Customer Reviews

Lady Love [CLEAN]

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While on the debut album LeToya let us know she was that "H-town chick" by using H-town Rappers and H-town production to convey that southern confidence (swagger if you will), on "Lady Love" she does no such thing. Instead, she opts to convey that swagger solely through her lyrics and vocal execution. "Lady Love" finds LeToya as "swagger" made flesh; confidence epitomized.

From the opening song all the way to the last, we are taken on a journey through all the ups & downs, and ins & outs of Love. I am actually surprised at some of the various perspectives LeToya takes with this album. Lady Love is a true R&B album with just a sprinkling of pop added for good measure. Lyrically the album is brutally honest and well constructed; vocally LeToya sounds better than she ever has, the growth is astounding; conceptually she thoroughly explores all the different tenets of Love.

The first single "Not Anymore" was not strong enough to be a single at all. A single is a song that is a standalone hit; however, within the context of the album "Not Anymore" fits perfectly. It serves a very specific role; it enables the story to further progress. It acts as a nice bridge that guides you to the more important and more interesting sites.

Thankfully, this album is replete with great material. There really is no need to skip anything. It has been awhile since an album that is capable of playing in its entirety has been on the scene. Initially when I learned that LeToya's sophomore album would deal extensively with the subject of "love", I assumed it would be slow and boring. While there are times when LeToya slows it down, it is NEVER boring. As a vocalist, LeToya shines her brightest on mid-tempos and ballads, as all true vocalists do. Songs like "Regret", "Over", and "I Need A U" find LeToya in rare form, and showcase some of the finest vocals on the album.

On the up-tempo side, "Lady Love" "Drained" and "After Party" display LeToya's newfound ability to ad-lib effortlessly over intricate beats. It takes a certain level of confidence to handle an up-tempo in the proper manner, but as I told you, LeToya is confidence incarnate! Her conviction is astounding throughout this album; particularly impressive on the up-tempos. There are those who would argue that there aren't "enough" up-tempos on this album but its quality over quantity. While there are only a handful of records classified as "up-tempo" present on Lady Love, they are all stellar. They serve their purpose excellently, and for that, I am more than content.

The centerpiece of the album is the song "Tears". The arrangements are reminiscent of the vocal intricacy found on "Full Moon" or "Aaliyah". The song is a pulsating, intense, sexually charged record that takes the album to the next level. There are varying layers of vocals and harmonies laced throughout, and yet LeToya still manages to make it all cohesive. It would be regrettable if it were not a single in the future.

Overall, this is a very solid album. LeToya has shown exponential growth both vocally and qualitatively. "Lady Love" is a much more mature effort than the debut; it's appeal is broader than that of "LeToya" as well. Fans will definitely be pleased, but more importantly, those who didn't give LeToya a chance the first time around, will most assuredly check her out now. The inclusion of the song "Love Roller Coaster" may seem strange to some, but that song accurately sums up the entire "Lady Love" experience, "It goes up and down and around and 'round, it goes up and down, around and 'round and 'round and 'round we go!" Oh but what a journey it is!!

Best album of 2009; easily.

Wow, that's the first word that comes to mind after listening to this cd from end to end 3 or 4 times non stop. This may be the best R&B album of the year. From beginning to end, every track is well written, well produced and of course courtesy of Letoya excellantly performed.

There are so many great songs I don't even know if I should even list the best tracks, but the ones I have to listen to on repeat constantly are Lazy, Over, Regret, Tears, Take Away Love, and Matter.

She has something for everyone on this cd, from slow jams, to women's anthems, to songs for the fellas, and club joints. If this album is promoted correctly it could be huge success for the H-Town Chick. Kudos!

This album impressed me. Vocally she has grown and the production on the album shows that time was taken to craft an album of quality. R&B has become so bland over the years and it's so nice to see that there are still artists that remain true to telling stories of love and pain. This an album more than worth buying. She has grown as an artist! Great Job TOYA!!!!!!

While on the debut album LeToya let us know she was that "H-town chick" by using H-town Rappers and H-town production to convey that southern confidence (swagger if you will), on "Lady Love" she does no such thing. Instead, she opts to convey that swagger solely through her lyrics and vocal execution. "Lady Love" finds LeToya as "swagger" made flesh; confidence epitomized.

From the opening song all the way to the last, we are taken on a journey through all the ups & downs, and ins & outs of Love. I am actually surprised at some of the various perspectives LeToya takes with this album. Lady Love is a true R&B album with just a sprinkling of pop added for good measure. Lyrically the album is brutally honest and well constructed; vocally LeToya sounds better than she ever has, the growth is astounding; conceptually she thoroughly explores all the different tenets of Love.

The first single "Not Anymore" was not strong enough to be a single at all. A single is a song that is a standalone hit; however, within the context of the album "Not Anymore" fits perfectly. It serves a very specific role; it enables the story to further progress. It acts as a nice bridge that guides you to the more important and more interesting sites.

Thankfully, this album is replete with great material. There really is no need to skip anything. It has been awhile since an album that is capable of playing in its entirety has been on the scene. Initially when I learned that LeToya's sophomore album would deal extensively with the subject of "love", I assumed it would be slow and boring. While there are times when LeToya slows it down, it is NEVER boring. As a vocalist, LeToya shines her brightest on mid-tempos and ballads, as all true vocalists do. Songs like "Regret", "Over", and "I Need A U" find LeToya in rare form, and showcase some of the finest vocals on the album.

On the up-tempo side, "Lady Love" "Drained" and "After Party" display LeToya's newfound ability to ad-lib effortlessly over intricate beats. It takes a certain level of confidence to handle an up-tempo in the proper manner, but as I told you, LeToya is confidence incarnate! Her conviction is astounding throughout this album; particularly impressive on the up-tempos. There are those who would argue that there aren't "enough" up-tempos on this album but its quality over quantity. While there are only a handful of records classified as "up-tempo" present on Lady Love, they are all stellar. They serve their purpose excellently, and for that, I am more than content.

The centerpiece of the album is the song "Tears". The arrangements are reminiscent of the vocal intricacy found on "Full Moon" or "Aaliyah". The song is a pulsating, intense, sexually charged record that takes the album to the next level. There are varying layers of vocals and harmonies laced throughout, and yet LeToya still manages to make it all cohesive. It would be regrettable if it were not a single in the future.

Overall, this is a very solid album. LeToya has shown exponential growth both vocally and qualitatively. "Lady Love" is a much more mature effort than the debut; it's appeal is broader than that of "LeToya" as well. Fans will definitely be pleased, but more importantly, those who didn't give LeToya a chance the first time around, will most assuredly check her out now. The inclusion of the song "Love Roller Coaster" may seem strange to some, but that song accurately sums up the entire "Lady Love" experience, "It goes up and down and around and 'round, it goes up and down, around and 'round and 'round and 'round we go!" Oh but what a journey it is!!

Best album of 2009; easily.

It's sad that this album will not be recognized as it should be. It has not had enough publicity. She's stuck in the shadow of Beyonce and that just sucks all around. This album is better than Beyonce's release without a shadow of a doubt. I can listen to it from beginning to end and not skip a track. She ripped this album on all fronts. It has great slow songs, but it also has some bangin up tempo jams. I really do love this album. I hope that those that do stop by to read these reviews take them to heart and purchase this album.

Man words can't express how good this cd is ...every song on here is a hit, not really one bad song off here . Beyonce watch out Toya is here ...easily the best female cd of the year

While this album debuted at #1 on the Hip-Hop/R&B Charts last week, it deserved a much better showing than #12 on the Billboard 200. Reason being is that her debut cd made it to the top of both charts and while that cd was excellent, this one is even better!! On this cd, Letoya has shown much growth as an artist, singer, and songwriter. On the vocals, check out the Prince influenced "Good 2 Me" (she killed it!!) Elsewhere on the album, Letoya overflows with newfound confidence on tracks like "Over" "Lazy" and "Don't Need You". Other reviewers have stated that this is one of the best r&b cd's of 2009 and this reviewer wholeheartedly agrees. Other highlights on the cd include the title track as well as the slow jam "Tears." The
cd is a definate pleaser from start to finish and I hope she is at least nominated for best female r&b vocal performance for "Not Anymore" and Best Female Album at this years Grammys!!

It seems like nowadays it's hard for singers to escape the worldwide shadow cast by Beyonce Knowles. It would seem to be even harder if you were in a group with her like Ms. LeToya Luckett. Even though she possesses the singing talent and beauty of a star as well as great songs to match, she just isn't recognized as being such. However, along with Amerie and a few others, LeToya is underappreciated for the contribution she brings to R&B music. However, it is amazing that she has carved a niche for herself consider the circumstances and on her second album Lady Love she looks to expand beyond her Texas roots.

She has a hand in writing every song which is a plus. LeToya has a certain subtlety and sweetness to her voice which shines on midtempos, ballads, slow jams and quiet storm type songs. Someone else smart noticed this too since the amount of uptempo songs have been greatly reduced as compared to her debut album. Her attempts at uptempo, in my opinion, have been failures and on this album its After Party, She Aint Got and Lady Love. She just doesn't excel in it.


Tank and Warren Oak have a heavy hand in this album (which would explain the slower tempo songs where she shines). Ryan Leslie also contributes some of his magic to the album as well as few other producers. Ludacris and Estelle are featured on the album as well as MIMS. Why MIMS is on the album is anybody's wild guess.

Lady Love is a good follow up to LeToya's debut and easy to say that if she continues making quality records like this one she will slowly get the respect she deserves. 4 stars.

I completely agree with the other reviews it is one of the few CD's that can be played from beginning to end. I was anticipating the release of this CD because I loved her single "She Ain't Got" and my best friend fell in love her other release "Not Anymore." If you buy only one CD this year make it this one. I have ALOT of music, I listen to everything from Taylor Swift and 3OH3! to Jay-Z and Brandy, so anyone who knows me that when I say out of all my CD's this year this is the best it really must be. Don't take my word for it go buy it and see for yourself.

This was a Cd I was anticipating coming out, and I was not dissapointed. A lot of singers today, like Beyonce just make music to entertain, we do not get a glipse of them or the problems that go thru. But with these CD she touches every bit of relationship problems and you can feel that she has been thru what she is singing about. And it is not over produced or her voice is not altered; just real vocals for real music. This is one of the best true R&B CDs of the year. It was worth actually buying. Favs: Lazy, Drained, Over, Don't Need U