The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2

Where do I start first I received my vinyl supper fast next I open the very well protective packaging and it was in the clear plastic like I get when i make a purchase at the vinyl store but here is the best part there was a packet created with a business card a package slip and your ready drum roll…. A 2 page bio sheet about the artist I said Dog gone it Bestsi owner of Time of your life memories know she has out done herself with the level of service I recommend purchasing from this seller

Justin Timberlake remains a guilty pleasure. Why a guilty pleasure you ask? Well, for one he started off in a boy band making manufactured pop music. Then he graduated to aping Michael Jackson and Prince with a different type of manufactured pop/r&b/hip-hop/dance music. Then he found Timberland and began making yet another type of manufactured hip-hop/dance/r&b/pop hybrid music which was pretty clever a la "Sexyback".Still, you can't hide the fact that Timberlake has a thin, reedy vocal that lacks heft and depth. Couple that with his adolescent, cheesy poser pick up line lyrics, and well, he just remains a guilty pleasure. This year Mr. Timberlake bombards us with not one volume of music, but two. Now, it should be no surprise to anyone when I say that a double album is a double-edged sword. You better bring your A-game or it's going to come off as a bloated vanity project gone awry. Well, Timberlake and Timberland didn't exactly bring their A-game this year. I can poke a hole in the party by pointing out that both albums fall prey to something I absolutely hate--excessiveness. And I mean 80 minutes per disc if you bought both the deluxe versions. 70 minutes per disc if you didn't. And to top that off, most of the songs exceed 6-7 minutes. I'm sorry, but Timberlake and Timberland are no Genesis, Yes, Rush, King Crimson, Emerson, Lake & Palmer (all prog rock bands who knew how to make 6+ minute songs great).Now, you can argue that this is avant garde r&b/hip-hop--something cutting edge, something experimental. But, at the same time, you can just as well argue that this is a bloated, excessive, over-indulgent flop. If they edited the songs down to one album it might have been great, and arguably experimental at the same time. Instead, what you have is two volumes of mediocrity with some interesting ideas peppered throughout.I don't understand these four and five star ratings. I mean I've listened to a ton of music over the years, so I am coming from the angle of already experiencing long-form songs, experimental songs, teen pop, Michael Jackson, Prince, etc., etc. Maybe I'm jaded, but these two volumes are just not that great.You want to debate which volume is better? I say they're both about the same give or take some songs, give or take some extended noodling bits. I suppose someone might argue that both of these albums are amazing, but I'd say, well yes, if you want to lower the bar to the fact that Timberlake started off in a boy band, and so these two volumes of music are going to look like crown jewels next to that.My opinion is that Timberlake needs to ditch Timberland and start over. He's gone as far as he can go with this sound. If he wants to grow up and last he's going to have to make drastic changes. I think that sticking with Timberland on production for these two volumes was playing it safe. Yes, that's right, you heard me, playing it safe. These two already did all of this on 2006's "FutureSex/LoveSounds". This is just more of that. It's uneven, at times wince-inducing. The lyrics are blasé and really, the songs are beginning to sound a lot like the parodies he does for Saturday Night Live. Get out of here while you still can. Save yourself.And finally, Timberlake is no Michael Jackson. MJ had real talent and originality and truly transcended his boy band beginnings, plus he had Quincy Jones as a secret weapon. Timberland is not even close to Jones. Timberland recycles the same tired beats and production values.So, why three stars you might ask? Well, it's okay. It's not terrible, but it's definitely not four or five stars, people. There are some interesting tracks here like "True Blood", but it goes on far too long at 9 and a half minutes. Then there's the MJ rip-off, "Take Back The Night" which, to its credit, is catchy. "Murder" is interesting and perhaps "Gimme What I Don't Know (I Want)". However, "Cabaret", "TKO", "Drink You Away", "You Got It On" (Prince rip-off), "Amnesia" and "Only When I Walk Away" are all average, middling, at times weak, filler tracks."Not A Bad Thing" is the best track here. Reminiscent of his boy bands days, it completely plays to Timberlake's strengths, but too bad it's attached to a hidden track that's just average. Forget about programming the best track then. Also forget about downloading the best track because you'll have to accept the inferior hidden track against your will.So, I say nice try Timberlake, but at 32, married, you come off quite immature and in need of a serious make-over musically. I hear you want to do country music--please spare us. Your strength is pop music, where you began. Your strength is ballads or heartfelt mid-tempo ballads with some occasional forays into dance music. Why don't you get a different producer, sit down and really concentrate on your song writing and song craft, and try seriously stretching the confines of what you do best instead of aping other artists you adore? I can't believe at 32 you need a kick in the pants already. Oh well, who am I to criticize, your music keeps selling millions and hitting number one, so who cares, right?Here's how "The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2" compares with Timberlake's other works:2002 Justified: Three Stars2006 FutureSex/LoveSounds: Three and a Half Stars2013 The 20/20 Experience 1 of 2: Three Stars2013 The 20/20 Experience 2 of 2: Three Stars

- update -i've increased the review to 4 stars. after giving it more chances, this album actually grew on me a lot more. while i did give it more criticism before with my previous posted review (below), its actually not as bad i was made it out to be. while it was difficult at first, it does take sequential listens - but at the same time, i received a new sound system and that greatly made me hear it in better detail.i didnt bother listening to this via iTunes when it was announce that it would stream entirely for free [i dont support Apple as you can see]. Instead, i just went ahead and purchased on CD, a mere few days before release. that is, until Amazon shipped it and found out i can listen to it in its entirely via Amazon MP3.But on point, compared to Experience 1 of 2, this record is very difficult to listen to. The production value is obviously different, and so are the lyrical themes, as this album takes approach of a more, dark fitting. while i do have a fondness for music being even somewhat dark, Experience 2 of 2 doesnt really do it a mature sense. the single 'Take Back the Night' was an easy listener from a few months ago, as it felt like a reminiscent of Michael Jackson's 'Off the Wall' days, therefore assuming this record would be a strong follow up.In fact, even with Experience 1 of 2, i ended up listening to the non-single songs quite a bit. You know when you have a made a valuable production, when half, most, or even everything on the record is listenable and repeatable. in Experience 2 of 2's case, it wasnt like that for me. I normally dont like shuffling and hopping over songs out of order, but it seemed like i didnt have a choice for this record.Stand Out Tracks:True Blood (very groove-popish and lengthy)Take Back the Night (Off the Wall reminiscence)Amnesia (sounds like a "sort-of" sequel to Mirrors)

Double album came with the same record. Sent it back and got a replacement. Loving adding to my vinyl collection.

Part 2 is so much better than part 1. I was a bit disappointed by the first CD. I just felt the songs were too long and drawn out without much of a payoff. The songs on this CD are still fairly long (anywhere from 5 - 12 minutes) but it doesn't feel like he's just simply repeating a hook over and over to extend it. There's a great mix of styles including an 80's style dance number, Take Back the Night, and a bluesy ballad called Drink You Away. The pop tunes you've probably already heard on the radio, TKO and It's Not A Bad Thing. Overall this is a very satisfactory selection of music and I'm a bit addicted to it at the moment. It's been on repeat in my car for two weeks.

JT brings another classic album to the table. But don't get it confused, 20/20 exp. 1 of 1 is the better album. But this one is a noble 2 of 2, just like the title of the album clearly states. Still a ton of hits on here and Justin Timberlake has successfully completed walking away from that bubble gum, poppy NSYNC kid he used to be. Proof that an artist can expand and reinvent, and grow up.Well done JT.Sincerely, a person who thought you wouldn't make it past Y2K

Oh JT... This is probably the best album I have ever heard apart of all his previous albums.. LOL.. JT had to come back and what a way to do it! loved the songs, specially Pusher love girl, strawberry bubblegum, tunnel vision, TKO & Amnesia and it is true that some songs are long but this fact does't affect the quality of the songs, in fact the change of rhythms makes them so different and 100% enjoyable.. I bough this album as Me and my hubby have always loved JT.. Recommended..

I've been a huge fan of Justin since Nsync. He never fails to amaze me. This album is amazing in one word! If your looking for something similar to Futuresex Lovesounds then you will be disappointed. Its a different sound and overall tone but its awesome nonetheless. Its a grown Justin experimenting with different sounds to create something epic.Electric Lady is my favourite song of this album. It hints to Justin's old sound but yet has a totally different spin.If your looking for an album to get you in the mood for a night out or even a nice night in I highly recommend this!

I reviewed Part 1 of the 20/20 Experience, which I think is a great album, but Part 2 is much better!It's JT back to his more poppy/r'n'b sound!This album is darker and naughtier then Part 1;). Also the lyrics are more interesting with lots of attitude!Best tracks: TKO, Amnesia (which is like two songs in one), Only When I Walk Away (pure angst), Not a Bad Thing (pretty ballad) and Take Back the Night (Defo nod to Michael Jackson).It's a good album, some songs sometimes unnecessarily long, however these songs will have you moving!Well done JT :)

A brilliant second edition album from Justin Timeberlake. I have the original edition and usually think that follow on's which contain extra tracks on top of the ones I already have are a con but this was worth every penny as you get many extra (& exceptional) tracks. Fab!

I didn't realise that there was another album called 20/20 experience part 2, which had the song - Take Back The Night - on it that I was looking for. Both albums are very good, like most albums you have your favourite songs and the ones that you skip over when they come.