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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 2004)
Missy, Timbaland at top of rap game with third album With This is Not a Test!' Elliott proves the dance floor doesn't have to be devoid of intelligent beat-making By Steven Neuman Freelance Reporter In the last three years, Missy Elliott, hip-hop's girl with the golden touch, has released three albums. It seems ra tional that at such a breakneck pace, the musical creativity of the records would have to deteriorate to compen sate for the increased delivery rate. However, Elliott seems to have broken this sound barrier. Her third album, "This is Not a Test!," proves once again that Elliott has the goods to back up those cock sure rhymes. REVIEW bum is the candy. Once again, Elliott pairs with longtime producer Timbaland, and the two mesh beautifully. The sound that results is thumping club beats tinged with exotic creativity. The record's introduction, "Baby Girl Interlude," personifies this sound. It features the singing of Mary J. Blige as Elliott flows over trumped up beats. In the background, a young girl sings nonsensical sounds. This track — a fusion of melody, bass and ethereal elements — floats in and out with a simplicity that hides the truly masterful production job. Similarly, "This is Our Last Time" whips up a frothy slow-jam style with some synthesized funk reminiscent of the late '80s or early '90s. This track shines, not because it holds any partic ular originality, but rather because it's so fun to listen to This formula holds true for many of the other tracks. The whole album is also chock full of guests, and some of their efforts work better than others. Besides Blige, Elliott enlists the help of Jay-Z, Elephant Man, Fabolous, R. Kelly, Monica, Beenie Man, Nelly and the Clark Sisters. Like her last two ven tures, this al audio equiv alent of eye Courtesy Some collaborations, like "Don't Be Cruel" (which features both Mon ica and Beenie Man) and "Wake Up" (with Jay-Z), work spectacularly, with the artists slipping seamlessly into the songs. Others seem forced, such as "Dat's What I'm Talking About," which fea tures R. Kelly This song is basically a lot of oversexualized moaning. Later, Nelly manages to louse up "Pump It Up" with his same old shtick, rhymes and rhythm. While this album completely push es the limits of hip-hop, in some as pects it seems to be holding back. It doesn't hold a candle to some of the risks that Outkast's "Speakerboxxx/lhe Love Below" takes, although "This is Not a Test!" is perhaps destined to be more popular. The crown jewel of the whole disc is "Toyz," which may become the world's first feminist bump'n'grind club anthem. Seductively funky wah wah guitar work (think "Shaft") un derlies proclamations like, "You don't get the job done when I need a little lovin'/ So I gotta do it myself if I wan na feel somethin'." Here, it is impossi bly hard not to admire Elliott for writ ing in quite a personal manner about such subjects. In the same vein, "Let Me Fix My Weave" explores the politics of using sex for material gain. These two tracks seem bouncy and fun but scratch the surface to find some seri ous material. Overall, the one thing that comes across loud and clear is that Elliott is no lightweight. Steven Neuman is a freelance reporter for the Emerald. BOOH VOUR TRIP nouui 877 1/2 East 13th St (541)344.2263 t me /PRIflG BRGAH '04 PflCHRGG/ J AIR + HOTEL package prices starting at > LONDON $428 " > MIAMI $336 . > ROME $627 • > AND MORE! || Airfare is departure from Portland. Hotel accommodations based ' „ on 9 nights (7 for Rome), dorm occupancy. Fare good for * students to 34 (33 for Rome), youths, teachers and spouses with valid ID card. Price is per person, is subject to availability and taxes are not included Blackouts and restrictions apply. M exciting things are happening @ www.statnavel.com STA TRAVEL online » on the phooe WE'VE BEEN THERE. on cnmpu/ » on the /treet "Life's most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?" -MLK Jr. January 21, 22 ► EMU Concourse “► From 10AM to 3PM ^/WVv4^ YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THIS VVUNDERKI.ND OPEN FOR DAVE MATTHEWS. JASON MR A 7 OR TRAIN,.. NOW EXPERIENCE -THEIR AMAZING HEADLINE SET' FR|,1A JAN IO TWO SETS 6:30PM DOORS ALL AGES_ 9:30PM DOORS . 21 & OVER MARCUS EATON QmA. Ike. LOBBY CHRIS ARNOLD & NICOLE BARRETT SUNQ FEBO 8:00PM DOORS s. 21 & OVER . TICKETS AT ALL SAFEWAY/TICKETSWEST LOCATIONS"'ONLINE AT WWW.TICKETSWEST.COM, OR CHARGE BY PHONE 1-800-325-Seat (S) Tickets West BE PART OF THE SCENE, JOIN OUR STREET TEAM! EMAIL STREETT£AM#THRASHERPRESENTS.COM FOR MORE INFO. D/\||Y your independent student newspaper
