It was my birthday almost a month ago. I had taken the freedom to drive around, shop at the mall, treat myself to girly things, and cut my chocolate cake. It was also that day when I picked up a copy of “The End”, the Black Eyed Peas’ latest album. I am a dance music fan and I got caught off guard. My first thought was, “Hey, if I didn’t like this album, then I can give it to someone else or just trade it.”
The Black Eyed Peas has been around for quite a while, you would think the creativity has been sapped out of their motley band. Some of their songs capitalized on Fergie’s vocal prowess. Some really stood out with Will-I-Am’s lyrical genius. A couple odes were even meant to inspire patriotism, such as Apl.de.ap’s rap interludes.
But the album “The End” is such a gargantuan leap from their early releases. Themed around current events and futuristic beats, the songs such as “Now Generation” and “Imma Be” deliver the band’s point of view without sacrificing the sound. There is a hint of techno and electronica in “Rock that Body” (doesn’t it remind you of Daft Punk?). Love songs still are very much a part of the band’s repertoire — with “Alive” being the most endearing. If you’re going to a B.E.P. concert, you certainly would want to hear live-out-loud songs such as “Showdown”, “Party all the Time” and “I Gotta Feeling”.
Fergie did such an awesome rendition belting out old grooves with her fresh, imaginative vocal craft. It’s difficult to miss her style in songs such as “Meet Me Halfway” and “Out of My Head”. But the ultimate number that sealed the B.E.P.’s new album’s success was “Boom Boom Pow”. Imagine a supercharged dance floor with everybody’s feet thumping and bodies “rocking to the beat”. Upon hitting the play button, a hollow, god-like voice (Taboo’s?) creates a chilly atmosphere of floating in outer space. Then suddenly the dance beats are unstoppable.
The Black Eyed Peas’ “The End” album is money well-spent. I hope though the album title is not a bad omen to those who look forward to more body-twitching B.E.P. grooves. I don’t plan on giving away or trading my CD. Kudos to open minds, cultural diversity, and shaking booties!
