For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I decided to revisit Schizophrenic to date, the only solo album from NSYNC solo member JC Chasez. It’s no secret that JC was the strongest among all the late nineties boy bands when it came to straight singing. In 2002, Chasez initially explored his potential as a solo artist when he collaborated with renowned producer Dallas Austin to record the track “Blowin’ Me Up (With Her Love)” for the soundtrack of the movie Drumline. Riding on the wave of its successful single release, Chasez embarked on recording an album he aimed to set apart from NSYNC’s musical domain distinctively.
Since his bandmate Justin Timberlake was basking in the success of his solo debut, JC waited until late 2003 to release the album’s first single, “Some Girls (Dance with Women) .”Riprock ‘n’ Alex G produced the track and shared a writing credit with JC and Bradley Daymond. If the aim was to create something for the clubs, JC succeeded as it was a high-energy dance track that effectively highlighted Chasez’s smooth vocals and the sound at the time. The song’s catchy hooks and infectious beat solidified Chasez’s potential as a solo artist.
“All Day Long I Dream About Sex” was the second and final single from the album. JC Chasez paid tribute to the energetic party anthems of bands like Duran Duran and The Killers in this song. When the single was released, I lived in Europe and remember hearing it quite often in some clubs. Unfortunately, the song was affected by the controversy surrounding the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show and did not receive much attention in the US.
The rest of the album is decent enough for a one-time listen, and honestly, it was ahead of its time. “Come to Me” and “One Night Stand” showcased Chasez’s willingness to embrace more mature and provocative lyrical content. As a fan of mid-tempo and ballad tracks “Build My World” and “Something Special,” they were right up my alley as they allowed Chasez to showcase his vocal prowess and emotional depth.
I wish JC had linked with producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bryan Michael Cox, and Jermaine Dupri for an Urban AC vibe since he has the voice for that sound, but I understand the masses may have accused him of trying to copy Timberlake. That said, it’s commendable that JC wrote all but one song on the album, and his willingness to explore different musical genres and push creative boundaries is evident.
Schizophrenic is a diverse and complex album that showcases JC Chasez’s versatility as an artist. Although it may not have achieved the same level of success as his work with NSYNC, this album still holds significant importance in documenting Chasez’s musical journey.
Final Grade: B-
Schizophrenic is available on all streaming platforms.
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