By shelz.

Sooner or later, all artists have to figure out how they are going to evolve.  Some reinvent themselves away from the bright lights and come back brand new while others never fully disappear but slowly rework their music and image bit by bit into other aural and aesthetic areas.  Regardless of how they make that move though, it’s a risk and the rewards can run the spectrum. 

There is always the other option of course.  Some artists stay in their their box and continue to produce what people have gotten used to hearing.  But if they do that, chances are the rest of the musical world will leave them in their own monotonous dust.

Robin Thicke stands at a crossroads of his musical growth wondering if he should stay in his box and produce what has always worked or venture out to embrace something new.  Well, with his fourth release Sex Therapy, he manages to do both with both good and bad results.  Read on.

First, let’s get the skits out of the way.  I’m not a fan of them even on rap releases but the whole I’m the love doctor and I can “fix” your malady with some good “therapy” is beyond old hat. Thicke has always represented a more sophisticated outlook on love and sex when compared to his peers and this dip into that trite area shouldn’t have happened. 

So after the “patient” calls for help, Dr. Thicke goes to work trying a myriad of different “treatments” for the young lady.  See how corny that is?  Anyway. The album leads with “Mrs. Sexy” which is a narrative about Thicke and Jay-Z running into the hottest girl ever and Robin doing everything in his power to make her his.  The Jay name drop is a little confusing considering he’s not featured on the song, but no matter.  It’s a sweet, laid-back romp through the chase.  The bassline is perfect, the guitar carries the song wonderfully as the strings and horns sneak in to add depth and Robin’s delivery is laid back and beautiful.

Next is “Sex Therapy,” the first single released from the album.  He treads in Prince’s territory with his delivery and the hook sort of reminds me of that old song, “Its My Party,” but again, Polow Da Don’s production is seething with sexy and calling for an extra close slow dance.

Also worthy of positive note on this album is “It’s in the Morning.” This song has one of the five celebrity rapper features on this album.  Yes, five.  Teddy Riley has been on a roll as of late and he keeps it going with an awesome foundation for Thicke’s ode to making use of the morning wood.  Snoops feature is candid and splendid and one of the many reasons Thicke got saddled with that Parental Advisory sticker.  That and the fact that the F word rolls off his tongue very well. “Elevatas” is a sweaty, pounding club song with an obnoxious guitar and Kid Cudi on the front end.  It’s tribal and base and everything an apt club joint should be.  It’s not Thicke’s normal shtick but it’s pretty impressive. Robin also pays homage to Marvin Gaye with “Million Dolla Baby.” It’s Marvin’s “Trouble Man” with different words and it’s beautifully interpreted.

Not so fast though.  There is a flip side to all of this.  The sophisticate in Thicke leads him in a really bad direction with “Meiple” and he takes Hov with him. The track is playful but some of the female samples sound like bites from a horror movie.  I also don’t understand that accent.  Is he French, English or Sammy Davis Jr? It’s contrived and sounds so. “Shakin It For Daddy” with Nicki Minaj is another risk that didn’t work.  The track is frenetic to an anxiety producing level.  Minaj manages to talk for at least a minute and say nothing of importance except she doesn’t have testicles. And Thicke telling chicks to drop the booty just isn’t very believable. “Make U Love Me” is pretty forgettable as Thicke’s almost monotone delivery hovers in the tedious range.

In conclusion, this album is a phonic display of Thicke’s growing pains.  He’s still progressing as an artist but there will be missteps as he evolves and some of them are on this album.  It’s to be expected.  The album isn’t a total wash because when it’s good, it’s really good.  However, when it’s bad… sigh. Well at least he’s trying.  Better luck next time Mr. Thicke.

Out of 5

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