TIMBALAND: Producer's solo album delivers with a little help from friends

By: Michael Mahon

Posted: 3/27/07

Genre: Top-40

Sounds like: Timbaland + Multitude of guest artists

Decibels: 85

"Oh, Timbaland," you've done it again.

As if hits like "Big Pimpin'" and "SexyBack" weren't enough, only about six months ago, the genre-blending producer had us shaking our rear ends to Nelly Furtado's "Promiscuous" and "Maneater." One would assume Tim must have used all of his good beats on her album, but think again. "Timbaland presents Shock Value" outshines Nelly's album on all fronts, especially the beats.

The album's opener, "Oh Timbaland," is a nice introduction. Rather fitting for his solo album, it doesn't feature any guest artists, only the producer extraordinaire himself. It has influences of rock, reggae and funk, but keeps a nice steady bass-heavy hip-hop beat in the background. Timbaland's voice has even progressed from his infamous "uh huh's," from the Aaliyah days. His harmonies further solidify his singing.

With the next track being the album's first single, "Give It To Me," the album makes a great first impression. The track is already No. 55 on Billboard's singles chart, and is sure to rise. Hey, in Malaysia it's already No. 1! Timbaland's verse even disses fellow producer Scott Storch.

And since Tim's production makes Storch's songs sound like my four-track demos from high school, the lyrical put-down is just a slap in the face.

As expected, the production work is the highlight on the album. Tim's beats are so intricate and diverse, it's impossible not to respect it.

Unfortunately, the album hits a lull midway through. After "Come & Get Me," the track featuring 50-Cent and Tony Yayo, it becomes rather monotonous. The album crawls back to excitement with the Indian-inspired track, "Bombay," then in come the rock bands.

The part of the album I would've least expected to like turns into a most surprising splendor. The last five tracks feature the likes of The Hives, She Wants Revenge, Fall Out Boy, One Republic and last but certainly not least, Elton John. "One & Only," featuring Fall Out Boy, has a great chance at becoming a surprise hit single.

Honestly, the whole album could be one, big hit-single. Timbaland has stated that he wanted to make a "Top-40" album and include all genres that embody such a sound. He certainly succeeded in that, and you can bet you'll see at least a few of these songs hitting the top of the charts in no time.