Search - Ll Cool J :: Mr Smith

+1/2, a great album with a couple of wrong steps

Robert Johnson | Richmond, KY USA | 08/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Though it failed to reach the Top Ten on the Hot 200 (it peaked at still respectable #20), MR. SMITH achieved Double-Platinum status in sales and ended up becoming LL Cool J's best-selling album. Three Top Ten hits were scored from this record alone, the most from any of LL's albums. The wistful Boyz II Men duet "Hey Lover" (#3 Pop, #3 R&B, #1 Rap), the delightfully raunchy "Doin' It" (#9 Pop, #7 R&B, #2 Rap), and the seductive "Loungin'" (#3 Pop, #4 R&B, #1 Rap) were all over both urban and pop radio all throughout `95 and `96, and they still hold up as three of LL's sensual best.



Aside from the hits, MR. SMITH finds LL at his best on the sexy jams "Make It Hot" and "God Bless," and the autobiographical cuts "Hip Hop" (a nostalgic homage to his craft, mentors, and peers) and "Hollis To Hollywood" (a parable detailing his accent to fame). The album only stumbles during it's midsection, in which LL attempts to be hardcore on "Life As . . .," "I Shot Ya," and the title track, none of which works. LL may not be a credible gangsta, but as long as he sticks to the sexy hip-pop he does best, MR. SMITH is quite entertaining."

The bomb he did a hell of a job getting his story out to us!

Robert Johnson | 01/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"the bomb he has a way of turning your mind to the future trying to achieve in a new light he also takes u on a journey of his life not all peaches and cream like most would think!!!!!!!!!! END"