If Atlantic Records ever wants to expand the market penetration of R&B singer Tank, it should market his latest album, Now Or Never, as a fertility drug. That's because if you listen to the album's 13 songs in the right setting, somebody just might wind up pregnant. Now Or Never, released in the U.S. on De. 14, 2010, is a slow-burning, romantic and sensual album that's the audio equivalent of incense, burning candles and warm bubble bath combined. Tank does a great job of establishing a mood on the album, but the problem is that after awhile, if you're not listening in the bedroom, the album can get dull.
It's All Love
If there's one thing Tank should really be lauded for, it's making an album that's almost entirely filled with positive vibes. When the trend these days is making songs about haters and jealousy, it takes a big man to eschew all that in favor of songs about pleasure, without throwing in even one hip hop-influenced tirade. But it's all love and no hate on Now Or Never, and Tank's your personal tour guide on a journey to the erotic side of life. Or, as he sings on "Can I," the album's 10th track: "You been on my mind, hope you got some time for what I'ma put your body through," he sings. "I'ma put it down, I'ma stay awhile, judgin' by the sound, you want it and you need it right now." He's even more blatant on the album's first single, the appropriately titled "Sex Music," where he croons suggestive - but not explicit - lyrics like "We don't need no clothes for this/Baby on the floor for this." Tank deserves kudos for being able to get his point across while managing to keep it fairly classy, not low and trashy.
But although there's many things to love about this album, it definitely has it's flaws, the main one being that toward the 12th song, everything starts to sound alike. Tank's range as a singer is limited, and there's not much variance in tone or tempo on the album. Even the two guest performers, Drake (on "Celebration") and Chris Brown (on "Foreplay") don't really add much energy. But if you're looking for bedroom music, Now Or Never's for you. The thing is, once you're actually in the bedroom, it could have you either making love ... or falling asleep.
