markwinfield1 Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 At allhiphop.com they said the album was terrible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turntable Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 (edited) The Vibe said it was amazing. Why dont you just listen to it? :stickpoke: Edited April 13, 2006 by Turntable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigted Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 (edited) Allhiphop.com didn't say it was terrible, they gave it 3 1/2 stars and wrote a respectable review, there needs to be no question about whether an LL album is dope, he's the most consistant mc of all time, some commercial rap heads might hate though 'cause he raps about more important issues in life than guns and drugs in his songs, I rather here a million songs about love and passion than a million songs about how much of a thug you are, LL's the realest mc next to Fresh Prince, I hope this album goes double platinum and wins a Grammy instead of the 98% of the wack rappers on the radio: Todd Smith Artist: LL Cool J Title: Todd Smith Rating: 3 1/2 stars Reviewed by: The Closer What more can be said about the career of the original Hip-Hop Icon? LL Cool J has been an enduring presence in Hip-Hop for the duration of it’s mainstream history. Before the Tupac’s, the B.I.G.s and the Jiggas ,and even before the Snoops, there was the Uncle. The Future of the funk. The very definition of trailblazing legend, LL has dropped many styles and flows over his years as the prince of rap from adolescence to grown man. Here on his 12th go round, you can see his growth and progress. Todd Smith (Island Def Jam), the new joint, features an LL focused on staying in his lane. The album opens up with the driving "It's LL and Santana" a pairing with one of the upcoming lions in the game, labelmate Juelz Santana. The point of the song is two-fold; to connect LL with today's generation of Hip-Hoppers and to introduce Juelz to a wider audience. The song features a driving beat but lacks the chemistry and strength of Cool J's earlier collaborations like "Rampage" with EPMD or 4,3,2,1 with Method Man, Redman, DMX and, ahem, Canibus . Much of the album is produced by the famous Trakmasters duo. Unfortunately that's where the problem arises. A significant portion of the album feels dated. "Favorite Flavor" featuring Mary J. Blige feels mired in 1994. While that was a great year for Hip-Hop, it's 12 years behind in evolution. Been there, done that. Also dragging the album down is the melancholy "Freeze", which pairs Cool J with promising newcomer Lyfe Jennings. Jennings is underwhelming and the Uncle's flow is formulaic for the too-slow beat. It doesn’t take advantage of LL's energy and charisma at all. Thumbs down on that one. All is not lost however. The album begins to pick up with the energetic "What You Want" featuring dynamic chemistry and an old school feel with Cool J spitting back-and-forth heat with Freeway with an old school rapid delivery. The album begins to change direction and gains steam with the dramatic and powerful "I've Changed" which features a "Song Cry"-esque story of love lost and it's-not-overism. New Comer Ryan Toby delivers an eerie performance reminiscent of a young Curtis Mayfield. This is easily the highlight of the album and LL at his storytelling finest with a sense of desperation and passion. Other highlights feature the Latin-tinged "#1 Fan", the spiritually inspiring "We're Gonna Make It", featuring Mary Mary, and the "Planet Rock" inspired and Jermaine Dupri-produced lead single "Control Myself". The cherry on top is the "Human Nature" powered "So-Sick Remix", which sounds like an early 90's Ron G mixtape blend. All in all, LL manages to stay in the lane he's carved out. The muscle bound man is no longer getting his face in the sand, and the Mama inspired knockout artist is married with children and happily making that cheddar. Nothing wrong with that. Todd Smith is a solid disk and a welcome dose of love and upliftment in the present misogynist Hip-Hop environment. Just don't call it a comeback. Mature listeners only. Edited April 13, 2006 by bigted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markwinfield1 Posted April 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 I hope its good or i'll toss that cd out of a window! kidden!I just hope its good though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigted Posted April 13, 2006 Report Share Posted April 13, 2006 (edited) LL Cool J is like the James Brown of the rap game, mind, body, soul, and longevity, with his desire he'll probably still be performing many years from now still, btw, it seems like we're turning back the clock this year with all the ol' school rap artists droppin' albums, it's gonna be 1990 again, they're gonna show the new artists how it's done, if everything goes right we'll be getting albums from, they should all do an ol' school tour together: Public Enemy already came out LL Cool J just came out Rakim Busta Rhymes Ice Cube Slick Rick MC Hammer Dr. Dre??!!! and of course the return of the magnificent Jazzy Jeff maybe with a Fresh Prince cameo??!! Edited April 13, 2006 by bigted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpinJack AJ Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 I waz gonna write a review on the album. I'm crazy busy...but i might try 2 do it 2nite. I like the album...i could see where most people on this board would like it without thinkin' it's amazing. People who don't follow LL probably won't feel it...but that's not who the album is 4 anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ash trey Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 I usually get bored of cliche type love song except when Will does it. But in the case of this album I can't front as though I wasn't entertained. It's quite dope and i advise any Hip Hop/R&B fan to get it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigted Posted April 14, 2006 Report Share Posted April 14, 2006 Like the allhiphop.com review says this is for the mature fans only, those who want to hear about murder, drugs, and pimpin' in 90% of their songs will avoid this album, LL is talking grown man stuff here... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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