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Yesterday we brought you PinBoard’s EXCLUSIVE interview with Robin Thicke and today we’re gonna shed some light on what we thought of his new album “Something Else” which is set for a September 22nd release. We’ll also give you the chance to win an exclusive signed poster *picture below*…

So, I arrived at this super plush, private club called Bureau in Kingly Court (LND, you know!) to hear the new Robin Thicke album. As I entered, I was greeted with a nice tall glass of champers [really not good on an empty stomach] and walked into a super sexy main room, where peeps were chillin, listening to music and generally trying to suss who’s who whenever someone walked inna the place! You know how it is! Kinda stoosh, but it’s cool. 

As I walked across the centre of the room, to find a seat Mr Thicke connected with me and thanked me for making it down (the dude thanks me, for coming down? LOL!), which I thought was cool and again, evidence of how nice the guy is! I quickly saw a familiar face, grabbed a seat, bussed some jokes and waited for the album playback to begin.

About 10 minutes later, Robin took the mic and began to introduce himself and his album and spoke about what it was all about etc and…pressed play.

Now, I think it’s pretty impossible to get a good sense of track from only hearing it once, so I ain’t gonna go into too much detail but will give ya’ll the general feel of each joint and will try and decipher my notes in doing so..

“You’re My Baby”

Robin really pointed out the intro of this song, making the DJ rewind it because he “spent a lot of money on them strings”! The joint was smooth and showed off Thicke’s falsetto brillantly. It’s most definitely a “baby making” song, reflecting on the sexy side of a relationship. I know it’s been said a million times, but the way this man channels Marvin Gaye (consciously or unconsciously) is amazing – at a couple points I was taken back to Gaye’s “What’s Going On”. The song also touched on a Latin influence, which was pretty cool.

“Side Step”

This tune was played twice (the second time being at the end of the album playback) because it’s a potential second single. Robin dedicated this to all the guys who had “given their heart to a lady and she then gave you the ‘Side Step’”. This tune has a real, old school feel to it, and while the subject matter was neccessarily fun, it had that fun feel to it. With it’s funk influenced bass line, this is the kind of joint you could easily pump in your car, on a sunny day.

“Ms. Harmony”

This song is also being considered for a second single. It’s soft keyboards introduce the track and then comes that ever-so-familiar Latin/African drum feel that Robin seems to be a fan of. It’s a great mix and when his vocals kick in, I instantly thought “Prince”. He really sounds like Prince at the beginning of this tune. High pitched, sultry and just generally tight. I wrote “Lost Without U” part 2 in my notes, so I’m assuming that this joint took me back to that, which is never bad?

Find the rest from “Something Else” AND get a chance to win an EXCLUSIVE signed poster from Robin Thicke after the jump

“Dreamworld”

“The real world just doesn’t seem right”. This blues inspired track has Robin singing like he’s in New Orleans during the 60’s. It’s a real cool track that really takes from an era of music that is often forgotten. I don’t want to keep banging on about it, but this mans voice is unreal. He is so, so, so soulful, it’s redunkulous. I remember looking up ever so often and seeing people just nod their heads in appreciation.

“Loverman”

This started strange. It had a country-banjo-gospel introduction, which took me by surprise, but then the beat dropped and I was sold. This is probably one of my favourite tracks from the album. The songs melody was dope and really very different from anything I’ve heard from Thicke. I was impressed before, but his tune took it to some next level.

“Hard On My Love”

Straight up Rock ‘N’ Roll. Reminded me of those great 50’s Rock ‘N’ Roll joints that my pops used to listen to. It was most certainly a head bopper and in my head, I instantly thought “Pusherman” [if you don't, you better get to know!]. And er…what a great reference? His vocals took me way back and the beat did too! You can really hear the horn influences he spoke about during our interview on this joint too. Great tune.

“Sweetest Love”

This is the song I think every lady will fall in love with. This got a demanded remix by the women in the place! Seriously, he takes it to some NEXT level with his vocals on this joint. On this ballad, Robin speaks to his love, with just a simple piano accompanying. The riffs this man does on this joint will blow your mind. I vividly remember hearing this song and thinking “God damn this man can sing!”. Like I said, this was the song that was demanded a rewind, so I think people are gon’ dig it!

“Somewhere Else”

This was some next electro/funk/disco/70’s type of sh*t. It was cool man. It had everyone smiling, bopping and enjoying. It was a cool track that I think people will navigate to on the album. Didn’t really write much else, but did give it a thumbs up! Ha!

“Shadow Of Doubt”

Lenny Kravitz came to mind when this song started to play. It had that American, modern, soulful rock feel to it that you’d normally associate Lenny Kravitz with. It’s an up-tempo joint, but I wasn’t really feeling it too much. In fact, it was the only tune on the album I didn’t like. I thought it was a tad bit corny. It is definitely very different to anything he’s done before.

“Cry No More”

The album closes on a ballad. A beautifully sung, melodic, lyrical song that will again, go down well with the ladies. Dudes, you could easily play this joint to set the mood. Robin will take care of the atmosphere on this one fo’ sure!

And that was it. After a thank you speech, a photo-op (literally, the man took pictures with EVERYONE in the place), he sat down and signed some posters for who ever wanted them. Which leads us nicely on to the next section of this post…

The Competition!

I’m giving YOU the chance to win a SIGNED POSTER [pictured below] by Robin Thicke! All you gotta do is answer this rather simple question:

What is the name of track 8 on Robin Thicke’s debut album?

EMAIL your answers to: Pinboard.blog@hotmail.co.uk. Winners  will be chosen at RANDOM (So don’t get pissed off!).

COMPETITION ENDS JULY 17TH 2008 @ 12PM!

Picture of Signed Poster [Size: A3]: