Well wut to discuss?? Well first things first, for those on twitter, follow me at TWITTER.COM/MIZZBELL
Well, it's been a while. A long while. So I figured what better way to update than with something I hold so near and dear to my heart. Music, to me is necessary for life. Good music. The kind that penetrates the soul and touches the very essence of who you are as a person, a performer or whatever you might be; The kind that allows you to just fall....fall into the melody, fall into the groove.....That's what music does for me. It expresses everything I ever think and feel without me ever having to speak the words. The pain, the joy, the hurt....it's amazing, its effect....so amazing it brings tears to my eyes. It happened the first time I heard Jazmine Sullivan's album. I was proud that in such a wreckless music world that we live in, people still respect the craft enough to still make GOOD music, not jus to make money, because it just comes from their soul. Well, it’s happened again: 
No....you're eyes are not deceiving you. Many may not know, but as a genuine fan of R&B, Day26's first album was surprisingly (and vocally) impressive (for lack of a better word). It took a couple of listens, but soon I was a lifelong fan. At first listen, the 90's influence is evident. I would even go as far as to say, with the legacy established in the 90's, Bad Boy was the perfect label for them. Diddy is truly someone who recognizes talent. He isn't Diddy for nothing. So while their 1st album continued to burn a whole in my cd player, the release date of their second album was announced. I must say, I was ecstatic, curious to see if they could repeat the cohesiveness they had vocally accomplished with their debut.
No....you're eyes are not deceiving you. Many may not know, but as a genuine fan of R&B, Day26's first album was surprisingly (and vocally) impressive (for lack of a better word). It took a couple of listens, but soon I was a lifelong fan. At first listen, the 90's influence is evident. I would even go as far as to say, with the legacy established in the 90's, Bad Boy was the perfect label for them. Diddy is truly someone who recognizes talent. He isn't Diddy for nothing. So while their 1st album continued to burn a whole in my cd player, the release date of their second album was announced. I must say, I was ecstatic, curious to see if they could repeat the cohesiveness they had vocally accomplished with their debut. When April 14, 2009 came, history in the music world was made. The words I write hear may not be relevant or recognized for years to come because of people's lack of respect and genuine passion for good music, but I guarantee, music listeners, real music lovers, and researchers, connoisuers of music, WILL recognize that "Forever In A Day" was that needle in the haystack of countless (seemingly effortless) releases within the last 10 years. It's not easy to live up to a legacy such as Bad Boy's and the past artists he's had on his roster. But! This album has to honestly be, one of the best of 2009, and it will be recognized as a classic for years to come. It is with this album that Day26 was able to achieve a feat many artists are unable to accomplish. Something people like to call the "sophomore album curse". The second album is what makes or breaks an artist. If you can release a quality second album, while feeding your audience what they want to hear, and keeping your image in tact, you succeed in securing a fan base and having longevity in the music industry. Well I'm here to give credit where credit is due. I confess, that it is with this album that Day26 stepped out of the shadow of being considered a "tv group" (and not a "real" group), and into a REAL Male R&B group, with longevity potential that I hope will somehow someday be recognized.
While it is evident that to remain relevant in this industry, you must serve a certain mainstream audience, R&B artists must always be careful of not falling victim to the current trends of, let's say hip-hop. So while songs like the lead album cut, "Just Getting Started", the T-Pain lended track "Shawty Was Up", and their lead hit single, "Imma Put It On Her" attract a new (club) audience, and offer possible radio potential, the TRUE essence of R&B is it's soul. It is a soul that is ever present in the vocals. This is what sets R&B apart from the rest and makes it special. So needless to say, as an R&B group the songs that shined the brightest were the ballads.
The thing about Day26 that makes them special is that, well first of all, all the members can sing. There is no lead singer. There is no member fighting for the spotlight. They all just fall so beautifully and gracefully into their parts on songs. Not to mention, their harmonies are literally music to my ears! Need evidence, just listen closely to "Your Heels", "Bi-Polar" and my favorite, the Neyo cover "Then there's You" (by the way, Brian completely murders the end of "Then There's You". His voice brings me right back to the days of Jodeci, Sisqo and so many other that lent their talents to the 90's. Stand up Houston!) Anyway, got side tracked lol....
The production on this album is excellent! There are some points when the vocal production was a little off, but not enough to mess up the album. With the only disappointment on the album coming from Jermaine Dupri's "Need That", everything on the album is a banger. Especially the B. Cox joints that we all love! I mean, this album is so good, it makes me want to hear the tracks that didn’t make the album. I also wanna give props to Day26 for writing a lot of the songs on the album. Writing to me is what shows true artistry.
Anyway, if you don’t have the album yet, please go get it. They deserve the record sales. Don’t download it, don’t burn it, go buy it, asap! Holla
