Customer Reviews

Tp3 Reloaded (Bonus Dvd)

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(41)
3 star:		(29)
2 star:		(25)
1 star:		(43)

 

 

With 12 Play, R. Kelly showed that he was a creative force in the world of new-jack R&B; with his raunchy lover man image and X-rated lyrics. It also made him a pop icon. His sequel to 12 Play, TP-2.Com, continued this formula with his "thug love" persona. Now, let's skip to 2005 with his newest album, TP.3 Reloaded. It's unbelievable that R. has now created a third installment in the 12 Play series, and for all of his fans who have brought all of his albums since 1992, know what to expect from this record: plain SEX. That's the good thing about this album. The thing that really messes this album up is its repetitiveness. Look at some of the song titles, for instance. Anyway, there are some good, but not great gems on here. The opening, "Playa's Only" really starts this album off on a great start, with its crunk, party-starting beats and with Kelly's and The Game's perfect chemistry. "Happy Summertime" has a nice laidback, 70's vibe with Snoop Dogg's smooth rapping. "Touchin'" is a steamy ballad with him doing an average duet with Nivea. The one thing I think saves this album from being a total disaster is the most-talked single of this year, "Trapped in the Closet (Chapters 1-5)". This epic series can be considered the "Fatal Attraction" of music. In this story, Kelly sleeps with a woman he met at a nightclub, and he then wakes up in the morning to find out that her husband is a homosexual and is cheating on her. But Kelly has even more problems because he finds out that his girlfriend is in a relationship with someone else. It's just interesting how Kelly keeps twisting the plot throughout all of the chapters. Another thing he does new on here is try to make a couple of attempts to do reggae music on songs like "Slow Wind" and "Reggae Bump Bump (featuring Elephant Man)". Overall, it seems like TP.3 Reloaded is the most ambitious out of the whole 12 Play series, but it's also the less-appealing. It just doesn't have the substance 12 Play or TP-2.Com had, but it does follow in the same vein of the 12 Play predecessors respectfully. The reason why this probably strays away from 12 Play and TP-2 is because the album feature too many guests that don't make stellar performances here, the craftmanship sounds very generic on this album, and it gets a little repetitive as a whole. It's so ironic how Kelly toned down his explicit credibility for his two previous releases, Chocolate Factory and last year's, Happy People/U Saved Me, and now he returns to the stuff that made him one of the most provocative artists of the 1990's with this album. TP.3 Reloaded is a major disappointment, that has flashes of good songs around the whole record. Let's just hope on the next release that Kelly finds his real style and talent. D-

Let me preface my review by stating that I am a big R. Kelly fan dating back to when he emerged in the 90's. His last few albums have been nothing short of fantastic. The Loveland and Happy People discs will always remain steady in my music rotation. Watching the R mature over the course of his last four albums has been an absolute pleasure. His music is usually tasteful despite being so hip. That being said, I'm greatly disappointed by TP.3. My main beef is the number of guests and the rather immature lyrics on several songs. While I always agreed that Kels songs sound alike with his basic three-note production pattern, I considered that to be a good thing with respect to his ability to tweak each song in a unique manner. However, without inspiring lyrics the R's production on this release fails to hold-up on songs such as "Put My T-Shirt On", "Kickin It With Your Girlfriend", and "Sex Weed." We have heard these songs before under other titles, making them predictable, and quite frankly boring. I get the feeling that Kels was just trying to rush this album and needed as much help as possible with consideration to the number of guest spots. "Players Only" featuring the Game is stunted by the rappers rehashed lyrics from his recent debut album. "Happy Summertime" featuring Snoop Dogg is disappointing because the R sing-songs like Nate Dogg. "Girls Go Crazy" featuring Baby is just like the album itself, nothing to write home about.

It must be noted that this release is not a total waste as it does have some highlights: "Slow Wind" is classic R. Kelly sensexualism, as well as "Remote Control" and "Touchin" featuring Nivea. The collabo with Elephant Man, "Reggae Bump Bump" has the potential to be a major club banger. As for the five-part "Trapped in the Closet", I must admit that the story line became intriguing as the various parts played along. However, each cut has a limited replay value once the story unfolds. All-in-all, I'm disappointed with TP.3 the same way you are when you run into an old friend just to realize that you have outgrown them. Hopefully, the Pied Piper will reappear on future projects from front to finish, as opposed to being a guest on his own album.

Pushed to the local CD store by the much hyped and talked about five-part "Trapped in The Closet," I, unfortunately, forked over ten-plus dollars to buy "TP.3 Reloaded". I can't agree with Kelly's handle as "The Pied Piper of Love" because each of the 19 songs contained on "TP.3" is not about love at all. The theme is more basic: unadulterated sex with no concept of consequences for one's actions. His lyrics are offensive and embarrassing to both men and women, treating the latter as nothing more than sex objects and the former as nothing more than sex-starved barbarians.

While the five-part "Trapped in the Closet" has its operatic drama, its over-the-top situations and stereotypical characterizations do nothing to improve the relationships between men and women.

If Kelly wants to be considered in the same league as R & B icons Luther Vandross, Barry White, and Marvin Gaye, then he needs to tone it down a bit and get more romantic.

In his acknowledgments, Kelly pays tribute to God and Jesus. I don't think either one would be pleased with Kelly's hypocritical nature.

Throwing in the occasional "sacred" song after making an armada of bare-to-the bone sex romps might not be too pleasing in their eyes.



OK! I'm ready for the onslaught of negatives from his fans.

I could listen to "Remote Control" all day. That song is so soulful for me. I got ready to quit my job, went on break, listened to that song, and calmed right down. That's how serious it is. This cd is a regular ole R. Kelly cd, full of soul, laughs, and freak nasty lyrics (Note: R., it's okay to leave some details out...I really didn't need to know you toss salad). The "Trapped in the Closet" DVD was entertaining and the guy who plays the woman's husband did a great acting job. The only problem is once you know all five parts, you're really not trying to hear it again. It loses its flair. "In the Kitchen" and "Kickin' it with your girlfriend" were great songs too! I didn't care for "Playa's Only" or "Happy Summertime"--too cliche. But other than that, this cd is just what I expected--a great listen.
On "Put my T-Shirt On" at 3:51 time frame, I could listen to him do that "Eee ee ee ee ee ee" over and over again too.

R Kelly's third instalment of the Twelve Play albums is downright horrible.Listening to this album gave me the impression that he lacked inspiration while he was recording it.Most of the songs are crass and forgettable.The only highlight of the album are the melodramatic chapters of "Trapped in the Closet".Overall this is a below-average album.

Weird title huh? Well its the truth. R. Kelly without a doubt has been the single greatest RnB artist since his solo debut, the infamous "12 play." Let it be known R. Kelly is not in competition with any other artist in music but himself and past soul legends(like it or love it he is destined to be named among the greats)so with that said I judge this album according to Kelly's previous work and that of other Soul legends. There are two points of genius on this album:The "Trapped in the Closet" series and the production. R. Kelly's depth in song writing reached new heights never before accumulated with his urban operetta. The series is packed with suspense, drama, unique twists and turns. Kells simply peaks into the homes of so many couples and tells a story. Remarkably sung, Kells interprets these characters emotions with such detail and feeling you can't help but to feel Rufus' anger, Kathy's hurt, and Chuck's fear... Perhaps the most creative song of all time(all chapters included plus the ones to come)Next the production, it is possible that the R is THE premiere producer. His production is so elaborate and so brilliantly arranged that you can't help but get raptured up in songs like "Slow Wind" and "Hit it till the mornin'" He is a careful crafter and he shows consistently(there isn't a single dud beat here) He is unsurpassed in this arena. But there are flaws as well. One, and most blatantly, the song writing(outside of "Trapped") These are some of the corniest, silliest lyrics I've ever heard him sing. Yet its his dynamic voice that gives life to these dead lyrics. Kelly's song writing is not on par with Babyface, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, or his hero Marvin Gaye. In that area he has work to do, I'm not worried though, give him time. The next flaw is the guest appearances. Simply put we want R. Kelly and only R. Kelly, well maybe a guest spot here and there but no more. Why buy the album and you didn't listen to it first. So many negative reviews, such a waste of time go to one the afformentioned chat rooms and talk(hate) all you want but you can never deny that this man is a musical genius... Some of you only talk about the "tape" seperate the man from the music and pray for him. Like it or love it he's the greatest artist of our generation and he'll only get better.

First, I would recommend buying it...you get the DVD of the five closet videos and R deserves to make a few bucks after the hype he created around this one. Now the review...

Playa's Only is about sexy women in the club...wow...so unique...why didn't I think of that? (Grade = C)

Happy Summertime has some good lines and everything...but didn't Will Smith do this song about a decade ago? (Grade = C)

Sex in the Kitchen is a "clever" song that's so clever it's corny. Instead of being sexy or nasty...it's just corny. And why did he do a break down about tossing somebody's salad? (Grade = F)

Slow Wind wins the prize. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a sexy, reggae beat...can't wait to do a slow wind to this one (wink, wink). (Grade = A)

Put My T-Shirt On is that kind of ghetto, hip-hop concept that works well, for what it represents. Kind of like You Remind Me, either you get it or you don't. (Grade = B)

Remote Control is R. Kelly meets Prince. The Prince imitation in vocals and production is actually entertaining...but the "clever" concept is so corny. (Grade = C...only because of the Prince thing...otherwise Grade = F)

Kickin' It With Your Girlfriend what a jerk!!! No remorse...no regret...just a jerk! (Grade = F)

Reggae Bump Bump is fun, fun as I sit in my chair going thump, thump making my boody go bump, bump. (Grade = A)

Touchin' is sweet and everything...but I think I've heard this melody from R before...still I will include it in my next seduction mix. (Grade = B)

Girls Go Crazy is yet another girls in the club song. I am so bored with this concept I almost fell asleep. And this one ain't even interesting. (Grade = F)

Hit It Till The Morning didn't make it past the intro. (Grade = F)

Sex Weed didn't make it past the intro. (Grade = F)

(Sex) Love is What We Makin' is about a sexual obsession and works for me. The melody sounds a bit familiar, but still it's a good song for my seduction mix. (Grade = B)

Burn It Up is yet another sexy girls in the club song. (Grade = F)

Trapped in the Closet works for me. It created a lot of hype that should translate into a very successful album...and at the end of the day...that's what this business is about. (Grade = A)

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Here is a breakdown of the concepts:

Boody/Sex Songs = 12
Negative Love Songs = 2 (The 5 closet songs counted as one)
Positive Songs About Men = 1
Positive Love Songs = BIG FAT ZERO
Positive Songs About Women = BIG FAT ZERO

This is NOT what I expected from R. Kelly. The songs do nothing to express his true writing ability. Listening to this album, I was amazed at how boring it was. The most exciting cuts on the album are In the Closet. There is really nothing else about this album that stands out. He could have done much better.

How dare he even mention God and Jesus in his liner notes when he and his music are immoral to the extreme. HYPOCRITE. If you want to be a hedonistic, misogynistic pig go ahead- have a go...but don't act like you believe God understands your sins....yech, put this ego-driven perv in prison

My mistake, I must admit, was falling for the name of the cd TP3 Reloaded. Before my purchase I'm gearing up for a cd that's loaded with slow jams much like 12 Play(...). Boy was I wrong. Reggae, Reggaton and other fast tracks kill the mood of songs like "Sex(Love is what we makin)" & "Touchin". We already knew about "Trapped in the closet" & "Sex in the Kitchen" so there are no good slow jams other than the previous two I mentioned that really grab me but even those are not true R. Kelly classics. I'm giving him two stars only for his rep, (as a musician that is).