Fridae

After being bombarded with Timbaland productions (and plenty of knock offs) last year, I wasn't expecting much new from Timbaland's own artist album. But he proved me wrong. "Shock Value" is a compelling collection of 17 songs that pushes his signature soundboard-driven sonics into exciting new directions.

Of course, Timbaland didn't do it all by himself on this disc. He received help from a bunch of familiar heavy hitters such as Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, Elton John and Fall Out Boy. He also introduces us to some new talent, including sweet-voiced R&B singer Keri Hilson and the adult rock crooners of One Republic.

First-half of "Shock Value" primarily serves up Timbaland's regular fare: big beats, distorted basslines, melodic synth grooves and cocky rhymes. The production feast kicks off with the high-energy "Oh Timbaland," which contains a sample of Nina Simone's "Sinnerman." It flows neatly into the diss track "Give It To Me" with its hypnotic percussion and Timbaland, Timberlake and Furtado on lead vocals. "Bounce" is a grinding tune that follows with Missy "big ole butt" Elliots' hilarious rap. Timbaland's brother Sebastian gets to shine for a moment on the '80s drone "Miscommunication."

But the record doesn't truly peak until it reaches the semi-experimental "Bombay." Its fusion of wild Southeast Asian beats with Amar Dhanjan's authentic Indian vocals is stunning and further expands Timbaland's muscial horizon. The song clearly demonstrates Timbaland's knack for cutting and pasting elements from different sources and blending it into something that has a universal appeal. In other words: no matter how the odd combination seems, Timbaland knows how to turn knobs and make it work.

He also shows that he is a fan of rock music, soliciting the help of indie rockers The Hives and She Wants Revenge. What he delivers with She Wants Revenge on "Time" is somewhat reminiscent of the musical territory he ventured into with Justin Timberlake on the rocked up outro of "Love Stoned." One Republic's terrific pop ballad "Apology" follows and is unmistakably a single candidate with its dramatic piano riff and melodramatic delivery. The last track on the disc is "2 Man Show" that features Elton John on piano and Timbaland as a conductor throwing around his baton.

The self-confident "Shock Value" is hardly the big shocker it pretends to be but the record does hold plenty of exciting surprises that make this a very accomplished and entertaining effort. (Click to purchase the album on iTunes or Amazon.)

Sample Timbaland & Amar Dhanjan "Bombay" [Buy]
Sample Timbaland & She Wants Revenge "Time" [Buy]
Sample Timbaland & One Republic "Apologize" [Buy]