Last Train to Paris Review-Diddy Dirty Money
I’ve finally sat down to listen to Puff Daddy Diddy’s newest effort- Last Train to Paris. Let me start off by saying that I have been anticipating this album since it was first announced, ever since the late and great Danity Kane (RIP) was torn to pieces. After several delays and pushed back dates, the album was finally released on December 14th.
So here I am, in my room listening to every track extremely carefully. We all know what Puff can’t do, and that is rap but he can undeniably produce beats.
Let’s start off with the Intro (Puffs signature touch). What a waste of a minute and a half! I understand that he is providing the listener with a little something before the music plays but let’s be realistic, this “track” does not add value. I did like the beat though, Puff’s voice though made this a negative in my book. Skip it.
Yeah Yeah Yeah You Would. Yeah Yeah, I won’t. I have mixed feelings about this track. Puffs’ rapping really ruins it. When this album was first announced, Puffy said he’d sing throughout. I am already disappointed. The beat is good and I have to give it to Dawn Richard, she saved the song with her soft vocals on the bridge. Her talents are undeniable.
I Hate That You Love Me. This track had me from the start, this is what LTTP should be all around. Diddy did it again; he found that one song on the album that really makes everything okay. Having Diddy sing on this track makes it one of my favourites right from the start. This is the Last Night of this album. Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper tore this track apart. I can already see the play count for this track reaching triple digits within a few days.
Ass On the Floor. When you’re in the club…get your ass on the floor. Swizz Beatz does it again, he created a beat that is going to have asses giggling on dance floors for a while. Of course, Puff has to put his mark on the track and have his ghost written words in the song but hey, it’s his album after all!
Looking for Love. Only good things come when Diddy and Usher get together-or so I thought. If there is one thing I hate in a song are the words Mother F*cker in every beat. Why Diddy? Why? Usher’s sexy voice obviously saves the day. Will this be on repeat? Most likely not, it’s one of those songs you skip when the iPod is on shuffle.
Someone to Love Me. Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge Diddy fan, despite what I say about him, but this track was not one of my favourites. The beat will bring me back for a listen every now and then but over all, it’s a skip for me.
Things really pick up after Someone to Love Me. The beats have an added bounce and the words become a little more meaningful.
Hate You Now. Kalenna Harper kicks this track into high gear right from the start. I’m not sure how to define her voice but it’s addictive. The high point of this track comes from the Dirty Money Duo. Dawn Richard’s addition to the second verse gives me enough. I’m ready to rewind right when she hits her last note. Once Kalenna and Dawn share a chorus, the song becomes 100 times better. This track is another plus for me. Repeat it.
Yesterday. After having Dawn and Kalenna add their touch on the previous tracks, it’s nice to have Chris brown come in and take control of a track. Usher’s attempt didn’t really do the trick earlier on but Brown really hits the mark. What really irks me though is the blatancy of Drake writing Puff’s lyrics. It’s frustrating to hear a song and know who has written the lyrics whether it’s drake on this one or Jay Z on another one. It’s a known fact that Diddy doesn’t write his own stuff but I don’t like that it is so obvious. None the less, this is one of my favourites.
Shades. I love everything about this track but Lil Wayne’s introduction. It is so unnecessary. What is he even saying? I feel like they glued him in the song for some hype. This song however is one of the best on the album. Justin Timberlake is a breath of fresh air; he can do no wrong in my books.
Angels. I loved this song ever since it dropped a year or so ago. Although it’s obvious Jay Z did most of the writing, Puff’s delivery is on point. I have nothing but good things to say about this track. BIG’s feature is haunting but it fits so well into the theme of the song. Rick Ross however, you are beyond useless. I just choose to ignore his presence and frankly I’m offended that Diddy compared him to the late Notorious BIG. No.
Your Love. WARNING THIS SONG IS RATED X. Trey, it’s cute you think you are the sexiest gift to this Earth but you’re really not. Your efforts on this song however are nice. I am NOT a fan of all of these sex references. Dawn, sweetie, you completely grossed me out. I’m having flashbacks to Danity Kane interviews and church catholic references. No, just no. Diddy ruins it of course but whatever. Face down, ass up? Face palm and thumbs down. “Want me to be a little slut?” no Dawn, what I want is a DK reunion but that is another story. I can’t deny though- this track is sexy and addictive. I will not be skipping this…yeah I said it.
Strobe Lights. Lil Wayne is not necessary on this album. I will only applause when his verse ends. I listened in full the first time around but had to fast forward through his verse the times after. Other than Wayne’s failure of a verse, this song is soothing. The beat as well as the lyrics make this track much better than I would have expected. On a final note: What is with the moans Wayne? Are you being whipped? do you like it? You are annoying. Period.
Hello, Good Morning. Nothing but good things to say about this track, it reminds me of summer and is a perfect way to wake up. I would have preferred the remix to have been on the album rather than the original version but whatever. Hello, Good Morning.
I Know. I propose that the dirty Money Duo of Dawn and Kalenna create a group with Chris Brown, their harmony, perfect. What Chris Brown added to this track can’t be mimicked. There’s something about this song that makes me want to take a long drive and just think- it’s one of those songs.
Coming Home. I heard the original J. Cole version of this song and I don’t understand why they chose to put this on the album. I like that Puff’s lyrics related to his personal life but there is no reason Love Come Down was bumped for this robbery of a song.
Loving You No More. Hands down one of my favourites. Diddy Dirty Money really shines with this effort and blends so well together. Drakes verse added a nice touch but had he not been there, I wouldn’t have missed it. I wouldn’t mind having more of Dawn and Kalenna sing and Drake just took up some of their time to shine a little more.
Over all, this album was pretty good. Diddy’s biggest investment came in creating Dirty Money. Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper were the deciding factor within this album. Their unique voices and ability to blend together put this album far beyond anyone could have thought. I’ll go so far to say that had this been a Dawn and Kalenna sole effort, no Diddy and no features I would have loved it even more. I think it’s the perfect stepping stone for solo careers and I look forward to see what these talented young ladies will come up with. With amazing voices and the gift of song writing, these two ladies will be highly demanded in the industry.
My negative notes will have to come to all the features. It was just too much! You have a group of three why crowd every song with another voice? Chris Brown, JT and Swizz Beatz were the only features that added anything to the tracks. The rest is just money poorly distributed, scratch all of them and give the Dirty Money Duo play.
Songs to look out for:
- I Hate that You Love Me.
- Hate You Now
- Yesterday
- Shades (Skip Lil Wayne)
- I Know
Will Puff come out with a number one from this album? I really don’t think so, but there are definitely some good songs on here. I wouldn’t mind getting on the train but honestly, I’d rather fly. I give this album a 7.
