Not your average Christian album, but it's a must-buy!
Soldier77 | Laurel, MD USA | 10/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On Shei Atkins' first CD "Life In Stereo," there were about certain songs that were good enough to keep rewinding over and over again, though overall it's a good album. This time around on "The Lita Mae Show," every track will have you rewinding. And this CD is different from other Christian album simply because the focal point of the album is moreso about relationships than it is talking about Jesus, which was the format of her last album.
By relationships I mean situations where your friends encourage you to reconcile their marriage("Call Me,") , leaving that other man or woman to go back to your spouse("I'm Going Home"), dropping that man that's clearly not trying to be about you("Sudden Change"), resisting to temptation to smack that woman who's going around town talking about your man("Lose My Cool"), and my favorite, not trusting the gossip when people say they saw your man/woman with someone else("Try Again Part 3").
She also gives shout-outs to all children who have big dreams("One Day") and the men who are working hard to support and love their women and families("Ladies to the Fellas"), which as a man I really appreciate. She tells the story about how God spared her life on "I Got Shot." But don't worry, she does have songs dedicated to Jesus. There's the upbeat "No One," and the slow tracks "He Can Fix It" and "He's There."
This CD is also different because it layed out like a talk show, hence the title. Think of a cleaner version of Jerry Springer done as a musical. For example, "Lose My Cool" starts off with some girl coming on stage who shamelessly talks about someone's man and taunts her, saying "Yeah I talked about your man, and what?!? What you gonna do about it?" and then it cuts to "Lose My Cool." So it's really a creative album, and the skits are too funny!
Overall it's a very well produced album, the tracks are hot, the skits are too funny, and there's definitely a godly message about relationships. But even if you're not into Christian music, this is a high quality CD that anyone can enjoy."
FIRE!!!!!
lany | DC area | 11/04/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After listening to it non-stop since I got it last week, my verdict is this. It is clear that this sincere, gifted girl loves JESUS and is not ashamed of it. Yet, at the same time she comes CORRECT with a tight R&B style that could easily get played with all those hits on secular radio...And yes I appreciate the way she sings about RELATIONSHIPS (gasp!), because she is teaching these cats out here that you can sing beautiful songs about marriage and relationships and so forth and yet you don't have to get FREAKY to do it! ("If you want a freak boy that ain't me/If you want a one-night stand boy that ain't me" - now how many times do we get to hear that message on the radio??!!)
So, needless to say, I HIGHLY recommend this CD. First off, the vocals are beautiful - she has such a pretty tone which is a notch above most that you hear today, she is truly GIFTED vocally and I always appreciate being able to hear some pipes on an album. Also, the songs are real, talking about some of the things people are REALLY going through, ya heard? And the message is Christ - take a listen to No 2, 3 (I LOVE this one - creative), and the last ones ("He can fix it" - powerful!).
Now, the only complaint I have is some of the skits were a little predictable, if you don't like skits on CDs those might annoy you. But please, that does not by any means take away from the blessing that is wrapped up in these songs! Every single one of them is like, a hand-wrapped gift from God to so many in the hip-hop generation, showing how it's supposed to be DONE!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1