Keri Hilson is one beautiful woman. Let’s get that out of the way because frankly, it would be impossible to talk about her and not admire her physical look. But, still, what isn’t sexy about someone who penned tracks for some of the biggest names in hip hop, pop, and R&B before she hit her mid twenties? What isn’t sexy about someone who preferred to be behind the scenes for most of her early career and works as a producer and song arranger? She’s hip hop’s Tina Fey; the everywoman. The pen only hid her appealing voice, her cadence, and her showmanship, but the listener gets the full Monty on her debut album, In a Perfect World.
After stealing the show on Xzibit’s “Hey Now (Mean Muggin’)”, Keri was musically linked with Timbaland from the get go. What a goldmine. Not only did she get the pleasure of rocking on some of the most addictive beats in R&B from Mr. Mosley, she got him to executive produce her debut alongside another current R&B hit maker, Polow Da Don. With a strong production team behind her, how could this album fail?
Keri wastes no time showing off her album’s features including the entertaining Lil’ Wayne and Kanye verses on the trunk thumpers “Turnin’ Me On,” and “Knock You Down.” Timbaland appears on the appropriately titled “Return the Favor,” a track which blatantly has Keri giving thanks to the man who made her a star. “Change Me” has Keri and Akon going all out and pouring emotion into the passion filled track.
The up-tempo joints certainly will make any dance floor rock, but doesn’t deliver much lyrically. “Get Your Money Up” features Keyshia Cole and Trina talking about something listeners are more inclined to hear on a typical rap album. The result is slightly cliche, regardless of the gender shift. While the change in tempo on “Tell Him the Truth” and “Where Did He Go” is welcomed In a Perfect World, they hurt the pacing by flurrying the listener with sounds and emotions unexpectedly. When Keri does pick her spots though, like on “Slow Dance” and “Make Love,” she succeeds with ballads that intimately involve the listeners. This is something Keri does very well with a pen.
When the production shines on IAPW the album is at its best. “How Does It Feel” and “Intuition” have beats that prove why Timbaland has been the best producer in R&B for the last 4-5 years. Keri really excels over the energy deployed on the former, while “Intuition” has a catchy Asian influenced sound similarly heard on “All Ya’ll” from Timbaland’s venture with Magoo on Indecent Proposal.
Ironically enough, there is probably too much of Hilson to go around on this project. Tracking in just over an hour, In a Perfect World is simply too long, too much, and too varied. Even Stella would find it hard to acknowledge a groove, let alone get it back. Keri certainly has a niche for writing and has a great voice, but these traits never really get to sink in with the listener. On the next LP, Keri should take some pointers from Timbaland and trim the fat.
73/100
Standout Tracks:
“How Does It Feel”
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“Turnin Me On”
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“Change Me”
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Dopeness, I’m listening to this right now
Interesting and well written review/opinion on Keri. Right now she is one of my fav female artist in mainstream right now…eventhough when I listen to and look at her and Ciara I almost forget who’s who. Keri is a great writer, but just like her first album, I was expecting now. “Turnin Me On” is probably the best track on that entire album…Just my view, but I will continue to listen to find that connect that you say is sometimes missing with the listener. I agree there.
She still dope! LOL
Word, turnin’ me on is a dope track, but i mean, it doesn’t showcase her talent enough you know? It’s catchy stuff, but it hardly gets justice done to it, same for the rest of the album
Great Review Sean.. I am really loving her music as well – and yes she is sexy. She is already on my playlist!