Mike Jones – The Voice (4-28-2009)

Posted on May 08 in Reviewsby adminPrint

It seems like it took the world forever to figure out just who Mike Jones was and as quick as they found out they forgot. Of course waiting nearly half a decade to follow up a double platinum debut album is a great reason to be forgotten. Somehow Mike Jones managed to muster up enough publicity over those four years to at least stay somewhat recognizable in the game. Then again maybe he just screamed “who is Mike Jones” so much in 2005 that we still can’t get that annoying ass ring out of our heads. 2009 finds the ex-mayor of H-Town trying to rebound his ailing career with his second official release The Voice.

For starters Mike Jones comes out on his intro talking a little reckless as he shouts out the title of his next album Expect The Unexpected that is scheduled to hit stores next year, which means that it will be available for free sometime around 2013. Then he says something to the effect of rappers sneak dissing, as in saying shit about him behind his back. Didn’t Trae punch the shit out of this fool at the Ozone awards? An annoying ass hook and annoying ass beat could only mean that Mike Jones is going to spit some annoying ass raps on the opening “Swagger Right Now.” Thankfully Mike Dean stops through to bless Jones with a promising backdrop on the almost anthem ready “Houston Oilers” where everything is pretty good until Mike Jones decides it’s a good idea to rhyme Warren Moon with Warren Moon.

 Listeners will probably wish that Twista and T-Pain would have locked Lil Wayne and Mike Jones out of the studio the night they recorded the album’s first, second, or third supposed single “Cuddy Buddy,” which Jones ultimately stole from Trillville. After the disheartening and older than dirt “Drop & Gimme 50” Jones proves he can make a good decision by enlisting the assistance of Mannie Fresh and Devin The Dude on the “So Much Pain” sampled “Give Me A Call.” “Happy Birthday” consists of nothing but Mike Jones chanting “cuz it’s my b-day” all through the track as if we couldn’t figure out what the basis of the song is; by the way, Mike Jones has a new cell phone number for you to call and let him know how bad his album sucks!

As the album wears nearer and nearer to the end things sound less and less H-Town as evidenced by the chick flicks “Next To You” and “Swagg Thru The Roof.” Jones proves to be light-years behind as he disgraces Pimp C’s name by using the late great’s lyrics on a track in which he chooses to use auto-tune on the Essay Potna produced “On Top Of The Covers.” T-Pain makes his second appearance on the album as he drops a dime on the Kojack produced “Scandalous Hoes II,” a remake of “Scandalous Hoes” from Who Is Mike Jones. It becomes awfully apparent on “Hate On Me” that Mike Jones still feels a little embarrassed in a very non-gangsta way that Trae stole on him at last year’s Ozone awards.

Aside from a few production credits and a guest feature by Devin The Dude, Mike Jones has all but abandoned every piece of Houston’s culture and sound. This time around it’s apparent that he’s more for the ladies as opposed to the candy painted slabs and barr sippers of his hometown. Due to the utterly disappointing results of The Voice it might be a very-very-very long time before you wish to hear another Mike Jones album. They always say that fame can change a man, in this case Mike Jones proves that to be a sever understatement!

VERDICT – 9 / 20
LYRICS: 2
PRODUCTION: 2
DELIVERY: 2
CONSISTENCY: 3