Blackstreet

the take

For the longest time, I have always thought the first half (AKA the more uptempo side) was better than the second half (AKA the ballad side). It took me until just recently it is actually the opposite. I guess you can say that is a sign of maturity on my end. It was pretty bold for Teddy Riley to create a new group in BLACKstreet that still made new jack swing when it was almost completely out of style (circa 1994). It kind of paid off because the first half of the album still has some amazing tracks, and also makes me feel a bit more nostalgic than the second half. I used to kind of think that the uptempo tracks were nearly flawless, but I can see the flaws in those now. It is mostly due to group trying to force the hip-hop element. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but the majority of rap verses, such as the one on "Baby Be Mine", are a bit subpar and brings them down a bit... but not far down enough to not make them enjoyable anymore. With that, it makes the second half become the more superior of the two. You can definitely hear the harmony within the group more consistently on the ballads. It's pretty clear that BLACKstreet's expertise around this time was love songs and not so much songs like "Booti Call" and "Make U Wet" that lowkey makes them come off as a knock-off generic version of Jodeci. Truthfully, though... I might have some reservations on BLACKstreet's self-titled debut nowadays, but I still can't help but feel joy (Goddddd, that is terrible) whenever I hear a song from this album because it takes me back to the good old days.