RSSBobby Brown, Bell Biv Devoe, Ralph Tresvant [extended]
- Don't Be Cruel [MCA, 1988] B+
- Dance! . . . Ya Know It! [MCA, 1989] C
- Poison [MCA, 1990] B+
- Bobby [MCA, 1992]
- Hootie Mack [MCA, 1993] C+
- New Edition Solo Hits [MCA, 1997] A-
See Also:
Consumer Guide Reviews:
Bobby Brown: Don't Be Cruel [MCA, 1988]
It's the eternal fast one/slow one problem--when he states his prerogatives and tries to make the world dance he's irresistible, when he masks his motives and tries to make the tenderoni moan he's an obvious con. But he earns his prerogatives: the internal rhymes and voice-electrobeat patterning of the title track are so tricky they're hooky. And since I've never been much of an expert on tenderoni, I'm willing to suspend judgment on the half that leaves me unmoved. B+
Bobby Brown: Dance! . . . Ya Know It! [MCA, 1989]
Disco postmodernists say there's no such thing as a song any more--only versions. Talk about the triumph of theory. Proof that they're full of it can be found on Brown's Don't Be Cruel, where the song versions of five of these nine dance-remixes-cum-consumer-frauds can be found. C
Bell Biv Devoe: Poison [MCA, 1990]
Because the new jack thing is supposed to be a "pop" move, softening rap's male-bonded "rock" ethos with sweet beats and romantic lies, their misogyny is more alarming than usual. Scared shitless of how much they need the one thing on their minds, they dis the girls who give it to them. "I had to prove my manhood/Show her that the B-I-V was damn good," but he's sure it isn't just him who makes her hot: "She's like that every day." You might say they'd have a shot at a decent sex life if they'd stop obsessing on every "sexy X-rated video queen." But that's the symptom, not the cure--a cure the slick, juicy polyrhythms of Dr. Freeze and the Shocklee-Sadler crew make me wish they'd find. Sure it's possible they're just shaking off their New Edition image. It's also possible they're mean bastards. B+
Bobby Brown: Bobby [MCA, 1992]
"That's the Way Love Is"
Bell Biv Devoe: Hootie Mack [MCA, 1993]
Fame is fleeting in the mack daddy bizness, which is why they rushed out their remix rip, and why this long-awaited-by-their-accountants follow-up barely eked out its 500 thou before going south. To prove they're still down with the profitable, they lead off with a simulated toke, and instead of slandering honeydips behind their backs, they insult them to their faces--or their butts, if it makes any difference. To no avail. They've been outflanked smooth and nasty, and they don't have a clue how to reposition themselves. Which until they trip over another "Poison"--in their dreams, if they're real good to their mommies and daddies--will be no loss to anyone. Except their accountants. C+
New Edition Solo Hits [MCA, 1997]
Laid out conveniently on one infopack, the best of lesser half A and group B, with every track uptempo if not contempo (those electrothwocks are already over), and microstar C on board primarily to slow it down a little right here. In sum, new jack swing nostalgia--not a moment too soon. A-