Arts & Entertainment
 

Sharp, dull cuts both found at 'Barbershop'

Hip-hop's popularity makes it hard to include only good songs on album

By Chris Goodier
The Daily Cougar

On the coattails of Barber Shop 2: Back in Business's national release comes the movie's soundtrack, featuring collaborations and guest appearances from the MCs and singers who pop up on MTV. On the radar of most pop fans are names like Mary J. Blige, G-Unit, Sean Paul and of course Eve, who acts as a character in the featured film. Eve acts alongside veteran rapper Ice Cube, whose lack of presence on the movie's backing songs is puzzling. Other artists appearing on the soundtrack include Mos Def, Floetry, Mobb Deep and the drum machine-driven hooks of Clipse.

Interscope records released the CD, apparently taking time out from recording signed groups like No Doubt and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There is, however, no question about the fact that rap and hip-hop have hit the mainstream. Now these acts compete with each other on the airwaves, occupying spots on top 40 charts with only the occasional entrance of another genre. At this point, new mainstream hip-hop must raise the bar. Listeners are inundated with musical loops. Advertisements and pop songs are getting hipper; time outs at Rockets games allow hooks to blare throughout the arena; and the backing beat to Justin Timberlake's "Rock Your Body" has become the guiltiest pleasure on pop radio. Before the Pharrells of the world began booking studio time, who would've thought repeated four-second melodies could be so infectious?

The soundtrack starts off with a message of female empowerment for "all tha ladiiies" courtesy of Blige featuring Eve. Eve appears on two tracks in total, also singing alongside Keyshia Cole. In "Not Today," listeners have no doubt heard the singer's sultry voice indicates mourning over heartbreak. Lyrics include, "You're the worst/ I can't depend on you/ You say you will/But always something else you do." While this song may not be accessible to male listeners, the rhythmic arrangement bumps well enough.

The album continues with the Grammy-tinged voice of Outkast's Andre 3000. "I Can't Wait" contains an intro reminiscent of Cindy Crawford's House of Style theme song. While the cut hearkens Ru Paul, Andre's falsettos are ice cold.

The absolute best song on the album is Floetry's "Wanna B Where U R (ThisIzzaLuvSong)" featuring Mos Def. Mos Def's lyrical confidence makes this steady beat work. Setting up the track with a talk-over spiel, Floetry covers a rendition of "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band which was popularized in De La Soul's classic song "D.A.I.S.Y. Age." This cut hits hard and gets you moving in time with your step. Listeners will be hooked by the time Mos Def throws out a "Yes Yes Ya'll" with trailing echo.

Another beat based on past grooves is sung over in Eve's "Never." Here, Luther Vandross' "Never too Much" makes you want to call KMJQ-FM's request line. Otherwise, the song desecrates what Luther did so well.

"Fallen" features Mya with rapper Chingy. The beat works so well when Mya's breathy voice opens up to a distorted snare hit. Good drum machine claps fill this baby like a tambourine in an oldies song. One thing to mention about Chingy's rap though; the man won't stop name-dropping Chanel, cell phones and diamonds. While the song flows with slick breaks, his lyrics are what separate commercial from underground hip-hop.

Better MCs like Mobb Deep add to the album with simple daily observations delivered with verbal dexterity, including "Shorty, we could fog it up in the back of the truck / Tinted out / You don't have to duck / Lose the cuffs." There's no chorus to be heard and the song gets played out by the third minute. For a soundtrack with so many artists with hits there are a lot of misses.

The award for worst song on the release goes to G-Unit's "Unconditionally," which is a ballad ... sort of. The group calls a woman a cheater for going back to her husband. Lyrics include, "Last week it was my man/The week before your husband/Girl that ring on your finger means nothing/ It's just a waste of money/ And he's a dummy."

Two trends seem to typify the remaining disappointing songs. For one, what's up with the preoccupation of making beats that are so dark and apocalyptic? At least three cuts can be described in terms of the Psycho shower scene. And another thing, asking Sean Paul to appear on your track is as risky as asking Al Gore to endorse you as a Democratic presidential candidate. Of course if you're Paul you can always get by spitting out a nonsensical Jamaican scat. Stereolab made a career out of this.

Various artists

Barbershop 2: Back to Business

Interscope Records

The verdict: It's probably a better idea to wait for a video of every song on this soundtrack.
 
 

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