MISS LADII'S ALBUM REVIEW: MONICA'S "STILL STANDING" Rated A

 

TRACKLISTING

1-  Still Standing (Featuring Ludacris)

2-  One In a Lifetime

3-  Stay or Go

4-  Everything To Me

5-  If You Were My Man

6-  Mirror

7-  Here I Am

8-  Superman

9- Love All Over Me

10- Believing In Me

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FINALLY AN R&B REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

R&B veteran Monica dropped her long awaited 6th studio album entitled "Still Standing" yesterday.  If you're a fan of Monica, or perhaps even if you aren't, if you so happened to tune into BET this past fall to her Reality Show titled "Still Standing" as well, it only helped to build the suspense to her album as it showcased a typical reality show, while documenting the long, grueling process of her creating and putting the finishing touches on her current project.

While her last studio was almost 4 years ago ( "The Makings of Me" 2006), Monica finally graces us on wax with a 10-track album consisting of amazing ballads, which showcases her pure vocal ability.  In a day and age where many R&B singers are virtually morphing themselves into the mainstream by making R&B/ Pop records in hopes of club spins and radio airplay, Monica's latest project sticks to the essence of what she's known for which is singing her damn heart out and I commend her for it as it didn't leave me disappointed.

When I first realized that her LP had only 10 songs, I was somewhat apprehensive before listening with the thought in my head  "she kept us waiting THIS LONG for only 10-damn songs?", but as with my last review I often put my foot in my mouth with my preconceived judgments.  This album clearly exudes quality over quantity as I listened from start-to finish without feeling the need or desire to press the "fast forward".  

I was pleased with this album because it was a true representation of her as an artist.  Many artists often rely on collaborations from other artists to help sell their album, however the only feature on this album is Ludacris on the lead single "Still Standing" ; On the rest of the songs, she holds her own and rightfully so.  A solid album reflects working with a solid team of producers which on this album include Jermaine Dupri,  Bryan Michael -Cox, Jim Jonsin, Polow The Don and Missy Elliott.

While I normally give insight on my fave song at the end of every review,  it was really hard and that says alot, but I'm going to go with "Everything To Me" and "Believing In Me".  While her reality show showed us how frustrating it was for her to compile tracks that she deemed good enough for this album, as a legitimate fan of her music, I can say that this is one of her best albums to date. 

---so there you have it... The FIRST Album to receive Grade-A Ladii T approval

MISS LADII'S MIXTAPE REVIEW: Asher Roth "Seared Foie Grois w/ Quince & Cranberry" Rated B-

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I'm back with another mixtape review, so I'm here to give my thoughts on the new Asher Roth Project.  Now off top, let me first say when I first heard the title I sniggled to myself and said "he can't be serious with this" and I guarantee most people probably said something along those lines too.  I myself have never had foie gras, and i'll probably die never tasting it, but i will say that dinner plate cover made it look semi-appealing lol, but I digress... He gets an A for the title, but let me get to the subject at hand, so here we go....

The West Chester University Alum, drops his second mixtape, an EP packed with 19 tracks, all of which are classic old school hip hop beats.  When I first heard it pump through my speakers, I will admit I was bored with it and nothing stood out to me.  In my head I was ready to turn the shit off and instantly write it off as a failed attempt because I was literally laughing at how horrible I thought it was however I've learned to listen from front to back before giving my Final thoughts.  After track 3, I woke up  because the beat selection picked up and as I listened I could truly say if you have a sense of humor or an ounce of sarcasm in your body you will enjoy the innuendos and comedic bars that are laced from start to finish.  The best track and collaboration is featured on "F*ck The Money" w/ BOB and while  I have never heard of the artist known as Boyder on "Toni Braxton"; I thought his verse was utterly horrible but the most comedic shit and it made my morning lol. (That's wrong, but I'm not a authority, I speak from a listener's point of view and I think most hip-hop heads will agree with me)

While the majority of the beats were well picked, the only downside to this project in my opinion is the fact that Sir Asher sounds all too much like "that other white rapper" Eminem in my opinion. In my opinion, he still has yet to differentiate his flow so that he doesn't come off as a "copycat".  While many artists may sound similar to their predecessors and those who've influenced them, successful artists can still create a niche of their own that distinguishes them from the rest.  While I do not want to take away from his credibility as an artist, I still view him as a mini-me of Eminem that has still yet to fully wow me.

Although, clearly not his best work (as i thought "Asleep In the Bread Aisle was better) I give this mixtape a B- for it's comedic title, beat selection and because it touched my funny bone to the core.  I don't think I've ever laughed so much listening to an album besides listenin to Mike Epps "Funny Bidness" and for all ya'll like myself who've yet to experience "fine dining" and still wanna know what foie gras is, save yourself the google search... It's Duck Liver--lmmfao I'll stick to chicken and filet mignon thank you very much ^_^