DOUBLE [Reflex] (Fifth Album)

SPRING ~intro
SPRING LOVE
DOUBLE’S STYLE~interlude
We International feat. Ak’Sent
Reflex
This close
WHY DO YOU GO?
SUMMERTIME feat. VERBAL
Arabian Dream
Emotions
ROCK THE PARTY feat. BOY-KEN & ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ BAND
Winter Love Song
D-O-U-B-L-E~interlude
Call Me
THE LOVE ON FIRE
Run Away Love feat. Lupe Fiasco

The album starts off with SPRING ~intro. It starts off with a nice and peaceful instrumental and the sound of falling water, which is always lovely on the ears to me. Despite the fact that it is a nice intro, its way too quick and you don’t even get a chance to really enjoy the sounds or the atmosphere it invokes.

The next track on the album is the somewhat mid-tempo SPRING LOVE. This song it pretty hit or miss, because it honestly isn’t double’s most engaging song and I’m talking after the second album. The arrangement is a bit whimsical and light and does give one the impression of summer, its a rather nice arrangement. double’s vocals are very light, a little too light because it seemed like the arrangement was overpowering her vocals to the point that I could make her out only on certain parts of the song. This track has a nice flow, so I’m leaning mores towards liking it.

The next track on the album is DOUBLE’S STYLE~interlude. The first interlude consists of double singing tiredly over a pulsing rnb beat.

The next track on the album is the dull We International feat. Ak’Sent. I haven’t heard a song more pointless than this in a while. It was like ‘that ain’t cool’ all over again. I take it that Ak’Sent is a black female rapper, because if she’s not, I need to get my ears checked. Her parts were more or less wack and unmemorable and also in her first verse, did she say the same thing twice? I can’t recall hearing double outside of, ‘double, ak’sent, we international’ this song was a complete waste of space, here’s to never having to listen to it again.

The next track on the album is its title track Reflex. I really like this. Honestly when it first started I wanted to roll my eyes because I thought it was going to be stupid, but double certainly proved me wrong. I know I have expressed before how much I like mature songs and this is definitely one to add to the list. The arrangement is typical, but it gives off a very sexy and somewhat exotic vibe, despite it being very plain. I also liked double’s vocals. I mean she sung this song in full English, but I kept thinking she wasn’t, because a lot of the time I couldn’t quite make her out, but that could be because of the aggressive way in which she chose to sing this: ’so as soon as you step through that door, be ready to break off that jacket’ lolz. double you get so many cool points for this!

The next track on the album is the sexy This close. Well, its not all that sexy, but its still a rather intimate song. The arrangement is pretty typical, especially for a song like this. I was a bit disappointed that double didn’t try to at least make it a little creative and different, but it does go with the whole flow of the song. double’s voice was appropriately sensual and it doesn’t take a genius to realize what she means when she sings: ‘this close to giving it up’

The next track on the album is the down-tempo WHY DO YOU GO?. I went into this song with little to no expectations and came out really pleased, seriously. I mean it started on a bit of an awkward note. The arrangement is minimal, its a piano piece that is very twinkly and made me think of water reflecting the moon. Though it didn’t seem to blend in all that well with double’s vocals, so she sounds like she’s singing over it. Eventually though everything seemed to fall into place, and when she gets to the ad-libs, I couldn’t help but say: ‘gone head girl’ because she really displayed some vocal prowess and bumped up the enjoyment factor. I would also like to ask this same question, though I doubt I’ll ever get an answer.

The next track on the album is the annoying SUMMERTIME feat. VERBAL. Hadn’t I just been listening to a pretty good song like four minutes ago? What happened? I mean I actually expected to like this song, but of course I was wrong. I can’t even recall the arrangement because it was really quite half-assed and juvenile. Verbal? I don’t know, I didn’t too much care for his parts. double? The only thing I can recall her saying is, ’summer time’ in some high wannabe cute voice that threw me completely off. I mean they tried to make this song fun and engaging, but all it did was make me cringe and wish I had pressed the stop button sooner.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Arabian Dream. I really shouldn’t like this song, because come on but I do. The arrangement is so cliche, but its rather enticing and really makes you want to move your hips and belly dance. I guess the Middle Eastern flare is rubbing off on everyone, because I’ve been hearing a lot of these songs lately. double’s vocals are nothing to write home about, but I thought she did a decent job. I mean songs like this have the tendency to be incredibly corny, but they’re appealing at the same time.

The next track on the album is the up-tempo Emotions. I’m pretty half and half with this song, but I like it more than I dislike it. I actually expected this song to be down-tempo, because when I saw the title I thought of the ‘emotions’ song by Patti LaBelle, well the remake that Destiny’s Child did. Then when the song came on, it kind of like blared out at me and then Mariah Carey’s ‘emotions’ popped into my head and everything fell into place. The arrangement is pretty basic and sounds so school or college band, but it fit. double seemed to really be into this song, I loved the energy, I couldn’t not be pulled into this track. Its pretty OK, for a song that doesn’t seem to make any sense: ‘what’s going on? No one can stop me, emotions!’ I guess double.

The next track on the album is the uninteresting ROCK THE PARTY feat. BOY-KEN & ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ BAND. For this song to be called ‘rock the party’ its quite underwhelming. While listening to this I had absolutely no desire to get up and rock anything. The arrangement is your typical snap and clap beat accompanied by some synth, which made this song very corny and in no way an rnb party track. double’s vocals were nothing really and the only time I heard her was during the chorus, otherwise the feat. artists were talking and rapping all over the place. This song is also way to long to have no substance, its a complete bore and utterly forgettable.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Winter Love Song. This is a really nice song. It started off an I was a bit uninterested with it, but as it went along I found myself really becoming absorbed because it gave off the feeling of winter and a somewhat sad love. double’s vocal performance was really good in this and I kept thinking she was singing in English, though she wasn’t and then I kept wishing that she had sung this in English. This was a welcome relief after the mediocrity of the previous track.

The next track on the album is D-O-U-B-L-E~interlude. double has some pretty pointless interludes, but this is one of the worst. double spells her name over a cliche rnb beat, that’s it.

The next track on the album is the mid-tempo Call Me. This song is just forgettable. The arrangement is synth heavy, borderline electronica and just made no sense and sounded way to generic. double keeps her tones high and seems to repeat the same thing over and over: ‘call me if your single’ what? I mean I don’t recall hearing any verses, at all. The backing vocals were torturous and this song is just a train wreck of mediocrity.

The second to last track on the album is the underwhelming THE LOVE ON FIRE. I want to say up-tempo, but the song leans more towards mid-tempo. Is double talking in Spanish at the start of the song? That was interesting and a bit sexy. This song however is neither. The arrangement is some sort of flute or wind instrument that seems very uninspired so it makes the entire arrangement sound flat and I’m certain that wasn’t the intention. double does nothing really with her vocals and sings this song in the same tired tone throughout at like the same pace. I couldn’t even pretend to be interested in this song, it offers nothing.

The last track on the album is Run Away Love feat. Lupe Fiasco. I like Lupe Fiasco, he’s one of the few rappers who talk about relevant issues and are creative music wise, but I don’t like him in this song. The arrangement is forgettable at best and played rather limply. I don’t like how double’s vocals offered nothing and then strained during the chorus, it was almost unbelievable. Lupe’s part was a bit half-assed, I honestly didn’t care about anything he was saying and was glad when this boring song finally ended. Ah, what a weak album closer.

-GRADE: B-
Rating: ** stars

double’s fifth album Reflex was all right, but I think her last two albums were better. I don’t know, I don’t expect much from double but what I get, she plays it pretty safe and doesn’t offer anything new or different. I hope this assessment changes with her next album or single. This album had some nice tracks on it regardless, the stand-outs being: Reflex, This close and WHY DO YOU GO? for obvious reasons. Reflex was a lot better than my last album review of her self-titled album double, but its still a pretty weak offering.

DOUBLE [double] (Second Album)

Rebirth (Interlude)
Handle
Stay With Me
Untouchable
Floor
Home
What’s “double”? (Interlude)
Uh Huh
I’m In Love
U
Love of Mine
Angel ~Album Version~
Can You Handle It? (Hidden Track)

The album starts off with the intro Rebirth (Interlude). I’m not sure why it says interlude, when its basically an intro track, but whatever. Its pretty pointless and waste of a track, because it consists of a slow and very boring forty seven second instrumental.

The first full-length track on the album is the bland Handle. This song is pretty stale, but I still find that I like it. Its because rnb is my favorite genre of music and I can be very bias when it comes to it. The arrangement is pretty baseless and simple, with a synth beat playing dully in the background. The effect is just so static and boring. double’s vocals were fine in a sense, but I felt that she could have put a bit more effort into this song, especially during the chorus. I just sensed such a disinterest. This is a pretty nice song, its got a bit of rhythm to get your body moving and sounds like 90’s rnb.

The next track is the down-tempo Stay With Me. This song, this time around is pretty good. The arrangement is nice and urban, a pretty typical down-tempo rnb ballad, but it does its job. It is pretty boring and simple, but it stays consistent. double’s vocals are nice in this, she put a bit of personality into her voice, so she didn’t sound so disinterested and bland.

The next track is the somewhat mid-tempo Untouchable. This song is pretty interesting, and boring, but I still find that I like it. The arrangement is pretty typical, and is really just there to give the song something to stand on, because it doesn’t do much but what its supposed to. double’s vocals were pretty decent, though I’ve heard better from her. She did sound a bit into the song, so that’s a plus. What I find odd about this song is that she’s telling the guy in the chorus to, ’stay away from me’ but in the previous song, she was telling him to stay with her?

The next track on the album is the abysmal Floor. I have no idea what I was just listening to, but I’m fairly sure it was crap. The arrangement is awful, so basic and irritating with its constant beeps and wannabe techno, rnb lameness. double’s vocals are torture, because its almost like, ‘what are you saying?’ even in another language that I already can’t understand, I can’t understand it. This song makes no sense, and its like its just terrible for no reason. Why did double even bother recording this track, let alone putting it on her album? No effort whatsoever went into this song. Its just a waste of ‘a good song could be here!’ space.

The next track on the album is the down-tempo Home. This song more than made up for the previous track. The arrangement is pretty mellow, longing, and your typical rnb slow jam fair, though it does its part. double’s vocals were nice in this, she put a bit of personality into her voice, and you could feel how much she really wanted him back. I like this song because I can really relate to it: ‘come back to me, i’m waiting for you’ Oh, I can so relate. This song really embodies a need for someone.

The next track on the album is the What’s “double”? (Interlude). Its twenty-three seconds of nothing.

The next track on the album is the ultra boring Uh Huh. Oh, wow. The arrangement was just very stagnant, generic and uninteresting in every sense of the word. If it wasn’t for that constant tinkling sound in it, you’d forget this song even had one. double’s vocals were as disinterested as ones vocals could possibly get, I wonder why she even bothered. This song is forgettable, and just bad for no reason.

The next track is the stale I’m In Love. This is monotonous at its most highest extent. I mean the arrangement is ‘blah’, too basic and does absolutely nothing but bore you. double’s vocals are no better, because she sung this song at the same boring pace throughout, her voice rising a tid bit during the ‘i’m in love’ parts of the chorus. This song just fails, because it offers nothing but an acute dullness that makes you wonder why you haven’t already clicked the song off. Then it got to the point where it seemed like she was repeating the title over and over. This song is just a monotonous, bore-fest of fail.

The next track on the album is the up-tempo, perhaps mid-tempo U. I was glad that at least a semi good song came after the awfulness that was the previous track. The arrangement is decent, a bit generic and bland but it worked. double’s vocals seemed a bit more interested in this track, she put some personality into this, and actually made me interested in the song instead of bored with it. ‘No matter what you do, i’m leaving, i’m leaving you’ I loved that line in the chorus. I got the jist that she was talking about a guy who had done her wrong, and no excuse he said was going to change her mind. I also really liked this line: ‘you lie right to my face, i’m breaking down everyday.’

The second to last track on the album is the down-tempo Love of Mine. This song suffers from the same thing that I’m In Love suffered from: a bland beat and the same sluggish pace. However, as where I’m In Love bored me to straight tears, this song on the other hand managed to keep my attention. Its nothing special, and its quite forgettable, but I love the warmth and charm it exudes. Its not as bad as it could of been.

The last official track on the album is Angel ~Album Version~. I’m not sure I too much like this album version, but its still good. This is actually my favorite double song, and the lone song that got me interested in their music. It was just such an incredibly poignant song, with a lovely arrangement and even lovelier vocals from double. This is definitely one of those songs you never get tired of. Its inspirational, emotional, a bit sad and most definitely felt.

The album doesn’t end there, there is actually a hidden track Can You Handle It? a mix of Handle. In all honesty there’s really no difference and maybe that was the intention, but I find that I didn’t so much like this version.

-GRADE: C
Rating: * star

double’s second album (and first without her sister) DOUBLE was just as underwhelming and awful as her debut album had been. However, I’d still listen to this, before I listened to Crystal. I know that double was going through a lot having lost her sister, and maybe that explains why this album came across as so dull and lifeless. It was like an Evil & Flowers all over again. Instead of channeling her sadness in a positive way like Namie Amuro did with Break The Rules and came out with a album full of sad, yet good songs, she channeled it in a negative way, and came out with another forgettable album. The only songs that really stood out and caught my attention fully were: Home and Angel. The rest were just semi-passable, and the others were forgotten as soon as they ended. DOUBLE is not a good album at all, and it fails in so many obvious ways. As it stands this is her second worst album, and thankfully the last one to truly disappoint me.

DOUBLE [Crystal] (First Album)

Intro ~Crystal Clear
Free Style (DOUBLE) Free Style
Little Things You Do
Make Me Happy (MORE MIX)
Desire (Cool Groove Mix)
Interlude (If My Sister’s In Trouble ~ Joy)
Shake (Original)
Sweet Time
For me (Live Style Mix)
BED
Shake (ANOTHER SQUALL MIX) feat. ZEEBRA
BED (DOUBLES) feat. Mummy-D from RHYMESTER & KOHEI JAPAN from Mellow Yellow

The albums starts off with the intro, Intro ~Crystal Clear. A down-tempo and pretty mellow rnb instrumental. Boring.

The next track I believe is a continuation of the intro, Free Style. It’s even more uninteresting than the intro track. It’s very bland, and has absolutely nothing going for it. All they say is, ‘can’t do it like us’ over and over again like some insane looping nightmare. I’m wondering what was the point of them putting this on here, then I realize, there wasn’t one, it’s fodder.

DOUBLE decides to keep the pace painfully slow with the next track, Little Things You Do. It’s a typical rnb tune, with a basic, bedroom like arrangement, that is just too slow-paced to be of any real use. The vocal performances from the sisters, just drags and goes nowhere and after awhile it’s like all they are saying is: ‘it’s just the little things you do’ over and over again. It’s gets so repetitive and boring that you can’t even be bothered. Still, though it’s all right. I’d listen to it again.

The next track ups the pace, but only a tad, Make Me Happy (MORE MIX), is a bit more interesting than the previous track, but in retrospect that doesn’t mean much. The arrangement was pretty basic; it sounded like I heard a few beeping noises in the background, mostly during the chorus and that was just odd. I thought the vocal performances by the sisters had a lot more personality, but it still doesn’t stop this song from being pretty dull, average and unoriginal. Still, I did like this a lot more than, The Little Things You Do.

Finally, we get an up-tempo track. Desire (Cool Groove Mix), another song by them that they for some reason chose to mix up for the album’s pleasure. I thought this was a pretty interesting, and somewhat catchy song. The beat like all of them is pretty generic, but it does do it’s part. The vocal performances are nice, and consistent and manage to keep up with the pace. It’s an all right track.

I like the whole ‘if my sister’s in trouble’ line of the next interlude track, Interlude (If My Sister’s In Trouble ~ Joy). But man, if this isn’t the most lamest and brief interlude ever. It almost seemed pointless, and played like lazy filler.

The next track is the somewhat upbeat, Shake (Original). I’m guessing DOUBLE was going for a nice party tune, but it plays like lukewarm water if anything. It has a lot of potential, but it’s all lost in translation because, though the song tries very hard to be something catchy enough for a play in a club, it’s just not a very good song. It’s all over the place; one minute they’re saying ’shake it, shake it’ then I’m guessing they go off into the chorus, were there any verses? And then we hear them spelling out their name almost randomly. The arrangement is typical and becomes background noise after awhile. Shake (Original) is just a forgettable and terribly unoriginal song.

The next track is the down-tempo, Sweet Time. It’s a pretty all right ballad, if not your typical rnb slow jam fodder. I love rnb slow jams, definitely, but only the good ones, that though, recycle, still sets themselves apart from the rest. The arrangement isn’t all that, I barely paid attention to it, but the vocal performances were decent. The song is pretty boring, and like every other rnb song out there, SERIOUSLY! But it’s a somewhat nice listen.

Second to last track on the album is one of the first songs by DOUBLE I heard, For me (Live Style Mix). I really wish that they had left this song alone, as it is one of their more original songs, as far as quality goes. It has an interesting laid-back beat going for it, and a nice slow-paced, dragging vocal performance that actually works to this songs advantage. It feels like the same song, but at the same time it goes on forever, and that really drags the enjoyment level down. At one point I stopped listening to it all together, because I just couldn’t be bothered.

The last track on the album (in my opinion) is the underwhelming BED. I must admit it does have it’s good points, but at the end of the day it’s just like everything else on this album (save for For Me) and that is generic, recycled, rnb fodder. The vocals are all right, but the arrangement is forgettable.

This album also features two bonus tracks, Shake (ANOTHER SQUALL MIX) feat. ZEEBRA and BED (DOUBLES) feat. Mummy-D from RHYMESTER & KOHEI JAPAN from Mellow Yellow. I can summarize them in one word: Crap.

-GRADE: F
Rating: 1/2 star

I am shocked to find that this redundancy of an album is DOUBLE’S most highest selling. Crystal has to be one of the most boring albums I have ever heard, and as a debut, it disappoints on so many levels. I didn’t like how every song seemed to be a recycled version of the next (BED and Sweet Time sounded eerily similar). I also didn’t like how they chose to mix up some of the songs, what was the purpose of this? I’m quite sure the originals were much better. The vocals were pretty decent, nothing that stood-out, but they did what they could with the leftovers they were given. I like how DOUBLE has a very distinct old school rnb feel to them, that makes their music very nostalgic sounding and welcome, but as far as I’m concerned Crystal is better off forgotten.