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 Beauty is in the ear of the beholder Jul 08, 2008
After three years of vacillating opinions about this album, I have fallen in love with it.
Schizophrenic is a sonic pleasure that is remarkable in delivery, density and diversity. Chasez's only album thus far has been crafted so that every nook and cranny is covered with elements of sound, reassuring the listener that yes, in this age of processed beats, enhanced vocals and rudimentary subject matter sometimes music really is an artist's means of expression after all. It isn't perfect, it may be a tad too lengthy, it may have no musical direction, it may use sex as its main subject too many times but that's just where his creativity led him. I can't say that it will appeal to everyone. Beauty is in the ear of the beholder, as the linear notes read, and it is with adoration that I write this review, enamored with everything about this album.
"Some Girls" is made up of hand claps, thumping dancefloor beats and a rhythmic talking delivery. There's nothing artsy-fartsy about it - it's just a nice midtempo urban song or a typical macho-man-on-the-dancefloor song, if you will. Judging by the subject matter and easy-to-digest groove Jive geared the song towards mainstream success, but as the first track it's fairly unrepresentative of the album as a whole - you would initially think Chasez was following in the footsteps of that other NSYNC member as a r&b/hip hop crooner.
Chasez displays a Stevie Wonder-esque delivery on "She Got Me", a spacey piece of funk that bears resemblance to work by Jamiroquai. Acoustic rhythm guitars are present, as they are alot through this album, and the additional vocal production produced many sweet harmonies that enhanced the main vocal well.
The opening riff and rhythmic percussion moves from left to right on "100 Ways", a bouncy song that makes a spectacle out of Chasez's sexually charged persona. His vocals are that of a sleazy pusher with the low provocative growls of Prince and Johnny Bravo's bravado. If you listen, there are various screams, growls, moans, guitar riffs, electronic sounds and meaningless rambles at random times throughout the song, sometimes on the left channel, sometimes on the right, or sometimes moving in between them. The lyrics are sleazy ("speak your mind / 100 ways") and the music is just so fun, so frenetic that it's hard to keep still.
"Mercy" is a dip into reggae. It is a midtempo with an emphasis on bass and techno rhythms. Chasez's vocals are passionate and his ability to deliver genuine emotion into his music is evident as he flies through lines like "it's the insanity eating at the man in me" while sounding both like a regretful lover and, well, an insane one.
"Build My World" is one of three great ballads on the album. It contains an easy melody and easy rhyme scheme ("lazy days / i'm in a hazy phase / of waiting countless ways / in which my life goes crazy") he delivers a tender and somewhat agnsty vocal that is remnant of his boyband days; however, given that he has now shed his boyband roots there is no room for the juvenille, whiney backing vocals of Timberlake and Chasez is allowed to display the full range of his voice. The little things - the "oohs" and "ahs", the claps, the random electronic beeps - all mesh so well with each other and indicate that the Schizo production team weren't intending on making your run-of-the-mill ballad. The song ends with a Prince-like falsetto, a plea to his lover as his vocals sway between the left and right channels.
Chasez is accompanied by an acoustic guitar, percussion and his own handclaps as he breezes through "Something Special." Once again his vocals are on display and if you haven't realized by now, he is no average teen pop singer. He switches between sweet - sensitive - annoying - cocky personas very well. After the second chorus the drums kick in, the acoustic is playing rhythm again and he whistles a bouncy tune before everything except the percussion halts. Then drums then kick back in full effect and everything comes together as he vocally vamps his way to the song's end. It's joyful and a real trip.
"If You Were My Girl" boasts a great electronic beat and wild vocals. It's not meant to be taken seriously, like most of Schizophrenic, and is insanely fun - with every "yeah!" and "oh mama!" the enjoyment factor hits the ceiling and you get the refreshing feeling that Chasez is having a blast recording his debut.
Basement Jaxx contribute on "Shake it", an electronica dancefloor classic that is beat-heavy and boasts the usual excellent sultry vocals. The sexual content of the song (and the album) is not tactless, as big label pop usually is, but colorful and energetic, telling tales of sexual escapades with genuine honesty and fun, good-natured humor.
"All Day Long I Dream About Sex" starts with an acoustic riff and then booms into what a should have been a club hit. ADIDAS is a electronic trip through Chasez's mind and breaks in structure for an awesome electronica - techno dance break that not-so-subtly ellicits a rump-shaking effect. Again, at least the lyrical side shouldn't be patronized so much; the chanting chorus should be evidence that ADIDAS is all about the upbeat, nod-your-head-and-jump-up-and-down side of music that doesn't look to be anything but entertaining.
"One Night Stand" begins with dialogue between Chasez and a woman ("I was wondering... do you want to ffff-") and continues into another funky musical escapade. Once again as he delivers the lines ("i'm going to take you on a riiiiiiiide / make you want to jump against the skyyyyyyy") you just want to jump for joy at his enthusiasm.
"Come to Me" is beat-heavy with heavy synths and horns and Chasez tells a story about missing his lover. Believe me, the song is more interesting than its subject matter indicates. He sneaks a reference to masturbation in and delivers his vocals in a much more subdued manner than the he had in the last couple tracks. The vocals, beat and vocal harmonies create a hypnotic mood yet the song would fit at a nightclub.
Chasez is back to being the sensitive crooner in "Dear Goodbye", a song about a mourning lover. Passionate vocals once again are evident, and he shows his range well. At around 3:18 there is the subtle sound of sand falling (time slipping away, perhaps) on the right channel - nothing too overwhelming but another example of the musical depth of the album. It can be a bit of a lull if you're not in the mood, but balladry is definitely an area that Chasez has mastered.
He displays Sting-like vocals on "Everything You Want", a song about controlling spending habits while traveling. It is a funky tune with funky guitars and a funky melody - just plain funky.
"Lose Myself" is the only piano-based song on the album. The vocals are dreamy, soft and sensitive ("knocked unconscious / walking on water / cause i'm thinking of you") and Chasez is never grating when he hits the high notes. (Timberlake, on the other hand...) The vocal harmonies are beautiful as are the strings and finger picking at ends the song.
"Right Here By Your Side" is catchy and easy to digest but still likeable. There are percussive instruments and an acoustic guitar and Chasez sings a song to his lover ("the red stains on your lips / i'll clean them off with my lips") It is nicely short for such a straightforward pop song.
"Blowing Me Up (With Your Love)" is similar to Some Girls but with a less casual delivery. It contains a thumping beat and as always the vocals sound very enthused. This song (recorded for the Drumline soundtrack) and its positive reception encouraged the recording of this album.
 Not Great Jun 17, 2008
I'll be honest, as an Nsync fan, I really expected more from this artist.
JC was always my favorite Nsyncer growing up, so I was psyched when I found out he was doing a solo. I was even excited about the fact that I'd heard it was going to be more 'grown up' especially since, by the time he's gone solo, I had grown up and was looking for an older sound. I enthusiastically listened to each and every track on the album (several times over) and though a couple of them such as 'All Day Long I Dream About Sex' and 'Some Girls Dance with Women' are catchy, the only song I genuinely and completely liked was 'Right Here by Your Side'. And the album as a whole, for the most part, is found wanting.
The content of the CD didn't bother me, what bothered me was that it kind of seemed forced - like he was trying way TOO hard to escape from his squeaky clean image so he just crammed as much sex and shock as he could onto one album to the point where it was almost juvenile. Honestly, because of the age difference between the two men I expected the less mature album to be Justin Timberlake's solo "Justified", but Justin's actually turned out quite well.
Bottom line: It was alright; had it been his first experience as a singer, I think I'd have been more forgiving, but since he's an experienced artist I just can't let it go. I'll keep it, I may even listen to it now and then, but it's just not good for me.
i love josh chasez becasue he is like lance bass from sara moore Jun 11, 2008
ilove josh chasez because he is like james lance bass from sara moore
and i love n'nsync
Brilliant! May 13, 2008
This has got to be one of the most overlooked and underrated CDs of the decade. JC was always the biggest voice in N'SYNC and his talents are on full display on this solo effort. What I find most amazing about this CD is JC's versatility. He has certainly put together an eclectic set of songs through which he channels greats such as Hendrix, Michael Jackson, Prince, and even a bit of George Michael. While his songs appear to pay homage to the songs of the 60s, 70s and 80s, JC never allows them to wallow there and retread old territory. Rather, JC takes these sounds and gives them a clean and fresh modern sensibility and sound. Literate lyrics. Perfect vocals. Perfect beats. Perfect CD. Why JC isn't as popular as his contemporary JT I can't understand. Let's hope that JC keeps on cranking out quality material like this regardless of commercial success. Highly recommended.
I love it! Pleasantly surprised Apr 02, 2008
I am a new fan of J.C. Chasez, I saw him as a judge on "Americas Best Dance Crew" competition that aired on Mtv Spring 2008. Seeing him brought back pleasant memories of being NSYNC obsessed in their heyday! J.C. was one of my favorite Nsyncers and of course he is so sexy! I bought Justified & Future/Sex/Love/Sounds (both of which I adored) but I seemed to miss out on this gem of a record. Well now I can say: I LOVE IT! I love the beats, I love the creativity, I love how much J.C. talks about sex & women: its such a fun record. One reviewer mentioned that you can't listen to just one song on this album and I agree. I totally appreciate the more mature, sexy vibe to this record. I think after listening to Timberland, Justin Timberlake & all of the sic beats of modern hip-hop I can really enjoy Schizophrenic. I think this music is so relevant now.. its makes you bob your head and tap your feet- and the songs stick in your head! ... great album although I don't see how its "schizophrenic" as I think the album has a great flow to it & certainly common themes throughout!
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