Fanmail [PA] - TLC (CD 1999)

TLC is one of the most successful female groups of the 90's and the reason for this is no mystery. They are creative, strong women who can deliver a message or just get you moving. Fanmail is the third effort from this trio of the original independent women and turns out to be a hit and miss affair. TLC gets more explicit and raw in this one and moves in new directions. Some work, some don't but you have to admire their willingness to try.

The album opens with the title track and has a lot of different effects and is a very rhythmic, computerized song. They have grown as singers in many ways sounding better when they sing together and the back up vocals are more cohesive than on CrazySexyCool. This song is a tribute to all their fans and is a decent opening song for this long awaited TLC collection.

The next songs open with an oriental sounding woman talking about materialism in the U.S. and then moves into the very hard hitting "Silly Ho". I love this song and think it is an excellent song and sounds appropriate coming from TLC. Destiny's Child may think they have the corner on female power songs but TLC has them beat hands down because they have experience to back it up. I love the interesting sounds and the producers went all out to sound original and creative and it shows.

Next we have the massive hit "No Scrubs" and listening nobody should wonder why. This song was the song of the summer and is infectious. Some men hated it but probably because it rings of truth. There are a lot of scrubs in the world and I wouldn't want one in my life anymore than TLC does.

"I'm God at Being Bad" is a very interesting song combining light sunshine melodies with funky, well written attitude sections making an effective and exciting song. This is TLC at their best showing why they are so loved and so admired. LeftEye cuts loose on a rap and this fantastic song is complete.

"If She Knew" is bland in comparison. Its not a bad song but definitely not the best TLC could do. After hearing the group soar to such creative heights on previous tracks this just seems uninspired.

Next TLC moves on to an uncharacteristic sappy ballad and it kind of breaks the mood of the album. "I Miss You So Much" is kind of disappointingly sentimental and exploits the fact these ladies aren't superior singers. It feels like it should be part of a different album.

On the other hand, "Unpretty" is a wonderful use of these ladies abilities and delivers a powerful message to young women today. The video really spells it out but the song by itself shows how important it is to accept yourself. No matter what you do on the outside, if you don't love yourself it doesn't really matter.


"My Life" is fun to listen to and continues the theme of independence and women power well. I enjoy this song and it keeps the listener engaged. "Shout" is a fun little song as well and makes you want to move.

"Come on Down" is a good slower song for TLC and succeeds where "I Miss You So Much" fails. It shows a vulnerable, yet commanding side of TLC and doesn't seem so starkly different in attitude from the faster songs. Instead of sounding weak and pining, they sound more like they'll love you good if you treat them right.

"Dear Lie" is another ballad and doesn't sound too bad or too good. Its average and hits the spot sometimes. T-Boz just doesn't have the voice to carry this kind of material. Chili should have taken this one.

"Lovesick" is an interesting song which makes creative uses of phone sounds and talk show references. This is a decent song and fits in with the concept of the album nicely. "Automatic" is a weak track and I usually skip this one.

Going back to the Red Light vibe, TLC finishes the album with "Don't Pull On Me Yet", a sexy number and they do a good job on this as usual. This ballad uses the right voices in the right places and plays as a great sequel to "Red Light Special".

This album has some wonderful songs and shows TLC at their very best and most creative, but also contains some misfires and misuse of the ladies talent. TLC has three very different voices and can cover a lot of ground and material when used correctly. Chili is wonderful on the ballads, T-Boz on the cutting edge stuff, and Lefteye doing back up and jazzing things up with her ability to flow. TLC might be breaking up and this may be their last album, but if they do another I think it will be unforgettable.

Check out Blaque if you like TLC.