Diary of a Mad Band

Amazon.com
Much of the thrill of soul balladry is hearing a singer, especially a male singer, overcome the cultural emphasis on toughness and self-sufficiency and confess the most vulnerable of desires. In this hip-hop era of exaggerated toughness, there are greater obstacles to overcome and thus the potential for even more thrilling revelations. DeVante Swing, the mastermind behind the male vocal quartet Jodeci, seizes that potential more than once on the group's new album, Diary of a Mad Band. The group shares the vocal responsibilities, but the credits on nine of the album's 13 tracks read, "Music and Lyrics by DeVante Swing; Vocal arrangement: DeVante Swing; DeVante Swing: All Instruments." Thus the challenge of juggling romantic vulnerability with street credibility comes down on DeVante's 23-year-old shoulders. He fumbles the ball on a few occasions--the dumb, juvenile demands for sex on "You Got It" and "Sweaty"--but more often than not he comes through with soul ballads in the classic mode, revealing the tender heart beneath the thickened skin. The first single, "Cry for You," harkens back to the slow hymns of Jodeci's church backgrounds; the singers promise, "I would get on my knees for you," and the dizzying free fall of the melody underscores the total surrender of the lyrics. The next single, "Feenin'," is a similar confession, but it's juiced up with tape-reverse percussion sounds, a Zapp-like vocorder riff and a gruff lead set against angelic harmonies. Even "Ride & Slide" and "Alone," rather frank sexual propositions, have the good grace to plead rather than demand; they even promise detailed attention to female erogenous zones. At its best, Jodeci is the most promising soul harmony group of the hip-hop generation. --Jeffrey Himes

Diary of a Mad Band,Jodeci,Mca,Club/Dance,Pop,R&B,Soul/R & B,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues,Urban

Average customer rating:

Feein' for Jodeci
This diary needs more depth
Diary of a Mad Band - A Classic Album
jodeci elite
Diary of a Mad Band !

Diary of a Mad Band
Jodeci
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002OQ3
Release Date: 1993-12-21

Tracks:

My Heart Belongs To U
Cry For You
Feenin'
What About Us
Ride and Slide
Alone - Mr. Dalvin
You Got It
Won't Waste You - Misdemeanor Of Sista
In The Meanwhile - Timbaland
Gimme All You Got
Sweaty - Mr. Dalvin/Misdemeanor Of Sista
Jodecidal Hotline
Success

Amazon.com

Much of the thrill of soul balladry is hearing a singer, especially a male singer, overcome the cultural emphasis on toughness and self-sufficiency and confess the most vulnerable of desires. In this hip-hop era of exaggerated toughness, there are greater obstacles to overcome and thus the potential for even more thrilling revelations. DeVante Swing, the mastermind behind the male vocal quartet Jodeci, seizes that potential more than once on the group's new album, Diary of a Mad Band. The group shares the vocal responsibilities, but the credits on nine of the album's 13 tracks read, "Music and Lyrics by DeVante Swing; Vocal arrangement: DeVante Swing; DeVante Swing: All Instruments." Thus the challenge of juggling romantic vulnerability with street credibility comes down on DeVante's 23-year-old shoulders. He fumbles the ball on a few occasions--the dumb, juvenile demands for sex on "You Got It" and "Sweaty"--but more often than not he comes through with soul ballads in the classic mode, revealing the tender heart beneath the thickened skin. The first single, "Cry for You," harkens back to the slow hymns of Jodeci's church backgrounds; the singers promise, "I would get on my knees for you," and the dizzying free fall of the melody underscores the total surrender of the lyrics. The next single, "Feenin'," is a similar confession, but it's juiced up with tape-reverse percussion sounds, a Zapp-like vocorder riff and a gruff lead set against angelic harmonies. Even "Ride & Slide" and "Alone," rather frank sexual propositions, have the good grace to plead rather than demand; they even promise detailed attention to female erogenous zones. At its best, Jodeci is the most promising soul harmony group of the hip-hop generation. --Jeffrey Himes

Album Description

UK pressing of the R&B outfit's 1993 opus features two bonus tracks: 'Lately' and 'Let's Go Through The Motions'. MCA.

Customer Reviews:

Feein' for Jodeci.......2006-12-10

"Forever My Lady" introduced the world to those "sangin" boys from North Carolina, but "Diary of a Mad Band" defined who they were. This album is a must have for the true R&B lovers out there!

This diary needs more depth.......2006-08-02

Jodeci was one of the most popular R&B groups of the '90s. They drove women wild with their leather outfits, backwards caps, and crooning voices. "Diary of A Mad Band" was released when they were still very popular. Although I am a Jodeci fan, this is not a good albun. I have heard better coming from them. The album is dry and bland. I didn't feel any real excitement while listening to this LP. The greatest thing about this album is their voices. These men can harmonize very well, and not many sound as good as they do together. I was very impressed with their vocals. This album is also sexually distasteful. There are many sexual overtones, and they are just too raunchy for me. Artists can speak of sex and still have tact. These guys just get nasty and provocative.

"Ride and Slide" is not a good track. Its very sexually explicit, the lyrics are bad, and the production is bland. I found nothing appealing about this song. It was obviously a filler. "Sweaty" is also too sexually distasteful. In this song, they speak about intesnse sex. The production is lackluster just like the song. "Feenin" is not a bad song, but its definitely not this groups best work. This song talks about feenin' to sleep with a woman. Now who would have guessed that? The harmonies on this song are worth mentioning because they did very, very well. Overall, a pretty bland and not memorable song. "Cry For You" and "Jodecial Hotline" (which is actually an interlude) are the best songs on this piece of work. These songs are lyrically strong, contain decent production and good lyrics. They are both simply marvelous! A very young Missy Elliot is heard on "Won't Waste You". She delivers a supbar rap to go with the whack song. This song is about two people not wasting each other's time.

I did not enjoy this album overall. The production and instruments are used repeatedly and the lyrics show that this group obviously had a one track mind while they were in the studio creating this. Next please.

Mikeisha's Top 5
1. Jodecial Hotline
2. Feenin'
3. Cry for You
4. My Heart Belongs to You
5. What About Us

Diary of a Mad Band - A Classic Album.......2006-06-21

Quite possibly the BEST R&B album that ever came out in the 90s. Jodeci were the architects and prototypes of a genre of R&B that eventually mutated into the misguided raunchiness, juvenile bravado and posturing that sadly plagues the airwaves and culture today. It's not their fault that record companies tried to cash in and carbon copy our boys with a wave of one hit wonders and wannabees (many who didn't write their own material or let alone had the ability to sing). Luckily there's a multi-disc CD player in just about every automobile to switch off the radio, so that you can listen to "Alone", "Feenin'", "What About Us" and every other cut on the album. If you don't have Forever My Lady and Diary of a Mad Band - Your CD collection is not complete! Would it be fair to compare Jodeci to the Beatles? Yes, cos' these two albums are true classics and people will be rediscovering them for years to come.

jodeci elite.......2006-03-30

this jodeci album has my alltime favorite jodeci track feenin'. this album once again shows Devante's genius and K-ci & Jojo untouchable lead vocals. Cry for you, my heart belongs to you, and what about us became classic in my eyes from the moment I first heard them. Being in high school when this album came out was right on time because like jodeci, I too love the ladies. This is a great album that you can let play all the way through.

Diary of a Mad Band !.......2006-03-17

this album is absolutely GREAT! and is my favourite Jodeci album!! all the tracks are great and if you are looking for somethin' early 90's!? then this is a must have! and to them new fans of R&B, you all need to check out Jodeci and get this!

My Favourite Tracks are "My Heart Belongs To U" "Cry For You" "Feenin'" "What About Us" "Ride & Slide" "Alone" "In The Meanwhile" and "Gimme All You Got". there voices and the beats are like meant for eachother!! and i see not one reason not to purchase this, its definetly a must have!