Todd Smith [Enhanced]

L.L. Cool J | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000EGFV4K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,990 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. It's LL and Santana

2. Control Myself

3. Favorite Flavor

4. Freeze

5. Best Dress

6. Preserve The Sexy

7. What You Want

8. I've Changed

9. Ooh Wee

10. #1 Fan

11. Down The Aisle

12. We're Gonna Make It

13. So Sick

14. Control Myself

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

No other rapper from the '80s has had LL's longevity. That said, everyone--LL included--knows that the brash Queens teen of Radio is long gone. Since the mid-90s, LL's been best with crossover, R&B/rap songs hardcore types supposedly hate (but their girlfriends love). Todd Smith overflows with that. Despite half-hearted attempts at unleashing his "Jack the Ripper" skills on songs like "LL and Santana" (that'd be Juelz, not Carlos) and "What You Want," Cool James sounds more convincing when he's not trying so hard to be hard. Skip past the overly syrupy "Down the Aisle" and "Ooh Wee" and check out the old-school funkiness of "Control Myself" or "Favorite Flavor," with a throwback sound reminiscent of "Around the Way Girl." Toward the end, LL offers up "We're Gonna Make It," a rousing, feel-good song about perseverance and an apt anthem for LL's own 20-year career. --Oliver Wang

Product Description

TODD SMITH is jump started by the undeniable smash "Control Myself," featuring the multi-platinum and multi-talented superstar, Jennifer Lopez. Produced by Jermaine Dupri, the bass driven track shows yet another dimension of LL’s versatility. The album, mostly recorded in Miami and New York features several tracks from Timabaland, Pharell, Scott Storch and Trackmasters. LL Cool J’s 12th album features 12 stars; including; Mary J. Blige, Mary Mary, Teairra Mari, Freeway and Juelz Santana.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 1-1/2 stars -- You got, you got, you got what it takes to make me leave the room, July 14, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Todd Smith (Audio CD)

It's no secret that LL Cool J has been around for a very long time, but the problem is that he hasn't made a truly great album in quite some time, or even a fairly decent album. Well, I can honestly say that he has reached his nadir with his latest album, Todd Smith.

Aside from the fact that people may be growing tired of L naming his albums after himself (Mr. Smith, The G.O.A.T. Featuring James T. Smith), the fact of the matter is, this album is his absolute worst album to date -- yes, worse than 10; yes, worse than The DEFinition; yes, even worse than 14 Shots to the Dome. Speaking of 10, though, I was wondering if L was going back to kickin' it for the ladies because the liner notes feature nothing but pictures of his chest. I was also wondering that when I heard the lead single, the J. Lo-assisted "Control Myself" (which is straight-up wack, by the way). But what if I told you that that was actually one of the BETTER songs?

This is another one of the many rap albums that is littered with guest stars; LL is only alone on one song ("#1 Fan"). And there are mistakes aplenty, like when L recruits Juelz Santana, of all people, for the tired "It's LL and Santana" (great title, guys). The Jamie Foxx-assisted "Best Dress" is forgettable, and L's latest single, "Freeze" (with Lyfe Jennings), makes absolutely no sense.

LL is also rapping too softly for us to understand what he's saying on "Ooh Wee" (featuring Ginuwine). And speaking of has-beens, City High's Ryan Toby sings the hook on "I've Changed", but he comes off like a Michael Jackson impersonator. But the song was pretty pathetic anyway, especially when L kicks lyrics like: "Please find it in your heart to forgive me/Realize only God can convict me/We all make mistakes; so have you/If God showed mercy on me, then you should too."

Songs continue to fail, as the Mary Mary-assisted "We're Gonna Make It" proves that LL Cool J and gospel are like oil and water. And as far as the subject matter in "Preserve the Sexy", well, I sure hope Teairra Marí wasn't still 17 when they recorded the song. The only song on here that's really worth hearing isn't even LL's; it's a remix of Ne-Yo's "So Sick". Although I'm tired of people using Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" music, it actually works well with the song (not that "So Sick" wasn't a great song to begin with). But LL's rap during it doesn't help or hurt matters.

Todd Smith proves that although LL started out in the rap game, he really needs to hang up the mic and stick with acting now (doesn't that remind you of what another rapper-turned-actor who was also born in 1968 and ALSO has the last name "Smith" should do?). As far as keeping from using this CD as a Frisbee, well, it's hard to control myself.

Anthony Rupert

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars WHAT THE @#*!, May 3, 2006

By 

Joby Dejuan Phillips "DJ DMT" (Phenix City, Al. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Todd Smith (Audio CD)

Only one tra... @#*! THAT! NOTHING caught my ear on this release. This is not the L.L. That I grew up listening to. I know that he's doing clean albums for the kids. Nothing's wrong with that. 1990's "Mama Said Knock You Out" was clean, but it was and STILL is a GOOD album! Damn L do you need Canibus to get back in your ass to make you get your swagger back?

GOT DAMN!

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars LL & Friends-A Bit Formulaic But Satisfying, April 11, 2006

By 

Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Todd Smith (Audio CD)

L Cool J's thirteenth album Todd Smith is in stores now. Back in late 1995, LL Cool J had a hit song named "Hey Lover" with Boyz II Men. This collabo put LL back on the charts and the radio after a minor slump. Since this song LL has had successful collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Total, Amerie, Pharell, and several other industry peeps.

It seems LL has learned what works well for him and what will get him played on the radio. Todd Smith is a very good and solid album but it comes across as very formulaic. You get a group of popular artist (Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, Juelz Santana, Jamie Foxx, and 112 among others), a solid track and throw them on the record with LL.

This may be a hit making combination for parties involved but Todd Smith might as well be named LL & Friends as every track--except one has a featured guest. This isn't saying the tracks aren't good, but LL--("Rock The Bells," "I'm That Type of Guy," "I Need Love," "Going Back To Cali," "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Around The Way Girl," "I'm Bad,") has proven that he can carry a track on his own.

This LL fan was left wanting a little more after checking out his current release. Todd Smith is very radio friendly and a decent album. The album opens with "It's LL and Santana" and it's followed up by the current single "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. This is one of the most high energy tracks on the album. Mary and LL deliver up what may be a future single as radio has already taken to the song "Favorite Flavor." Labelmate Teairra Mari sounds a bit scary on the track "Preserve The Sexy." Something about her drawl in that song is a bit disturbing. The sole song which features a solo LL "#1 Fan" is a satisfying song with a Reggaeton edge.

The Ne-Yo and LL "So Sick-Remix" is featured on Todd Smith as a bonus track. Another familiar song on the album is "We're Gonna Make It," featuring Mary Mary. This song was featured on the Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack.

Overall, Todd Smith is a satisfying album. However, this reviewer expected something a little less predictable from an industry vet like LL.