Album Review: Robin Thicke, Sex Therapy: The Experience

December 21, 2009Edward Bowsermusic2

Robin Thicke

Sex Therapy: The Experience (released December 15, 2009)

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but I’m 80 percent sure my wife would leave me for Robin Thicke if he gave her the time of day. Ever since his first album, 2003’s often-forgotten A Beautiful World, that man could do no wrong in her eyes.

That is, until she heard “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” featuring Lil Wayne’s hideous mistress Nicki Minaj. For those of you who haven’t had the (dis)pleasure of hearing her, lump her in the category of rappers your 11-year-old cousin says are “hot in the streets,” like Gucci Mane and Lil Boosie.

Gotta agree with the wifey, it’s probably the worst song he has ever made. I don’t buy Thicke’s albums to hear talk about how he “be on that money s***.”

But don’t be totally turned off. Sex Therapy: The Experience has lots to offer.

Like Alicia’s Keys’ latest album, Thicke experiments with a new sound – for him, it’s a sound that’s immersed in hip hop. Although “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy” sounds like a reject Trey Songz track, most fare slightly better. Surprisingly, his trademark falsetto doesn’t get lost in the thumping bass of “Elevatas.” And “Meiple” features Thicke trading raps with Jay-Z of all people – and it doesn’t sound too bad.

Still, I don’t know about you, but I don’t buy a Robin Thicke album to hear him sound like one of those kids from 106 & Park. The first single “Sex Therapy” is the man we all know and the ladies (especially the wife) all love. Same goes for the gentle “2 Luv Birds” and “Mona Lisa” – they possess that slow groove that thrust him into the spotlight.

Unfortunately, as much as I like it, “Jus Right” sounds a bit too much like his breakout hit “Lost Without U.” Maybe that’s why he decided to go the hip-hop route in the first place. If that’s the case, I wish there were more songs like “It’s In The Mornin,” with Snoop Dogg. Although Snoop tries to dominate the song (he has two verses instead of the usual one that guest rappers get), Thicke’s the true star once those horns start backing him up.

As good as this album is it could have been so much more. Next time, I hope Thicke leaves his rapper friends at home. But when Thicke sticks to script, he’s one of the best at his craft.

Now I just have to find a way to keep this guy from stealing my wife.

Best tracks: “Sex Therapy,” “2 Luv Birds,” “It’s In The Mornin”

4 stars out of 5