01. Timbaland – Intro (by DJ Felli Fel)
The intro starts off sounding like a THX intro before a movie, and a lot like the start of the Sugababes’ recent single “Get Sexy”. It then proceeds into sounding a lot like Timbaland’s older sounding productions that used 8 bit samples such as “Do It” by Nelly Furtado and “Ayo Technology” by 50 Cent. (8/10)
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02. Timbaland – Carry Out (feat. Justin Timberlake) *
03. Timbaland – Lose Control (feat. Jojo)
His next collaboration is with Jojo on “Lose Control”. I’m not sure what to make of this song, purely because it takes over 2 minutes for Jojo to finally start singing her verse, which is a bit weird to be honest. It’s alright though, but nothing special. (6/10)
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04. Timbaland – Meet In Tha Middle (feat. Bran’ Nu)
“Meet In Tha Middle” features Bran Nu (Brandy’s alter ego) and it I really like the track. There are some space age synths droning in the background and it has a funky feel thanks to Tim’s piano work. Bran Nu comes in pretty hard on her verse and Timbaland shows his stuff pretty well too. (7/10)
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05. Timbaland – Say Something (feat. Drake) *
06. Timbaland – Tomorrow In The Bottle (feat. Chad Kroeger & Sebastian) *
“Tomorrow In The Bottle” features regular Timbaland collaborator Sebastian but more interestingly we hear from Chad Kroeger (of Nickelback fame). And to be honest he doesn’t sound too out of place at all. It’s definitely not a rock track like previous collaborations with Fall Out Boy and The Hives – It’s Hip Hop and I like it. Kroeger sings a very catchy hook and as the first “out there” collaboration comes to an end I’m feeling pleasantly surprised. (9/10)
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07. Timbaland – We Belong To Music (feat. Miley Cyrus)
I wish I could as the same for “We Belong To The Music”. Miley Cyrus is on this track and I just don’t get her. It’s got a Metro Station sounding instrumental and her vocals are not my cup of tea. Timbaland what were you thinking? (4/10)
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08. Timbaland – Morning After Dark (feat. Nelly Furtado & SoShy)
09. Timbaland – If We Ever Meet Again (feat. Katy Perry)
The intro to “If We Ever Meet Again” has Timbaland rapping over some soft sounding guitar work which then quickly progresses into pumping electro-rock. It’s certainly a better sounding song than the previous one, but for me Katy Perry does not contribute enough. (6/10)
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10. Timbaland – Can You Feel It (feat. Esthero & Sebastian) *
“Can You Feel It” is the first song to feature Esthero and the second song we hear that includes Sebastian. “Can You Feel It” is definitely what Timbaland is all about. It’s a definite club banger and has an upbeat euro dance feel to it. (8/10)
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11. Timbaland – Ease Off The Liquor (feat. SoShy) *
12. Timbaland – Undertow (feat. The Fray & Esthero) *
“Undertow” is the first song on the album which has quite a slow tempo to it. It has a sound that we have come to know and love from The Fray but it has more accentuated drum work. Esthero has a very versatile voice that is comfortable to listen to on a track like this but also works well on the previous song “Can You Feel It”. There is some good interplay between herself and lead singer Isaac Slade. A nice ‘speed bump’ in the album. (7/10)
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13. Timbaland – Timothy Where You Been (feat. Jet) *
Apart from having a surprisingly strange name, “Timothy Where You Been” also has a surprisingly nice sound to it. Jet provide their instrumentals and vocals on this track to good effect. Instead of being a track geared around their sound, it’s definitely a song that Timbaland fully utilises himself to spit a few verses on. He even manages to include and rhyme “arpeggiate”. Respect. (8/10).
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14. Timbaland – Long Way Down (feat. Daughtry)
“Long Way Down” features Chris Daughtry who is one of my favourite rock vocalists around at the moment. Whereas Timbaland featured prominently on the previous track, he definitely takes a back seat on this one and just lets Chris do his thing. (8/10)
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15. Timbaland – Marching On (Timbo Version) (feat. OneRepublic)
This track is never going to reach the heights of “Apologise” (OneRepublic’s previously successful collaboration with Timbaland which featured on his original Shock Value album) but it certainly holds its own. It’s by no means a bad track and it definitely sounds like it could be a grower. (7/10)
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16. The One I Love (feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)
Chris Brown gets cut from the album version. Gutted mate.
17. Timbaland – Symphony (feat. Attitude, Bran’ Nu & D.O.E.)
I like this track and I like the collaborators he has working him on this one too, they compliment each others styles very well. It’s a turn taking style song where they introduce themselves then pass the baton on the next act. A nice way to finish the album. (8/10)
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All in all it’s a very solid album and well worth a purchase. I’m looking forward to hopefully hearing some more songs that didn’t make the cut over the next few days as well as giving some of these tracks a lot more listens too.
Final verdict = 8/10