It's no secret that LL Cool J has been around for a very long time, but the problem is that he hasn't made a truly great album in quite some time, or even a fairly decent album. Well, I can honestly say that he has reached his nadir with his latest album, Todd Smith.

Aside from the fact that people may be growing tired of L naming his albums after himself (Mr. Smith, The G.O.A.T. Featuring James T. Smith), the fact of the matter is, this album is his absolute worst album to date -- yes, worse than 10; yes, worse than The DEFinition; yes, even worse than 14 Shots to the Dome. Speaking of 10, though, I was wondering if L was going back to kickin' it for the ladies because the liner notes feature nothing but pictures of his chest. I was also wondering that when I heard the lead single, the J. Lo-assisted "Control Myself" (which is straight-up wack, by the way). But what if I told you that that was actually one of the BETTER songs?

This is another one of the many rap albums that is littered with guest stars; LL is only alone on one song ("#1 Fan"). And there are mistakes aplenty, like when L recruits Juelz Santana, of all people, for the tired "It's LL and Santana" (great title, guys). The Jamie Foxx-assisted "Best Dress" is forgettable, and L's latest single, "Freeze" (with Lyfe Jennings), makes absolutely no sense.

LL is also rapping too softly for us to understand what he's saying on "Ooh Wee" (featuring Ginuwine). And speaking of has-beens, City High's Ryan Toby sings the hook on "I've Changed", but he comes off like a Michael Jackson impersonator. But the song was pretty pathetic anyway, especially when L kicks lyrics like: "Please find it in your heart to forgive me/Realize only God can convict me/We all make mistakes; so have you/If God showed mercy on me, then you should too."

Songs continue to fail, as the Mary Mary-assisted "We're Gonna Make It" proves that LL Cool J and gospel are like oil and water. And as far as the subject matter in "Preserve the Sexy", well, I sure hope Teairra Marí wasn't still 17 when they recorded the song. The only song on here that's really worth hearing isn't even LL's; it's a remix of Ne-Yo's "So Sick". Although I'm tired of people using Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" music, it actually works well with the song (not that "So Sick" wasn't a great song to begin with). But LL's rap during it doesn't help or hurt matters.

Todd Smith proves that although LL started out in the rap game, he really needs to hang up the mic and stick with acting now (doesn't that remind you of what another rapper-turned-actor who was also born in 1968 and ALSO has the last name "Smith" should do?). As far as keeping from using this CD as a Frisbee, well, it's hard to control myself.

Anthony Rupert

L Cool J's thirteenth album Todd Smith is in stores now. Back in late 1995, LL Cool J had a hit song named "Hey Lover" with Boyz II Men. This collabo put LL back on the charts and the radio after a minor slump. Since this song LL has had successful collaborations with Jennifer Lopez, Total, Amerie, Pharell, and several other industry peeps.

It seems LL has learned what works well for him and what will get him played on the radio. Todd Smith is a very good and solid album but it comes across as very formulaic. You get a group of popular artist (Mary J Blige, Ne-Yo, Juelz Santana, Jamie Foxx, and 112 among others), a solid track and throw them on the record with LL.

This may be a hit making combination for parties involved but Todd Smith might as well be named LL & Friends as every track--except one has a featured guest. This isn't saying the tracks aren't good, but LL--("Rock The Bells," "I'm That Type of Guy," "I Need Love," "Going Back To Cali," "Mama Said Knock You Out," "Around The Way Girl," "I'm Bad,") has proven that he can carry a track on his own.

This LL fan was left wanting a little more after checking out his current release. Todd Smith is very radio friendly and a decent album. The album opens with "It's LL and Santana" and it's followed up by the current single "Control Myself" featuring Jennifer Lopez. This is one of the most high energy tracks on the album. Mary and LL deliver up what may be a future single as radio has already taken to the song "Favorite Flavor." Labelmate Teairra Mari sounds a bit scary on the track "Preserve The Sexy." Something about her drawl in that song is a bit disturbing. The sole song which features a solo LL "#1 Fan" is a satisfying song with a Reggaeton edge.

The Ne-Yo and LL "So Sick-Remix" is featured on Todd Smith as a bonus track. Another familiar song on the album is "We're Gonna Make It," featuring Mary Mary. This song was featured on the Madea's Family Reunion Soundtrack.

Overall, Todd Smith is a satisfying album. However, this reviewer expected something a little less predictable from an industry vet like LL.

LL Cool J - Todd Smith (Def Jam, 2006)

I know that duke's a legend but I still gotta wonder if LL Cool J these days is doing it for the charts and not from the heart (word to GZA). I haven't heard a dope album from him since G.O.A.T. and even that album was above average. Now "Big Elly Walker" is back with Todd Smith and it's one of his worst ever.

I gotta at least give him credit for going with what works: songs for the ladies. However, none of those songs are as good as "I Need Love", "Luv U Better" or "Hey Lover" and everything he says here have been repeated by himself many times before. For instance, "Best Dress" is a decent lift-you-up song (featuring Jamie Foxx; I guess their beef is squashed) but you've heard this type of song before. Also, LL used the TrackMasters once again for a few tracks but their production style went out with Puffy, Stevie J. and the Hitmen.

But the biggest problem is LL himself: he doesn't sound like he wants this anymore, like's he's rapping while relaxing in his sofa. This shows in "Control Myself" (in which I forgot how wack that song really was) and "Ooh Wee". Soul man Lyfe Jennings saves the mediocre "Freeze" while "Down the Aisle" is cheesy, and this is coming from a married man.

However, James throws a curveball with the interesting "I've Changed", a story about a crazed man who's trying to get his lover back. Also, he and Freeway show good chemistry with "What You Want" (I wish I could say that about the rest of the duets on here). Still, this album is pretty bad. It's also disappointing that LL had alienated the male fans again. If you wanna remember LL in his prime, I suggest picking up All World, his greatest hits album, instead of this. -EJR

21 years into his legendary career, LL Cool J releases his 12th album, "Todd Smith". To say that LL's career has taken a different path would be an understatement. After being a pioneer in hip hop, reinventing his style a few times, and creating some of the greatest songs and albums in history, LL's last few albums have been much more pop oriented. Although a legend such as LL has every right to do this, the music wilts in comparison to his music from "Mama Said Knock You Out", "Radio", and even "Mr. Smith". Although there are many problems with "Todd Smith", the biggest is probably that it's not even very good pop music. Whereas on 2004's mediocre "The DEFinition", he had superproducer Timbaland to cover his bad lyrics, "Todd Smith" is full of poorer beats. Once again, LL's lyrics sound like they're on autopilot, revisiting every love song he's done in the past 21 years. However, even though most of the songs on "Todd Smith" are slow songs aimed at the ladies, they don't work like they once did because most of the lines coming out of the 40 year old fall flat. They lack the funny sappiness of "I Need Love" and the catchy playfulness of "Doin' It". Another problem is that with a guest appearance on every single track, LL's weaker lyrics allow him to be outshined on almost every song, like he's the guest. A pair of strong songs at the end saves "Todd Smith", but as a longtime LL Cool J fan I find this album extremely disappointing.

The album leads off with "It's LL and Santana", which has a good rock beat but the lyrics go nowhere. The first single, "Control Myself" with J-Lo, follows, which quickly turns from a goofy pop song to annoying, with the wordless sounds at the end. "Favorite Flavor" is one of the better songs here, because I like the saxophone and instrumentals and Mary J. Blige sings her part well, but the theme is redundant. The potentially good collaboration with Lyfe Jennings on "Freeze" is very poor, because it is slow, uninspired, repetitive, and extremely boring. Jamie Foxx carries the okay "Best Dress", which is well produced. "Preserve the Sexy" is just short of awful, with a bad guest appearance by Teairra Mari and a terrible chorus. "What You Want" with Freeway is one of the better tracks, because it has a good hook and the two MCs display good chemistry, playing off each other's raps. "I've Changed" isn't too bad, a post breakup song that has a good guest appearance by Ryan Toby. Ginuwine's guest appearance on "Ooh Wee" sounds familiar, just like the rest of the song. "#1 Fan" is probably the worst song here. It's a stab at soft reggaeton, and it's very sad to hear the G.O.A.T. fake a Spanish accent. The next two tracks are by far the best. "Walking Down the Aisle" is a heartfelt song about marriage with the talented group 112 singing the hook. "We're Gonna Make It" is also excellent, a spiritual and dramatic inspirational song with Mary Mary. Then at the end there is the pretty good remix of Ne-yo's "So Sick".

Although the two very good songs at the end of "Todd Smith" basically save it, it is overall a disappointing album. I would not highly recommend it even to longtime fans, and to newer listeners I would recommend his greatest hits album "All World", which chronicles his career well. Although it is not terrible, Todd Smith may eventually be remembered as LL's weakest album, which may not be undeserved.

Big disappointment. Some tracks sound dated and some too soft.

The chorus on Red Dress is cool though.

L also played himself at the MTV awards. I really can't see LL taking a back seat to 50 for long.