Lina - Stranger On Earth

What do I know about R&B? Let alone R&B from the perspective of a young African American woman? Well, nothing really (I'm a middle class, white boy), but it sure is fun to listen to. The debut CD from Lina, "Stranger On Earth", takes me two places instantaneously. From the first track to the end of the album I'm torn between the sounds of the present decade and the 30's, 40's, and the 60's. Lina has a gift for taking familiar sounds from past decades and placing them into her music without it sounding clichéd or gimmicky. From the opening track, 'Playa No Mo'', and the last line 'Ya'll players can't fuck with me," it's obviously apparent what the CD is about. All women thinking and living independently from men, being your own person, and giving Lina her fucking props (which she deserves)! This is just a fun CD that you don't have to think about too much. Like the music it's influenced by, this album is all about entertainment and getting out on that dance floor and shakin' that ass (watch yo'self). So go grab this album and immediately track to 'It's Alright', 'Playa No Mo'', 'Don't Say Nothin'', 'I'm Not The Enemy', or 'Batches' and taste a different R&B recipe. Since manstyle points are once again useless in a review like this, I give "Stranger On Earth" 3.0 womanstyle points. It's a good album, but it has it's flaws and definitely has room for improvement. Hey! Hey! It's just the first album though, she's gonna be around for awhile ya'll. Keep your eye on Lina for some time to come. [www.lina-online.com]