REVIEW: T-PAIN - ON TOP OF THE COVERS

3.5/5

Life After D.O.A.

It's been a different New Music Friday this week. Huge artists who have had humongous hits and so much superstar shine when they had their time in the sun have made interesting new releases. They've all come correct, but their projects have felt like there is just a little bit of something missing when it comes to actualizing actual albums. In Ireland, Hozier has teased his new album set to be released this fall with the EP 'Eat Your Young'. One which won't eat into your Spotify bandwidth with a total of three tracks. On the other hand, Irish rock God's U2 are reminding us of the time their 'Songs Of Innocence' bum-rushed your iTunes. Their 'Songs Of Surrender' reworked greatest hits is the real extended play. Forty tracks for almost three-hours. The Edge of overkill. And now the multi-million legendary hit-maker T-Pain is back with an album less than ten tracks long. Of covers. 

But wait. This is his epiphany. We have no idea how much Jay-Z's 'Death Of The Autotune' pained T-Pain's pockets, but it can't have been good. Still, you can't deny how much his automated sound meant to music and a game changing world of hits like a Lil Jon "yeah", OK? WHAT?! You don't remember? Come on now! This man has more plaques than a dentist's waiting room. But now he has something to show and prove. Can he do it without the vocal assist? If you got behind his Tiny Desk Concert for NPR you already know that this notion is too true. T-Pain can really sing like 'Chang Can Dunk' on Disney +. And now this actual eight-track album, classically called 'On Top Of The Covers' like an Isley Brother is proof to that show. 

Nappy Boooooooy! Cry babies, put the diapers away. T-Pain is taking it back and it feels so good, baby. Unlike roses in your mouth for the stay classy, classic album artwork. Watch out for the thorns and the snakes in the grass. Haters are gonna do them, but change is here. And his outstanding opening rendition of Sam Cooke's own career turning protest march 'A Change Is Gonna Come' is a revelation. Faheem Rashad Najm has so much soul and vocal range without the computer love. No need to adjust your pitch. He can sound like Sam Smith like said artist sounds like R&B general Tank on the signature 'Stay With Me'. Peep the TGT leader rework that to his game, set and match advantage on his Valentines EP 'If You Were Mine' too. 

'Sharing The Night Together' and the big American songbook bravado of 'That's Life' (featuring NandoSTL) also get between the sheets for this undeniable half-hour, eclectic collection. 'Skrangs (in K Major Sus)' is a standout like Journey's cheesy 'Don't Stop Believing' as the 'Karaoke' singer finds new faith in being the jukebox king. But for T-Pain's first album in four years and independent sound. It's when he goes a little bit country for David Allan Coe's 'Tennessee Whiskey', or rocks out in classic closing for Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' that these hits hit their highest light. T-Pain was the single talent whose production could make your song so much better. Or at least different. Now he's just doing it with his best instrument. His voice. Let's hear it for him. On top of his own game. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'A Change Is Gonna Come', 'Tennessee Whiskey', 'War Pigs'.