Review : The E.N.D

The Energy Never Dies (The E.N.D.) - Black Eyed Peas (2009)

Unlike Calvin Harris, it's clear the BEP are not only richer but treat their party rythems with a tad more effort. This is an album that I feel torn about, because it is so good in some areas but appalling in others.

The Black Eyed Peas move away from their alternative dance to move to some more mainstream techno. And rightfully so, in my opinion, as the results are mostly brilliant. While not particularly meaningful or well lyricised, they seem perfect for their intended audience; people in clubs and bars.

The Energy Never Dies starts awfully with a short voiceover in a deep and highly synthesised voice that warns the end is near, but not to panic because the Energy Never Dies. I want to listen to music, not to your self-absorbed attempts at meaning. The album seems terribly chatty and plot-like; while not having a consistent theme to each song, there are constant little normal voice excerpts that are clearly moulded into the verses. Unneeded, and unnerving. Profanity is of course scattered like punctuation, serving no other purpose than a rhyming aide.

There are some good songs on this album, perfect for purpose and at least somewhat contemplative while still holding the BEP's trademark urban wit and beat. In other places it's perhaps too crude for the purpose of the song, and that sole discrepancy in tone and subject ruins the entire song.

The songs don't seem to end. Listening to the album without looking at the list, one finds it hard to initially tell that one song has ended and another begun; perhaps indicative of the eternal nature of energy, but I'm not buying it.

It's such a shame to have to actually look into the album, as taken on face value it could be regarded as some of their best work. It's clear, despite their faux laid-back attitude in the album, that real work has been put into the album, and this provides even less of an excuse when you listen to the awful songs that seem to have been left behind.

Thanks.