Justin Timberlake - 'Lovestoned'
There comes a time in every pop blog's life when the dirt-digging must cease. There's a definite moment when keeping one cynical eye on the seedy underbelly of celebrity culture and the other on the lofty heights to which music soars can cause permanent optical damage. It's called The Michael Jackson Snark Dilemma, and when it arises, a wise person chooses one thing at a time to look at.
Why Michael Jackson? Well, it's just that there are two of him, really. There's the super-talented pop visionary who - with the help of Quincy Jones* - revolutionised popular music and set a template which is still being followed to this day, and there's the guy in the tabloid press. I daresay you don't need that guy explaining, right? Thought not.
I only mention all this because this song uses so many of Michael Jackson's better song-arrangement ideas - wall-of-stern backing vocals, breaths and vocal squeaks as an integral part of the music - as well as a good 60% of his actual vocal sound. And Justin's not exactly tabloid-unfriendly, is he? So there's a heathly parallel you could draw between one former boyband star and another, right?**
So, which Justin Timberlake is going to be the one we choose to pay closest attention to at this moment in time? Tabloid Justin, or musical Justin? Should we pass judgement on this, his friendlier, warmer take on that 'Sexyback' sexahol overdose thing, or on Justin's unmistakably good face, and lover-man antics.
Ladies? Care to cast a vote? Hmm?
OH FOR GOODNESS' SAKE. TAKE YOUR FACE OFF THE PC SCREEN, YOU CAN'T LICK HIM FROM THERE!
Fine, be like that then. Just don't blame me if you wind up cross-eyed, 'K?
Download: Out now
(Fraser McAlpine)
* Massively talented man, and, like, the '80s Timbaland, and stuff.
** Don't get in a froth, one of the many things the Jackson 5 were, was the template for all boybands to follow. It's a good thing!
Comments
i think justins new song iz jus da greatest and he is soooooooooo not fit.
I didn't like the song before then it grew on me like a fungus. (not that I have fungi breeding me or anything.....just wanted to clear that up) Fraser is right, alot of shades of MJ pre- break down, really sounds like it came from the Off the wall album.
EWWW JT IS DA MOST FUGLIEST GUY IN DA ENTIRE UNIVERSE!! N HE'S ALWAYS ACTING SOO FAKE AND NEVER HIS TRUE SELF!!! SICKENING!!
another slice of funky RNB pop from the mighty JT, can't do no wrong at the moment
wow, can i say that i am a 100% hetrosexual male and i cant help but feel completley moved when listening to any of the JT tracks form his recent album.
Maybe its parenthood that has made me a little soft he he but WOW its great