Customer Reviews

Tasty

5 star:		(91)
4 star:		(52)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

You can always count on Kelis to be the innovative one in terms of sound, and with this third offering, "Tasty", she pretty much nails a bull's eye. While it's obvious that her voice still isn't developed (as in, she sings the same notes [rarely ever hitting higher ones] & the fact that she sometimes sounds off key), it's evident that it's improving; it's becoming more & more appealing & hypnotic. The album works mainly on the production, which by the way is nearly flawless. In the custom of keeping things `different', Kelis chose a sort of rock r&b/old school funk type of sound.

"Tasty" offers numerous appetizing tracks: "Rolling Through The Hood" is one of the best r&b songs I've heard in a while: It has an innovative sound, a strong hook and flows very nicely as it progresses. It's a song about the bittersweet truth of life, but then goes on to depict a message of "how life goes on":

Baby I want you to know
That how it works in the ghetto
Joy is joy and pain is pain

One day is sooner than you know
We'll be living tomorrow
We'll be laughing about today...

The song ends optimistically, with the yearning of potential possibilities when she chants "...maybe tomorrow". "In Public" featuring her fiancé Nas is one of the better r&b/rap collaborations of 2003; there is actual chemistry between Kelis & Nas in which her sexy and mesmerizing vocals compliments his rapping (and vice-versa). "Keep It Down", which is roughly about gossiping girls, has a heavy rock sound to it, while "Glow" with Raphael Saadiq is a love song that has a slow/mid-tempo melancholy feel. Another track with Raphael Saadiq is "Attention", an upbeat track about being noticed and appreciation. "Trick Me" is a fun sounding song based on the quote "Trick me once, shame on you, trick me twice, shame on me." And who could not like "Milk Shake", a spicy, exciting, bass heavy song about Kelis making the public aware of her `assets'.

There are, however, some minor problems; "Sugar Honey Iced Tea" has a nice mid-tempo flow, but with repetitiveness of the mediocre lyrics, it fails to really go anywhere. The Prince-esque "Millionaire", although unique in its own way, sounded a bit odd during the initial listen. The beat sounds...different, sort of resembling a cheerleader's anthem (you can literally almost hear somebody shout "READY? OKAY!")

But nonetheless, this album is one of 2003's best. Yes, this album has a few tiny flaws, but with that fascinating voice and unique hooks, the album manages to pull together with a breeze. She might not have the widest vocal range, but she knows how to use what she has. Kelis also has an excellent sense of rhythm; there is at least one part in each song that sounds appealing (not necessarily the hook). It's sad that Kelis is still known only as "that girl from the Neptunes", because to be straightforwardly honest, she is one of the better R&B singers out. So good that she makes the line "damn right! Its better than yours" a fact... rather than a belief.

When Kelis first debuted in 1999 with "Kaleidoscope", I fell in love with her. I thought that Kelis was an amazingly refreshing and creative artist with a great 4-star debut album. In 2001, Kelis' second album "Wanderland" (which, by the way, I think is her best album, worthy of 5 stars) wasn't released in the US, only being released in Europe and Asia.

When I heard the song "Milkshake" on the radio and heard it was by Kelis, although I enjoyed the song, I immediately labeled Kelis as a sell-out. Nevertheless, being a Kelis fan, I purchased "Tasty" and was pleasantly surprised. Although "Tasty" is definetely the most mainstram work Kelis has done (that can be a good or bad thing, you decide), I think Kelis is going to be around for a long time.

01) INTRO - This is a funny introduction to a great album. The opening line is Kelis saying to a man, "...so I'm gonna give you some taste, and you tell me what you think, OK?" The rest is just funny. Use your imagination, lol. *9/10*

02) TRICK ME - One of my favorites on "Tasty", "Trick Me" starts off sounding like a cowboy rodeo number but quickly evolves into a heavy, uptempo R&B song, which turns out to be one of the strongest songs on the album. *10/10*

03) MILKSHAKE - The radio smash first single heard everywhere. I don't think I need to explain what this song sounds like, but just give my opinion on it. I like it. A lot. *9.5/10*

04) KEEP IT DOWN - The rock song on the album, "Keep It Down" reminds us of the Kelis we used to know. Her first two albums "Kaleidoscope" and "Wanderland" had some great rock-R&B songs and this one is a little bit of nostalgia for us long-time Kelis fans. *10/10*

05) IN PUBLIC - Kelis and fiane Nas should definetely collaborate again. This is one of the hottest tracks on "Tasty". The song is about, what else?, getting it on in public! (Hence the lyrics in the chorus: "Let's get it on in public / Just let it go I promise that you'll love it"). The rap from Nas also adds a nice touch to the song. The lyrics get hot and the beats get hotter in this not-to-subtle track. This song is also planned to be the second single. *10/10*

06) FLASHBACK - A track taken from Kelis' 2001 overseas-only release "Wanderland", "Falshback" is a breezy R&B gem with an intoxicating chorus ("ooh you make my body go, Yeah Yeah!") *9/10*

07) PROTECT MY HEART - I'm not crazy about this one. It sounds similar to track 6, only not as good. While the chorus is catchy, I'm not a fan of Pharrell's cameo in this song. I also think the song in general doesn't do Kelis and her great voice justice. *6.5/10*

08) MILLIONAIRE - Kelis and Andre 3000 make a great duo! This is one of my favorites on the album for sure. It sounds like a song right out of Andre's "The Love Below" (which by the way people, is a GREAT album). *10/10*

09) GLOW - Another track I am not very fond of. I think it sounds rather cheesy and a little too sugary for me. *5/10*

10) SUGAR HONEY ICE TEA - A slow-tempo soul jam. This one is nice. A good song to kick back to. Kelis' voice just breezes through on this one. Nice. *7.5/10*

11) ATTENTION - Another favorite of mine, this is just a classic R&B song. The beat is hot on this one and the chorus is very catchy. *10/10*

12) ROLLING THROUGH THE HOOD - I like this one. A mid-tempo song written by The Neptunes. *8/10*

13) STICK UP - A darker-sounding song that doesn't really sound like Kelis' style. Nevertheless, it's a favorite of mine. The chorus will stick in your head all day. ("Put your hands up in the air / It's a stick up / I'm gonna take your heart from here / Put your hands in the air / In the air / In the air") *10/10

14) MARATHON - A great song to close a great album. A little deeper than some of the other songs on here, "Marathon" has a different style going for it. The beat is very simple, but Kelis' voice sound awesome on this song. *9/10*

There you have it, Kelis' "Tasty" earns a solid 4 stars from me. Better than her debut "Kaleidoscope" but not as good as "Wanderland", "Tasty" is still worth buying.

OVERALL:
123.5/140 = 88% = B+

BEST SONGS:
Trick Me
Milkshake
Keep It Down
In Public
Attention
Stick Up

WORST SONGS:
Protect My Heart
Glow

Recommended? YES

Those of us who miss the days when soul jams had just as much melody as beats will find "Tasty" difficult to remove from their stereo. Kelis manages to alternately channel Donna Summer ("In Public"), Cherrelle ("Attention"), and Lisa Lisa ("Protect My Heart") and still maintain her own identity. Outkast's Andre 3000 steps in for "Millionaire," which sounds remarkably like an abandoned Prince demo from the early 80's, and Dallas Austin takes the record in two distinctly different directions on the punky rocker "Keep it Down" and the tight hip-hop workout "Trick Me."

The only misstep is the ho-hum "Stick Up," which goes for a moody hip-hop sound but ends up sounding disposable. Much better is "Rolling Through the Hood," a song that concentrates on a player at first but eventually sends a message to Kelis' neighbors in the ghetto: "God will never forget you...this is your world, careful what you do with it." The track is a perfect example of how Kelis may appear one way on the surface (the freaky "Milkshake" is a pure pop guilty pleasure), but closer inspection shows she can go far deeper than that. Toss in hook-heavy retro tracks like "Sugar Honey Iced Tea" and "Glow" and you have one of the strongest soul outings of the new millenium. Kelis may have appeared to be a novelty at first, but this set proves she's in it for the long haul. Tasty, indeed.

I already had an idea what Kelis' "Tasty" was going to sound like before I even put the CD in my player. One of the CD booklet photos has Kelis savoring a lollipop, which is positioned in a way that shows that she's got much more on her mind than the confection she's enjoying. As the photo suggests, we're in for an album of beat-heavy grooves and lyrics that are almost as sexually frank as anything Prince did back in the day. From the first beat on, "Tasty" is sinfully irresistible. The Neptunes (Chad Hugo and Pharell Williams) do much of the producing on cuts such as the breezy "Flashback," the single "Milkshake," and "Sugar Honey Iced Tea." But Kelis works just as well with other producers such as Rockwilder on "In Public," a catchy jam that's about doin' it, well, in public. The talented Raphael Saadiq also shines in the laid-back "Glow," while Andre 3000 of Outkast gives a Prince-inspired groove on "Millionaire." Another great track is "Keep it Down," a Dallas Austin produced track that has Kelis jamming to a groove that meshes hip hop and amped-up rock. "Tasty" is one of the more consistent records I've heard in 2003. I bought it completely on a whim, and I have yet to regret it.

Great album. Every single song could have been released as a single in my opinion. Its too bad that her album didn't do as well hear in America as it did in Europe. One of the best videos of the year "Trick Me" along with "Millionair" f/ Andre 3000 of Outkast wasn't released in America or Canada. What is so great about her album is that so many of the tracks had a lot of base. Something that sets her apart from other R&B artists is that she doesn't need to add in a lot of annoying runs in order to keep the listeners interested in her music. She simply has her infectious hook along with a great beat. Every song on the album is different. She had a variety of producers for the album which in tern gave the album an eclectic sound that albums with only one producer don't have.

I would normally give my top 5 favorites but the whole album is excellent so I just have to list them all:

1) In Public (f/ Nas)[european dance sound w/ hypnotic vocals]
2) Protect My Heart (f/ Pharrell) [Love changes in beat]
3) Glow [Love base line and hook]
4) Trick Me [Used to be fav song.Great Reggae vibe + video.]
5) Sugar Honey Iced Tea [low key song. Almost jazzy]
6) Attention [Always blast this song b/c of heavy base]
7) Stick Up [beat reminds me of origional Mario games]
8) Marathon [great music. good for easy listening]
9) Millionair [fun song. video is okay. Love beat]
10) Rollin through the hood [good message. Beat is good.]
11) Keep it down [remenicent of first 2 albums. Rock sound]
12) Milkshake [Loved song when came out.1st vid version was better]
13) Intro [sexy intro.]
14) Flashback [good song but already apeared on 2nd album.]

I highly recomend this album for people who pay attention to beats. Every song has beat changes and great hooks that shows all of the time and effort she put into the album. I would also tell people to get her first 2 albums "Kaleidoscope" and "Wanderland". Both excellent albums also.

1.Intro- a great way to start this album she is giving candy some guy and you can hear the sounds.
2.Trick Me-has a down south vibe to it
3.MilkShake- that song you have heard before
4.Keep it Down- a rock song
5.In Public feat.Nas- ok
6.Flashback - was also included on Wanderland
7.Protect my heart- reminds me of an eighties pop song
8.Millionaire feat.Andre 3000-one of my favs
9.Glow feat Raphael Saddiq- soulful
10.Sugar Honey Ice Tea-soulful
11.Attention-nice vibe
12.Rolling through the hood-kinda mellow talks about rolling through the hood and seeing her boyfriend cheating.
13.Stick Up-has a Halloweenish beat to it cool and creative she has a cool rap sequence towards the end.
14.Marathon-The last song but one of the greatest,she says love is a marathon i running for you daddy but you dont know me yet and faith is all i have and........

At least five strong songs on this album. The album really distills the good stuff from the 80s. What stuff? I can't put my finger on it but when you listen to 80s music from Madonna to Run DMC, it just has a wholesome goodness. This is exactly what Kelis brings into her music. Kelis addresses sexuality like in Lodi Dodi, uses some of Madonna's writhing a la "Like a Virgin," and even some Cyndi Lauper type sentimentalism.

I also recommend that you seek out "Oasis" by Kelis (I believe it was unreleased but can be found online) and that you see all of the videos put out by Kelis. She is adorable and the videos are full of 80s nostalgia.

Kelis Kelis Kelis. The queen of style, I have always considered her this because she can sing in any genre and make it sound tight. Name any genre. You name it, she's done it (all except Country). Alternative, R&B, Rap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Africana, Techno, Funk, Rock, Hard Rock, Latin-ish, Ballads, ect. However, most of you wouldn't know that because you're just hearing about her now! That's okay, you can still buy her previous albums if you're feelin' her. "Tasty"(previously titled "Masquerade", "Amphibious" and "Flight 879"), her lastest offering falls just short of her debut album "Kaleidoscope" and pretty much ties her sophmore effort "Wanderland" (which was NOT A FLOP). There is something for everyone on this album! These songs were rated out of 5 Stars:

TRICK ME - This song is has a Dallas Austin pop/r&b type beat. It has a pretty nice message to it, she's lettin' her ex-boyfriend know that even though he tricked her once, it ain't gonna happen again. The one thing that makes this song good is Kelis' rap. Without the rap, this song would have been just aight. ~4 Stars~

MILKSHAKE - I'm sure everyone has heard this song before. This song to me is vintage Kelis. She has the Neptune beat, the tight and witty lyrics, and the signature Kelis style. This song is amazing, the beat is amazing and finally Kelis has gotten some much-deserved respect for ANOTHER tight single. ~5 Stars~

KEEP IT DOWN - First off, let me start off by saying that Dallas Austin HOOKED THIS BEAT UP! It's a Rock/Alternative/Hip Hop beat and it will most definitely get your adrenaline pumping. Perfect dance track. Kelis sounds great on here, this song needs to be a single. ~5 Stars~

IN PUBLIC [feat. Nas] - This song is just what the title suggests. Kelis and her fiancé Mr. Nasty Nas Escobar are talkin' about "gettin' it on in public." At first, this song, to me, was not all that. It's got one of my favorite singers in it, and one of my favorite rappers in itand now I think the song is off da hook! Different side of Kelis. However, this is not the best production from Rockwilder, but it's aight, catchy & fun. ~4.5 Stars~

FLASHBACK - For all of you hardcore Kelis fans or people that were interested in Kelis before now know that Flashback was on the "Wanderland" Album. I have always liked this song, it's also extremely catchy, it's like she's telling a story here. Her voice is smooth, and the song is smooth. ~4.5 Stars~

PROTECT MY HEART [feat. Pharrell] - I had high expectations for all of the Neptunes tracks, and this one didn't disappoint me. The beat sounds like a straight up dance production. The lyrics are okay, but I'm not feelin' the vocals here. Kelis can SANG, but she doesn't show it here. ~3.5 Stars~

MILLIONAIRE [feat. Andre 3000] - This song is WEIRD. From the Andre 3000 beat, to some of the lyrics, to the delivery...but there is just something about it that makes you want to listen to it. I still can't quite comment on it yet because I don't know if I love it or hate it. ~4 Stars~

GLOW [feat. Raphael Saadiq] - Kelis sound great on this song. This song needs to be a single because it's one of the best songs on here. Raphael Saadiq did his thing on the beat and on the chorus. And Kelis put it down on the vocals. Great Song. ~5 Stars~

SUGAR HONEY ICED TEA - Another Neptunes produced track, another great song. The vocals and lyrics are always hot on the Neptunes penned tracks. Very original, and fresh. ~4.5 Stars~

ATTENTION - Raphael Saadiq really surprised me with this one. This beat is phat and the vocals are off da hook. This really needs to be a single, Kelis shows vocal talent in this one, not by power but by delivery and style. ~5 Stars~

ROLLING THROUGHT THE HOOD - The Neptunes produce their final track on this album. This song is very inspirational. This is another vintage Kelis song. She shows vocal power and talent here. Very true to life, this song has a great message. ~5 Stars~

STICK UP - This beat is so ghetto to me. It's this Halloween-ish R&B beat. It fits the theme of the song though. Kelis wants to have this man's love, it's a stick up so put your hands up in the air. Kelis shows her rap style again, this time it's even better, for real, her rap is off da hook in here. Kelis also shows some much missed power in this song. ~4.5 Stars~

MARATHON - I love the end of this song, and the beat is so rare, I'm sure no-one has ever heard a beat like this. I would call this a Jazz meets orchestra meets hip hop beat. The lyrics are amazing, and Kelis' delivery makes it so that she is the only person who sounds right singin' it. Smooth and confident vocals here. Now, let me get to the end, the last minute and 45 seconds just have about 5 Kelis-es adlib-ing woth loads and loads of power and talent. It's almost symphonic, and the beat turns inspirational. I could listen to this last part over and over again. Excellent song, the most original on "Tasty". ~5 Stars~

I'm very happy that one of my personal favorite singers is getting the exposure, promo, and respect that she has deserved for 5 YEARS! Please, if you like "Tasty" you HAVE to check out her first two albums "Kaleidoscope" (one of the top 50 CD's of the 90's) and "Wanderland" (A blockbuster hit in the UK). As for "Tasty"...CLOSE TO PERFECTION!

4.75 Stars / **** ¾

I am really impressed with this release from Kelis.
I got this CD around the time second single Trick Me was being played, and have really loved it ever since.
It is so nice to hear an album that is not filled with songs about 'love' etc. This is a woman who is not afraid to speak about sex.

1. Intro- Probably the best intro on any album. Really funny, and sorta dirty!

2. Trick Me- a feel good, sing-a-long, summery tune. Everyone knows this, and loves it. it is so catchy, and the perfect was to start the album. it sets the tone for the whole thing. 9./10

3. Milkshake- the first single from here. Produced by Neptunes, with a fantastic beat, sexy lyrics and catchy chorus, wot more could u want! 8/10

4. Keep It Down- I think this song is about a sex act (keepin the head down!). I love this. Rocky feel to it, with smashing drums. Really like this. 7/10

5. In Public- THE BEST on the album! it was a single, but i never saw the vid!his features husband Nas, and is brilliant. RnB/HipHop. The bass line is phat, the lyrics are wicked, u can dance to it, and chill to it. LOVE IT! 10/10

6. Flashback- 'U make me cum, a lot'. Says it all! i really like this. it's a simple song, wicked beat, again very catchy. 8/10

7. Protect My Heart- Did NOT like this at first, but REALLY like it now! Neptunes again. Beat is phat, her vocals are so smooth,a nd i love the two breakdown bits! 7/10

8. Millionairre- Talk about a beat! everyone knows this, wrote, produced and featuring Andre 3000, this is fast, beaty, catchy and crazy stuff! The rap is sheer quality! Kelis dont feature much on this, but it is wicked! third single. 7/10


The rest of the album is very good, but nothin to write home about. Even if i had heard the album before i bought it, i would have still bought it for the first 8 tracks.
This is real feel good. somethin different.
I really recommend this to RnB, HipHop and Pop fans. Im even gonna say some Rock fans will enjoy this if they aint scared to look outside the box, coz the beats on this are wicked!

OVERALL- 8/10.

Kelis's deeply funky, sensual music has never truly gotten the recognition it deserves. Although it sounds like a cliche, Kelis is really like nothing else on radio. While R&B heavy hitter Beyonce churns out explosive hip-hop charged singles and comrade Ashanti crafts smooth and silky soul, Kelis is in the middle. Utilizing the ever-present, all-funky beats of the mighty Neptunes, she retains hip-hop credibility with smooth beats. It seems, though, that Top 40 radio has opened up to new sounds: "Milkshake," the first single off of this worthy set, is hitting it big at radio.

"Milkshake" is the perfect example of Kelis's fine form. The song's sharp beats (courtesy of the Neptunes, natch) easily surpass any of their recent work with hip-hop supremes Busta Rhymes and Jay-Z. The rest of the album, of course, is hard pressed to live up to its opus of a debut single, which some of it does and some does not. Perhaps the best move Kelis makes on this album is choosing other producers besides the Neptunes, despite their infinite wisdom. Producing just 5 cuts (as opposed to the entire album) they appear as almost a send-off, releasing Kelis into her musical freedom. Some of their tracks could even be described as lackluster material, such as the weak "Flashback." Perhaps the most welcome additions are Raphael Saadiq (who produces the deeply funky, old-school "Glow") and Dallas Austin (who produces and pens one of the album's best moments, the crunching "Keep It Down"). There are, of course, weak tracks, such as (surprisingly) her duet with Andre 3000, "Millionaire"; the previously mentioned "Flashback"; and the merely OK "Protect My Heart."

"Tasty" is, however, a very welcome change from the conventional hip hop and R&B that clutters the radio these days. Kelis's latest is a cohesive, relatively low key set of material that probably won't spawn another radio smash like "Milkshake" (although the saucy duet with her fiance, Nas, "In Public," has a fair chance), but it does remain one of the better albums of late 2003. Congrats, Kelis, and please continue in this novel direction.