Jagged Little Thrill

by Jagged Edge

Overview

Jagged Edge broke through from modest commercial success to star status with their second album, J.E. Heartbreak, which threw off three major hits and sold in the millions. The task for the follow-up, of course, is to keep the momentum going. The group and producer Jermaine Dupri deliberately previewed the album with a mid-tempo dance track, "Where the Party At," featuring rapper Nelly, which was bulleting up the charts when the album was released. It effectively countered the group's image, based on its massive hit "Let's Get Married," as a ballad-heavy, domestically minded outfit, the sort of people not much interested in finding out where the party is at. But the album reaffirms that image, with only a few exceptions. All of Jagged Edge's lyrics are written by twin brothers Brendan and Brian Casey, despite the inclusion of guest rappers on four tracks. (As on the previous album, the more edgy raps have had their vulgarities clipped; wouldn't it have made more sense to ask the rappers to curb their language upfront?) And the Casey brothers are very concerned with promoting responsible behavior among their male peers. Dupri has pushed their more prescriptive sentiments to the end of the album (while making sure the few mid-tempo and up-tempo tracks are near the start), but it is these songs that really define Jagged Edge's viewpoint. On "This Goes Out," the Caseys proclaim tolerance for dodgy actions taken to make ends meet and support children, but they draw the line on "Respect," which preaches against domestic violence. Then, on "Hero of Household," they make clear that it's the man who's supposed to wear the pants in the family: "There's gotta be a leader, and that's me." Such sentiments may not please the women otherwise attracted by the group's call for "Responsibility." ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	06/26/2001
Label:	Bmg / Sony Music / Sony Music Entertainment
UPC:	0886977010927

Tracks

1. The Saga Continues
2. Where the Party At
3. Goodbye
4. Cut Somethin'
5. Girl It's Over
6. Can We Be Tight
7. I Got It 2
8. Best Man
9. Without You
10. Driving Me to Drink
11. This Goes Out
12. Respect
13. Head of Household
14. Remedy

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Jagged Edge   Primary Artist
Nelly   Primary Artist,Featured Artist,Guest Artist
Trina   Primary Artist
Nas   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Ludacris   Guest Artist,Featured Artist
Jermaine Dupri   Guest Artist,Sequencing
Joe Blak   Featured Artist
Big Duke   Featured Artist
Igor Szwec   Violin
Davis A. Barnett   Viola
Phil Tan   Sequencing
Gregory Teperman   Violin
Jason Perry   Guitar
Larry Gold   Conductor,Cello
Charles Parker   Violin
Brandon Casey   Keyboards
Diane Barnett   Violin
Ralph Stacey   Bass
Gary U. Smith   Keyboards
Billy Odum   Guitar

Technical Credits

Jermaine Dupri   Producer,Executive Producer,Composer,Mixing
Brian Casey   Composer,Drum Programming
Eddie "Skeeter Rock" Weathers   A&R
Phil Tan   Mixing
Nelly   Composer
Jeff Chestek   Engineer
Jason Rome   Producer,Mixing
Larry Gold   String Arrangements
Big Duke   Composer
Stephen Marcussen   Mastering
Brandon Casey   Composer
Delicia Hassan   Production Coordination
Julieanne Mijares   Costume Design
John Haddad   Editing
Christian Lantry   Photography
Brian Frye   Engineer
James L. Hunter   Graphic Design
Alice Butts   Package Design
Gary U. Smith   Engineer,Producer,Drum Programming