Album Review: Ciara - 'Fantasy Ride'

After one pushback, at least according to Ciara's count, the Grammy winner finally released her third album, Fantasy Ride, this past Tuesday.

In what was originally scheduled to be a conceptually driven three disc set, which was supposedly scrapped due to Beyonce's recent swagger jacking idea with I Am...Sasha Fierce, Ciara gathers a top notch team of hit-making producers including Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins, Polow Da Don, Tricky Stewart, The Y's, and Danja.

The set also features guest appearances from Missy Elliott, Chris Brown, The Dream, Justin Timberlake, Ludacris, and Young Jeezy.

"Ciara To the Stage", which was previously titled "Explode", gets things rolling with the singer dishing out loads of confidence, swagger, and all-around sexual energy, as she claims that she's going to give her all in her quest to entertain. The Justin Timberlake assisted and produced (with his production team The Y's), "Love Sex Magic", carries a infectious sound that dates back to his 2006 effort, FutureSex/LoveSounds, and though one of the disc's better moments, it just doesn't come across as an authentic effort on Ciara's part, but more as an attempt to gain crossover appeal with help from Justin.

"High Price", which features rapper Ludacris, who was also featured on her 2004 hit "Oh", was produced by Tricky Stewart and The Dream, and sees the songstress taking on an opera style of singing that edges on annoying. The track was originally scheduled to be the album's first single, but faced early leakage, and was scrapped for the lackluster T-Pain assisted, "Go Girl", which rightfully fails to make the cut. That said, the track had and still has the potential to be a hit for the songstress and fellow Atlanta resident Ludacris, because it revived the sound of crunk that originally allowed the dancer's career to flourish.

On "Turntables", the singer made the controversial decision to include Chris Brown's feature, because she loved the production and for her at the end of the day it is all about the music, which is definitely a respectable reason. As for the Danja-produced track, it is a catchy anthem that would surely cause a battle on the dance floor, but probably won't see single treatment under the circumstances even though it probably should.

The album's shining glory arises in the seductive, "Like A Surgeon", that sees the songstress vowing that her lovin' is like anesthesia, unleashing everything you want and need, and finally rocking you fast asleep. Hotness, to say the least.

Young Jeezy guests on "Never Ever", which samples the 1972 Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes' smash "If You Don't Know Me By Now", and gives the distinct message that sweating over love won't make the other party change their feelings. A rather underwhelming attempt to lead off a project and Young Jeezy did very little, if anything, to help Ciara sell the track as a valid effort.

"Work", is another track that is sure to be a fixture in dance clubs, despite the fact, that it comes across as something that has been done a million and one times, and the chemistry with Missy Elliott just doesn't seem as in sync as it was with "1, 2 Step". "Pucker Up", sees Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins trying to recreate the sound evident in Janet Jackson's "Feedback", which makes another modest attempt that the songstress just isn't ready to successfully conquer. The production was really heavy and it just seemed like she was cat trying to intimidate a tiger with her efforts to find balance.

"Lover's Thing", is a smoothing collaboration with The Dream, "Keep Dancing On Me", is another contribution from the production duo Tricky & The Dream, and the intoxicated morning after ballad, "I Don't Remember", written by Ne-Yo, all venture into slower territory and leave you unfulfilled once they reach a closure.

"G Is For G (A-Z)", is another joint at the hands of Justin Timberlake and his production team The Y's, that refers to Ciara by using the alphabet, while "Tell Me What Your Name Is", which is rumored to be the third single, seems like a fitting choice given its equipped with catchy harmonies and a banging beat.

In conclusion, Fantasy Ride, doesn't go on much of a journey, in fact, it probably stands as the worst of her three studio efforts. The highlights are in tact, but for the most part, her attempt to transcend the bounds of crossover, seem extremely forced and unoriginal, and the highlights just aren't enough to keep you satisfied.

3 out of 5

Celebrity Bug's Key Tracks: "Ciara To The Stage", "Turntables", "Like A Surgeon", & "G Is For Girl (A-Z)"