Barnes & Noble
Aside from his gravely pipes and genteel piano playing, John Legend's sophomore record has little in common with his Grammy-winning debut, Get Lifted. Surprisingly experimental, Once Again finds Legend dabbling in psychedelic rock ("Show Me") and Burt Bacharach-reminiscent pop ("Where Did My Baby Go"). Although his ambition should be applauded, the best cuts find Legend's off-kilter vocals anchored by his sparse ivory tickling, as on the dramatic "Again," or by pitch-perfect background vocals and heartier rhythms as on the vintage soul slice "Another Again." Several Motown-styled tracks produced by the Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am -- "Each Day Gets Better," "Save Room," and "Slow Dance" -- are also well suited to Legend's classic soul leanings. His freak flag, however, doesn't wave high enough to pull off the naughty boast of "P.D.A.": "I don't care about propriety / Let's break the rules / Forget society." After all, Legend's no bad boy. He's a throwback to clean-cut crooners like Smokey Robinson, and Once Again, that's what makes this engaging singer-songwriter a legend in the making. Tracy E. Hopkins
All Music Guide
Get Lifted netted John Legend a major hit ("Ordinary People") that will be heard on adult contemporary stations and throwback-oriented programs as long as they exist, platinum status, and three Grammy titles -- including the potential kiss of death that is Best New Artist. If Legend hadn't linked up with Kanye West or any other connected industry figure, he'd probably be well into a string of independent albums and would likely have a fanatical cult following through persistent touring. It doesn't take much exposure to his songs to sense this alternate scenario. No one can deny that Legend has had considerable help from his collaborators, and he continues to get that support this time out -- there's West, will.i.am, Sa-Ra, Raphael Saadiq, Plant Life's Jack Splash, and a massive crew of session musicians, but it's already evident that Legend only needs a piano to get by. Even with its many producers, Once Again is much more focused than Get Lifted, and the quality of its songs is equally high. Legend's obviously doing everything in his power to not fall off. He pours so much of himself into each one of these songs, whether they're about flings with groupies or breakups with long-term girlfriends, that the album can begin to wear around the eighth track. The songs flit back and forth between easygoing, butterflies-of-love-type sentiments and deep drama, with both sides expressed through similar levels of intensity. As much as anyone else, Legend would benefit from the recent (and generally welcomed) return of the 40-minute R&B album. If the album is missing something, it's a snappy, unapologetically swaggering track in the vein of Get Lifted's "Used to Love U," or perhaps a song or two that doesn't seem intent on displaying impressive musicality, but there are enough undeniably bright spots to please those who have already been won over. While Once Again might not get as much attention as its predecessor, it's more assured and sounds nothing like an experiment to see what sticks. Legend now knows exactly where he fits, and he's not holding back in the least. Andy Kellman
Rolling Stone
1/2 [Once Again] blends lush, elegant band arrangements with stylish synth parts and cool samples. Jonathan Ringen
Billboard
[Legend] makes room for his adulterous guilty pleasures ("Again") alongside whistle-worthy numbers ("Maxine") and '70s-style grooves ("Slow Dance") that ooze sophisticated charm. Clover Hope
Los Angeles Times
1/2 Legend pinpoints where soul's vulnerability meets hip-hop's self-sustaining bragadoccio -- where the lover and the fighter become one complex character. Exploring that juncture with elegance and passion on "Once Again," he moves through "neo-retro" soul's clichés to flesh out his own vision of love, loss and happiness. Ann Powers
San Francisco Chronicle
The Ohio-born crooner's simple, often lilting love songs seep so much sincerity, and his low-tenor tones radiate such warmth that he's almost certain to capture the broader pop audience he seems to be targeting. Lee Hildebrand
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