A lot of things would be simpler if we all just caught amnesia. Think of all the evil we could forget about...how we could start over with blank slates and work together to unify as one!
Sounds pretty far-fetched and corny, right? Well that’s what the Black Eyed Peas are promoting on their latest album, The E.N.D. The track “One Tribe” is the Peas’ way of convincing listeners that they really do just want world peace. And while the song’s got a pretty solid beat, who wants to hear Will.i.am talk about the whole world sharing the same blood-type when we could be hearing Fergie sing about her humps?
The Peas have always been a socially conscious band, but The E.N.D. proves more than ever that they’re most successful when they stick to their big guns and produce the dance-fever, can’t-get-em-out-of-your-head hits that have become everyone’s favorite guilty pleasures the past few years. Tracks such as “Party All The Time” and “I Gotta Feeling” are goldmines for the late-night clubgoers looking to let their hair down at the end of a long work week. Listening to these soon-to-be-top-hits doesn’t require any effort. This isn’t to say they’re lacking in one way or another, because it’s actually a good thing. There’s just a fine line the Peas are flirting with on this album-you either have to admit you’re making club candy or go full-out with the social commentary. And when your first single is called “Boom Boom Pow,” it’s pretty obvious which side of the line you’re on.
“Meet Me Halfway” is another gem that features Fergie at her best, crooning in an almost Madonna-esque fashion, ping-ponging lines back and forth with Will.i.am about a faulty relationship. This kind of exchange works incredibly well for the group and is something they should invest a little more into.
Although The E.N.D. almost seems like it was designed for the press to ask if it’s the Peas’ final effort, it’s actually an acronym for The Energy Never Dies. There’s no denying that energy is full-force on this disc, with every track as poppy and danceable as the next. However, the spoken portions at the beginnings of songs are just a distraction-whether it’s talking about record stores no longer existing or the power of the youth, we’ve heard it before. And when Fergie actually stops in the track “Party All The Time” to say she’s too drunk so forgot the words, it’s a little nauseating.
The Black Eyed Peas may be a little more Fergalicious than they were on their previous efforts, but they’re back and this time they’ve got a Boom, Boom, Pow. I’m not sure if anyone actually knows what that means, but it’s working.
To learn more about the Black Eyed Peas, click here.
