The Confusing Anthony Hamilton Discography Has A New (Authorized) Entry

Our look at the closing lines of reviews of the week’s biggest new music continues with a look at reactions to Anthony Hamilton’s The Point Of It All, which arrives in stores today:

• “As has been the case in the past, Hamilton’s CD could do with more upbeat tracks. Also, it crowds too much of its uptempo material toward the end. These harder songs give Hamilton the chance to bring out an invigorating scratch in his voice. Yet his tone, and persona, can make even utter goo, like ‘Her Heart,’ believable. In Hamilton’s hands, it all reads as grownup soul, ripe for any age. [NY Daily News]

• “He updates his sound with ‘Cool,’ a sleek track about two people chilling as long as they have each other (though an ungainly rap by David Banner nearly ruins it). ‘Fine Again,’ an expression of healing, could be an anthem in these tough times. And that is, indeed, the point of it all.” [Boston Globe]

• “If there’s a concern, it’s that Hamilton is reluctant to stray too far from matters of the heart. ‘Fallin’ in Love’ has such a menacing blaxploitation arrangement that it would have been more satisfying as a political piece: if not ‘(Don’t Worry) If There’s a Hell Below We’re All Gonna Go,’ at least ‘Trouble Man.’ Still, the album’s overall emotional heft reduces these complaints to quibbles and magnifies its charms into considerable achievements.” [New Yorker]

• “In ‘I Did It for Show,’ Hamilton kisses off a former girlfriend by telling her that he tried ‘Maxed-out credit cards /Throwing down at Mr. Chow’s’ just to get her attention. The album starts with ‘The News,’ using falsetto vocals that suggest Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Freddie’s Dead’ in a eulogy for a street-level drug dealer who has ‘gone to his glory.’ For Mr. Hamilton, there’s nothing retro about soul music.” [NY Times]