TLC - TLC | Album Review

TLC: TLC

TLC is back, and better than ever. The group released their first album since the tragic death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, in 2002. The self titled fifth album is slated to be the group's final album. TLC, now made up of just T-Boz and Chilli announced the album in January 2015, asking fans to help fund the project, they raised almost a half a million dollars in with one day, New Kids on the Block and Katy Perry were both huge donators to the project.

In the album's opening track "No Introductions", literally explains why the largest selling girl group of all time simply doesn't need an introduction, the song also alludes to the group's massively successful 1995 album CrazySexyCool, as well as "Waterfalls", "No Scrubs", and "Red Light Special". "Way Back" ft. Snoop Dogg takes you way back to where the group left off with a very 90's R&B-pop track about 90's icons. "It's Sunny", is another reflective track about the group's past and discusses that they have made it to a better place.

I'm not gonna lie I screamed when "Haters" started, it is the most TLC sounding track I've ever heard, the track is among the standout tracks on the album. "Perfect Girls" slows the album down, with a more R&B track, which continues the reflective theme of the album. The song feels as it is a continuation to "Unpretty", one of the groups most critically-acclaimed songs. This album featured one of the groups iconic interludes right in the middle of the album. "Start A Fire" and "American Gold" continues to transcend you back to the mid 90's when TLC were in their hay-day. It is probably my least favorite tracks on the album, however I still think they are great tracks.

"Scandalous" picks the speed up significantly, being a slightly more hip-hop influenced track, while keeps the traditional sound TLC. "Aye Muthafucka" continues the rap influences, and has the most potential as a radio single. "Joy Ride" starts tying the album back together, as a song telling their fans to enjoy the ride, and picks up the reflective vibe of the album. The album closes with an extended mix of "Way Back", and brings TLC as a group full-circle.

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