The tunes review of what’s new

The MC Music Man takes on: Justin Timberlake

By: Dustin Looney
Features Editor 

Justin Timberlake recently released his second solo effort under the title “Future Sex/Love Sounds.”

Contrary to the album’s title, “loving” the sound on this particular CD was just about the opposite reaction I had after listening to it.

The highly anticipated pop album has evidently lived up to its hype in many people’s eyes ,however, as it has achieved immense nationwide success. I have never been into the current pop scene, and I have never been a particular fan of Timberlake. After hearing this weak album, I doubt that my attitude towards pop and Justin’s music is going to change.

“Future Sex/Love Sounds” contains 12 tracks, many of which have polluted the radio airwaves and simply cannot be avoided when listening to any station featuring today’s hits...or on the dance floor at the fraternity houses at Monmouth College for that matter.

The following tracks are the ones that are either the most popular or my personal favorites...well...least “favorites” on this CD. I suppose “tolerable” would be more accurately descriptive.

The first track on the CD is self-titled, “Future Sex/Love Sounds.” This track contains lyrics that are very typical of all the other lyrics on this CD. In the song, Timberlake sings: “So just let ‘em go/’Cause all I need is a moment alone/To give you my tongue/And put you out of control/And after you let it in/We’ll be skin to skin/It’s just so natural.”

Unfortunately Timberlake’s musical style isn’t quite as natural as the particular activity he is singing about.

The second track on the CD is the catchiest and the most popular: “Sexy Back.” This song features an overpowering beat that does catch the listener’s ear, but it is destroyed by Timberlake’s obnoxious, high-pitched voice singing lyrics that are more trivial than a Chicago Cubs fan’s eternal unfounded optimism to a White Sox fan.

Track four on the CD is another fast-paced popular song, entitled “My Love.” This song is the closest thing that I would consider a respectable song, largely because Timberlake has a guest rapper, T.I. on the track. This tune is also about hooking up with ladies but it displays a more passionate side of Timberlake...where did this come from? Must be T.I.’s influence.

Paul McCartney wrote and recorded a very good song under the same title over thirty years ago. I am not sure of the legalities, but Sir Paul should consider a lawsuit.

The sixth track on the CD is titled “What Goes Around.../...Comes Around Interlude.” First and foremost, the track title makes me sick, and the song itself isn’t much better. This song contains the deepest lyrics on the album, “What goes around, goes around, goes around/Comes all the way back around.” What clever lyrics, Justin...nothing like a cliché to make your listeners dizzy.

The seventh track on the CD is titled “Chop Me Up.” This song features the popular and obnoxious rap group, Three 6 Mafia; the combination of Timberlake and these clowns is humiliating. In case you were wondering, the song is about seducing women. Are we noticing a theme here, class?

After three songs that sound more similar to Timberlake’s earlier style as an alleged musician, track 11 is titled “Losing My Way.” This song is about a man named Bob who has picked up an unfortunate crack addiction. I am reluctant to rip this song simply because it’s so cute that Justin is actually trying to tackle a subject matter that is deep. With that said, the lyrics are flat out stupid and sound like something composed by a third grader:

“Hi my name is Bob and I work at my job/I make forty-something dollars a day/I used to be the man in my hometown/Until I started to lose my way/It all goes back to when I dropped out of school/Having fun, I was living the life/But now I got a problem with that little white rock.”

Immediately following “Losing My Way” is (fortunately) the last track on the CD: “(Another Song) All Over Again.” This song sounds very much like Timberlake back in his ‘Nsync days...and it definitely does not make me want to hear this CD all over again.

Timberlake’s first solo album, “Justified” was not as successful as “Future Sex/Love Songs,” but they both have been immensely popular with the young “teenie bopper” crowd. The worst part of this lies in the fact that almost all of Timberlake’s lyrics are about sexual experiences, which makes 12 year old girls think that having sex is something they simply need to do. Thanks in part to Timberlake, these girls are maturing way faster than they should.

In my opinion, any popularity gained by Timberlake through his petty music is un-Justified.