On the singles "Tell Me" and "In My Bed," the vocals not only blend flawlessly into an intricate harmony scheme but also link up perfectly with the booming bass beats. On both songs, Mark "Sisqo" Andrews's raw-edged, full... more »-throttle gospel singing dominates the foreground, but it's his three bandmates' inventive harmonies that distinguish the song from hundreds of similar bedroom ballads. The group members cowrote five of the 14 tracks on their debut album, and group member Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin coproduced four of them, including such Stevie Wonder-ful imitations as "April Showers" and "All Alone." And when teenagers sing like the Temptations and write like Wonder, you have to sit up and pay attention. --Geoffrey Himes« less
On the singles "Tell Me" and "In My Bed," the vocals not only blend flawlessly into an intricate harmony scheme but also link up perfectly with the booming bass beats. On both songs, Mark "Sisqo" Andrews's raw-edged, full-throttle gospel singing dominates the foreground, but it's his three bandmates' inventive harmonies that distinguish the song from hundreds of similar bedroom ballads. The group members cowrote five of the 14 tracks on their debut album, and group member Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin coproduced four of them, including such Stevie Wonder-ful imitations as "April Showers" and "All Alone." And when teenagers sing like the Temptations and write like Wonder, you have to sit up and pay attention. --Geoffrey Himes
Emmanuel O. from WOODLAND HLS, CA Reviewed on 1/27/2007...
On the singles "Tell Me" and "In My Bed," the vocals not only blend flawlessly into an intricate harmony scheme but also link up perfectly with the booming bass beats. On both songs, Mark "Sisqo" Andrews's raw-edged, full-throttle gospel singing dominates the foreground, but it's his three bandmates' inventive harmonies that distinguish the song from hundreds of similar bedroom ballads. The group members cowrote five of the 14 tracks on their debut album, and group member Tamir "Nokio" Ruffin coproduced four of them, including such Stevie Wonder-ful imitations as "April Showers" and "All Alone." And when teenagers sing like the Temptations and write like Wonder, you have to sit up and pay attention
CD Reviews
THIS IS A CLASSIC! A MUST GET IF U LUV SLOW SONGS.
05/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Overall this cd is probably Dru Hill's best work. They wrote most of it and sing very well in all the songs. They need to work on their up-beat tracks here...but the slow tracks make up for it. It starts to get great at track number six.1. Intro- lame 1/52. Nothin To Prove- has this capella back beat to it. okay 3/53. Tell Me- one of those freaky slow songs. it's alrite 3/44. Do U Believe- up beat...pretty tyte! 4/55. Whatever U Want- no comment 0/56. Satisfied- i luv this song, catchy chorus..kinda nasty tho 5/57. April Showers- one of those sweet ballads 5/58. All Alone- they really show emotion in this song, great vocals 5/59. Never Make A Promise- one of the best songs! again it's slow 5/5!10. So Special- This ballad grew into me, GREAT! 5/511. In My Bed- THis is not the remix..its slow 5/512. Love Train- one of those ol' skool songs, upbeat 5/513. Share My World- ballad with a catchy chorus 5/514. Five Steps- very serious slow song, outstanding vocals 5/5!"
One of my favorite albums
Anthony Rupert | Milwaukee, WI | 08/26/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In 1996 we were introduced to a quartet known as Dru Hill (composed of Sisqo, Jazz, Woody and Nokio) thanks to a song called "Tell Me". I didn't like that song at first. In fact, whenever I heard it I always asked, "Who IS this?" and nobody seemed to know. But the song had to grow on me (so did Sisqo's hair, but that's another story), and now I enjoy it. I enjoy this whole album, as a matter of fact.Musically, lyrically, and vocally this is a very good album. Sisqo brings it home for the most part, but there are also solos from the other members. Woody delivers the cool "April Showers", while Jazz will blow your mind with "Never Make A Promise". Nokio doesn't have a solo; in fact, he's barely heard by himself on this album at all because he decided to stick with penning the lyrics and producing. He does show up on "Satisfied" and "All Alone", and his singing ain't bad. I'd prefer him to sing than rap any day (remember the "You Are Everything" remix?).This album is so good that you might end up breaking your rewind button. "In My Bed" is a creative you-did-me-wrong track (wasn't the end of the video kind of funny?), while "5 Steps" is a powerful metaphorical tale about losing one of their friends. And never mind what Pink said; "Do U Believe?" will get the party started. But then there are three dope songs in a row that will have you trying to decide which is better: "All Alone", "Never Make A Promise" and "So Special". Then they do an excellent job on Con Funk Shun's "Love's Train" (let me jog your memory: "That's the way it goes on love's train..."). That remake is right up there with the original.The only minor flaws I can point out are the generic rap in "Whatever U Want"; and in "Nothing To Prove", Woody should leave the high notes to Jazz. But those things don't stand in the way of this great album...the kind of style that Sisqo should've stuck with. In fact, I think I'll pop this CD in right now."
The beginning of a long career for Dru Hill
J. Highsmith | Mitchellville, Maryland United States | 03/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Before I begin my review I have to say that this CD reminds me of Jodeci's first CD "Forever My Lady". The slow songs are on point but when you here the fast songs you wonder why were they even made. If this CD was a ballad album there would not be enough stars on the screen to rate it. Other than "Tell Me" which is Track # 3. The CD is really from track 6-14. All of these songs are slow songs but there not just any other slow songs that you've heard before, they are on another level. If you put "April Showers", "All Alone", "5 Steps" and "Never Make A Promise" against most r&b groups they will not be able to compare unless they are one of the current or past 1985- 2000 r& b legends. You can tell they were fans of Jodeci and Guy in their younger days by the presentation of vocals and some of their moves on videos and at concerts, but who wasn't a fan of Guy and Jodeci years ago. Dru Hill has improved on their overall presentation of songs and Sisqo has even found time to "Unleash The Dragon". After listening to their two albums you will see what I am talking about. On the first one , however, their was no pressure and they presented a r&b album to remember. Also check out the remake to "Love Train" and "Share My World". The Dru World Order might take over the r&b world as we know it in the year 2G."
Dru Hill is the Bomb
BklynBabylon | 11/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Dru Hill. Ebonically speaking Dem' boyz can blow. My favorite song on this album is Share My World. A lot of people slept on this one but is truly a jam. To Dru Hill your music has gotten me through some rough times and for that, I thank you. Keep making good music."