This came out in 2004 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
It’s The DEFinition of a comeback. And it’s about damn time.
After spending most of the last decade churning out forgettable albums, rap legend LL Cool J has finally regrouped and resurfaced with his strongest disc since 1990’s Mama Said Knock You Out.
Sure, much of the credit has to go to producer Timbaland, who helms more than half these 11 tracks and freshens LL’s laid-back bravado with his slinky Middle Eastern grooves and skittery off-kilter vibes. Ultimately, though, this is LL’s ball, and the reinvigorated rhymer runs with it like the pro he is, wisely concentrating on uptempo tracks and all but jettisoning the lover-man soul stirrers that have diluted his flow on past discs.
Even he knows he’s back on track. “I’m the greatest of all time, you heard that before,” boasts LL. “But now when I say it, it means so much more.” No argument here.
