The DEFinition [Vinyl]

L.L. Cool J | Format: Vinyl

Product Details

• Vinyl (August 31, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B0002TX6XC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,558,875 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Headsprung

2. Rub My Back

3. I'm About to Get Her

4. Move Somethin'

5. Hush

6. Every Sip

7. Shake It Baby

8. Can't Explain It

9. Feel the Beat

10. Apple Cobbler

11. 1 in the Morning

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars 2-1/2 stars -- The definition of being past your prime, April 9, 2005

By 

Anthony Rupert "shut up, Shut Up, SHUT UP!!!" (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The DEFinition (Audio CD)

Now, I'm not saying that LL Cool J's eleventh album The DEFinition is bad because L is too old. There are some rappers in their mid `30s that can still bring the heat (Raekwon, Jay-Z, Guru). The problem I have with the album is that its further proof that his glory days are long behind him. In fact, he's been in a downward spiral since Mr. Smith, and after he released 10, which only appealed to the ladies, I wondered if he would be able to resurrect his career.

With this album, the answer is no. Basically, editorial reviewer Dalton Higgins really hit the nail on the head with this one. This is one of those albums where the only good songs are the singles: "Hush" and the essential club-banger, "Headsprung". The latter was produced by Timbaland, and Tim also shows up elsewhere on the album, but sometimes his beats can't even save the songs, like the filler track "Every Sip" and the terrible "Rub My Back". And the beat to "Apple Cobbler" isn't even that great, not to mention that the song makes no kind of sense.

Another filler track is when R. Kelly shows up for "I'm About to Get Her". You can tell Kells produced it because it sounds like the same music he used for Twista's "So Sexy". By the way, that song is where L starts his lyrical faux pas ("that's why I'm still a teen idol like Hanson"). And then it's on to the bizarre "Shake It Baby" (which isn't even what you'd think it would be about). At the end of the third verse he says to a foe: "You burnin' me? Two words: impossible." That's one word, L.

"Feel the Beat" is fine but then it suffers from a chorus that sounds like it came from 1986: "Yes yes y'all/Feel the beat y'all/Break break y'all/You don't stop". You can even tell he's going to say that by listening to the beat. And "Can't Explain It" is the only other song for the ladies that comes close to working, but when you listen to the song you can't help but say, "It's okay, but it's no `Hey Lover.'"

It's not that LL can't rap any more, but the things he's saying on here makes the album, well, embarrassing. In fact, it's so embarrassing that I'd almost rather listen to 14 Shots to the Dome. It's good that he's had a nice, long career, but it'd be better if most of the albums in it were above-average. As you probably suspected by now, The DEFinition is only good for completing your LL Cool J collection.

Anthony Rupert

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not good, but not that bad either, October 21, 2004

By 

R. Coley "pizicato5" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The DEFinition (Audio CD)

Ok, "Headsprung" is no doubt a good song. Although the lyrics are really silly and don't make a lot of sense at times, but it's still a good song. "Hush" is a song that I expect a lot of people not to like. I was kind of suprised to hear it. I think it's really good, but people who are hardcore Hip-Hop fans probably will think it's too soft. LL has always been known to put love songs out there. As evident by his "I need love" song about 15 or 17 years ago. He was heavily criticized until he came back with "Mama said knock you out". Anyway, this CD is overall decent. With a two standouts in my opinion, but it lacks the whole package.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The DEFinition by LL Cool J, January 13, 2006

By 

David Foskin "SneakyGoblin on XBL" (Waterford, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The DEFinition (Audio CD)

While his self-given title of the "greatest of all time" is debatable, one thing that can't be disputed is that LL Cool J is a definite legend in hip-hop's legacy. Having spearheaded the dominance of Def Jam Records, cranked out radio hit after hit, and garnered respect as a big-screen actor, LL has entered the studio once again to craft his eleventh album, The Definition. Geared heavily towards club dance floors and radio play lists, The Definition finds him in full party mode, delivering rhymes with a new energy. The final product, however, teeters on mediocrity due to generic production and cheesy subject matter, but scattered jewels help lift it to ultimate enjoyment.

In an inspired allegiance, LL employs Timbaland to produce six of the disc's eleven tracks. While "Apple Cobbler" spoils quickly with LL's faux Missy Elliot delivery and Tim's by-the-numbers backdrop, the duo forms a tight chemistry on their other efforts. Timbaland provides slinky bass on the melodic "Rub My Back," and "Headsprung" pummels speakers with a ferocious blend of percussion and synthesizers. Neither of these cuts finds LL at his lyrical best, but on "Feel The Beat," he shines with justified ego massaging over Timbaland's throwback break beat, spitting, "I'm a multi-millionaire, homey that's a fact, but it's not the ice that makes your wife react." The strongest union between LL and Tim comes in the form of "Every Sip," though, a syrupy ode to females and seductive intoxication.

Unfortunately, when other producers check in, The Definition is rather hit-or-miss. 7 Aurelius gives LL an effervescent arrangement of airy vocals and hip-pop to kick vintage game on "Hush," while Dame Grease brings the old, battle-ready MC out of Uncle L on the menacing "1 In The Morning." "I'm About To Get Her," on the other hand, drips with wack juice, plodding along with sub-par verses and an instrumental that sounds way too similar to guest R. Kelly's hit "Fiesta." "Move Somethin'" also does little to aid The Definition, suffering from boring horns and a lazy performance from LL.

Clearly, LL Cool J made this album for both car systems and the crates of party DJ's, and in that respect, The Definition serves its purpose. With a career as prolific as the one he's had, some down time is allowed, and catering to his commercial fan base is expected. LL doesn't seem to be hanging up his microphone anytime soon, so until that day comes, females should feel free to continue drooling, while the fellas can continue yearning for a return to the "I Shot Ya" and "4, 3, 2, 1" days. The "G.O.A.T." who cast a dark cloud over Canibus' career is nowhere to be found on The Definition.