Review: Sisqó - Last Dragon
By Travis Boswell, Staff Writer
[Massenburg Media/Dragon Music; 2015]
Rating: 6/10
Key Tracks: “David Blaine," “L.G.D.T.”
Sisqó hasn't released an album in 14 years. He didn't completely disappear in that time, releasing a Dru Hill album in 2010 and releasing music on a smaller scale. Despite leaving the public eye for so long, Sisqó is finally completing the Dragon Trilogy.
Don't worry if you missed the last two parts, because they're barely related to Last Dragon. Sisqó doesn't sound dated and fits in well with current pop and R&B artists. The problem is this album fits in so well that it rarely stands out.
Much of Last Dragon feels overproduced and would sound better with fewer layers, and “A-List” would sound better with no auto-tune. “Monsta” could use less backing vocals, as they clash off of each other so much that it's hard to follow the main vocal. “Victim” features Dru Hill but there's so many layers of auto-tune and multiple tracked vocals that it's nearly impossible to tell who is singing. Instead of getting a Dru Hill reunion, it just sounds like Sisqó is harmonizing with himself.
In addition to the production, some of the songs on the album feel like they would be better with less lyrics. “Lips” should have been a basic piano ballad, but it's very awkward. Sisqó continually sings over himself with backing vocals and the song lacks a strong hook to return to. “Round & Round” is very wordy, and mixing that with production that drowns out Sisqó's voice makes the song fall flat.
The best songs on the album keep it simple. “L.G.D.T.” has some charming Marvin Gaye mimicry and a handful of repeated vocal sections. It's also one of the few songs that lets Sisqó show off much of his vocal range. The best song on the album is easily “David Blaine.” Comparing himself to the magician with the lines, “With my magic tricks and my magic stick / You're gonna think my name is David Blaine,” is classic Sisqó: unsubtle and proud of it.
The production is incredible on this track, with booming bass and wordless crooning in the background. Despite the unsubtle metaphors, the song is pretty restrained compared to the rest of the album. At several points, Sisqó adds nothing but a few ad-libs, letting the track speak for itself. If this song isn't already being chosen as a single, it should be.
Even though it has issues, Last Dragon is generally enjoyable. There isn't really a track that stands out as bad or detrimental to the album. However, there isn't much here that couldn't be made by someone else. Aside from the few moments of Sisqó returning to his trademark of blatant pick-up lines, the album doesn't form its own identity. It fits into the broad mold of “modern R&B album,” but its best trick is that Sisqó occasionally shows that he can sing better than some of his peers. Sisqó has made the right steps to get the spotlight for a while, but this album is more of a brief reappearance than a full-blown comeback tour.
