'Fantasy Ride' by Ciara (UK cover)
Ciara’s crazily-delayed 3rd studio album ‘Fantasy Ride’ finally sees the light of day on May 4th. The original 3-disc concept has been ditched (probably wise), and in return we are given Ciara’s alter ego ‘Super C’. God knows why she can’t just stick the bloody thing out and stop faffing around with gimmicks, but anyway – how does the album sound? Here’s WAPS’ quickie review:
Ciara To The Stage
In true R&B style, Ciara opens the album by introducing the album. The result is a ‘sexy’ mid-tempo song, which could easily have been cut down to 30 seconds. It’s an intro after all.
Love Sex Magic ft. Justin Timberlake (WAPS approved)
A single, and probably the album’s standout track. This song was originally intended for Justin’s 2006 album ‘Futuresex/Lovesound’ and is sort-of reminiscent of Madonna’s ‘Dance 2nite’.
High Price
It’s that crazy crunk song where Ciara attempts opera-style vocals, with quite painful results.
Turntables ft. Chris Brown (WAPS approved)
A dancey track penned by and featuring the charming Chris Brown… Speaking to Rap-Up last month, Ciara defended the inclusion of ‘Turntables’ by saying, “I’m sticking to it just being about the music in this case. What happened with them is personal and I don’t really know everything. All I know is I love the record.” Probably a wise choice, she doesn’t want Chris Brown coming round and kicking her head in for removing his song.
Like a Surgeon
A slow jam desperately stuck in the saccharine sound mid-90s R&B. Utterly dreadful lyrics, too – definitely one to skip.
Never Ever
The first – flopped – single in the US is a mellow, mid-tempo R&B song – thrilling stuff, right? It’s neither offensive nor amazing, but the shouty rap in the middle is plain irritating.
Lover’s Thing ft. The Dream
Another mid-tempo R&B number in which Ciara duets with The Dream. It all feels a bit Mariah Carey.
Work (WAPS approved)
A dirty dancefloor filler featuring Missy Elliott. Ciara’s vocals, which sometimes come off a bit thin, really ‘work’ on this track (see what we did there?) A much-needed shot of energy into this so-far lacklustre collection.
Pucker Up (WAPS approved)
A Darkchild produced track in the same ilk as the Pussycat Dolls ‘When I Grow Up’. It’s slick and perfect for some mean dancing.
G is for Girls (A-Z) (WAPS approved)
The guitar and violin on this song make it one of ‘Fantasy Ride’’s more unusual tracks; ‘G is for Girls’ has a tolerable hook if you can get past the cringingly bad gangsta posturing.
Keep Dancin’ On Me (WAPS approved)
Ciara is channelling the 80s on this song, which is as light and breezy as her vocals. It’s OK.
Tell Me What Your Name Is
This Dr. Luke track is essentially a simple throwaway pop song with a heavier beat. It’s quite pleasant, and sees Ciara playing the empowered girl asking for your name (or something).
I Don’t Remember
This Ne-Yo penned effort feels a bit like a filler. Interesting lyrics, but the song itself is a bit uneventful.
Echo (UK bonus track) (WAPS approved)
God knows why this is a bonus track (UK); this Danja produced banger is made for the dancefloor, the place where Ciara truly shines.
Overall verdict? A disjointed album – hardly surprising given the original 3-disc groove/crunk/dance concept. You’ll need to be a hardcore Ciara fan to enjoy all of it. Us pop-lovers are probably best off cherry-picking the dance tracks.
Ciara will be supporting Britney Spears on her London tour dates of ‘The Circus Starring Britney Spears’ this summer.
This review was my thoughts exactly…it felt kind of scattered and a lot of irrelevant tracks. Great Review.