Album Review: Black Eyed Peas - 'The E.N.D'

20 million albums sold worldwide, 3 Grammy’s, and budding solo careers make up the successful combination of the Black Eyed Peas, who release their first album in four years with The E.N.D.

In the midst of their success, Fergie released her debut album, The Dutchess, which sold over six million copies and help her become the only female in history to have four consecutive #1 singles.

Will.i.am, who also released a solo album, was nominated for Producer of the Year at the Grammy’s in 2007 and 2009, for his work with artists, such as Justin Timberlake, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend. He also collected an Emmy and a Webby award for his politically charged video, “Yes We Can”.

With The E.N.D, the Peas strive to continue the winning formula created by the album’s two predecessors, 2003’s Elephunk and 2005’s Monkey Business, which collectively launched the group into superstardom.

The set’s first single, “Boom Boom Pow”, starts the disc off by delivering a energy that can be crafted by them alone as they proclaim, “I’m on that next sh!t now”, and notch their first No.1 single, which has spent an impressive 11 weeks on the top tier of Billboard’s Hot 100.

The techno charged, “Rock You Body”, which samples Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's ”I Wanna Rock Right Now”, brings a little bit of everything to the forefront as the tempo changes effectively utilize the large kick drums and synth sounds.

“Meet Me Halfway”, shines with the help of Fergie’s voice as she sings about being push to limit in a relationship and despite wanting to make it work, she just doesn’t have anything else to give.

They create a list of everything they plan to conquer on “Imma Be”, while “I Gotta Feeling”, unsuccessfully tries to rejoice in the feeling that the night will bring satisfaction.

The memorable, “Alive”, shines with its edgy production and catchy craftsmanship, the funky “Ring-A-Ling” verges on provocative, and the lackluster “Party All the Time” proves to be anything but.

“Missing You”, longs for the return of love lost, “Out Of My Head” realms of insanity, and “Electric City” barely manages to spark, as does, its’ successors “Showdown” and “Now Generation”.

“One Tribe” drives home the concept of forgetting about evil and standing together as one, as it emerges as the album’s only track of substantial and life long quality. Furthermore, it would have definitely served as a better closer than the rather predictable “Rockin’ to the Beat”.

That said, by the end of The E.N.D, about three things are certain:

First, the Peas get away with a lot of mindless and witless music that we tend to scold other artists for.

Second, they fail to stray any farther than the party scene or dance floor, and deliver very little substance or stability in between the set’s fifteen tracks.

Lastly, the group’s x factor and most dominant force lies within its’ only XX chromosome specimen (Fergie).

Still, amid the baggage, the group delivers exactly what you’ve come accustom to hearing from them, so if this was indeed The E.N.D, which is unlikely, then they would succeed in leaving their fans satisfied.

3 out of 5

Celebrity Bug’s Key Tracks: “Boom Boom Pow”, “Meet Me Halfway”, “Alive”, & “Ring-A-Ling”, & “One Tribe”