Black Eyed Peas
The Beginning

THE REVIEW

The partnership between Black Eyed Peas/David Guetta seems to be not only reaffirmed but even invigorated. Perhaps it's due to the astonishing sales of the previous The E.N.D. and the slew of singles extracted from it, or the fact that the trend of Electronic Dance has proven more than positive, determined to prevail over other sounds. The fact is that the BEP, inspired by the Funk/Hip Hop/R&B of Where Is The Love and My Humps, have undergone a gradual metamorphosis towards the "trendy" club hits. And these hits are indeed doing great: the United States has confirmed 100% its love for the band, and Europe is following suit.

Oh, yes. Guetta and his DJ buddies (Ammo primarily) have definitely "gone to the heads" of the Peas, who, not satisfied with the planetary acclaim received, intend to resubmit, in a correct and updated manner, electronic/dance sounds, for now overlooking their less flashy musical roots. The Beginning can be summarized as follows: a mix of hyper-mega danceable, frivolous tracks, characterized by sudden changes in sounds within the single tracks. So far, the differences with The E.N.D. are minimal or almost nonexistent. What allows a quite marked separation from the latter is inherent in the numerous imitations and/or revivals of the Disco tradition of the '70s and '80s within some tracks, the pervasive use of auto-tune to distort vocal tones, the evident predominance of will.i.am and the beautiful Fergie over the remaining members of the band (apl.de.ap and Taboo), who are secondary performers here, and finally, in some songs, the shift towards less "heavy" electronic beats.

The first series of tracks is decidedly oriented towards a tribute to the Disco Dance of the '70s/'80s, the same that marries these sounds with the current Electronic: Love You Long Time represents the most forward-thinking example, a track that clearly imitates the disco rhythms of 25-30 years ago, modernly adapted with the use of auto-tune that almost completely distorts the voices of will.i.am and Fergie. Someday is a very danceable track in the style of Bob Sinclar, Whenever combines the calm, carefree, frivolous summer mood of a guitar in the background of the innocent Fergie, with a Guetta-like club sound. But let's get to the Disco Dance samples used by the BEP: the first single The Time (Dirty Bit) includes in a fun Electro-Dance hit, already going wild in clubs, the famous (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, performed by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes for Dirty Dancing;the pulsating and engaging Fashion Beats includes in a Saturday Night Fever context the hit by Chic My Forbidden Lover. In short, a great (or terrible) surprise for the nostalgic ones of the white flared trousers like John Travolta’s.

After these tracks, the atmosphere of The E.N.D., ultra clubby and engaging, is quickly returned. Do It Like This is a more electronic and distorted Imma Be, which around the third minute, preceded by a heavy electronic surge, shifts towards a hyper danceable Hip Hop, the same that represents the perfect background of Don't Stop The Party and The Coming. While The Situation becomes more rock-oriented, with a gritty and angry Fergie, Own It sees the temporary slow-down of the house beats in favor of a "militaristic" Hip Hop. The peculiar Just Can't Get Enough alternates a traditional and melodic Hip Hop/R&B with a decidedly electronic club finale. The mentioned Electro-Dance/Hip Hop/R&B mix is also noteworthy regarding The Best One Yet (The Boy).

The Beginning, needless to reiterate, is conceived as the ideal sequel to the previous The E.N.D. (even the titles suggest an antithetical continuation between the two studio works). The affirmable attributes of the latest work certainly involve an ultra-disco, electronic context aimed at the "new generations" proclaimed by the BEP themselves. And so far, nothing blameworthy. The overall quality, however, is moderately compromised by the pervasiveness of auto-tune, the vocals predominance of will.i.am - Fergie, to the detriment of the other two members, the insertion, though amusing, of great Disco Dance hits in trendy and flashy contexts. It is necessary, then, for the Peas themselves to recover the Hip-Hop, Funk, and R&B tradition, less clubby but more consistent with their image, the same that sees the group today dressed extra-extravagantly, almost "robotic". For those who love the dance floor, the sequins, the fashionable parties, the world of clubs, this is nonetheless the ideal album for their playlist.

The Black Eyed Peas, The Beginning (Deluxe Edition)

The Time (Dirty Bit)

Light Up The Night

Love You Long Time

XOXOXO

Someday

Whenever

Fashion Beats

Don't Stop The Party

Do It Like This

The Situation

The Coming

Own It

The Best One Yet (The Boy)

Just Can't Get Enough

Play It Loud