What makes It's a Natural Thang by For Real notable?

The album received positive reviews and helped establish For Real within the contemporary R&B landscape, peaking at number 65 on the Billboard 200 chart. Its blend of smooth vocals and catchy melodies resonated with audiences, contributing to the mid-90s R&B revival and influencing subsequent artists in the genre. For Real released It's a Natural Thang as their debut album in 1994, marking their introduction to the music scene after being discovered by music industry veteran Babyface. The album came during a time when contemporary R&B was gaining significant traction, setting the stage for the group's future endeavors in the genre.

How many songs are on It's a Natural Thang?

It's a Natural Thang has 13 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

It's a Natural Thang

For Real · 1994

58 min · 13 tracks · contemporary R&B

Smooth harmonies and lush instrumentation create a warm, inviting sound that embodies the essence of 90s contemporary R&B.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Easy to Love — This track showcases the group's signature vocal harmonies and sets an inviting tone for the album, making it a standout opener.
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Where Did Your Love Go? — The song's blend of upbeat rhythms and heartfelt lyrics captures the emotional tug-of-war often found in R&B love songs, highlighting their lyrical depth.
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With This Ring (Say Yes) — This track features a lush arrangement and poignant storytelling about commitment, showcasing For Real's ability to convey strong emotions through their music.
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D'yer Mak'er — A unique cover of Led Zeppelin's classic, this rendition reflects the group's versatility and willingness to experiment with different musical styles.
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The Harder I Try — Displaying intricate vocal harmonies and relatable themes of perseverance in love, this track encapsulates the emotional core of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid vocal arrangements and production typical of its era but lacks standout tracks that elevate it beyond contemporaries.

What we noticed

The first half of the album features upbeat tracks with strong rhythmic elements, while the second half shifts to slower ballads that emphasize vocal harmonies.
Several songs incorporate layered vocal arrangements, allowing for call-and-response sections that enhance the group's harmonization.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Easy to Love 4:35
2 Where Did Your Love Go? 4:42
3 You Don't Wanna Miss 3:48
4 Just a Matter of Time 6:26
5 Li'l Bit 5:10
6 Don't Wanna Love You Now 5:02
7 You Don't Know Nothin' 3:56
8 With This Ring (Say Yes) 5:17
9 D'yer Mak'er 5:14
10 The Harder I Try 4:21
11 I Like 4:43
12 Thinking of You 4:57
13 The Prayer 0:29

What to play next

Listen next

Free

1996

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You Don't Wanna Miss

1994

Full For Real discography Artists like For Real

contemporary R&B

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata