Mint Condition - Lifes Aquarium (12 tracks) +Album Reviews

The name for this gruop is an understatement... HOT!

I.B. | Westampton, NJ | 12/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This new cd took me by a suprise. I bought it as a gift for my uncle because I know he likes this kind of soul. I Heard of them before and I know their old songs but I didn't like them enough to get the cd at first. Before I wrapped it I was curious to know how it was...so I listened to it. I was blown away by the mix of live instruments and up-to date sounds they mixed in the cd. The thing that some reviewers and listeners might not know is that the beats they made was all done by the drummer....not a machine. The only other artist I know that does beats like that without a machine is The Roots. The best songs here r: 1,2,3,4,5,6,8,9,10. Every song here is worth a listen though. I heard this cd one time through and by the second listen I already had money set to buy it(the same day). The Music here sets them apart from all the other R+B groups and they have a sound that sticks out. I like the theme they have going on behind the album too. Theme: They want everyone to be able to live together without having to live a lie. Life's Aquarium is a good title when you think of it because it's saying that in an aquarium, u can see fishes moving,and they live together and people who pass by and see them see everything they do and they have no problems. Thats deep! Thats about the deepest R+B album u will find today among a few others.Get this cd and your cd collection won't be anything less of mint condition."

Outstanding

I.B. | 02/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was instantly hooked on Mint Condition the first time I heard "Pretty Brown Eyes", way back when. Their sound was reminiscent to the music I grew up on (Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince -when he was "Prince", Stevie Wonder, etc.) This latest effort doesn't change my opinion. The ENTIRE band is extremely talented (Yeah, Stokley's wonderful, but lets give props where they're due.) MC's sound is what true R&B aficionados really crave -- not that "fluff" that's geared towards folks w/short attention spans. My favorite track has to be "This day, this minute, right now". Clare Fischer's string arrangment is nothing short of amazing. I understand some fans' concerns about MC having "sold out", but the brothers DO need to eat. AND if "selling out" means making themselves accessible to listeners that might otherwise be listening to "No-no-notorious", then sell they should! "Hip-hop" kids should be exposed to something other than Puffy (no offense), even if in small doses. I can't wait for their next CD. The band is great. Get the CD."

I Must Admit...

Clarissa Bolding | Austin, TX USA | 07/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not too many artists out there have to ability to sing a ballad so beatifully it can cause chills. When I first heard "This Minute Right Now" I was blown away. Mint Condition is known for intricate instrumentation and deep lyrics on their ballads. This album does not disappoint. From the beautifully arranged strings on "If You Love Me" to the acoustic guitar and finger snaps on "Just the Man", Mint continues to use subtle sensuality where many artists are blatant and unimaginative. "Touch That Body" will have you up and dancing. "Pretty Lady" with Charlie Wilson is a sassy duet that bridges the generation gap. "Who Can You Trust" and "Be Like That Sometimes" both have universal messages we can relate to; its hard to trust when people aren't always what they seem. "Spanish Eyes" sparkles with a Latin flow and even un poco Espanol, spoken and sung on the track. "Leave Me Alone" is that one rock joint that MC always always throws in their ecclectic mixes. "Is This Pain Our Pleasure" is a bouncy track speaking on the love/hate aspects of relationships.Throughout the album I was looking for the INTERLUDES and was about to give up until I found the hidden tracks at the end. I won't reveal names, you just have to get this joint and find it yoself! :o) Overall, Life's Aquarium gets much love. I can't wait for the next album to drop and hopefully they'll put actual live in concert tracks on it because NO ONE can "break it down" like Mint. Peace. CLB."

SWIMMING IN LIFE'S AQUARIUM

Curtis Hall | Jacksonville, Florida United States | 05/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I hear a lot of griping from fans of classic R&B artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, Al Green, and Marvin Gaye that the new class of R&B singers aren't real. They say they're studio-enhanced, backed up by all electronic instruments, and no one plays their own instruments or is backed by a live band anymore.

Mint Condition makes these folks eat their words. With 4 of the best records to bless R&B in the 90's and beyond, Mint Condition is a multi-talented group of men who can have anyone who loves the classics vibing to their tracks.

"Life's Aquarium" is their fourth offering (there first on Elektra Records), and it comes through just as lovely as everything they've put out before. The first single, "If You Love Me" is a beautiful track showcasing the feelings of a man who needs reassurance of the affections his woman says she has for him. "This Day, This Minute, Right Now" is another beautiful ballad, this time with Stokeley (MC's lead singer) professing his undying love, beginning right now. Other tracks that are unbeatable are "Pretty Lady", featuring the legendary Charlie Wilson, of Gap Band fame. The uptempo "Be Like That Sometimes" deals with life's trials and tribulations, and "Just The Man For You" is yet another sweet ballad, this time with Stokley attempting to convince a woman that they're made for each other.

If you've never listened to a Mint Condition album, this would be a good one to introduce you to their style. I would recommend this for any R&B fan, especially those fed up with all the "digitized" artists that are out there now."

Great, but something's missing...

E.J. Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 06/28/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Most artists would fail when Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis would leave their sides (ask Solo). But Mint Condition still kept their music intact, in a way. While Life's Aquarium isn't their BEST record (that award goes to 1996's Definition of a Band), the songs on here are still doggone good.For lovers of those classic ballads that they belt out, try "If You Love Me", "Is This Pain Our Pleasure", and "This Day, This Minute, Right Now" on for size. But it's on my favorite track, "Pretty Lady", as well as the most introspective track, "Is This Pain Our Pleasure", where you see classic Mint. Uptempo tracks are also good, like the rock-influenced "Leave Me Alone".I would still listen to this album, but I seem to overlook this album and go to their first three albums instead. The reason is because although Jam and Lewis, who disbanded their label that Mint was on, didn't leave the band hopeless, this album is missing that Mint Condition quality. There's no blazing drum solo from Stokeley to open the album, no long guitar solos, no six- or seven-minute songs--you know, all the stuff that makes Mint Condition Mint Condition. Maybe they grew up, or it was the effect from switching record labels. Oh well, this album from one of the still-standing R&B bands is still worth a listen."

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	Mint Condition Life's Aquarium Genres: Dance & Electronic, Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B Track Listings (12) - Disc #1 Touch That Body Be Like That Sometimes Pretty Lady Who Can You Trust If You Love Me Spanish Eyes Is This Pain Our Pleasure Call Me This Day, This Minute, Right Now Just The Man For You Tonight Leave Me Alone
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