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  • Release Date:
The First Lady Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer's first album in four years features contributions from the Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri and Mario Winans.

Top Track

Again
Oh, oh Now I done felt a lot of pain I done seen a lot of things From struggling and broken heart to fancy cars (Oh yeah) And even though my money... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 17
  2. Negative: 1 out of 17
  1. The First Lady is terrifically balanced in its distribution of club tracks, midtempo grooves, and slow jams.
  2. Lyrically, The First Lady offers plenty of revelations.
  3. By turns playful, sexy, soulful, funky and passionate, Evans showcases the full range of her talents on her most consistent effort yet.
  4. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    [Evans is] a sharp songwriter with an acute ear for melody and a voice that could bitch-slap any R&B wannabe into place. [21 May 2005, p.66]
  5. By the time you've absorbed her past, her new label, her cover, her album title, and then the mostly fresh music behind it all, you should be largely won over by Faith Evans's genuine talent.
  6. Vibe
    70
    There's no doubt that Evans can still finesse the notes. But instead of continually pushing her sound into the future, she often backtracks, covering much of the same ground as her previous offerings. [Jun 2005, p.156]
  7. There's little in the way of fire or grit here.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. SamSexy
    May 19, 2005
    10
    Dis iz da best it iz so worf it. I r8 it 5 star It iz wiked at da mo. itz worf byin
  2. DallasC
    Apr 22, 2005
    9
    A great contemporary soul album that is tight in it's production. Faith sounds great as always and except for two rap-infused songs, the A great contemporary soul album that is tight in it's production. Faith sounds great as always and except for two rap-infused songs, the irritating first song, Going Out which at least will make you move and the much better Hope from the Coach Carter soundtrack, she is front and center and invokes a lot of First Ladies of Soul of the past while still remaining herself. Expand
  3. EltonW
    May 30, 2006
    9
    This album was very refreshing considering the current state of R & B. It's nice to see Faith keep soul the heart of music. She took This album was very refreshing considering the current state of R & B. It's nice to see Faith keep soul the heart of music. She took risks with this album and it is very rewarding. Key songs are I Don't Need It, Mesmerized, Again, Until You Came, Stop N Go, and Tru Love. Expand
  4. OmarB
    May 6, 2005
    8
    This album is great. The first track is not that good but I will listen to it. The rest of the album flows nicely except for Jealous and This album is great. The first track is not that good but I will listen to it. The rest of the album flows nicely except for Jealous and Lucky Day. They are well written but the beat is not up to par with the rest of the album. Expand