While most of The Evolution is fun, uptempo music, there are a couple of times where Ciara slows things down. On "So Hard," Ciara deals with her reluctance to take her current relationship to the next level because the previous one ended so badly. She tries to move past her previous relationship but keeps comparing her man to her last one.

The album ends with "I Found Myself," a song that has her addressing her growth into adulthood, especially since Ciara turned 21 only a couple of months before this album's release. She talks not just about growing up, but also her hopes and dreams as she says "someday, I'll be the perfect wife" and looks forward to new relationships ("I'm not gonna give it up just because the last one let me down"). There is a lot of sincerity in her voice here, especially since she co-wrote this song (like she did every other song on her album).

Two things hurt The Evolution a bit. First, it's a little too long. There are 18 songs here (including interludes) and it feels like too much of a good thing. The album drags a little bit in the middle and as the songs slow down towards the end, it starts to feel pretty long. What also hurts this album a bit are the interludes. Even though they are short and serve to emphasize the theme of evolution on the album, they are unnecessary. You will skip them after the first listen, especially since the text of the interludes is printed throughout the CD booklet.

Overall, The Evolution is a very good album for Ciara. Her music is fun, catchy, and easy to like. Ciara is not exactly the best singer out there but she never tries to take her voice to places it shouldn't go and the crop of producers make her sound good.

What makes her stand out, however, is the way she handles herself. Ciara wants to have fun, have a relationship, and continue to grow as a person. She's a good girl but not a goody two-shoes. Considering that many young black women are bombarded with sexually demeaning images in hip-hop videos, Ciara's image is refreshing. While it might be a little premature to consider yourself evolved at 21, Ciara has certainly grown up. If she continues on the path she's on, she could really be a force to be reckoned with and I can't wait to see that happen.