of the most favorited love songs in 1998. It went on to become a number one song for the duo.

Brandy and Monica- The Boy is Mine
Brandy and Monica was considered rivals and they fought for the love of a man via this song which was a worldwide smash.

TLC- No Scrubs
After taking a long break, TLC broke the chart with this comeback by which the girls doesn’t want a guy who has nothing.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Top 15 R&B Hits 1990-1994

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R&B music has become a very popular genre particularly in the US. It’s landscape had change as time goes by but the old R&B during the first half of 1990s is different from what R&B is now. From 1990-1995, here are my list of 15 R&B hits which I based on its performance at the charts and its impact on radio.

Janet Jackson- Escapade
One of four chart-toppers from her seven top ten off “Rhythm Nation” album, this upbeat track was good to listen to.

MC Hammer- U Can’t Touch This
One of the top rap hits from the 1990s, MC Hammer became a multi-platinum seller as brought by this song.

Mariah Carey- Vision of Love
This song incorporated R&B, pop, soul and gospel, it has become one of numerous number one hits for Mariah.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince- Summertime
It feels like yesterday when this song hit the airwaves, this hip-hop hit from the duo by which Will Smith is formerly a member was huge during early 90s.

Shanice- I Love Your Smile
I remember this song when used for a toothpaste commercial here in the Philippines, and this R&B hit has become a top 5 staple.

Vanessa Williams- Save the Best for Last
The song was just heartwarming along with Vanessa’s beautiful voice. It turned to become a big hit.

Michael Jackson- Black or White
This has been the longest chart-topper for MJ’s career, and one of the best upbeat &B hits during this half decade.

Whitney Houston- I Will Always Love You
This ballad R&B hit was a remake but a bigger hit than the Dolly Parton original. It was the biggest selling song during 1990s first half.

Boyz II Men- End of the Road
Boyz II Men started a string of number one hits through this R&B ballad which was one of the few songs to sit atop for more than 10 weeks not just in R&B charts.

SWV- Weak
I love this song as well as the voices of the girls. It was a big R&B hit and was remaked by some artists since its released.

Janet Jackson- That’s the Way Love Goes
This song helped “janet.” to become her biggest selling LP. I love the simple groove of the song as it is not too loud and not too fast.

TLC- Creep
The trio finally became matured in their music and this upbeat hit was a beautiful song and the groove and choreography on its music is cool too. It was a Billboard chart-topper then.

Some facts from Wikipedia

Music

Top Girlband Albums Since 1990

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Girl groups became popular during the 90s, however, many girlbands already dominated the charts before with the likes of The Supremes. They became more popular with the rise the Spice Girls during the second half of 1990s. Here are some of the most popular girlband albums since 1990.

Spice Girls- Spice
This is the biggest selling album by an all-female group ever as sales (claimed sales) reached 30 million, according to Wikipedia. It was also credited for changing the landscape of pop music which evidently crossed through this generation. Moreover, the album scored 3 top five US hits and 4 UK chart-topping singles.

TLC- Crazy Sexy Cool
After scoring a multi-platinum album in US, this record became a big breakthrogh for the trio’s international career. This album was estimated with sales of 23 million (according to Wikipedia) and scored timeless number 1 hits such as the upbeat “Creep” and the socially relevant “Waterfalls”.

Spice Girls- Spiceworld
In just a year of release of “Spice”, the girls took advantage of their popularity and their second album “Spiceworld” was released. It ended up as multi-platinum again and scored 3 US top 20 singles, as well as 3 number 1s in UK.

Destiny’s Child- The Writings on the Wall
The album may have started with quite low sales but as they gained more attention, the album eventually became a huge worldwide hit. Three of its tracks went top 3 in the US, which 2 songs went to number 1. In UK, fours songs went to top 10.

TLC- Fanmail
The group took a long hiatus and this LP came about through fan’s request and contribution, that’s why they called it “Fanmail”. Since the Spice Girls took hiatus after Geri’s departure, the trio took the attention as the top girl group and sold millions through this album which had two number 1 singles.

Pussycat Dolls- PCD
After the absence of girl group domination, Pussycat Dolls rose to fame and they became the biggest girl group at that time through this album which scored 3 top 5 US singles while 5 songs off of this album went top 10 in UK.

Destiny’s Child- Survivor
Due to the success of their “The Writings on the Wall” album, the girls released their follow-up which is “Survivor”. It eventually became their fastest selling album and scored 3 US chart-topping singles.

All Saints- All Saints
Initially, they have limited success but through the song “Never, Ever”, they finally scored 5 UK top tens, including one singles which hit the US top 5. The album went multi-platinum in UK.

t.A.T.u.- 200 km/h in the Wrong Lane
This Russian duo became controversial through their song and video “All the Things You’ve Said”, which its publicity could have helped the album instead which was huge in sales that year when it was released.