There are some boring moments here, and the album staggers to its conclusion, but when it hits, it hits hard with some great songs. Janelle Monáe kick starts her career by stealing the show with her features, with Scar's vocals upping the ante with his contributions and even Wayne bringing his non-annoying self for a change to make 'Hollywood Divorce' one of the better songs. Fitting in with the theme of the movie, 'Idlewild', there are an assortment of sounds like the blues 'Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me)' but others such as 'BuggFace' sounds like it would fit perfectly in amongst their older work on 'Speakerboxxx'. As mentioned, the album finishes quietly, but it also starts off a little lackluster. 'Morris Brown' should have been higher up the tracklist to give the beginning of the album some more oomph as the first couple of songs just lack enough bite. This obviously isn't their best, and could have used some more quality control, but you can't hate this too much for the best it offers. Beats: ★★★☆ Rapping/Bars: ★★★★ Hooks: ★★★☆ Best Tracks: Idlewild Blue (Don'tchu Worry 'Bout Me), Morris Brown, The Train, Hollywood Divorce, Call the Law, BuggFace, In Your Dreams, PJ & Rooster

Ralph Tresvant's 'Money Can't Buy You Love' is the instant standout on this soundtrack and maybe Ralph's best song. There are a number of other worthwhile songs scattered around the disc that are often separated by a short soundbite from the movie. Remove the clips and there are 14 songs. There are a variety of genres: gospel, new jack swing, rock, hip hop and dance. Too many aren't my cup of tea to have a higher opinion of this but there is enough to enjoy going back to with only a couple of skips like the closing rock song, 'Brother Will'. Best Tracks: Mo' Money Allstars - Mo' Money Groove, Caron Wheeler - I Adore You, Public Enemy - Get Off My Back, Ralph Tresvant - Money Can't Buy You Love, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis - The New Style

The most popular track is the clear standout here with 'Sensitivity' only taking about half a listen to hook you in. The slow souly 'Do What I Gotta Do' is enjoyable as well and is on the next tier of songs. The album begins with the new jack swing 'Rated R', but like many of the higher energy tracks, they don't greatly succeed. Vocally, Ralph sounds like Michael Jackson and there is a link between the two artists with 'Alright Now' having MJ credited as a writer and as a background singer. It isn't one of the better songs though. The album makes for a consistent pleasant listen, but there isn't enough top tier material here for me to rate this higher. Best Tracks: Sensitivity, Do What I Gotta Do, Love Takes Time, Sensitivity (Ralph's Rap)

"Do do do do dooo do do do do do do do/Shut the fuck up bitch, you can't sing/Ya sound like a kid playing on a swing (Fuck you)" I couldn't not think of Tim Dog's scathing lyrics from 'Fuck Compton' as I played this. However, when Michel'le really sings her ass off, on songs like 'Something in My Heart', and the final minute of 'Keep Watchin'', she sounds amazing. There are some tracks that just meander through like 'Silly Love Song, 'Close to Me' and the shout-out track that were an unfortunate trend of the late '80s/'90s with 'Special Thanks', where we hear Michel'le's speaking voice that is very high which she is well aware of. - "Everybody say I sound like a baby, but I'm 100% woman." And then with the reprise of 'If', that is just an uninspiring instrumental, the album ends limply. The funky and new jack swing influenced production by Dr Dre and Andre "L.A. Dre" Bolton is all okay, particularly considering it's not in Dre's main wheelhouse of hip hop. It is though a front loaded album, and while I do enjoy Michel'le's voice, some of the songwriting isn't quite there with some tracks lacking enough change or build up in the songs and others like 'If' sounding forced. Best Tracks: No More Lies, Nicety, Keep Watchin', Something in My Heart

"You're an amazing person." Has a bigger lie been told on film? Charlie's daughter is so infuriating. It's to the point of wanting to turn the movie off. Her aside, this doesn't have a 4/5 narrative as the current rating suggests.