Wow, absolutely wow! Who would've thought that singer/songwriter Ciara, the First Lady of Crunk'n'B who has commonly been labelled as a Beyonce/Aaliyah knock-off and a vocally talentless hack (both of which are untrue), would be able to bounce back from the disappointing, multi-platinum debut album that was "Goodies" and create an album that unquestionably dominates its predecessor in every aspect you could possibly imagine? Well I sure as Hell didn't think she could, but her sophomore album, "Ciara: The Evolution", is exactly what its title suggests - her once-thin and characterless vocals have strengthened both in force and range, her subject matter is more diverse, the lyrics are much stronger, her personality translates much better into her music, the whole album track listing is excellently sequenced and the album is much more balanced out with its sure-fire club bangers and smooth, emotional ballads. Even with a star-studded production line-up (Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Lil' Jon, Jazze Pha, The Neptunes, etc.) and a few well-established guest rappers (Lil' Jon, 50 Cent & Chamillionaire), Ciara maintains her presence throughout the album's 14 tracks (excluding the 4 interludes that split up and balance each section of the album).

Without a doubt, lead single "Promise" is one of the album's main highlights. For once, forget the fact that she deals a cringe-worthy assortment of exhausted clichés and cheesy come-ons - Ciara's surprisingly strong and melodious vocals over Polow Da Don's hypnotic production on this smooth, club-ready ballad easily compensates for such a flaw and then some. Her vocals even make for a surprisingly good duet with rapping phenomenon 50 Cent on the sugary duet ballad "Can't Leave `Em Alone"; "My Love" & "So Hard" effortlessly captures feelings of heartbreak and emotional tensility, respectively, through smooth production, compelling lyrics and Ciara's sweet vocal delivery. However, none of the ballads strike a chord harder than "I'm Just Me", a piano-driven/synth-vocal-accompanied ballad where Ciara confidently recounts her experiences and displays her sense of self-acceptance. Such passion and lyrical density can also be found on "I Found Myself", another beautiful ballad which steadily builds up with its instrumentation and concludes with the help of grand background choir wailing.

As expected, the club bangers do exactly what they're supposed to do - pull people to the dance-floor. "I Proceed" alternates between two sets of bouncy, synthesizer-heavy production as Ciara sings, talks and whispers with sexually assertive passion ; there's an old-school-esque sensibility to Rodney Jerkin's bass-heavy, horn-driven production to the joyous "Make It Last Forever", where Ciara's strident vocals and unexpected rap easily remain relevant ; the sleek, minimalist beat of "Get Up" helps Ciara & Chamillionaire to keep the party jumping ; Destiny's Child's influence is clearly apparent on the addictive, "Lose My Breath"-esque "Bang It Up" ; and Ciara's lack of vocal force is easily compensated for with her rebellious, biting attitude and unexpected 16-bar rap on the Lil'-Jon-assisted "That's Right", a potent slice of Southern-flavoured R&B/Hip-Hop.

Food-for-thought tracks come in the form of "Like A Boy" and "Get In, Fit In". Over the former track's dark synthesizers and moody violins, Ciara sings with spite and envy as she asks why girls don't get away with certain things like men do and how she wishes she could "switch up the roles". On the latter track, Ciara inspires people to be different over more bouncy production. "Get In, Fit In", however, is a socially conscious ode to being different that joyously chucks in a bunch of catchy one-liners, an anthemic chorus, intelligent lyrics and robotic vocals over a simplistic, catchy beat.

All in all, this is a very impressive album. Apart from a few vocal and lyrical missteps, the album's closest encounter with disaster comes with "C.R.U.S.H.", an unusually addictive but nonetheless childish and immature slice of radio-bound R&B/Pop fodder. And considering how Lil' Jon's surprisingly Crunk-free production comes off as catchy, smooth, hypnotic, club-ready, click-heavy and bouncy at the same time, "C.R.U.S.H." isn't too bad of a track, even if the immature vibe & Ciara's catchy-but-annoying hook threatens to prove otherwise. 5 STARS!

Oh, and on another note, Ciara had a hand in co-writing and/or co-producing a bunch of the album's tracks, which further testifies to the artistic growth she displays on this album.

5 Best Tracks (IMO) (No Order):

"Promise"

"That's Right (feat. Lil' Jon)"

"I Proceed"

"Like A Boy"

"I'm Just Me"

The queen of the quick-to-evaporate "crunk" genre is back in an attempt to reclaim her throne. Although the title of the album signals a sense of maturity, she is still sticking to what made her. Dance loop and club hooks evade from the opening track "That's Right" to even the second single, "Promises," which is a slow number but with a groovy beat.

Yet, including the singles, nothing stands out from the other tracks. This creates a plateau on the album that rarely waivers. Moreover, the interludes exude unhealthy amounts of pretense, that optimum enjoyment of this record requires a re-burn without them.

This effort is easily digestable with tracks so easily accessable like "Like A Boy" and "Get In, Fit In," but that is all that can be said to its withering quality.

This album is pretty amazing. I'm not saying it's the best CD ever, but it is 100% better then her debut "Goodies". "The Evolution", her sophomore album has 14 tracks, and 4 interludes (18 in all). Come on guys 14 songs means she didn't rush in the studio! Another plus is that she wrote all the songs and interludes! Sure, the interludes aren't amazing but they have a point! She gave us a free DVD on how to dance to "Get Up" and "Promise"! She teaches it herself. Then we get the music videos and behind the scenes footage! OK, if your not happy with all of that. Then what makes y'all happy, people screaming into a microphone? Ciara can sing, write, and dance. I can't see a lot of artist who can do that! I recommend this album to anybody who likes Ciara, or an amazing CD/DVD!!!

As always, here are my ratings!

1. That's Right (Featuring Lil' John) 10/10

Comment: Lil' John is clean for once! This song is so catchy, I love the beat, theme and lyrics! This song is one of the best on this CD! This is the girl power, leave your boy at home song! It's so good!Good rap C!

2. Like A Boy 10/10

Comment: Another amazing track! Even though I AM A BOY, I can still relate to this. Because people tease me alot just because I don't listen to rap and I'm not all that manly, but I'm stong! Anyway, this track is just as good as "That's Right", it's one of the best!

3. The Evolution Of Music (Interlude)7/10

Comment: I can't say this track is "Amazing", because she talks for like, what...20 seconds! But the whole thing about music being different on the radio thing, is unfortunatly true! I love music these days, I think it's better then back then BUT, it is very sexual!

4. Promise 10/10

Comment: This sucka is a key track! It's the best, along with "Like A Boy", "That's Right (f/ Lil John)", and "Get Up (f/ Chamillionaire)"! Love song, amazing beat, I love this song so damn much!

5. I Proceed 9.5/10

Comment: Pretty cool! Has a point, ya know! So sexy and amazing! Her voice is pretty good on this track and it has an intresting tempo to it!

6. Can't Leave 'Em Alone (Featuring 50 Cent) 9.5/10

Comment: Luv it! The fact that 50 CENT is in it is so cool! He at least doesn't swear on this track! This is so unlike him though! Ciara's voice is good, love song again! The only this is the Chorus is so retarded sounding, but it makes sence when you listen to it!

7. C.R.U.S.H. 9/10

Comment: Amazing love song! I think that this song deserves a gold star for being so sexy and original. I can relate to this song, because it's about really wanting somebody so bad!!!

8. My Love 9/10

Comment: Pretty cool! Normal sounding, upbeat! Her voice is just as good as the other tracks! It's so original and hott! Off the chain! [LOL!]

9. The Evolution Of Dance (Interlude)6.5/10

Comment: This makes sence for her because she is an amazing sexy dancer! BUT it is so freaking weird! It's kinda funny sounding when she says it! ps: I can't rate these interludes like songs because their so different!

10. Make It Last Forever 9.5/10

Comment: Her voice is amazing on this track as always! But it's kinda pimp sounding and party kinda song! But it's so cool! She raps so sexy on this songs and it's so cool. She brags about the way boys like her so much and how she rocks the MIC, which is cool!

11. Bang It Up 9.5/10

Comment: Pretty pimp! Dope! I love this track's begging! It talks about how she's 21 and she can do what she want's now! But it's more then just that! It has such a crazy and amazing beat and cool lyrics!

12. Get Up (Featuring Chamillionaire) 10/10

Comment: Off the chart, better then 10/10! One of my favs., if not THE BEST SONG on the album! No wait...THE BEST SONG on the album! It's a track that was meant to be made! Chamillionaire does a really good rap on this song! The song is just about having fun and not caring about what other people think! I love this song so much!

13. The Evolution Of Fashion (Interlude)8/10

Comment: Another interlude, LOL! This one is funny, crack up! It does have a point! This is one of th best interludes!

14. Get In, Fit In 8.5/10

Comment: You tell them on C! This is a diss to all the haters who have some sh** to say about you! This song really shine! But it's weird!

15. The Evolution Of C (Interlude) 8/10

Comment: FUNNY! She should be a confidence writer! No don't get me wrog, she's one of the best singers/writers out there!

16. So Hard 10/10

Comment: Break-up song! Watch out BOW WOW! She's got a better song then you! I hate B, because he is so cocky! C, you tell him off in a beautiful, sad, yet powerful song! Let him go. I feel your pain C! I can totally relate to this track.

17. I'm Just Me 8/10

Comment: She's just her! It's kind of a life telling song! But it's the beautiful, naked truth! I love this song because it is powerful. The only thing is that the songs is kind of boaring and sad, which I guess is OK?

18. I Found Myself 9.5/10

Comment: Wonderful clincher for a sophomore CD..., "The Evoloution"! I think Ciara tells the truth, that she's moving on with her life. She is changing and she show it in the song! This song is so beautiful!!!

DVD... amazing bonus. Cherry on top of the album! This album is one of the best of it's year! BUY IT!

Its very hard not to make comparisons nowadays. And it seems like Ciara is always compared to Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, etc. Honestly I can see the comparisons, some rightfully noted. I'll try not to make them myself, but hey why not.

I'm listening to this cd now as I type. And I'm pretty impressed. No Ciara doesn't have the strongest voice in the industry. Not many do. Yet, I must admit I've heard Ciara sing at least on TV live and I can hear her natural voice, and there are some like Janet, whom I do love by the way that I think her voice isn't as strong as Ciara's. With that being said, I think Ciara is a capable singer on the level of Aaliyah. There I said it.

I like the vibe of this cd, Ciara is a dancer and she makes good dance music. I think the cd is alot better than the first which I did buy "eventually". I noticed the music does have a retro vibe to it with a mixture of maybe some 80's, 90's brought up to date, and I think it was executed well. I hate to say it but this is a sound that maybe Janet should have went with on her cd, although I like her cd, but I like this one better. (Here I go comparing...shucks) Its something I would definitely play in my vehicle, or in my home. I think its a hit. I can hear a bit more depth in her voice even for a studio album. For Ciara it is an evolution, it may not be ground breaking music, but in terms of quality I see the growth from the first cd to this one.

Get Up, the first single sounds just like One, Two Step, and the video looks like Janet Jackson. That's Right, the albums leadoff single, sounds just like Missy Elliot's Lose Control.

Besides that, it's a good listen, and she's hot and a great dancer, but just not an original artist. I guess Evolve should really mean Morph. Morph into 2006's version of Janet Jackson. Sorry for being so critical. But who needs good reviews anyway.