Known for her unique voice, Kelis' fourth album, Kelis Was Here, finally dropped after three different release dates, name changes and dropping the Neptunes as producers. Is this album is worth listening to? Of course, she's a boss.
On the lead track and first single, "Bossy," Kelis makes her presence felt, as she bosses her way all the way through, which resulted in twelve weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 list. Too Short adds to the track's flare, as the rapper's vocals compliments the beats 808 drums perfect. No wonder the single got so much airplay.
"What's That Right There" follows the single, and doesn't do it well. The track's sub par lyrics help to disappoint with lines like "he likes it raw, I likes it on top, I got something for that lollipop." But the singer redeems herself on "Till The Wheels Fall Off," where Kelis rides a rock-style production to perfection, as she proclaims her loyalty to her man even though "[she's] runnin' on metal plates/ [she's] never gonna walk away."
The next track "Living Proof" is not living proof of a great song. It's actually mediocre, but doesn't fit in with the rest of the album's flow. But, "Blindfold Me," featuring her hubby Nas, makes up. "When he want it he blindfolds me / Then I get sexy on him, get sexy on him." Aww how sweet.
Unfortunately, as the album goes on, it hits three more speed bumps. "Trilogy," "Circus" and "Weekend," which features Will.i.am, serve as nothing more than album fillers. But, after suffering with the aforementioned songs, Kelis rebounds with two contrasting songs, "Like You" and "Aww Sh--!." "In Like You" paints a picture of an orchestra as the background vocals compliments Kelis' voice, making the track breathtaking. And in "Aww Sh--!," we see the street side of of Kelis, as she gets a little rowdy in the club. "Lookin' too fly walkin' to the bar / N----s wanna stop / Askin' who I are / Hands on my waist tryna find out / If I'm gonna flip off of one drink and can he get down."
Despite minor inconsistencies, Kelis manages to finish out the album strong with "Appreciate Me" and "Have A Nice Day." "Appreciate Me" is a heartfelt ode to her lover, where she explains all the things he's done to "appreciate her."
Kelis Was Here is roller coaster with many ups and downs, as the track order could have been improved to help in the over flow of the album. But, Kelis pulled it off, making the album a half way decent offering.
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