You know that guy who breaks down every word to every song until it’s completely ruined? I hate that guy, I don’t want to be that guy, but I have been left no choice. Mr. Pain’s new album is called Epiphany and in the intro he challenges us to “marinate” on the meaning of the title. OK, let’s bust out the grill and marinate: E-piph-a-ny. Noun 1. An appearance or manifestation of a deity: Unless there’s a Roman god of giving girls shots of Patron, I’m afraid T-Pain … ...Read the full album review
Fans can also check out T-Pain's previous albums: T-Pain - Stoic | T-Pain - Thr33 Ringz
DJBooth Album Review
You know that guy who breaks down every word to every song until it’s completely ruined? I hate that guy, I don’t want to be that guy, but I have been left no choice. Mr. Pain’s new album is called Epiphany and in the intro he challenges us to “marinate” on the meaning of the title. OK, let’s bust out the grill and marinate:
1. An appearance or manifestation of a deity: Unless there’s a Roman god of giving girls shots of Patron, I’m afraid T-Pain falls short of deity status.
2. A sudden, intuitive perception or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something: Allow me to share the insights I’ve gained after listening to this album; it’s easier to pick up women when they’re drunk, having a time machine would be fun, and T-Pain enjoys ejaculating on women’s stomachs.
Now I’m not expecting him to be the second coming of Marvin Gaye, but the only epiphany in sight is when T-Pain realized songs like I’m N Luv Wit A Stripper could make him a very rich man. A more appropriate album title would have been Women+Alcohol= Good Times. That’s enough marination, let’s move on.
T-Pain’s distinctive vocoder vocal style and electronic synth sound has made him one of the most popular hook singers in the game. At its core Epiphany is full of radio friendly jams that will no doubt be saturating the airwaves, including the lead single Buy U A Drank (Shawty Snappin). Buy U A Drank is T-Pain at his most addictive; the production is minimal, there’s a heavily melodic hook, and he gets Yung Joc to come on and drop a slow flow. If you want something to sing to while sitting in traffic, this is your joint. T-Pain repeats the club/hook/melody formula throughout the album, most notably on Tipsy and Bartender, a song with the chorus “she made us drinks to drink, we drunk em, got drunk.” So lyrical complexity isn’t his strong point, but these songs are catchy enough to top the charts. What more do you want?
A handful of songs on Epiphany show T-Pain’s got more in him than vocal effects and club life stories. Church is a fast paced cut with a speeding guitar line and T-Pain’s alter-ego Teddy Verseti flowing quickly and sharp. It’s T-Pain on speed and it’s one of the more enjoyable songs on the album. He also brings in some distinctive island flair on Shottas, a reggae/dancehall banger that’s dope primarily because Cham and Konvict Music labelmate Kardinal Offishall absolutely take over. Even on these more musically adventurous tracks T-Pain isn’t setting the world on fire, he just might not have it in him.
The absolute show stoppers are the joint-tracks I Got It and Suicide which deal with the realities and repercussions of HIV/AIDS. Does T-Pain actually have HIV? Aside from providing gossip columnists with material it doesn’t matter. You have to respect T-Pain for speaking on a topic most artists won’t touch. Even though HIV/AIDS is absolutely destroying communities it remains a willingly ignored topic. Unfortunately it doesn’t take much to find some inconsistencies in T-Pain’s message of caution. “Let’s get drunk and forget what we did” isn’t exactly a safe sex anthem. Even so it’s a start.
In the end T-Pain’s a poor man’s R. Kelly. He can’t sing as well, doesn’t look as sharp, and doesn’t have the charisma to pull off tracks like the ridiculously corny Time Machine (on which he calls himself Tebulon Pedalophagus from the Planet Tallagusa). There’s only one man alive that could pull that off, and his name isn’t T-Pain. Before the e-mails start pouring in… I’m not hating, I turned up his verse on I’m A Flirt as loud as anyone. Let’s just be honest. He’s simply a decent singer and songwriter who’s discovered the formula to pumping out enjoyable but ultimately forgettable hits. Now that shouldn’t be an epiphany for anyone.
Listen to More: T-Pain Written by Nathan S.
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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Total Ratings: 9
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DJ Booth Member |
I like Suicide and Put It Down Overall its nice. ...ROTATION!
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| Posted on Oct 15, 2007 |
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DJ Booth Member Total Ratings: 155 |
Hot.
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| Posted on Apr 14, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
This is a classic album to me.
I love it. Top songs are... BackSeat Action Church Time Machine Suicide Mr Dountown Show u How AND the reggae night sketch is hilarious. |
| Posted on Aug 06, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
good album. i jam to it now and then.
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| Posted on Nov 17, 2008 |
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love it , classic
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| Posted on Dec 12, 2008 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 4267 |
You see, "Epiphany" went to the top of the Billboard charts, even beating Rihanna's slow-burning gigantosaurus "Good Girl Gone Bad." It hasn't sold a truly stellar amount, considering how prolific a guest artist he has since become - perhaps we have here an artist that values making a consistent album from start to finish rather than an average one with one hot single....
The album certainly makes good on the promise his pretty solid debut made....That isn't to say that there lies a stack of massive hits on here, but it displays a genuinely creative artist/producer that is entering "the zone." The production he lays down is certainly solid and consistent throughout.... As for subject matter, diversity is the name of the game - whether it be the good times ("Buy You A Drank"), the bad times (HIV story "Suicide"), the sexy times ("Back Seat" - no explanation necessary) or clever concepts (the excellent almost Bowie-esque "Time Machine"), they all do the job effectively enough. He produces a solid album, and sets himself up nicely for a massive third LP, which, judging by current form, should be the one that makes him as big as his boss, Akon. I really admire about T-Pain is that he does it, for the most part, himself - at no point do you think that he needs the guests on there (who could out-guest him anyway?). He produces, sings, raps... He probably staples the liner notes too. And that is an admirable trait for one SO young (22) already on his second full-length... My Top Picks 1. Buy U A Drink 2. Bartender 3. Tipsy 4. Show U How 5. Put it Down 6. Church Teddy's name is associated with so many hits - Low,Shawty,Kiss Kiss,Good Life,The Boss,Got money ..... he's one of a kind.... |
| Posted on Dec 31, 2008 |
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DJ Booth Member |
i think t-pain epiphany is one of his best albulms ever.
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| Posted on Mar 10, 2009 |
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DJ Booth Member |
Anotha great album from my nigga T-Pain. Lovin' Buy You A Drank and Tipsy but I lurvve the whole thang!!!
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| Posted on Apr 13, 2009 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1337 |
You on some stuff if you don't think this is classic, 2 stars? Come on! This is STILL good.
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| Posted on Jul 30, 2009 |
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| Posted on Feb 22, 2010 |
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Tastemaker Total Ratings: 1189 |
This is the worst rated album on djbooth.net (im sorry nathan). 2 stars? come on son, haha.
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| Posted on Mar 17, 2010 |