The Review: Things in the Game Done Changed, by Dave Hollister
Review by Big Poppa
Love,
romance, and street soul. That's all I have to say about this masterpiece
of work by Chicago’s own Dave Hollister, Things in the Game Done Changed.
Hollister’s third offering starts off where we left his last project, Chicago 85 The Movie, with a powerful interlude. First, “It's Okay” hits you over the head like a bag of nickels…then there's the mid-tempo, radio-friendly single, “What’s a Man to Do”, which is reminiscent of “One Woman Man.” When you hear this track, your head will instantly start to nod. Other notable selections include “Baby Do Those Things,” “My Everything,” “For You.”
But one of the standout cuts on the CD has to be “One Addiction.” When I first listened I was like, "Awwwww...he’s talking about his girl." But when I listened closely, he was literally talking about a certain habit (one that Snoop Dogg recently gave up). Let me tell you: when this song comes in, the steppers will have a fit! Once you sink your teeth in this, the song reminds you of D’angelo's classic “Brown Sugar.” Another standout cut is the Tank- written-and-produced track “Love Hate Relationship.” This cut gets in your skin like aloe vera! Instantly, you hear the power and soul in this smash. The song talks about a relationship that he is trying to work out, but every time he tries, it doesn’t. I think every man can attest to that.
Other standouts are the gospel-tinged “What Should I Say,” the sensual ballad “Tonite” and the song that his grandmother inspired, “We Gon’ Make it”. Overall, Dave Hollister’s latest offering shows how much he has matured as an artist, but at the same time keeps it real, true, and let us know that god gave him a beautiful voice…and when he sings you know it’s from the heart. --BP
Big Poppa is a radio personality at 107.5 WGCI FM in Chicago. You can hear him Friday and Saturday nights with Tefa from 10pm to 2am.