The Dream is back at it again. The self proclaimed “Radio Killa” releases his sophomore album Love vs. Money Tuesday, and fans wonder what he has up his sleeve this time.
The singer/songwriter came on the scene successfully in 2007 with his “Shawty Is a 10″ (Love Hate), and is also responsible for Beyonce’s quintessential ladies anthem “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”. Yet, like far too many über-talented writers, he gives most of his good stuff to everyone else.
Love Vs. Money in it’s entirety is not a disappointment, with the melodic, chart-topping hit “Rockin That Thang” leading the pack as one of the best songs on the album. Not far behind is The Dream’s revived version of The Police’s 1979–dance-groove “Walkin on the Moon”, featuring a vocoder-less Kanye West (the way he should always be). However, The Dream shows signs that he may be running low on metaphors, especially on “Put It Down” where he compares his affection to a “monster truck” and a “white tee’d thug”, over a beat too hype to get it cracking to. The title track, “Love vs. Money”, has one of the most enthralling beats on the album and gives off a paranoid feel as he sings about losing love to what else, but money ( Instead of loving you/I was making it rain…). The melody and the sound of glocks popping are puzzling, but the point of the song becomes more clear after listening to “Love Vs. Money Part 2.”
The Dream gets his R.Kelly on in “Sweat It Out”, breaking down article-by-article what piece of clothing he wants to remove from his girl, so he can “properly put it down” and “sweat her hair out”. Fortunately for her, The Dream forewarns her to “call Latisha” her beautician before he takes action, so that she can get her hair re-whipped in the next morning.
Overall, Love Vs. Money saves itself from the evil pitfalls of the “sophomore curse”, but The Dream does not match the standard he set with his surprisingly pleasant debut Love Hate. The album still has worthy cop-ability though, and he proves he can still come correct…even if it is on someone else’s joint.
- Maya Rhodan
