Fergie – Dutchess

Artist: Fergie

Title: Dutchess

Label: Interscope

Rating: 7/10

CORPORATE LINE: Going solo paid off for both Gwen and Beyoncé, and now Black Eyed Peas leading lady Fergie aims to prove that she’s pop royalty with her debut, ‘The Dutchess.’ (Get it? Like Sarah “Fergie” Ferguson, the Duchess of York?) The album, due Sept. 19, will be the first release on fellow Pea Will.i.am’s A&M records imprint, Will I Am…

THE GOOD:
“Fergalicious” – Fergie has no problem talking about being “so delicious” and how all men want her. It only makes sense to brag when you can back it up and Fergie can. Thanks to Will.i.am, Fergie gets a hot beat and manages the seemingly unmanageable tempo.
“Clumsy” – The second track combines an old school flavor with a new school beat. Fergie knows how to drip sensuality with this ‘60s style R&B song. This is what Christina Aguilera tried so hard to do on her recent release.
“Pedestal” – Fergie shows her sexy side while bouncing around the song in a number of different melodies and tempos. This is the type of song you listen to over and over again.

THE AVERAGE:
“All That I Got (The Make Up Song)” – Fergie proved she can sound like Fergie and no one else and then there is this song—Unfortunately it’s a generic ballad that could have been sung by anyone.
“London Bridge” – This song has a nice hook that works on the radio but pales in comparison to “Fergalicious” and “Clumsy”. It sounds too much a like a BEP song and not enough like Fergie.
“Glamourous” – Fergie doesn’t take a breath as she wails verse after verse in what sounds like a redo of Billy Joel’s “We Didn’t Start The Fire”.

THE BAD:
“Here I Come” – Fergie’s remake of the classic simply doesn’t work.
“Mary Jane Shoes” – Fergie tries a reggae song and she can’t get into the same category as Gwen Stefani who has a knack for tackling everything thrown in front of her.

FRANKLY: Fergie scores big at the start off The Dutchess and then around track eight the albums slows down considerable and veers right into too many slow songs. Fergie is much better when the song is uptempo and her adrenaline is pumping. Fergie’s voice goes from being sexy and full of life in a quicker song to slow and generic when she takes on a ballad. The Dutchess is an interesting album. Honestly, you’re better off downloading the best tracks and skipping the rest.

+ CC Morris