Terrence Howard's New Album Can't Be THAT Bad, Right?
Actor Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow, Iron Man) is poised to release his debut album next week, on Sept. 2. Although one might think that his resume on screen and stage (on Broadway in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) would get fans excited for the actor's newest creative outlet, it seems everyone's already hating on Howard's upcoming album, titled Shine Through It.
Mostly in reaction to Anthony DeCurtis' New York Times article "An Actor Makes an Album, His Way," music and entertainment blogs are leaping at the chance to rip on Howard, and by extension any actor who dares to make music, before they even listen to it.
Vulture asks, "How Bad is Terrence Howard's Album, Anyway?" Their answer: pretty effin' terrible (saying it "might really be something special" is not a compliment, in this case).
The latest in an unfortunately long line of actors turned musicians is Terrence Howard...
Basically, [the album is] a douche commercial.
Another good way to describe it would be "Ego Explosion".
Ouch.
Howard stopped by the offices here in New York City for a brief performance last Friday, and although his voice was raspy and worn out from his press tour, and he was accompanied by only a single guitarisat instead of a full band, we have to admit -- based on the few songs he played -- we kind of liked him. The songs on his self-produced album are in sync with his persona, and his singing voice carries the same blend of mellow-stoner-relaxation-with-a-hint-of-barely-hidden-menace that he exudes as an actor on film.
Shine Through It might not set the world on fire or break any new musical ground (the songs he played weren't that good, honestly), but Howard's low-key Ben Harper-ish voice and strumming guitar certainly aren't deserving of so much early ridicule.
One Back Stage staffer said to Howard after his set, "I didn't know you could sing." He replied, "Neither did I."
Although the NY Times feature and other recent appearances don't offer even a hint of the same down-to-earth modesty he displayed here on Friday, it's probably worthwhile to give Howard a chance, even if his musical talent is only a small fraction of his on screen abilities.
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