Goodies - Ciara (CD 2004)

Ciara seems to have taken the world by storm by riding the waves of crunk production and bringing a little bit of R&B. After finding myself enjoying "One, Two Step" I decided to check out the album by yet another Missy Elliot protege (AKA Missy's futile search for another Aaliyah).
While Ciara at times is enjoyable it's really not from anything that is unique or spectacular about her. It's because the production makes you want to move.

"Goodies" is midly entertaining despite Ciara's limited voice. Petey Pablo carries the song with his rough, down and dirty rapping and quite frankly Ciara really is just an extended hook girl. Another thing that works in her favor is she can dance. When she goes high some parts of the song its definitely underwhelming but thankfully its the type of song it doesn't really matter.

"One Two Step" produced by Jazzy Pha is by far the best song on the album with its catchy sound. The hook of the song is undeniable and Elliot also adds a lot. I think the reason I like this song is it somehow makes me think of JJ Fad's old school track "Supersonic". Ciara doesn't really have much melody going here as she sing/speaks but she sounds good in this context and it works.

"Thug Style" is in my opinion a blatant attempt to bring back Aaliyah's slippery, unique sound and it doesn't really work. Ciara sounds a little better than you might expect but there are many, many singers out there who could put her in her place. The lyrics also are pretty silly as Ciara attempts to coo "Knock, knock, there you is." All you can think when you hear this song is "Aaliyah would have been so good on this song." It also makes you realize what we lost in that plane crash.

"Hotline" isn't too bad but I wouldn't call it a stand out track either. It's repetitive and the production is annoying all though I can't put my finger on why. "Oh" is another highligh though with it's more stripped down production and a much appreciated cameo from Ludacris. This is one album where I will take all the cameos I can get. This song is slick and fun and manages to overcome Ciara's lacking voice.

"Pick Up The Phone" is a song that just sounds desperate and pathetic to me. Basically, Ciara keeps getting dissed by her man. He hasn't called her, doesn't seem to plan on calling her and she just keeps calling like clingy school girl. Hmm, looks like someone has her doing the one, two step. R. Kelly is involved this one so I guess we shouldn't be surprised he's so busy.

The album pretty much goes down hill from there. "Lookin' at You" is pretty much filler with a damn good beat and even Jazzy Pha can't do much to help this one. Lots of songs have similar, tight production but much better singers on top. Anytime she has to go up to a note she goes sharp. With Ciara less melody is definitely more. "Ooh Baby" sounds like something Destiny's Child might have done on their new album. But Ciara's no Beyonce and Beyonce and crew are no fools. This song doesn't really go anywhere.

"Next To You" starts off nice and my ears perked up. But it slips pretty quick when many lines end with boy and it becomes pretty inane pretty quick. Once again I find myself "Monica would have sound good on this song". "Other Chicks" starts off pretty good and stays ok because the melody is limited and the production's interesting. Once again this song isn't anything to brag about but it's better than some of the others.

The album ends with "Goodies" once again with a different spin and then you are left wondering "What's the big deal?" Her voice is the generic version of Aaliyah, Brandy and Monica and she just doesn't have much personality without her videos. Download "Goodies", "One, Two Step", and "Oh" and leave the rest in the jar.