Elly Roberts reviews
Lemar: The Truth About Love
Distributed by
White Rabbit/Sony BMG
- Released: September 2006
- Rating: 6/10
With his recent MOBO sitting nicely on the mantelpiece, Lemar is having a great year.
It now goes with his two previous MOBOs and two Brits. He also gave a stylish
performance of latest single It’s Not That Easy. Now comes the album,
The Truth About Love.
The former Fame Academy 2 winner is blazing a rare trail as a soul singer, a
tangent from his earlier R&B efforts. In fact, he has no real competition in
the UK, with the USA his next target. Cutting it there might be a bigger deal
than he realises. With experience and time, Lemar could be a huge star because
he’s got a solid voice, in many ways like Terence Trent D’Arby.
Also interesting, is the songwriting credits, where he’s thrown in 10 solo or
co-written songs from the 14. It’s the usual fodder, romance, or the lack of it.
Predictably, everything about the album’s production is silky smooth, but I
still can’t help feeling it lacks that one essential ingredient. It’s a rare
commodity, few have it. Joss Stone (who ironically pops up on a couple of
tracks) has bucket loads of it, and continues to improve. It comes from
somewhere that is almost indescribable, though can be found on gospel records.
As we all know, soul music is a derivative of gospel that is sung with passion
from the deepest depths of the soul. In effect it requires some element of
suffering, either on behalf of the writer or singer. Lemar operates from the
head and heart, which simply isn’t enough to be convincing. His MOR approach
is undoubtedly radio friendly, much like some of the 80’s and 90’s soulsters -
Luther Vandross and Alexander O’Neal.
As a listening experience it’s very accessible, though at times dull and
saccharine like. Track 2, Love Me Or Leave Me sees him giving his all,
with some stylish singing, similarly on It’s Not That Easy and
Someone Should Tell You. Blandness ensues on Be Faithful, but
follow-up, perky Tick Tock breaks the monotony, until the next four,
sounding more like fillers.
A retro sounding cover of Cole Porter’s Let’s Fall In Love is a totally
bizarre inclusion. Joss Stone out-classes Lemar on Love Me Or Leave Me
(the best track on the album) and Anniversary, though they compliment
each other well, with things beefed up a bit. Beauty Queen is more in
the trad soul tradition - real belter - with insipid Your Face closing
the album.
There are some very good moments; however they’re in short supply.
The full list of tracks included are :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.