By shelz.

In the midst of releasing an album that has received little to no press, Fantasia Barrino has managed to have the most dramatic week of her entire life.  If you are going to take a bottle of pills, get sued by your married lover’s wife and then dust off and go on with the show like the trooper you are attempting to prove that you are, what better time to do it than right now?

However, after the dust clears from the unusually dramatic episode, she’s still left with her impending album, Back to Me. A cursory listen reveals that this LP is good, really good.  It’s distressing that an album like this can’t sell itself and has to be suffused in theatrics, but sadly the back story is just as important is the tracks these days.

The production for Back to Me is varied; a journey through genres and era as Fantasia and crew touch on old school soul, new school dance, reggae and even include a show tune.  There is some homage to past artists, but Fantasia manages to make the songs hers.  Her normally boisterous delivery is taken down a notch, as she makes a stronger attempt to paint inside the sonic lines than in her previous work.   That may be a problem to Fantasia fans that approve of her wilding out vocally, but it adds a tidiness to her songs that will appease those who think she over does it.

The narrative is an interesting trip, through some trying relationships, that finds Barrino exceptionally pensive. That exasperated middle, between the highs and the lows of love isn’t the stuff of exhalted romance albums, but it’s real and we can all relate.

Fantasia’s thoughtfulness is on full display in “Bittersweet” as she weighs the great times with the disappointment while contemplating a past love.  Even after he’s been left in the past, he’s still haunting the songstress.  Chuck Harmony’s track is tinged with the same melancholy found in Barrino’s voice, the chorus is beautifully old school soul. RyKeyz steps in right after with his club track for “Man of the House,” a dance song that could easily pull a neck swivel and eye roll out of the most pristine of women.  Fantasia challenges the manhood of her most recent dude, telling him if he can’t be the man in the house, she can.

“Collard Greens and Cornbread” is a nod to Marvin and Tammi’s “Precious Love” with a great loop on the hook that adds just a hint of 21^st century. It sounds like happy in love, but the deceiving track plays foundation for a story about a man she can’t leave alone, even though he gives her more mess than a little bit. Yet another classic rip can be found on “Teach Me,” a reggae-tinged track with Marley written all over it. “The Thrill is Gone” would be at home hiding amongst Curtis Mayfield cuts.

Even songs that shouldn’t work do.  “Trust Him” could come off sappy in its sweetness, but the dreamy 50’s inspired construction and Fantasia’s overwhelming optimism draw you in. “Feel Like Falling In Love,” is  a music box driven pop confection akin to Usher’s “DJ Got Us Falling In Love” in spirit.  It is an outreach to top 40 radio, but again, Fantasia’s performance pulls the song out of the electro abyss.

The same can’t be said for “Even Angels” which is a little to sentimental for its own good. The closing piece, “I’m Here” from The Color Purple Musical is beautiful, yet out of place.

With Back to Me Fantasia has crafted the best album of her young career.  Hopefully, when the smoke clears and we actually do get away from the drama and back to her, this LP will be standing head and shoulders above the theatrics. At least, that’s how it should be.

4 Out of 5

Fantasia – “Bittersweet”

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