Customer Reviews

Back of My Lac' (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I read in a magazine that "Bed" was supposed to be Chris Brown's song. As much as I like Chris Brown, I'm so glad that J. Holiday got the song instead. I don't think Brown could've pulled this song off with the charisma and style that J. Holiday has. There is a street smart edge, but a vulnerability for love and hope that comes across throughout every single song on here. He speaks about everything from relationships, fatherhood, respecting womens' bodies, looking people in the eye when speaking to them, the lifestyle of living in poverty-stricken areas and the legal system around it, being inside a woman's legs, and the man even made talking about weed sound soulful. When R&B music is turning into melodic rap or just flat out corny, J. Holiday brings the blues back. This is one of those albums that you press play and let it ride out while you drive, cuddle with your significant other, and even get ready for work to. It's versatile for all listeners--from the dude who swears he's a thug to the girliest girl. I can't stand still when "Bed" comes on no matter where I am. My head is bobbing now, and I'm at work. This album makes my work day go by quicker because I stop concentrating on time and just live in that moment. You've got to love it!

Update 10/16/2007: And to top it all off, I just read an interview that said he's a vegetarian. Much respect to all vegetarians/vegans!

After listening to J Holiday's "Back Of My Lac" you will be reminded of one of my favorite r&b CD's of all time from Christion entitled Ghetto Cyrano and an artist like Jaheim whose discography includes Ghetto Love, Still Ghetto, and Ghetto Classics.

I was first introduced to J Holiday when I heard the track "Bed", which I wasn't too much of a fan of at the time because the production sounded too much like Omarion's "Ice Box". Of course the songs were about two differnet things, but the songs sounded to much like each other, in my opinion. I had looked at websites like [...] and alot of people were giving J Holiday props for his live show and for the pre release sampler that J Holiday had out. So when his CD came out at such a reduced price, I decided that I would check "Back Of My Lac" out.

The title track get things off to a nice start as J Holiday just wants to relax and chill at times with a drink and his favorite drug of choice and just get away from the world sometimes. He admits growing up was a struggle for him because his father decided at an early age that he wasn't going to be a part of his life. The song is actually deeper than you think if you listen to the words carefully. However, some people may be turned off by the excessive and at times, unnecessary cursing. "Ghetto" reminds me of the Christion track "The Ghetto(Do What Ya Gotta Do)" as J Holiday talks about the struggles going on in the nation's capital and all ghettos worldwide. At the same time, however, J states that you don't have to settle for less just because of your surroundings. You can still get up, get out and get something even if you are in the ghetto and if you don't want to be in those surroundings all of your life, strive to do your best and make it out of there. As soon as you hear "Thug Commandments" you'll think it was a song that Jaheim turned down and J Holiday accepted the track to be a part of "Back Of My Lac". The track is pretty good but it sounds too much like something that Jaheim would have done. J Holiday has his best lines for any single young ladies that are trying to be down as Brandy Norwood would say, on the track "Betcha Never Had". This song is clearly a smooth, midtempo track. Although I didn't quite get the "ridin' like a vet trucker" line, that's not enough to say that this is a track not worth checking out. "Laa Laa" is self explanatory, I don't need to go in depth to tell you what that's about. If you are still confused check out "Fiend", a track with Jaheim and Styles P. from "Ghetto Classics". "Come Here" has J Holiday telling a pretty young lady or a sexy m.f. that she has definitely got his attention. J isn't concerned if she has a man, friend or a homie lover friend, he just wants her to get closer to him. "Be With Me" easily ends up being one of my favorite tracks as Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins gives J Holiday some A+ production as he usually does on various r&b projects. J is trying to explain to a particular young lady that she is the one that he wants to have in her life but she doesn't seem to be as convinced as he is. "Tricky" Stewart, who I know has done work with Mya and other r&B acts before provides J Holiday with a stellar slow jam in "Suffocate". If this track doesn't become a single, I won't be able to understand that..lol If you are a fan of slow jams like I am, then this should definitely be one of your favorite tracks on "Back Of My Lac". "Fatal" is just as good as "Suffocate". J Holiday compares not being with his woman for good to a hangover that won't go away. That may seem simple to some people but once you hear him break down the meaning in the track, you'll get a better understanding of what I am talking about. He has a good writing team in his corner. J Holiday clearly had r&b soul stars such as Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield playing constantly before he started to become a singer because the soul is clearly there. Darkchild is back with "Without You". J Holiday reminisces about a woman that he was involved with in the past and how he wants to make things right to make her leave her current situation and to get back with him. This is basically J Holiday's "Do You", from Ne-Yo, in so many words. "Pimp In Me" might be a turn off to some people. However, all J Holiday is saying is that he met the woman that will make him leave his player days behind him. I am pretty sure that most men will be able to relate to this. After spending a wonderful day with his woman, J Holiday has his own ways that he will be able to say "Thank You". However, there won't be any words needed for what's about to go down. As R Kelly said in the "Bump And Grind (Old School Mix)", things are about to get a little freakier. "Fallin'" ends up being a decent track but J Holiday tries too hard to have one crossover track on his CD.

Overall, J Holiday has clearly impressed me with "Back Of My Lac". He is a new artist that you definitely need to pay attention to in the years to come. Some people may be turned off by the excessive cursing and the subject matter, but it's easy to tell that J Holiday has soul and good r&b blood in his veins. If you are purchasing this CD for someone under 16, I would recommend buying the clean version. If you like Christion's "Ghetto Cyrano", Jaheim or even Donell Jones, then J Holiday is someone you should check out.

James' Top 5

1) Suffocate
2) Fatal
3) Back Of My Lac
4) Be With Me
5) Ghetto

Honorable Mention:

Every track except for "Fallin'"

I am kind of in the middle on this album, I do not know whether to actually take this cat seriously or a joke. Is it me, or in every song he references smoking up and drinking, dude come on son. I understand this album was closely drawn from life experiences, but smoking and drinking couldn't have been all that you have done in life. Besides, this common concept on the album...vocally he has skills and I was expecting something similar to the mainstream hits currently hitting the air waves, but you can not get what you always expect.

I would rate my singing at a 2.75/5 and J's at a solid 3.75/5.

The material here is kinda lackluster. Bed? Who cares? We all have sexual desires and have sex. Nobody cares! Where is the substance that R&B & Soul used to possess. I don't get it?

Come again, J? Not to mention he's a fine mofo. But that doesn't constitute for his music at all. And he swears a LOT. I'm all for self-expression and I would never buy an edited CD but he swears for absolutely NO good reason.

I guess this CD isn't a super-throwaway like a lot of the mess is today. Somebody laced the beats (is that a surprise these days?) and the lyrics are OK. It's not Rap, Hip-Hop or honky-dory Country so it gets props for not being that!

In fact, this CD isn't bad at all. It's borderline fantastic. He just needs to broaden his horizons, lyrically. But if He writes then I welcome Him to the deceiving yet rewarding game, that is music!! (Hugs J)

Cover Art: A
Inside Art: ? I don't own it yet.
Songwriting: C+
Vocals: C+
Vocal Emotion: C-
Production: B+
Length: A+

3.75 stars - .3 for the clean lyrics.

3.35 stars.

Overall: D-

I was on the look out for J Holiday ever since I saw the "Be with me" video. Then "Bed" was released and I was even more excited. I read about how he wanted to bring R & B back and waited with anticipation. Boy did he deliver. I listened to the album via BET the week prior and I was hooked. This is truly one of those "My Life" type albums where you can just put it in, press play and just sing along.

I was a little disappointed that he had an advisory on his album but thankfully I ordered the clean version via amazon.com. He has a little bit of something for everybody. If you want to dance listen to "Betcha Never Had" and "Come Here". You can also groove to "Ghetto", "Thug Commandments", and "Without You". Then he has those begging down on bended knee, baby I'm begging baby I'm begging, begging baby type joints like "Suffocate", "Fatal", "Fallin" and my favorite, "Pimp in Me". His falsetto in "Pimp in Me" gave me chills!!!

There are also the little things that no one else would notice that make this album great like the guitar in the background of "Bed" and "Fallin" and the background vocals in "Fatal" and "Fallin". You can tell he thought of everything because those little things make a song sound totally different. Overall I am extremely impressed and hope he continues to stick to the formula he used for this album for any future albums minus the cuss words. The cherry on the top is there are no guest appearances on this album which is rare in this day and age. Thanks to J Holiday, I think R & B will be making a comeback!!! Q

Let's face it, it is tough to launch a new, truly credible R&B singer these days. Harder is to get the right single that's going to truly promote the album to sell albums beyond it's debut week. Take the great Trey Songz for example - his single "Gotta Make It" was only a modest success and despite some positive feedback concerning his debut album of the same name, it ultimately bombed. Look at Jay-Z's now dropped Teairra Mari- she had a moderately-hot single "Make Her Feel Good" and even a decent if unmemorable album that debuted strong-enough and dropped instantaneously. However, looking a J. Holiday, there seems to be not only vocal but critical potential, particulary following the overrated single "Bed". Despite being overhyped (and probably overplayed), J. Holiday can thank his #5 bow on the Billboard Album Charts to his #1 R&B hit/#5 pop single "Bed". For those who are unconvinced by "Bed" (moi), there is better material on BACK OF MY LAC' than its promo single. It is by no means a perfect album, but it is a promising album - one of the more promising by a debuting R&B male.

"Back of My Lac'" is a brilliant opening track, despite it's somewhat underwhelming production and somewhat excessive length. It reminds one of 1990s R&B, which tended to have a more understated take on production and let the vocals truly add the "character" to the track. J. Holiday's vocals aren't breath-taking, especially compared to newer singers who've become established (Lyfe Jennings, Lloyd, Chris Brown), but he is a credible singer who with continued performing experience and polish may truly become a truly distinctive singer. "Back of My Lac'" does suit his voice very well, even if one questions if the cursing is really necessary. "Ghetto" still maintains an understated quality in comparison to modern contemporary R&B albums, but it works well for Holiday. "Thug Commandments" production work is more ornate and Holiday sounds more nuanced and professional where his vocal performance is concerned.

"Bed" isn't my favorite from the album, but it is the track the everyone will buy this album for. It isn't bad, but it isn't particularly memorable in my eyes. Lyrically, it is bland, but with "simplicity" being dominant in most #1 hits these day save for a few, it is no wonder why "Bed" was such a popular single. Other standouts from BACK OF MY LAC included second single "Be With Me" (much better than "Bed" in my opinion), "Suffocate", "Laa Laa", "Without You", and "Pimp In Me". Otherwise, the rest of the tracks are only so-so.

The album overall isn't bad and is a fine debut for a new singer, particularly considering the fact that most of the producers are most likely up and coming. However, know that there are better R&B albums out now besides J. Holiday's BACK OF MY LAC'. 3 stars.

I got the orginal album and loved it . When I found out they were reissuing the album with new tracks and a dvd this is the best r&b album I have in my collection back of my lac,thug commandments,bed,betcha never had, come here,be with me,suffocate,without you,thank you are all on the first and are able to stand for a great album but when you add the 3 new tracks sooner you get love,I know love and when you get home are great additions to the new album . One of the things I enjoy bout J.Holiday is the fact that he can do both r&b and hip hop which I believe seperates him from Ne-Yo and Chris Brown . J.Holiday is the best vocalist of the 3 and seems to have a wider range to him . I played the cd for my girl and she had never heard of him before now she knows him feels his words are real and beautiful I agree . The dvd has his 3 videos on it along with behind the scenes making of for bed and suffocate along with some pieces to help you get to know more bout J . Get this album you will love it !

The first time I remember hearing of Nahum Grymes (better known as J. Holiday) was on this stupid MIMS song called "Girlfriend's Favorite MC". He has since become the latest addition to the R&B thug era. Even so, I must admit that he does it a little better than some of the other proponents (Ray J; Pretty Ricky; The-Dream). But that still doesn't say much about his debut album Back of My Lac'.

Not to keep bringing The-Dream up so much, but I was all set to compare J. to him because they have a lot of things in common: they're both trying to be that thug, most of their songs are ridiculously raunchy, and they both refuse to give up their ages (and you can tell Dream had something to do with "Bed" because of the "ey-ey-ey" part). But the reason why J. is more tolerable than Dream is that J. actually can sing. Still, he's a little too sleazy, and many of the songs are club tracks that go nowhere, especially the first three (the title track, "Ghetto" and "Thug Commandments").

And then you have "Laa Laa", which is hard to relate to because it's telling his girl how to get high like him. Then, of course, there are raunchy numbers like the corny "Come Here" and the statutory "Betcha Never Had"; and sorry, but "Bed" is annoying. Another concern is "Thank You", where the chorus starts off fine with: "I wanna thank you for the time we spent" but then it goes into "To show my appreciation I wanna bang your back until the morning comes `round."

The only songs I can really stand on here are "Suffocate", "Fatal" and the final track, "Fallin'". One more thing, since "lac" is broken off from the END of "Cadillac", the apostrophe should be at the beginning of it, not the end. All spelling lessons aside, if you're a 21-year-old woman and/or you watch 106 & Park religiously, J. Holiday's album is for you; otherwise, leave it alone.

Anthony Rupert

This complact disc is AWESOME! I have enjoyed listening to this R&B CD time and time again. It has earned it's place as one of my favorites in my 6-CD Changer. I thought this was simply another Rap CD, but I was so wrong. Most of the tracks are smooth, rhythmic, and relaxing. This is a CD that can be enjoyed in many settings from relaxing, to romantic, to a nice drive enroute to anywhere. AWESOME!

I had only heard a couple of the songs off the radio but when I listened to the whole CD I really liked this dude. He has a very mellow voice, different from anyone that's out now, and a really sexy tone to it. I didn't know what to expect but I like most of the tracks on the album. Download it!!