Fergie is one of those artists whose style is not easy on the ears (or the eyes). To like her takes a little sense of humor, some perplexing preferences, and the ability to not always take music serious. To define her is rather hard, but she is somewhere in the middle of R&B star Kelis and pop star Gwen Stefani. This album "Dutchess" is not for the faint ears. The beats are wild with heavy sampling from some surprising artists. What do you expect from a woman who made a song called "My Humps"? This is fun music. Her goal was not to make a political statement or to reveal her inner self. She is making a record to introduce herself as a solo artist and for the people in the clubs dance the night away.

Vocally, Fergie offers many surprises. She shines on songs like

Voodoo Doll- an almost jazzy number mixed with rock

Finally- she almost sounds like X-tina on this song, but this song is one of the most "pop" songs on this cd

Velvet- sultry with a hint of Sade.

On Production. Fergie's producers went out their way to give her a sound all her own. She samples from some of the most surprising sources, too. Examples are:

Here I Am- she boldly sampled the Temptations classic "Get Ready"

Mary Jane Shoes- she sampled "No Woman, No Cry" from the great Bob Marley, but his widow backs Fergie on the tracks.

Lyrically, Fergie is weak. I cannot make up my mind if this is intentionally or if she really cannot write. Whatever the case, Fergie gives us some surprising (and funny) moments.

All That I Got (the Make-Up Song)- Fergie writes "Would u love me if I didn't work out or I didn't change my natural hair"

Fergalicious- Fergie writes "My body stay vicious. I be up in the gym just working on my fitness".

Velet- Fergie writes "Gold and burgundy, sink into me. I feel so warm".

This album has so much appeal, I don't think most people will pay attention to her awkward lyrics.

Highlights on this cd: Fergalicious, Clumsy, All That I Got (the Make-Up Song), Voo Doo Doll, and Glamorous.

Fergie could have been just some great eye candy and no substance artist, but she is far from getting that label.

If you are the person who turns your nose up at tracks like Fergalicious and London Bridge then you don't deserve this outstanding album. This album is solid from top to bottom, and beginning to end.

First, Fergie really can sing. She moves from rap to ballards with a smooth ease that makes we want to see what she does next. Second, Ms. Stacy Ferguson doesn't lip sync when on TV shows, and the confidence she has in her voice is displayed in the album. Finally, in my opinion this is the MUST HAVE pop record for 2006/2007.

So I have always been a big supporter of buying actual cd's. Even when you download something on iTunes you are asked to "back-up" your purchases.. i.e. burn a physical cd of your downloaded music. This Fergie re-release is simply pissing me off... which I would guess is not her fault, but the record labels. This re-release includes 4 new songs. I bought this CD today only to find out that over on iTunes, there is a 5 track digital download EP. Yes, you read that right.. 5 tracks. There is a song called "Pick It Up", which you can only get on the digital down EP. So, if you already have this Fergie CD from 2006, go download the EP that is available. And as a matter of fact.. FYI.. you can ONLY get the additional song "Pick It Up" if you download the ENTIRE EP... it is not available as a single song download.

I was a little wary of this album and what Fergie might do on her own initially but I have been listening to this album for a couple months now and I still enjoy it. The album is simply a fun pop album and actually a well crafted one, at that. The most interesting thing is that unlike many of today's pop albums, there is a great variety of styles and influences on each track and the various songs don't sound the same or blend together.

For "London Bridge" Fergie borrows some moves from Missy Elliot. This is a cool rap track that makes you want to dance. This song is NOT about sex, as far as I can tell, but about going to the club and shaking her booty. Yes, it is a little juvenile with the swear words but I can't help but like it. "Fergalicious" is a fun rap tune sampling some 80's pop. On "Pedastal" she sounds a bit like Pink and the song shows a strong punk influence. "Big Girls Don't Cry" is a highlight and sounds Pink-influenced as does "Losing my Ground." "Clumsy" and "All That I Got" are just bubblegum pop songs with an infectious beat. "Here I Come" samples a track of classic soul and is strong. "Mary Jane Shoes" throws in a bit of reggae just so no musical style is left out. My favorite track on the album is "Glamorous" which features a cameo by Ludacris and is a smoooth R&B hip hop track. "Velvet" and "Voodoo Doll" are the weakest tracks here but still acceptable. "Finally" is the last song and it is a very ambitious pop ballad with shades of Christina.

I am impressed with Fergie's voice which is strong and has a good range and decent expression. I also have to say that the wealth of styles in the material on one album was very ambitious and shows just how versatile Fergie is. Lyrically, there are some weaknesses, as others have pointed out. The most embarassing examples are "Would you love me if I didnt work out or I didn't change my natural hair" and "My body stay vicious/

I be up in the gym just working on my fitness" as well as "When I wear my mary jane shoes/I'm just like a child in my Underoos." It is possible she is intentionally trying to be humorous but they are silly lyrics. Overall, the gripes are minimal and I will enjoy listening to this album for a long time to come. I think if Miss Fergie continues to blossom and improve her next album will be very, very good.

Oh Fergie. I have to say I was hesitant to purchase this CD. I like London Bridge, liked the video, even though every fiber of my being was screaming at me not to. So, I took a chance and bought the CD. I was pleasantly surprised.

The album opens with the boasting "Fergalicious". Fergie sings/raps about her fitness and how she's not promiscuous. Her fellow BEP Will.I.Am helps her Fergness out over a couple of great samples, "Supersonic" and "Give It All You Got."

Next comes my favorite song on the album, "Clumsy". It also samples the Little Richard classic, "The Girl Can't Help It". It has good beats, and you can groove to it. The next song is "All I Got", the first slow jam. Over a Lionel Richie sample, Fergie asks her man if he'd love her with her natural haircolor. It's great. Next is the current single, "London Bridge". Now I'll be honest, I have no idea what the song means, but Polow does a great job producing it and Fergie's boast and swagger are pure fun. Next is "Pedestal" which takes the refrain from the London Bridge nursery Rhyme and switches it up. "Voodoo Doll" is probably my least favorite song on the album. Next is the one two punch of "Glamorous" featuring a killer cameo from Ludacris, and "Here I Come" which samples the Temptations "Get Ready". My only complaint with that song is it reminds me a little of those CW promos. The album slows down after that. "Velvet" is a nice song probably my second least favorite. Then a nice pseudo reggae song "Mary Jane Shoes" followed by the mildly schizophrenic "Big Girls Don't Cry". Then it ends with Fergie's broadway audition "Finally". Over all it's a great CD. Some people complain about Fergie's lyrics, but I find them hilarious. And really, if you're buying a Fergie CD, who expects Fiona Apple lyrics. You just want to hear Fergie singing about her humps and how the boys want to buy her things over a good beat. Well done Fergie.