With her new hit single, “London Bridge,” Fergie’s split from the Black Eyed Peas is taking her to the top. But you never heard Fergie use her pipes like this.
The former member of Black Eyed Peas has a vocal range that can take you from 1940s razz to a sex-driven club style in her new album The Dutchess. Unfortunately, instead of giving us something fresh, Fergie copies other artists mixes. Her style incorporates deep rap recognizable from Black Eyed Peas’ hits, to an almost-Jessica Simpson sound.
The songs on The Dutchess are more varied than you’d expect. While the song “Clumsy” sounds straight out of an Old West saloon, a few tracks later, she switches it up to sing a beautiful, Spanish-inspired ballad.
Even with variety, don’t expect a solo album that you’ve never heard before. The Dutchess follows the same formula that every female R&B singer uses on their first solo album – the typical dance beats and ballads about self-image, feminism, sex and love.
Four out of 13 tracks are about self-image, inner strength and growing up. With lyrics such as, “Who are you/And what do you do/That makes you think you’re above me/But have you walked in my shoes?” Fergie is reminding her audience she’s strong, and no one can bring her down.
But then Fergie takes a page from J-Lo’s, Jenny From the Block, in her song “Glamorous.” She lets people know that even while she’s “Flying first class in the sky,” it’s OK because, “I don’t care/I’m still real/No matter how many records I sell”.
What Fergie brings to the table is the way the album brings old school back into the picture.
One of the best tracks on the album, “Here I Come,” combines her own original rap with a cover of The Temptation’s hit song “Get Ready.”
“Here I Come” is not overpowered with a booming bass line like the rest of her more hip-hop songs. Fergie hits almost all points in her vocal range on this track, guiding the rhythm and beat. It works surprisingly well for her.
As an extra plus to this modernized hit, Will.i.Am has a brief cameo, so we can never forget who got Fergie started. Ludacris and Rita Marley are also featured on the album. The last track features John Legend on “Finally.”
Legend and Fergie make a fairy-tale tune that can’t help but remind you of the Disney themes like Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection.” With Legend’s beautiful instrumentals in the background, Fergie’s soft and sweet voice tells the story: “Finally now my destiny can begin/Though we will have our differences/Something strange and new is happening.” Still nothing inspiring.
One thing Fergie can do without on the album is spelling. In her next single, “Fergalicious”, Will.i.Am and Fergie spell out “T-A-S-T-Y/D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S/F-E-R-G-A-L-I-C-I-O-U-S”. Just in case we didn’t know that Maxim’s 36th hottest woman was sexy, she spells it out for us. And sadly, the spelling continues in two other tracks as well.
Despite these flaws, Fergie’s raps and dance beats will surely hit every radio station and club. Her talent for simple yet fun lyrics, spit out over a pounding bass line, is a quick equation for success in the pop-culture world.
Don’t underestimate her singing talent. Fergie’s voice carries the album along with clever, although not very deep and inspiring, lyrics. That can be overlooked, though, when you’re dancing your heart out.
Contact reporter Allyson Dickman at diversions@dbk.umd.edu.
