Sound: An eclectic and relatively disjointed mix of old school hip hop (minimalist breakbeats, turntable scratching/sampling and collabos with vintage MCs like Slick Rick and Grand Puba & Mary J. Blige reprising “What’s the 411?” on “My Struggles”) and new school (contemporary R&B, slick electronic beats, Houston’s chopped and screwed sound).
Heavy Rotation tracks: “We Run This“; “My Struggles” (featuring Grand Puba & Mary J. Blige); “Can’t Stop“; “Teary Eyed“
Medium Rotation tracks: “4 My Man” (featuring Fantasia Barrino); “Mommy“; “Lose Control” (featuring Ciara & Fatman Scoop)
Recommended: Only serious Missy fans should be able to embrace the entirety of this lengthy and scattered 16-track effort, but her usual creativity and ambition make for some quality entertainment. This is not her most impressive album, but it certainly has some standout tracks and ranks a couple notches above her last one, the rushed This Is Not a Test!
Grade: B

(As posted 7/25/05 on davepowersmusic.com)
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