(Reprinted without permission)

Detroit Free Press/Sunday, January 4, 2003

Shaking Things Up: R&B singer Kelis gyrates her way to the top of the charts with her third album and a reverberating hit. (Four out of four stars)

Brian McCollum, Free Press Pop Music Critic

With the aid of one unshakeable hit, Kelis has quickly managed to succeed where so many others have stumbled: finding a solid link between the organic vibe of neo-soul and the sugary sparkle of contemporary R&B. "Milkshake", a single so chewy and irresistible it can leave you with a tummy ache, not only emerged as a last-minute contender for the radio hit of 2003, it pushed the sultry songstress onto the public radar duing a holiday season when landing attention isn't always an easy task.

The good news: There's plenty more where that came from on the Harlem native's third album, the aptly titled "Tasty", which follows a pair of sorely neglected releases that nabbed the attention of critics but failed to make much noise on the mainstream circuit. Kelis is Macy Gray without the self-conscious eccentricity; she's Erykah Badu minus the calculated martyr complex. "Tasty" is indeed a yummy treat, a collection of songs that scream pop while preserving a foundation of genuine heart.

Featuring the production services of the Neptunes, Raphael Saadiq and Outkast's Andre 3000--along with a guest spot from fiance Nas--the album packs a wide assortment of musical foodstuffs into one wholesome package. "Tasty" is peppered with diverse sounds: disco-tagged hip-hop, funk-inflected rock, Top 40 melodies straight from the mid-80's. When it's not designed for dancing, it's made for singing--and most of the time it's crafted for both.

As Kelis struggled to make a name in America after premiering in 1999, she made considerable inroads with audiences in Europe, who seemed more willing to embrace her Technicolor Afro and offbeat approach to the modern R&B template. In what seems to be a renewed effort to score points in the homeland, Kelis has loaded her new record with sex, of varieties both steamy and subtle. "In Public", her Nas duet, is a hot, lusty affair that serves as the yin to the slow-simmering yang of "Suga Honey Iced Tea".

Kelis isn't a full-throated soul belter, but what she lacks in natural vocal prowess she compensates with sheer attitude. Part sass, part wink, part shake-of-the-hips, her delivery makes for an engaging, even surreal counterpoint to the skillfully stuttered beats and chopped-up synths that line the production underneath.

In an era of glamour-obsessed Beyonces and flaccid Ruben Studdards, the pop world could use a whole bunch more of Kellis. With the endless hooks that grace her album from front to back--promising a series of hits well beyond "Milkshake"--it's a good bet we're going to get it. Happy, tasty, new year.

NuPwr319 said:

Only four. She should get six. "Tasty" is a great album.

No mention of "Millionaire" means they failed to listen to the album.

Good review even though Milkshake is hardly the strongest track on that album. I agree with VC, you can't review this album and not talk about millionaire. But they hit it on the head when they talked about "hooks". That's something that most other R&B acts have forgotten about.

Tasty is a vast improvement from her last two albums. I just wish the Neptunes would have been as experimental as they were on Wanderland. Otherwise, it's still a pretty good cd.

Her first album is better.