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Justin's Not So Sexy Single

Posted Jul 7th 2006 8:39AM by TMZ Staff

Jive Records is smartly trying to build hype for the new Justin Timberlake single in Europe before rolling out an expensive public relations campaign on this side of the Atlantic.  JT is in Europe hitting some clubs, shaking hands and, of course, romancing his honey Cameron.  But, while all is rosy in the Old Country the early reviews for "Sexy Back" are not so kind.

Stereogum, the Dean of Music Blogs, may really say it all in simple single sentence anticipating the coming all out offensive from Timberlakes' record company to ensure the single is a "hit." Scott writes: "In a few weeks this [Sexy Back] will be the most boring single to ever hit #1."  Stereogum readers were not any nicer, calling the effort "pretentious" and "amateur." Yikes....

Dirrrty Pop writes " This is scary and I am not impressed" while Popsugar says Sexy Back is "not so hot." Descriptives like "ick" and "sucks" mix in with a few props from the TeamSugar comments.  If the early blogger reviews are any indication, looks like Jive might have to write an even bigger marketing check to get this thing moving up the charts.



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1. I like the song, it's really danceable. The only thing is I found myself waiting for my baby, um I mean Justin to start singing any minute. It does not sound like him. Still , I will buy it. He didn't dissapoint me w/ the first one, I'm sure he won't dissapoint w/ this one. I can't wait. It will my be my birthday gift, since it's coming out on Sept.12 one day b4 my b-day. What a way to celebrate!!!!!!

Posted at 3:00PM on Jul 7th 2006 by hilda

2. I like the song, it's really danceable. The only thing is I found myself waiting for my baby, um I mean Justin to start singing any minute. It does not sound like him. Still , I will buy it. He didn't dissapoint me w/ the first one, I'm sure he won't dissapoint w/ this one. I can't wait. It will my be my birthday gift, since it's coming out on Sept.12 one day b4 my b-day. What a way to celebrate!!!!!!

Posted at 3:00PM on Jul 7th 2006 by hilda

3. It really does suck. Justin's voice sounds ... well, whack. I'm not impressed. And I was a big fan of his first album. I guess Cameron Diaz isn't such a great muse after all.

Posted at 9:15PM on Jul 8th 2006 by Alexis

4. Oh yeah. If you want something new from a some what back in the day pop star check out Pink's new album. It's actually worth listening to, especially her new single "Who Knew."

Posted at 9:18PM on Jul 8th 2006 by Alexis

5. Bloggers don't make up the majority of radio listeners. Critics are raving about it and most of the response so far are positive. Sure not everyone's going to love the song but at least it's different than all the things you hear on the radio these days. I respect him for trying out something new.

Posted at 11:41PM on Jul 8th 2006 by Al

6. I really liked the song, The clubs will play and people will start to dance. If someone else sang it, It would of gotten better reviews but since JT name is behind it everyone thinks it sucks

Posted at 11:57PM on Jul 8th 2006 by Patty

7. "Sexy/Back" is something new and different, and it is already taking off on the charts. I haven't seen a negative comment posted on Timberlake's offical myspace. The fans and hater views have been varried, but this song merely came out days ago, and needs time to make its round, which it obviously has debuting can't think of the chart but higher than Madonna and Christina Aguileria, a day after being played on radio, and continues to gain adds.
I believe this kid has a hit on his hands, and feel it will prove to be quite worthy in the comming months.

Posted at 2:30AM on Jul 9th 2006 by undisclosed

8. This song sucks.

Posted at 12:44PM on Jul 9th 2006 by Digita

9. This song sounds reminiscent of the 80s. It does not "suck." It's something David Bowie or even Prince would have done during the 80s era - punk/soul/rock type of vibe. In fact, retro seems to be in this year with Beyonce (70s soul vibe (horns) on Deja Vu single), Christina, Janet (supposedly later going to take us back to the "Control" era). "Sexy Back" will likely be a hit and quite frankly I don't mind the retro...I love the old school sound.

Now do I like Justin....not really, he has no loyalty and I suppose you know what I'm talking about...he runs scared!

Posted at 2:07PM on Jul 9th 2006 by justmusic

10. well, lets see. 80's feel, Prince like. Sounds like a former groupmates sound Mr.J.T. "Schizophrenic" ring any bells? If ya want to bring sexy back, thats the album to pick up.

Posted at 3:33PM on Jul 9th 2006 by Jen

11. Man this song rocks. It sounds different and I think it will sell just because its justin. If you heard this song in a club....you would totally get up and start dancing. Heres my thing...if just did the r&b thing again, everyone would say...oooohh he just sounds the same or oooooh he sounds like usher or ooooooh michael jackson or oooooooh pharrell blah blah etc. The real artists are always changing up and artist who change up stick around for a long time...so go on JT bring the sexy back.

Posted at 9:20PM on Jul 9th 2006 by Leo

12. this song sucks monkey balls to the core, justin needs to die.

Posted at 11:50AM on Jul 14th 2006 by gulla

13. Justin is just re-hashing a sound that has been going the clubs in Europe (especially London) for ages. It will do well in the UK, but its certainly not ground-breaking or anything new. For a big US artist maybe, but it seems like Justin has gone on the Madonna trail and bought a couple of dance mix cds from Camden Market in London and made their own versions. He can sing, so why the effects... very poor.

Posted at 8:28AM on Jul 15th 2006 by Yoyobambi

14. Justin is just re-hashing a sound that has been going the clubs in Europe (especially London) for ages. It will do well in the UK, but its certainly not ground-breaking or anything new. For a big US artist maybe, but it seems like Justin has gone on the Madonna trail and bought a couple of dance mix cds from Camden Market in London and made their own versions. He can sing, so why the effects... very poor.

Posted at 8:28AM on Jul 15th 2006 by Yoyobambi

15. This song sucks big time. You guys need to come out with a
secong single quick. Everyone should check out Robin Thicke 's single that's out now. "Wanna love you girl" is what you call a dance track. "Sexy / Back" should go back into the vaults until a much later time. Sorry Justin.

Posted at 12:42PM on Jul 18th 2006 by tony