 |
| |
|
| |
Album Review
by SashaS
6-5-2002
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Lauryn Hill 2.0 |
|
Lauryn Hill: 'MTV Unplugged 2.0'
(Columbia)
The former Fugees’ comeback album is an aural ‘Being Lauryn Hill’
Lauryn Hill’s comeback album is a valiant and fascinating affair on so many levels: the ex-Fugees member disappeared after issuing her solo Grammy-showered debut, ‘The Miseducation of …’ (1998) that set a standard and a platform to help emergence of nu-soul artists from Erykah Badu to Alicia Keys while she kept herself busy with giving birth to two kids and raising them. ‘MTV Unplugged 2.0’ is what it says, a recording of her performance for the music channel’s series and it is really unpowered – guitar and voice – direct and stripping all the veneer of vogue’n’make-up facade.
This record is really stark, more of a musical confessional than a show. It is an album that is open-soul self-surgery and where the truth is used for sutures. It is a brave move, in a suicidal manner, but also a rare opportunity indeed of being allowed to glimpse inside a mind of an artist. It is the same, it is different, it is common, it is specific… and then some more.
Most songs are introduced by a little story but this are not anecdotes, this is the real deal: she talks about her public persona, being prisoner of a public image she built, her self-doubt and religious beliefs, morality and being a woman… In-between we get these great songs that are simple and exact, touching on many an emotion in the process.
Not many people have made songs accompanied on guitar only sound so soulful, heartfelt, intimate since, probably, Joan Armatrading back in the day. Titles like ‘Adam Lives In Theory’, ‘Freedom Time’, ‘I Find It Hard To Say (Rebel)’ touch on many personal as well as shared subjects, opening a dialogue with the artist. The conversation is of the shrink’s-sofa kind and one feels encouraged to self-debate as well.
Issuing these live recordings on 2 CDs is also a sign of disregard for the current ills of record industry. Her remark early on the CD about not considering herself a performer anymore trails unfinished but she has truly turned into a genuine artist. Girls who will follow have just had the rule jump-bar raised substantially.
Lauryn Hill makes another giant leap for womankind.
8.6/10
SashaS
6-5-2002
Lauryn Hill’s album ‘MTV Unplugged 2.0’ is released 06 May on Columbia/Sony
|
|
|
