After a pointless intro that sounds fine but oddly has Diddy introducing the group on their third album, this is another more than solid 112 release. If you like contemporary R&B from this era, I don’t understand dismissing it as “only having the singles.” There are plenty of worthwhile songs here. The singles are all packed within three songs after the introduction, which perhaps makes for odd sequencing.
The producer list is close to A-tier, with Anthony Dent, Daron Jones (of 112), Tim & Bob (who, as usual, deliver two of the best with ‘Smile’ and ‘Caught Up’), Mario Winans, and even a track by R. Kelly filling the credits.
The one poor moment is ‘Player’. There’s something to like in everything else. The upbeat club singles, ‘Dance With Me’ and ‘Peaches & Cream’, are in my opinion bettered by the contagious, head-bopping ‘Caught Up’. The one song with a rap feature, ‘Don’t Hate Me’, works nicely too, with Twista’s rapid verse fitting well.
The longest track, the ballad ‘Sweet Love’, builds up beautifully. Just like their previous album, ‘Room 112’, I feel the best songs are found toward the tail end. ‘Smile’ has a really pleasant vibe and production, anchored by a great hook. The R. Kelly produced and written ‘Do What You Gotta Do’ isn’t his best, but it’s another worthy entry in his vast songwriting catalogue, this time about a relationship going sour, leading to the protagonist cheating.
The highlight here, though, is ‘I Think’. After a short intro, the chorus kicks in and you’ll be singing it all day. So damn catchy. “I think (I think) that you’re a beautiful woman / And I think (I think) that you deserve a good man.” The finale, ‘Still in Love’, hits the mark too.
Best Tracks: Missing You, Smile, Caught Up, I Think
Comments