While performing individually as back-up dancers for musical stars Janet Jackson, Usher, Chris Brown, Mariah Carey, and Ciara, the girls of Electrik Red formed a friendship after repeatedly attending the same auditions and parties.The foursome collectively decided to form a group and started work on their debut album with hit-making duo The Dream and Tricky Stewart.
As with any album penned entirely at the hands of The Dream, the sexual references aren’t limited and old school flare of the eighties and nineties continuously remain dominant with smooth harmonies.
“Muah” starts the set with an ultra dose of confidence, which sees the girls bragging, “I’m the sh!t with this sh!t”, and effectively giving the album a nice and solid start.
The first single, “So Good”, sees the girls desperately seeking a second helping of what was originally meant to be nothing more than a fling, while the remix features Lil’ Wayne, who adds another dose of booming confidence to the already overflowing track.
The girls slow it down on the whispery, “Devotion”, which sees them willing to give up everything, while the operatic, “Freaky Freaky”, verges on sounding more like a Timbaland production, especially given its huge likening to Justin Timberlake’s “My Love”.
The erotic, “Bed Rest”, showcases the girls longing for the return of a failed relationship, while the upbeat ‘friends with benefits’, “Friend Lover”, displays a retro eighties vibe and is one of the few times that their, otherwise, flaccid vocals tends to shine.
The female anthem, “P Is For Power”, which is set to be their next single, is a swagger filled and headstrong, assertive expression of the power the female genitalia possess.
The swagger continues on the bouncy, “W.F.U”, which is equipped with an attitude and sass that could easily ride the reigns of Britney Spears’ “If You Seek Amy” or her ‘Blackout’ recording sessions.
The sexy, “9 to 5”, is a Prince-inspired jam that sees the girls detailing their expectations of being worked like a job, while “On Point”, proves just how little authenticity arises with the girls as they obviously channel Kelis.
“Drink In My Cup”, is a crunk laced jam that rages on resemblance to production from Lil Jon, while the seductive “Go Shawty” and “Kill Bill” solidly bring the album to an end.
In conclusion, How To Be A Lady (Vol.1), teaches you to be anything but, given the subjects of flings, one night stands, and friends with benefits tend to remain prevalent.
The subject matter was limited, the production quickly became tiresome, and when change was force upon them, their plain voices just couldn’t handle the heat.
Still, the set’s biggest error arises in their failure to house a distinctive voice. There’s no Diana Ross (The Supremes), no Beyonce (Destiny’s Child), no Dawn Robinson (En Vogue) or no T-Boz (TLC), and aside from that, you just don’t get a feel of their individual personalities, but rather like their just biting bits and pieces from everyone else’s foray and trying to fill shoes that are much to be big for them
2.5 out of 5
Celebrity Bug’s Key Tracks: “So Good”, “9 to 5”, “W.F.U”, “Go Shawty” & “P Is For Power”
Tidbit: The album opened with first week sales of only 5,000 copies.
Tidbit: The album opened with first week sales of only 5,000 copies.
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