Black Eyed Peas | D

The Black Eyed Peas are back with their sixth album titled, The Beginning. For fans with high expectations from BEP, this album is a giant letdown. After the group's previous album release, The E.N.D., they set the bar pretty high for themselves, and their follow up is way under par. The album offers nothing new from the electronic style that they have been known for and gives minimal facets to rave about.

"The Time (Dirty Bit)" is the first single off of the album and it takes the lyric, "I'm having the time of my life," from the '80s hit and plays around with it over a hyped-up electric beat. The song provides a danceable beat, as most of BEP's tracks do, yet does not give any insight to the group's personal talents. The two driving forces behind the musical quartet, Fergie and Will.I.Am, do not do anything impressive on the album. Will.I.Am's lyrics are all too simplistic throughout, as he sings, "Hey doctor is something wrong with me?/am I crazy, do I need a remedy?/I'm a club rocker, that's my personality," on the track, "Fashion Beats."

The Beginning seems to lack that stand-out track that features Fergie's ultra-expressive vocals. Most of the album's songs use auto-tune, which can be fitting at times for some songs, but in this instance, its usage needs to cease. Ultimately the album is a good one if you're looking to listen to something that makes you check your brain at the door. It has hard-driving beats, and that's about its only positive aspect. If you're looking for a mindless dance party album with no real substance, give it a listen — better luck next time BEP.