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Review: Terrence Howard's New CD Shows Promise
By
SANDY COHEN
AP Entertainment Writer
Actor
Terrence Howard gave a hint of his musical skills when he
played an aspiring rapper in the 2005 film "Hustle &
Flow." Howard performed the movie's catchiest tune, "It's
Hard Out Here for a Pimp," which went on to win the Academy
Award for best original song.
The actor
didn't write that song, but he wrote, arranged, produced and
performed on all 11 tracks on his debut album, "Shine
Through It," making good on his longtime musical aspirations.
The album
is a satisfying sampler of Howard's skills and varied influences.
There are Latin rhythms, island beats, soaring strings and
jazzy horns surrounding lyrics about love, life, youth and
yearning.
Howard
gets personal, musing about the power of love on the flute-and-piano
tinged "Love Makes You Beautiful" and confessing
his relationship sins on "No. 1 Fan." But he tends
toward the dramatic, opening the instrumental track "It's
All Game" with this deadly serious observation: "In
every relationship, there's this factor of least interest
involved, meaning the person least interested in maintaining
it will dominate it because they won't compromise. Think about
it." However, another instrumental track, "Spanish
Love Affair," communicates all the drama it needs with
flamenco guitars.
Howard
is at his best on the upbeat songs that comprise half the
album.
He invokes
Stevie Wonder on "I Remember When," a carefree,
harmonica-infused tune punctuated by a whistling choir. Whistles
also open "She Was Mine," a song suited for a speakeasy
with its groovy blend of keyboards, piano and walking bass.
Cuban rhythms and bright horns enliven "Mr. Johnson's
Lawn," while a hip-hop beat enhances the pop nature of
"Plenty."
With a
two-album deal in place, Howard's impressive debut sets him
up to travel in any musical direction.
www.terrencehowardmusic.com
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