Why Are Critics Calling Kelis' New Album, "Flesh Tone" a Sales Flop?

Her "Milkshake" called all the boys to the yard. And before that, her man was "caught out there." We loved the brazen, carefree, wild-haired sexpot known as Kelis. Some called her weird. Others called her "genius." In any case, her particularly kooky brand of "come-hither" usually reigns supreme. But record sales for her latest album, "Flesh Tone", are tanking. She hasn't reached nearly the number of CD sales as predicted by many sources. Selling just fewer than 8,000 units in the first week, this number marks the singer's lowest numbers of her career. Kelis isn't necessarily at a loss for talent. So why have fans all but completely abandoned the "Milkshake" singer's comeback album?

Where is the hip-hop?

As has been noticed by Courierpress.com, Kelis' new album is missing much of the hip-hop influence that has made her famous. Instead, Flesh Tone is comprised of a decidedly futuristic sound. Some might argue that there is too much electronic fluff, and not enough musical instrumentation. Her fan base may well be over the disco-dance stage (if they were ever members) and was probably looking for something a bit more soulful.

Bad Press = Bad Sales?

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're probably aware of the nasty divorce that Kelis and her rapper ex-husband, Nas recently finalized. The media was filled with cheap shots, money wars, and all sorts of other unpleasant tidbits. Sometimes fickle fans reveal their disapproval of current events by skipping over an artist's work. Are people that upset about a few spiteful sentiments between her and her ex-husband? Perhaps not. But even a little bad press can wreak havoc on an artist's album success. Maybe Kelis spent a little too much time away from the spotlight. A four-year hiatus from her last work may not seem like that much of a stretch. But couple that with the sizable departure from her previous sound, and you just might end up with low numbers.

Sound-alike Syndrome.

Although the album contains some pretty interesting dance grooves, it's hard to distinguish one tune from the next. When songs sound alike there is a tendency for the listener to sort of tune out what they're hearing. There are in fact some art-inspired lyrics on "Flesh Tone"; but when more than two or three songs sound similar it can be difficult to recognize them.

Kelis can actually sing. Too bad you can't really hear her.

Fans who have really paid attention to Kelis' previous work know that she has an enviable instrument in her voice. But that lovely contralto seems buried beneath layers and layers of over-production. Yes, the world seems to be quite attached to the robotic influences of today's music. But these days it seems that only Lady Gaga is able to make this particular shtick work. Other artists have already touched upon that whole weird "22^nd Century" sexy android vibe. With artists like Rihanna, and even Christina Aguilera jumping aboard-there is little room for this kind of approach from Kelis.

SOURCES:

www.Courierpress.com
www.bossip.com
www.toyaz-world.net
www.mediatakeout.com