Justin Timberlake - Justified
2002 / 59:05 Minutes / 13 Tracks / Studio / CD
Release Date: November 5, 2002 - Jive
Produced by: Brian McKnight
Engineered by: You count 'em
Website: www.justintimberlake.com

Reviewed by Duane Leyva on November 11, 2002

MTV has done it again. They've made yet another pre-fabricated singer believe he was an Artist. First, they announce, just about every hour, the personal life of Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears and then make him a poster child for the MTV Music Awards. If that weren't enough, they convince him that he should perform a song not yet released on a album in front of his peers on national TV. But the kicker to end them all is this album, "Justified", where Justin Timberlake bleeds his heart out about his personal life regarding a certain previous relationship. Gee, I wonder who he was describing. Hooboy, it doesn’t take rocket science to figure out whom he is talking about. It shouldn’t really take two or more people to collaborate on your lyrics regarding your personal life. It's your personal life! It should be coming from you.

In any regards, Justin Timberlake has been given a chance of a lifetime on this very well over produced album that clearly mimics other musicians in the music industry such as Nelly, Michael Jackson, and George Michael to name a few. There is no originality on this record; none what so ever! There is absolutely zero dynamic range or crescendos to build each song. If I could be sympathetic to Justin Timberlake, it would be for the fact that the industry has created prefabricated entertainers starting with The Monkees way back when. And since you're expected to essentially sing and dance and act a particular way, considering what age group you're supposed to appeal to, you are also expected to perform and record at a record pace before that age group out grows your music. In this case, Justin Timberlake is labeled, in this criteria, as a teeny bopper band and has effectively shortened his fifteen minutes of fame to half with this album. To make matters worse, his old, and popular ex-girlfriend (you know who) even criticized this album. Now how bad can it be if Britney disses your album.

Some may say that the industry has it cranked for this album. I'm not. I'm calling it the biggest flop of the year. This disc should have never been made, much less released. Having Janet Jackson and assorted studio musicians on this album did not seem to help out Timberlake. Having a famous diva on this album just doesn’t cut the mustard. If he wanted respect, he should have had a famous musician, who can actually play an instrument, perform on this album. Maybe this album might have changed its direction, creating diversity instead of where it wound up. Unfortunately, this particular album has some 33 people involved in the mixing, engineering, and make up of strings. I’m not commenting on the strings.

On a final note for this album of Justin Timberlake, I would strongly suggest that he take some time to listen to the R&B greats such as Earth Wind and Fire, Marvin Gaye, and/or Otis Redding. Better yet, he should listen to John Lee Hooker, who sang and played the blues. Why? Because all Justin Timberlake did on this album was snivel.

Now, I know I’m going to get a lot of feedback on this review but I’m not too afraid of a bunch of Girls Scouts, Brownies, and MTV. Wake up world. Oh,and Justin? You're not fooling anyone.

PRODUCTION & PACKAGING

Extremely over produced with the background sounds not mixed well on many songs. This indicates that there were too many people involved on this album.

Justin....what's with the peach fuzz on that chin? Enough said. The booklet includes lyrics inside and enough credits, thanking everyone but me.

THE FINAL SAY

This disc blows major chunks. I would rather hear a Lawrence Welk Festival sober. Or Keith Richards reciting Edgar Allen Poe. Or anything but this.

Search Tour Database by: Artist City Venue