702 Album: “Star”

What a difference a bit of time away can make! First of all, Meelah, the lead singer, her voice has changed a little bit. It's a bit on the raspy side which is really sexy when she unleashes it throughout the album. But one would have to listen closely.

And eventhough Missy didn't write a song for the girls at all on this album... they (702) still rise to the occasion. Of course the album is your basic subject matter (girl got my man/ cheating/ partying), but not with basic or typical lyrics. These songs are really well written, examples of this are: "Trouble," "I Still Love You," and a lot more.

The production is crazy. The Neptunes produced two way above average tracks, and the rest of the album is filled with system rattling, thunderous drumbeats and basslines. And the harmonizing, vocal arrangements and melodies are making me drool (excuse me) at this very moment. With very sweet and airy vocals that float and linger in you eardrums, the actual voices of the three ladies is the definite highlite of the whole entire album. Other than that every single track on the album is an 8 or up, no dissappointing tracks here.

Best tracks (to me) are:

Basically, the 702 girls are back with a vengeance and no matter who else puts out an R&B record this year, this album is INSTANTLY in the top 3 R&B albums of 2003.

This new one from 702 brings them into a whole different light. They experiment a lil bit by using a whole new sound again by letting shekepre and the neptunes handle most of the production work as well as others. Overall in many ways I would say they came stronger than their last two by covering more topics than the others. From relationships to abuse to cheating and many other things they cover it all. The only thing I think that could have made it a lil tighter is an interlude or two in between the album but overall it was tight. Songs I was feeling?:

*Star

Overall I think these songs were the highlight of the album. Im glad to see they came back together to make it happen like it really should. Hopefully people will begin to catch on with this album and help it get the props its deserves.Dont sleep on this one.......Get It!

I remember this album when I was 10th grade. I played this album so much that it is clearly a masterpiece. This album is a fresh twist on R&B and hip-hop. The 16-track album boasts the same fun-loving,spiritedness that we have come to expect from the group. Same spirit,and a new mature edge. They put their experiences into words and penned 4 of the 16 tracks. Listen as this album give you eargasmic pleasure. This album should have been promoted more. Remember,this was 2003.

I only heard one song before I got the album and that was "I Still Love You". I liked it a lot, so I said what the hay I'll get the whole album! To my surprise the album is pretty solid throughout. Theres not a single track on here thats wack. Songs to look for are "Certified," "Come and Knock On My Door," and of course "I Still Love You". The beats are unique and not similar to any other artist out there. Props to producers on this album!

702's debut album, "No Doubt," was really good. Their sophmore release, "702," was fantastic. Now, after yet another three year hiatus, 702's third studio album "Star" is definitely their best work to date!

When 702's lead vocalist Meelah left the group (shortly after the release of their sophmore album) I did not expect another release, let alone possibly one of the best R&B albums of 2003! However Meelah has now returned to the group and her vocals sound better than ever!

"Let Your Hair Down" is a great opening track, but the stand-out track has to be the title track, "Star," which is an incredibly upbeat anthem produced by the Neptunes. Other great tracks on the album include "Trouble," "I Still Love You ft. Pharrell Williams," "Reality" and "Stringing Me Along." Of course no album by any female R&B group is complete without an element of 'Girl Power' - "Blah Blah Blah Blah" is definitely the Female Anthem of the year!

However I am sad to annouce that, due to poor sales of this album and problems with their record label, 702 have now split up for good. Irish, Misha and Meelah - I wish you girls all the success you deserve!

Nevertheless, "Star" is definitely worth getting and I personnally guarantee that this will be the best R&B album you will hear in 2003! If I had to say one thing about this album it would simply be: "Don't wait, just buy it!"