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- Artist(s): Owen Biddle, Captain Kirk Douglas, James Poyser, ?uestlove
- Summary: Backed by The Roots, John Legend delivers his fourth studio album of soul-conscious classics and original material.
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- Record Label: Columbia
- Genre(s): Rap, R&B, Neo-Soul, Adult Contemporary R&B
- More Details and Credits »
Top Track
Wake Up Everybody | |
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Wake up everybody, no more sleepin' in bed No more backward thinkin' time for thinkin' ahead The world has changed so very much from what it used to... | See the rest of the song lyrics |
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Score distribution:
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Positive: 17 out of 22
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Mixed: 5 out of 22
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Negative: 0 out of 22
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Dec 20, 2010The set is a masterclass in how to respectfully update and enhance classic music, and proves how vital and relevant 30-year-old music remains today.
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John Legend and The Roots have followed the most important rules when covering material from other artists: you need to keep that signature sound that made the original important, while also adding that something special to make it your own.
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It's just a shame that, with the exception of a single original that understandably doesn't measure up to the high standards set by the covers, Legend and The Roots had to reach so far into the past to find songs that comment so powerfully and insightfully on the issues of today.
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What could have come off as a mediocre-to-good novelty project has, perhaps predictably, instead reaches the public coming just short of being a genuine contender for album of the year.
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The Roots are about to get flooded with production offers, since if they can lend John Legend serious street cred and make him more thrilling than he has ever been, they ought to be able to do this for everyone.
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This well-intentioned collection never surpasses the strong originals from which it draws. But in pointing young listeners back to the work of fine if mostly forgotten artists such as Baby Huey and Prince Lincoln, Wake Up! serves a worthy purpose.
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Albums such as Wake Up! – best intentions aside – run the risk of coming across as entirely cheesy and contrived. Unfortunately, John Legend and The Roots are no exception to the rule.
Score distribution:
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Positive: 2 out of 4
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Mixed: 2 out of 4
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Negative: 0 out of 4
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Mar 18, 2012
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Oct 29, 2010
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Oct 9, 2010
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Oct 13, 2010
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