Lloyd Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
The big lead single from Lloyd's third album, "Girls All Around the World," has a couple connections with "You," the number one R&B single from 2007's Street Love. Lil Wayne's guest roles are the most obvious similarity between the two, while "Girls All Around the World" is built around the same drum break -- the one from Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers' "Ashley's Roachclip," a source for the likes of Eric B. & Rakim's "Paid in Full" and Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True," to name two of the almost countless -- used on P.M. Dawn's "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss," a song that, like "You," quoted Spandau Ballet's "True." "Girls easily qualifies as this album's most major drawing point, fit for summer with that familiar bounding beat and breezy synth-string accents, not to mention Wayne, who can't help but humorously reference "Paid in Full." And, of course, there is Lloyd, the should-be honorary DeBarge, with his loveable wannabe-thug falsetto. Incorporating some more club-oriented material wouldn't have hurt the album, given how safe it tends to play it, filled out with gentle midtempo cuts and slow jams, much of which comes across as Street Love reheated. That becomes increasingly obvious as the tracks roll on, especially during the latter half, where two of the album's more ridiculous tracks, "Party All Over Your Body" and "Touched by an Angel," are paired together, their disparate titles and sonics belying thematic sameness (or mindlessness). And the heartfelt sentiment within the Outfield-referencing "Lose Your Love," earlier in the set, seems more of a put-on than any of Lloyd's tough-guy photo poses. "I'm Wit It," a low-slung but urgent post-Neptunes strutter, is where Lloyd really excels, flashing some vocal gymnastics, swimming and diving through the beat while balancing desperation with swagger. Between that, "Girls," and a couple other standouts, Lessons in Love cannot be dismissed, but Lloyd will have to really change it up with his fourth album to evade a real holding pattern. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
'Street Love'
Release Date 3/13/2007
Tracks 15
Label The Inc/Universal/Motown
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
With an overabundance of ballads and swagger, cool crooner Lloyd's second effort is just too narrow to recommend to the casual fan of smooth, pillow-talk R&B. The redundant songs start rearing their heads about track number four, with tales of heartache, seduction, and sweetness repeated as if every day were Valentine's Day. On the other hand, Street Love is actually a much stronger effort than his debut when you tally the number of highlights. Even more important, by never letting the singer out of his comfort zone, the album defines its artist and lays a solid foundation for a long career, even if it just looks like singles and guest appearances on hip-hop tracks at this point. The forced thug posturing is gone and replaced by sweeter lyrics and an entirely convincing playfulness that allows for lines like "Is there something you're not telling me?/Are you the daughter of Frankie Beverly?" ("Get It Shawty") along with a flippant guest shot from Lil Wayne ("You," which samples Spandau Ballet's "True" by way of P.M. Dawn). Producer Jazze Pha offers a winner with his soulful and polished "Certified" while J Lack (James Lackey) gives the album its most creative moment as he lays broken soul music across "Hazel." Much of Street Love paints Lloyd as a replacement for another J Lack client, Usher, which is much more possible that the half-thug/half-Romeo role he played on his debut. Lloyd is more comfortable, committed, and believable on Street Love, and if taken in small doses, you can add satisfying to the list. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The sexy and cut Lloyd got his start in teen pop singing with N-Toon, a group the singer was never really "down with." N-Toon was put together by former Klymaxx member Joyce Irby, whose name shows up again here, right next to The Inc's main man/Godfather, Irv Gotti. Gotti sent Lloyd to the gym before the recording studio, the press releases have hailed him as singer who adds a hip-hop attitude to R&B, and his interview with Teen People hit before his debut album. Sounds contrived, and while there are no "deep" moments on Southside, the glittery production is alive and inspired and Lloyd's cool persona never fails. Vocally he's a lighter R. Kelly, occasionally dipping into a lower register when he really wants to seduce and adding enough drawl to make him the choice of teen bedrooms south of the Mason-Dixon line. Say what you want about the always-controversial Gotti, but he never gives Lloyd anything lyrically out of his reach, and music-wise he's sprinkled a bunch of clever samples over the down-low beats. Using bits of Fleetwood Mac's "Little Lies," Slick Rick's "Hey Young World," and Willie Hutch's "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" are the smart and fun touches that can keep Moms and Dads bumpin' while their daughters swoon (course they may be a little put off that this crooner hasn't met a curse word or drug reference he doesn't like). His sensual duet with Ashanti on "Southside" couldn't be better crafted while "Ride Wit Me," "Hey Young Girl," and the lone crunker, "Trance," are nearly as good. Southside should satisfy most Right On! readers, but if you've graduated to The Source or Vibe you might want something a bit more substantial. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
