Old-school Soul with a new-school attitude is probably the best way to describe Son of Pain, the debut major label release from Virginia native Governor. Raw emotion, strong vocals and intelligent lyrics are the three main things that are abundant here. Fans of 1970s-era Soul music will definitely appreciate Son of Pain.
NOTE: To hear some of Governor's music and stream some of his videos, click the link to visit his area in About R&B's audio/video section.
NOTE: To hear some of Governor's music and stream some of his videos, click the link to visit his area in About R&B's audio/video section.
"Son of Pain" = Pleasure
Old-school Soul music may have went out of vogue for the most part back in the late '70s/early '80s, but that doesn't matter to Governor.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the music, the Virginia born-and-raised singer virtually epitomizes what Soul music is all about: love, lust, pain, misery, trials and tribulations. And emotion - plenty of emotion.
On "Forgive Me," he asks his woman to overlook all his transgressions, big and small, including everything from staying out late to putting the juice contained back in the 'fridge when it's all almost gone:
Forgive me for how I am, but that's just how it's got to be/if you wanna get down with me 'cause I don't change.
On "Be Yourself," he tells people to stop frontin' and acting like people they're not:
Real gangstas do sh*t that they don't want the credit for/All that extra talkin' makes me question how you're walkin'/Is it speakin' what you're livin' or are you just tryin' to make a million?/It's okay if you was raised in the suburbs, or maybe you were a preacher's son, raised on Proverbs.
The icing on the cake is the bouncy beat that Gov rides like a horse. The production on most tracks in fact, have a classic feels that evokes memories of records from the late '70s.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the music, the Virginia born-and-raised singer virtually epitomizes what Soul music is all about: love, lust, pain, misery, trials and tribulations. And emotion - plenty of emotion.
On "Forgive Me," he asks his woman to overlook all his transgressions, big and small, including everything from staying out late to putting the juice contained back in the 'fridge when it's all almost gone:
Forgive me for how I am, but that's just how it's got to be/if you wanna get down with me 'cause I don't change.
On "Be Yourself," he tells people to stop frontin' and acting like people they're not:
Real gangstas do sh*t that they don't want the credit for/All that extra talkin' makes me question how you're walkin'/Is it speakin' what you're livin' or are you just tryin' to make a million?/It's okay if you was raised in the suburbs, or maybe you were a preacher's son, raised on Proverbs.
The icing on the cake is the bouncy beat that Gov rides like a horse. The production on most tracks in fact, have a classic feels that evokes memories of records from the late '70s.
Modern-Day Hustler
Photo © Atlantic Records
The most impressive thing about Governor is his emotive voice; Depending on the track being played at the time, you can immediately hear the pain, suffering, love and/or sorrow in his voice. He makes you feel what he's singing.
Another impressive thing is how the album isn't a complete throwback. Governor's got the style and vocabulary of a modern-day hustler, and this quality is evident in listening to him sing many of his lyrics. He's not some old man trying to be hip, nor is he a wet-behind-the-ears kid who's singing about experiences that he hasn't even come close to living. He's an experienced man who's old enough to have been through a lot, but still youthful enough to be up what's with young urban America.
Every song on the album is a narrative that tells a story; even one of the album's more basic songs, "Make Love to You," which is basically about lust, tells a compelling tale.
Not all is good on the album; "You Got the Power," featuring the rapper T.I. is surprising bland and "That's What I'm Talkin' About," is as plain as the title implies, mostly due to the songs' lackluster production.
But despite the few weak songs, Son of Pain is a delight for anyone who enjoys songs that tell interesting stories.
Another impressive thing is how the album isn't a complete throwback. Governor's got the style and vocabulary of a modern-day hustler, and this quality is evident in listening to him sing many of his lyrics. He's not some old man trying to be hip, nor is he a wet-behind-the-ears kid who's singing about experiences that he hasn't even come close to living. He's an experienced man who's old enough to have been through a lot, but still youthful enough to be up what's with young urban America.
Every song on the album is a narrative that tells a story; even one of the album's more basic songs, "Make Love to You," which is basically about lust, tells a compelling tale.
Not all is good on the album; "You Got the Power," featuring the rapper T.I. is surprising bland and "That's What I'm Talkin' About," is as plain as the title implies, mostly due to the songs' lackluster production.
But despite the few weak songs, Son of Pain is a delight for anyone who enjoys songs that tell interesting stories.
