The DEFinition [ENHANCED]

L.L. Cool J

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B0002QXMN4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (87 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,077 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Can LL still make a case for being the G.O.A.T (Greatest of All Time)? Well, let's just say that this position is becoming more difficult to defend. Enlisting the talents of Timbaland to sonically sculpt most of his 11th record is a wise move. The hook-driven jump-off "Headsprung" fits perfectly into its current urban-music landscape. Conceptually, "Move Somethin'" reveals that LL can still flip nouveau rap flows when called upon. The problem is that LL Cool J long ago decided to stop being "hard as hell," instead allowing his R&B-rapper persona to creep in further. Thus, a lot of this release, much like his most recent previous efforts, is filled with offensively boring love songs. Even with R. Kelly dropping by and Timbaland delivering fantastic synthesizer blasts, LL's boasts of getting better with age simply do not hold up. The great ones never know when to throw in the towel--or at least slow down the output--and only LL diehards will lick their lips to this one. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 18 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Time To Hang 'Em Up, L {2 Stars}, January 3, 2007

By	Norfeest "Yes Yes Y'all" (Washington DC USA) - See all my reviews

My guess would be that most of the four and five star reviews are from fans of pop music. But if you're into hip hop, you know that this is easily one of LL's worst albums ever. I'm not one of those old fogeys that is stuck in 1990 and still waiting for Mama Said Knock You Out II. In order to remain relevant, he has to update his sound with the times. But the fact is that you've heard others do it way better than L is doing it. Some of these rhymes sound like they were written by his kids (which is simply unacceptable from a veteran of almost 22 years). The production is nice on a lot of tracks (7 Aurelius, R. Kelly, Timbaland, Teddy Riley, N.O. Joe, and Dame Grease), but some of the tracks sound like forced attempts at making a club banger. If that isn't bad enough, L's lyrics are just plain ol' wack on a lot of these joints and he does a poor job of not getting swallowed up by Timbo's hot production. Despite help from Teddy Riley, I have to say that "I'm About To Get Her" has some of the worst metaphors and similies I've EVER heard and "Rub My Back" is straight up pitiful. No other word for it. "Move Somethin" is, if I'm being nice about it, laughable at best. I guess the bottom line is that there are way too many forgettable cuts on this LP. Nothing will grab your attention after the new release buzz wears off.

There are a couple decent tracks. Well, basically, the singles are the best songs on the album. I'm feelin' "Hush" and "Headsprung" and "Every Sip" feature some great production from Timbaland. That's about all the good that comes to mind though. The rest is pretty forgettable.

The Definition is one of those albums that you don't bother listening to unless someone gives it to you for free. I understand that the Mr. Smith, Bigger & Deffer, Mama Said Knock You Out LL is no more. I don't live in the past and I understand the need to update things, but this change wasn't for the better and LL is left looking like a washed up rapper that let the game pass him by. I recommend downloading the singles and staying as far away from this album as you possibly can. Now that he's rollin' with 50 Cent, maybe his next release will have a little more punch to it.

Standout Tracks: Headsprung feat. Timbaland, Every Sip, and Hush feat. 7 Aurelius

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This album is good, not great, August 31, 2004

By	Penny Woods "The People's Chump" (Chapel Hill, North Carolina United States) - See all my reviews

This is supposed to be a club-friendly album, but it feels like LL is trying to sound commerical to sell copies of DEFinition. This is something I don't expect to hear a lot of tracks that aren't singles in a club. Although many of the beats are likeable, most of the songs sound similar to "Headsprung," largely in part to Timbaland's production. There are two songs, "I'm About to Get Her," produced by R. Kelly, and "Feel the Beat," which, along with "Headsprung," are the real highlights of this album (despite Kelly's occasionally weak singing). Lyrically, the flows on this album have to be among the weakest LL's ever created. He's simply appeasing the masses who buy commercial rap to get the albums on the Billboard and SoundScan charts. Case in point: "Apple Cobbler," when LL sounds like he's borrowing the flow, of all people, Missy Elliott. Anyone who's expecting LL to sound like he's still back in his Radio period or when he was dissing Canibus will be sorely disapointed. DEFinition is not for hardcore rap fans or fans of the classic LL Cool J sound.