FEATURE:
A Mighty Waterfall
TLC’s CrazySexyCool at Twenty-Five
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I have a few album anniversary pieces…
IN THIS PHOTO: TLC in 1994/PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Jordan Smith
coming up over the next few weeks. As we are ending this decade, it is inevitable that we are turning our attention to huge albums that ended previous decades with aplomb. TLC’s CrazySexyCool is a case of an album defining the middle of a decade, rather than ending it. 1994 is, in my view, the finest year for music ever, and we have celebrated so many titanic records from that year already. Many will overlook CrazySexyCool, but think about all the incredible tracks on the album and the numbers we are familiar with but do not consider classics – those that sort of grow on you and get ingrained in the mind. There were a lot of fantastic girl groups on the scene in the 1990s, but I think many people overlook TLC. Their 1992 debut, Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip, is incredible, but I think CrazySexyCool took them to a new level. Whilst, creatively, TLC were on a roll and had critical support behind them, there were personal issues in the ranks. Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes was involved in a very volatile relationship, which was impacted on the group and the relationship between Lopez, Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins and Rozonda ‘Chilli’ Thomas. Although there were producers such as Dallas Austin and Babyface (who worked with Madonna on her 1994 album, Bedtime Stories) on board, the tensions that were evident affected productivity.
En Vogue released Funky Divas two years before TLC unleashed CrazySexyCool. On 15th November, 1994, CrazySexyCool hit the world and it combined Hip-Hop beats and smooth jams. Although there is optimism and youthfulness on CrazySexyCool, it is a more mature and daring effort than their debut. Maybe that was a reaction to the scene around them or a necessary evolution, but TLC delivered a masterful album in a year that is defined by genius, innovation and huge consistency. Gone was the slight naivety of the debut to be replaced by something more sensual, cutting-edge and bold. Apart from TLC and En Vogue, there were not many girl groups offering the same blend of R&B sexiness with a commercial edge. With the band growing and able to produce such phenomenal songs – in spite of difficulties within the camp -, CrazySexyCool is an album that inspired a lot of other acts and sounds sensational to this day. CrazySexyCool is seen as one of the biggest albums of the ‘90s and its defining anthem, Waterfalls, is one of the greatest songs of that period. At a time when we do not really have girl groups, it is almost sad looking back and seeing what was happening in the 1990s. I wonder whether celebrating CrazySexyCool’s anniversary will provoke new groups or start a fresh scene. In a contemporary review, AllMusic shared their thoughts of CrazySexyCool:
“On their second album, TLC downplay their overt rap connections, recording a smooth, seductive collection of contemporary soul reminiscent of both Philly soul and Prince, powered by new jack and hip-hop beats. Lisa Lopes contributes the occasional rap, but the majority of CrazySexyCool belongs to Tionne Watkins and Rozonda Thomas. While they aren't the most accomplished vocalists -- they have a tendency to be just slightly off-key -- the material they sing is consistently strong.
As the cover of Prince's "If I Was Your Girlfriend" indicates, TLC favor erotic, midtempo funk. Yet the group removes any of the psychosexual complexities of Prince's songs, leaving a batch of sexy material that just sounds good, especially the hit singles. Both "Creep" and "Red Light Special" have a deep groove that accentuates the slinky hooks, but it's "Waterfalls," with its gently insistent horns and guitar lines and instantly memorable chorus, that ranks as one of the classic R&B songs of the '90s”.
The instant quality of the songs and the sheer variety of sounds and moods on offer meant that CrazySexyCool resonated with their existing fanbase but brought in new followers. The chemistry between the three members of TLC shows and the album sinks in because there is so much to enjoy. Rather than stick with a Pop sound or talk about love in a very simplistic way, each song has a different personality and appeal. I think CrazySexyCool is not only an album that inspired other artists; I also think it could direct and infuse a modern Pop and R&B scene that lacks a certain spark and catchiness. In a review from 1994, Entertainment Weekly provided their take on TLC’s second album:
“After proving the appeal of their brightly colored mix-and-match clothes, condom consciousness, and kiddie-cute hip-hop with multiplatinum numbers, TLC return with CrazySexyCool (Arista/LaFace), an album filled with adult-female sexuality — although still not always of the most mature kind. The spoken word ”Sexy” takes the form of a crank phone call in which an unsuspecting male is telephoned, flattered in no uncertain terms, then humiliated.
This hide- and-seek coyness is essential to TLC’s attitude and allure, but also points to the shallowness of their lyrics, none of which express an idea half as original or up-to-date as the album’s state-of-the-art production. That probably won’t stop fans from gobbling up this pop confection. It would take a nation of millions to hold back the slinky ”Creep” from becoming a hit. But it’s the Prince-inspired ballad ”Waterfalls,” and the mournful left-field funk-rock of ”Something Wicked” that hint at the artistic greatness TLC might achieve if freed from commercial concerns”.
There is often glibness when it comes to album anniversaries. Some people turn their noses up because they think it a case of nostalgia or certain albums are being given kudos and attention they don’t deserve. In the case of CrazySexyCool, here is a moment that truly announced the arrival of a sensational band. TLC’s sophomore album upped the game and, years later, influenced and opened the door for new groups. This NME feature explores CrazySexyCool and talks about its legacy:
“But more than sales and accolades, ‘CrazySexyCool’ paved the way for the next generation of girl groups. Taking what they had learned from watching those that came before them — such as the likes of SWV, En Vogue and R&B boybands like New Edition and BBD — TLC packaged a fresh new attitude and unique swagger that inspired the next wave of girl power. Some of the fans who grew up listening to the group went on to take centre stage themselves: All Saints, Little Mix and, on a much larger scale, Destiny’s Child and the Spice Girls – something Mel C acknowledged in an interview with The Guardian last year.
As fresh now as it was in 1994, ‘CrazySexyCool’ remains forever in style. Like Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’, Janet Jackson’s ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’, Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ or Madonna’s ‘Like a Prayer’, its prototypical approach to production and unflinching cultural commentary keeps it relevant regardless of era.
Today, TLC are still America’s biggest-selling girl group. T-Boz and Chilli continue to tour – they’ve just announced they’ll be returning to London next year – and in 2017 they released a self-titled album, their first studio album in 15 years. But ‘CrazySexyCool’ will always be that album”.
TLC would take five years to follow up CrazySexyCool with the fantastic FanMail. Whilst not as celebrated and enduring as CrazySexyCool, FanMail contained the incredible anthem, No Scrubs. A lot of groups would struggle to follow an album that sold by the bucket-load and gained incredible celebration - CrazySexyCool was nominated for six gongs at the 1996 Grammy Awards. I listen to the album now and it still surprises and moves me! The songs are compelling and hit you instantly, but you keep going back and finding new sides and nuggets you missed out on back in 1994. Although the trio are now a duo, and their eponymous 2017 album did not fare as well critically as CrazySexyCool, they have announced their Whole Lotta Hits Tour and will be coming to London next year. People still hold a lot of love for TLC and, in this article, Rozanda ‘Chilli’ Thomas talks about CrazySexyCool and plans for the future:
“The title supposedly referred to the band's personalities: Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes brought the crazy, having recorded her vocals on day release from court-mandated rehab, after burning down her boyfriend's house in a jealous rage. Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, with her no-damns-given demeanour and raspy vocals, was effortlessly cool; while Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas was, for the sake of this anecdote, "the sexy one" (she also had an incredible voice and no shortage of attitude).
Propelled by the hit singles Creep and Waterfalls, it became the first album by a girl group to reach diamond status (representing 10 million sales) in the US. Globally, only the Spice Girls' Spice has sold more.
Thomas was asked about CrazySexyCool and what it means to her; how TLC wanted their greatest album to represent and say:
"CrazySexyCool was our version of I'm Every Woman. Every woman has a crazy or a sexy or a cool side. You can be all three, but one is definitely more prominent than the other."
What's the dominant characteristic for her?
"A-ha!" she exclaims with a hearty laugh. "It depends on the day. The crazy might be the more dominant one at times. But cool or sexy? I don't know. It just depends."
Making the album was a lot of fun. We didn't feel the pressure of the second album jinx - we were just excited to be in the studio coming up with new material," says Chilli.
PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Jordan Smith
"And I remember when we were done, a guy at Arista records said, 'It's a great album and you guys will probably sell a couple of million'.
"We were like, 'A couple of million? We're going to sell five million. At least'.
"My great-grandmother used to tell me when I was little, 'When you become an adult, the years will go by super-fast'. I didn't know what she meant when I was a kid, but I get it now!"
It is sad that Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes cannot see the impact CrazySexyCool has had twenty-five years after its release; the fact she is not able to tour with the band is another tragedy. TLC are on the road and will get to play cuts from CrazySexyCool to new fans and those who were around to witness CrazySexyCool in 1994.
It will be an emotional occasion but, next year, TLC are embarking on a big tour and, with festivals like Glastonbury already garnering speculation and attention, might there be a big spot open for them?
“But she and T-Boz are ready to take the record back out on the road in 2020.
"We have a bunch of beautiful visual surprises and we're very proud of the hard work we've put into putting the show together, so we're very anxious for you to see it," she says.
Is it hard to perform the songs without Left Eye, who died tragically young in a car accident 17 years ago.
"We felt [her absence] more obviously right after she passed, when we had to continue to work," says the singer. "But over the years you heal. And I don't think you can ever heal 100%, 'cos that's our sister and we love her. But her memory lives on through us, and we don't look at it as a sad thing any more."
And what does she make of the rumours that TLC will make their Glastonbury debut next summer?
"Is that what you heard? I heard that too. That's what I'm hearing," she giggles, slyly”.
I am spending some time today to revisit an incredible album that stands among the very best of the 1990s. CrazySexyCool is a wonderfully sublime and brilliant album that sounds so good and addictive today. I know CrazySexyCool will stand up for years to come because, as I said, the songwriting/producing and group chemistry is sensational. Twenty-five years after it arrived in the world, CrazySexyCool is an album well…
WORTH celebrating.