El DeBarge | Second Chance

El DeBarge | Second Chance By Brent Faulkner

Sixteen years away is like an ‘eternity’ in the music industry (maybe even two). With an industry even more cutthroat and conniving than before, the standard one or two year hiatus artists take in between LPs turns out sometimes to be too long as a ‘new trend’ in music develops extremely quickly. The main problem is the ‘staying power’ that newer artists have – it seems more limited than the veterans. Trends come and go and often; if a trend is popular for only a short time, by the time a “trendy” artists releases their next album they are dropped by the label or by their audience. El DeBarge was absent from the music scene for an unheard of sixteen long years and his album Second Chance should in no way receive the buzz it is being given. The difference? El DeBarge has all the goods with a silky smooth voice that seems untouched and unscathed by all of his demons and struggles he fought through over his extended hiatus. Much like the title of his fine album, DeBarge seems to have a ‘second chance’ (well deserved) thanks to an incredible BET performance and one exceptional set of songs directly sang from the heart.

There are no misses whatsoever on Second Chance making it one of the most brilliant and surprising albums of 2010. Second single “Lay With You” featuring Faith Evans opens up the affair with beautiful urban sounding production work and superb vocals by both DeBarge and Evans. Both vocalist use a set of their own background vocals in a call-in-response fashion that works extremely well. Despite not being a single, “Heaven” eclipses the superb “Lay With You” exploiting DeBarge’s clear and beautiful upper register. The songwriting is particularly sound. The only quibble – perhaps the production work occasionally covers DeBarge’s delicate vocals the slightest bit. That said, as a cut itself, “Heaven” is brilliant. Falling right in line,
“Close To You” does not disappoint, featuring great contemporary R&B production and a killer bridge a la 1990s R&B. Although brief in duration, it packs much punch.

“Format” is surprising considering it features rapper 50 Cent. 50 Cent opens up the performance (a bit off putting and clumsily), but everything falls in line when DeBarge takes over. 50 Cent resurfaces, but again proves the point that DeBarge holds down the track all by himself. “When I See You” is a better cut, using acoustic guitar and piano initially. Eventually, urban synths mix with the acoustic instruments to make for a harmonious production for El DeBarge to sing over. “How Can You Love Me” gives off an inherent sensual vibe with more topnotch vocals by DeBarge and capable songwriting, particularly on the chorus: “Tell me How can you love me so much girl/put up with all of the crazy things I do…”

“Serenading” continues the surprising consistency of the album seven tracks in while “5 Seconds,” featuring Fabolous proves more alluring than DeBarge’s first rap collaboration. Fabolous’s first verse is only average, though his second appearance finds the rapper in top form. DeBarge is strong throughout, though he truly ‘spreads his wings’ beginning on the second verse. “Joyful” finds DeBarge channelling Stevie Wonder as the whole sound and idea of the track sounds very similar to vintage R&B. DeBarge indulges a bit considering the track continues on through a series of ad libs as opposed to ending sooner, but it doesn’t hurt anything.

“Sexy Lady” is brief at 3:00, but because it packs such a punch, it feels complete and the right length. “Sad Songs,” “The Other Side,” and “Second Chance” lead ‘the charge’ of cuts that are ‘the very best’ of Second Chance. “Sad Songs” sounds completely contemporary (in the vein or R&B today) and given DeBarge’s timeless vocals, it works extremely well. The songwriting is spot-on. “The Other Side” opens up mysteriously – almost ominously – as if to represent “the other side.” The track evolves adding more instrumentation, drama, and building dynamics, making this a well conceived cut. The final cut of the main effort, “Second Chance” is by far the best with particularly notable production work and a lovely, commanding vocal performance by DeBarge, most notable on the chorus: “So tonight, I lay me down to sleep/and pray my soul to keep/in that your love will rescue me, for the rest of my life/I live to say goodbye, to all the promises left behind/here we are you and I/a second chance.”

The Deluxe edition of the effort includes three fine Holiday tunes. A lovely cover of “Silent Night” finds DeBarge in fine form. “Christmas Without You” is equally superb with great production work. Closing “Heart Full Of Love” is superb, showing off commanding vocals by DeBarge.

What can be said? This is DeBarge’s ‘second chance’ and he has not squandered it in the least. This album is ‘fire’ and easily one of the best R&B albums of the year. DeBarge swings between old and new here with great efficiency with the result being one superb, consistent listen. A HUGE thumbs up to El DeBarge.

Brent Faulkner
The Urban Music Scene