John Legend - Get Lifted (pt. dos)

The second half of this album is definitely much more indebted to Legend’s love of soul and pure R&B balladry. A lot of the songs take advantage of either Legend’s tremendous voice or piano-led melodies and often, both. And while the first half of Get Lifted was more beat-heavy and much more driven, the second half is where the soulsters really fell in love with John Legend. It’s also where Legend solidifies his getting high theme and how it’s a high one can reach through happiness, living life to the fullest, or even just basking in the warmth of love. Not so much a concept album but moreso, a frame of mind that maintains current throughout, this second half is arguably as good as the first.

And so forget the piano, a great example of the mushiness on Get Lifted is with “Stay With You.” From the Snoop Dogg-featured, murky / transition into hope “I Can Change,” the strong piano and Legend’s soaring vocals on “Ordinary People” are towering and quite dissimilar. The latter embraces the humanistic and humble thoughts collected into a magnificent change of pace. But here, on “Stay With You,” Legend has moved past the bitterness of 'used to loving her' and the cheating ways into a love-searching, affectionate and poignant declaration of romance. His voice is front and center again but this time, much more passionately devoted and one of the finer moments of the album.


But perhaps, the highest peak comes on “So High,” where Legend elegantly pinpoints exactly what he means when you're so high, walking on cloud nine. The ballad here is reminiscent of Boyz II Men if you’re old school and it’s enveloping with a soft electric tinge of guitar, the subtle piano and patterned beats. It’s romantic sure, once again in stark contrast to the harsh words found on the first half; here the emphasis is on riding the rising high to a new surface where everything feels soft and gooey inside. Legend is surely in love here and singing about the magical moments of love once they truly ‘hit.’ A modest debut, it’s a great starting point and an awesome hit of soulful vibes to enjoy for sure. I’m glad I got to re-visit it all over again. – Bryan