Todd Smith [ENHANCED]

LL Cool J (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 11, 2006)
• Original Release Date: April 11, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Def Jam
• ASIN: B000EGFV4K
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #70,934 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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

16 of 20 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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This is weak. Phenomenon weak., August 6, 2006

By	E.J. Rupert (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews

LL Cool J - Todd Smith (Def Jam, 2006)

I know that duke's a legend but I still gotta wonder if LL Cool J these days is doing it for the charts and not from the heart (word to GZA). I haven't heard a dope album from him since G.O.A.T. and even that album was above average. Now "Big Elly Walker" is back with Todd Smith and it's one of his worst ever.

I gotta at least give him credit for going with what works: songs for the ladies. However, none of those songs are as good as "I Need Love", "Luv U Better" or "Hey Lover" and everything he says here have been repeated by himself many times before. For instance, "Best Dress" is a decent lift-you-up song (featuring Jamie Foxx; I guess their beef is squashed) but you've heard this type of song before. Also, LL used the TrackMasters once again for a few tracks but their production style went out with Puffy, Stevie J. and the Hitmen.

But the biggest problem is LL himself: he doesn't sound like he wants this anymore, like's he's rapping while relaxing in his sofa. This shows in "Control Myself" (in which I forgot how wack that song really was) and "Ooh Wee". Soul man Lyfe Jennings saves the mediocre "Freeze" while "Down the Aisle" is cheesy, and this is coming from a married man.

However, James throws a curveball with the interesting "I've Changed", a story about a crazed man who's trying to get his lover back. Also, he and Freeway show good chemistry with "What You Want" (I wish I could say that about the rest of the duets on here). Still, this album is pretty bad. It's also disappointing that LL had alienated the male fans again. If you wanna remember LL in his prime, I suggest picking up All World, his greatest hits album, instead of this. -EJR