Jamie Foxx

Intuition

by Kevin S. Gary

posted December 22, 2008 10:48:04 AM CST | 33 comments

HipHopDX Editor's Rating:

Average User Rating:

3.62

24 people have voted.

4 is the most popular ranking.

5 people gave it a perfect five.

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There are some people who cannot sit still. Whether driven by boundless energy, ego, or artistic curiosity, these tireless spirits tackle so many different projects it makes even the hardest working of us feel a little inadequate. But determination and desire to branch out doesn't always equal success. Jamie Foxx [click to read] is multi-talented guy, almost no one would argue that, but it takes more than a great voice to create a great record. It takes charisma, something Foxx certainly has when acting or performing stand up but is sorely lacking on his new album, Intuition. It says something that the album's far more enjoyable first half is the one packed with big name guests. Foxx works best on this album when he is the side-man, ready to sing a hook or adlib a vocal run. But when he is left alone on the albums last half, his voice, while technically strong, lacks the emotional grit needed to carry the brokenhearted laments and lover man seduction ballads.

Album opener and first single "Just Like Me" [click to listen] has a strong melody and Foxx seems to be having a good time but it is T.I. [click to read] verse that really makes the song, the Atlanta rapper stepping in and oozing charisma on wax. T.I. does this better than almost anyone around and if Foxx could manage half of what T.I. does the record would be much better for it. "I Don't Need It" works well with a spry yet propulsive beat and ascending horn stabs. Foxx himself displays his great talent for mimicry while delivering the song in a slurred, southern Al Green-esque twang. This is the album's best un-assisted song but it is also the one on which he sounds most like someone else. Other standouts on the first half of the album include the Just Blaze produced, Beasties sampling "Number One" and The-Dream produced "Digital Girl" [click to listen] . But true to this record's form Foxx is outshined by a riotous Lil Wayne [click to read] verse on the former and on the latter two verses from Kanye, the second of which is vintage irrepressible Kanye, a welcome treat to present-day skeptics. One of these two songs should be a hit, but it'll be thanks to the guest verses and the production if it becomes one.

After the first half, which is fun but by no means monumental, the second half of Intuition drags. Most of these songs are boring bedroom ballads in search of a melody. Foxx just doesn't seem able to properly convey the desire required to sell the material. Occasionally, like on the Pharcyde-quoting [click to read] "I Don't Know" Foxx really breaks out and sounds like a true Soul singer and not just an actor taking on a role.

The album closes with two of the stronger Foxx solo tunes. "Overdose" boasts sparse No I.D. [click to read] production and Foxx really sells the song, about a man who overdoses on a girl instead of drugs. His voice is rough and it works with I.D.'s production, which is a relief from some of the busier songs on the album. On this track Foxx shows why some people consider him the most talented guy in showbiz. But it's a case of too little too late. Foxx will have a career for decades as one of Hollywood's leading men but it's to be wondered how long he will be able to release albums that work better as a showcase for others than for him. Perhaps the lesson is it's better to be great at one thing then just okay at several.

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Comments 33 posts

  • Ghetto Thug :

    This album is dope. Blame It was the best song ever.

    Posted2009-08-28T22:14:39-05:00 | Reply »

  • DEMARKUS:

    WHAT DA FUCK IZ DA REVIEWER TTLKN BOUT DIZ ALBUM IZ HOT SHIT HE TALKIN BOUT HIS VOICE RUFF HIS VOICE IZ SMOOTH ON THESE TRACKS AY PEEPZ IF YALL GOT DA ALBUM LISTEN TO RAINMAN AND TELL ME WUT YALL SAY BOUT HIS VOICE FUCK DA REVIEWER LOL!!

    Posted2009-05-13T14:11:03-05:00 | Reply »

  • dleard39:

    NAW ONLY 2 GUD SONGZ BLAME IT N OVRDOZE!!! NOT EVN CLOZE 2 THA DREEM ALBUM BUT AFTR ITZ ALL SAID N DUN THA WINNER IZ THA NEW DAY26 ALBUM FOEVA N A DAY!!!

    Posted2009-04-15T14:37:05-05:00 | Reply »

  • chheeecckkin ittt:

    this album is definitely not better than the dreams, i have to skip so many songs on this! I dont Need it spoke for itself. unpredictable is a classic though like both of dreams album in my opinion

    Posted2009-03-28T19:58:03-05:00 | Reply »

  • UAllRedENo:

    This album was 20x better than dream album

    The reviewer trippin

    Posted2009-03-14T14:26:30-05:00 | Reply »

  • Y-:

    I couldn't tell if this was Jamie Foxx or t-pain. The album is good but lacks creativity & authenticity. Damn all the auto-tune on the album Jamie Foxx could have made anyone sing the tracks for him and you would not have a clue whose product you actually brought! Perfect example, blame it on the alcohol you can't tell T-Pain apart from Jamie Foxx?

    Posted2009-02-23T17:00:05-06:00 | Reply »

  • BayAreaChick:

    Dude, are you serious? This album is TIGHT! I have to disagree with your review completely. This is a MUST GET, the track Blame It is the ISHHHHH!!

    Posted2009-01-26T13:01:53-06:00 | Reply »

  • nycalldayson:

    FUCK THE REVIEW, THIS SHIT IS BANGIN SON!! THAT TRACK WIT WAYNE IS POPPIN!! THAT DIGITAL GIRL??? CMON YO DIS SHIT IS OFF THE HINGES B!!

    Posted2009-01-16T19:00:14-06:00 | Reply »

  • L-Dub:

    stick to makin hip hop reviews guys...

    Posted2009-01-14T01:03:06-06:00 | Reply »

  • Anonymous:

    Good CD

    Posted2009-01-07T23:24:54-06:00 | Reply »

  • itsshellysworld:

    Hes done it again...

    Posted2009-01-07T18:22:30-06:00 | Reply »

  • Jos:

    This reviewer got this one COMPLETELY wrong, don't listen to this guy. The album is amazing, I like it better then the first. GET THIS ALBUM, IGNORE THIS REVIEW!

    Posted2008-12-29T20:27:32-06:00 | Reply »

  • Pas+ona+:

    F HHDX this go 'round. Ya'll trippin'. First half was the weakest.

    Album was dope.

    Posted2008-12-29T03:27:36-06:00 | Reply »

  • YKB:

    The album is dope. Better than Akon & T-pain shit..

    Posted2008-12-26T05:29:01-06:00 | Reply »

  • APO:

    Honestly its not as good as Unpredictable, but it is still a very good album. This review really misses it.

    Posted2008-12-24T11:39:23-06:00 | Reply »

  • Maurice D.:

    Though not as soulful as his last album Unpredictable, he provides a better variety of sound that everyone can jam to. Love Jamie as a complete entertainer in Hollywood; one of the most talented individuals of all-time.

    Posted2008-12-24T09:57:19-06:00 | Reply »

  • shannon:

    i love jamie foxx but not to keen on his musical efforts...

    Posted2008-12-24T06:41:16-06:00 | Reply »

  • the gangsta:

    great album!!!

    Posted2008-12-23T21:12:21-06:00 | Reply »

  • MidnightRider:

    this album is good, nuff said

    Posted2008-12-23T06:47:11-06:00 | Reply »

  • tee peezy:

    pretty good album..the best song is blame it wit t-pain das gone be a big hit mark my words and overdose. idk what he and wayne was tryna do on number one didnt feel that at all

    Posted2008-12-23T02:04:35-06:00 | Reply »

  • Gods_Son23:

    I'd give it 2.5 also, some good stuff, but just doesn't feel like an album. I don't dig the T.I or T-Pain song but overdose is definitely a favourite off this disc.

    Posted2008-12-22T17:21:20-06:00 | Reply »

  • Shadowstare:

    Don't listen to the reviewer. I respect his opinion, but I disagree. I listened to the album twice on two different days and enjoyed it both times. The first half is upbeat and really fun. The 2nd half is softer and more emotional. Give the album a listen and form your own opinion.

    Posted2008-12-22T16:26:25-06:00 | Reply »

  • Big Liss:

    I'll have to agree with the review. This shit just sounds entirely too fabriacated. It's like he is just acting like a singer instead of actually feeling what he's doing. Maybe that's because he doesn't really feel it. I know I sure as hell don't. On another note, I'm TIRED of 40 yr old men making songs about being out in the club, poppin bottles, and doing "young boy" shit. That shit is PLAYED OUT. Jamie Foxx is old enough to be most of ya'lls dads and he got the nerve to get on the mic singing that mess. I'm GLAD Usher caught on. You can't be 25 forever dun.

    Posted2008-12-22T13:25:04-06:00 | Reply »

  • truth_gOd:

    and homie saying jamie isn't a real singer need to do a history lesson....

    Posted2008-12-22T13:22:24-06:00 | Reply »

  • truth_gOd:

    um this album is actually good....

    Posted2008-12-22T13:21:50-06:00 | Reply »