By shelz.

The first listen to Keyshia Cole’s retro power ballad, “Desperate Measures,” will probably elicit a chorus of whatever’s from the grown woman peanut gallery. Of course, simply having the word desperate in the title will turn off a few. It’s truly the last word the average chick wants associated with her name.  However, if you can make it past that, you are drawn into a story of a woman who claims she will do absolutely anything to keep her man from walking out the door. Anything. She’s ready to commit crimes, do time and accept pain in the process. It sounds pretty serious.

Brian Kennedy’s production on this single is 80’s atmospheric minimalism.  It sets more of a feeling than a sound and places Keyshia’s vocals front and center since there isn’t any heavy production contending with her voice. However, she doesn’t use the wistful foundation to air out her pipes. To the contrary, her delivery is restrained.  The vocal arrangement doesn’t allow for her signature runs as the words come in short and unfortunately sometimes pitchy bursts.  Her voice tip toes through the open construction thoughtfully as if she’s scheming the heist of this mans heart as she sings.

The plot is simple.  The relationship has been a roller coaster of highs and lows.  His devotion is waning and she can’t accept his departure. She doesn’t articulate the steps she plans to take to “seize his heart one more time.”  However, the yearning is evident and so is her confusion about why the relationship has taken a down turn.  She needs him forever though and that may be the only thing that’s clear to her as she begs for divine intervention. 

The final product is a song controlled in its delivery, but extremely emotional in feel.  It’s a place many of us have been and if you follow Keyshia through the entirety of her decision making process you can’t help but to relate. I don’t know if this single will be incorporated into Miss Cole’s 4^th album due sometime early 2010, but it would be a welcome edition and a sign that it isn’t necessary for her to push her vocal boundaries to attract listeners.

“Desperate Measures”

ha Cole – Desperate Measures _Prod. by Brian Kennedy_ FULL HQ NEW SONG 2009 DOWNLOAD www.newhiphoprbrapmusic4.blogspot.com

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