Wow! I was really impressed! I brought this cd because I liked "No Scrubs" and I LOVED "Unpretty." What I love most about this cd is the variety of songs. From beautiful, and slow ballads like "Dear Lie" and "I Miss you So much" to edgy and sharper tunes like "I'm Good at Being Bad" and "Shout," TLC really puts all emotion into it. As for the "explicit content," if you're not offended by somewhat graphic sexual terms and descriptions, then you can ignore it.

Overall, I think Fan Mail's a great album and decade-ender, but nothing can top CrazySexyCool. Well, I know this review is going to get many anti-helpful votes, but I feel this needs to be addressed. I am very shocked and saddened by the loss of the wonderful Lisa "Left Eye" Nicole Lopes, as many people are. She was as close as you could get to perfect: Great personality, high intelligence, cute looks, and outstanding multi-talent. She was a wonderful and kind person who was missunderstood because of her complexity. She is someone who I'd love to meet and person. I know that the pain is not brought upon her who is in a better place, but the fans and family she left behind. I am still in shock and tears. She was only 30, and could have had so much more in store for us adding to what she's accomplished during her life and her 10-year career. She was a great role-model who sent out positive messages. No one will replace her, but I hope more people begin to be more like her. I will miss her dearly. OK, I have plenty more to say but I don't feel comfortable taking up any more room on this page. I do have one of many questions for Tionne and Rozonda- are you going to continue as a duo or are you going to disband like Nirvana did? Well, I definitally know replacing is NOT an option.
I am also saddened and frustruated by all of the deaths of great musicians over the past year who also happen to be favorites of mine. Luv ya, Lisa! Peace out to George Harrison, Aaliyah, Layne Staley and all the others as well.

Anyone that has followed TLC over their three albums knows that these women are talented. On their first album they were addressing younger crowds. "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "What About Your Friends" and "Baby, Baby, Baby" were examples of this. On "CrazySexyCool" they were a little older and the music and lyrics symbolized that. On, "Fanmail" TLC has grown up all around. Personally, Spiritually, Lyrically and Musically. "Fanmail" sounds like CrazySexyCool 2000 which isn't bad at all because Dallas Austin does his job very well, with Babyface and others lending an assist every now and then. The music, lyrics and the overall album are on a different level this time around. The clear cut examples of this are "Silly Ho", "If They Knew",which is the best song, "I Miss You So Much, "Lovesick", and the song even your 45 year old mother has heard on the radio "No Scrubs". Many people thought TLC couldn't do it again and whether the group stays together or not is not even the point. If female r&b groups want to learn how to make an album, pick up "CrazySexyCool" and "Fanmail" and get a pen, a pad , and a 20 oz Lipton Brisk Iced Tea and take notes, you'll be there for a while. This is a great album.

I unfortunately didn't truly learn to appreciate the gals of TLC until after after Left Eye's death and their 3D album. TLC were a truly unique group and are sorely missed.

"Fanmail" was their third album and only album to hit #1 where it stayed for an impressive five weeks. It gave them two #1 singles as well. "No Scrubs" came out at a time when the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and all their imitators were dominating the charts and was a truly unique single to be heard amongst all of this. It also introduced the term "scrub" into white America's conciousness. "Unpretty" was the other monster hit with a great message. "Silly Ho" was the initial first single and only received lukewarm attention until "No Scrubs" burst onto radio. It's still a great song though and sticks out. "Fanmail" is a unique song and a great album opener. "Dear Lie" was the fourth single and a moderate radio hit. It's a ballad with a definite TLC twist. My favorite track is probably "I Miss You So Much." This song helps to show what made TLC so great. They can pull off gorgeous ballads like this and then get down, dirty, and sassy on songs like "I'm Good At Being Bad." Very cool.

This along with any TLC album is highly recommended. I'd love to see a TLC "Greatest Hits" album in the future. They sure had their share.

TLC is a group with a lot of experience in the music industry, and this acquired maturity shines on their third album, "Fanmail". It's their new and twisted style of hip-hop R&B that clearly shows a lot of effort in the strong, smooth musical and lyrical outcome. Many of the songs are fast-paced, fun songs, but TLC also mellows out to put their heart into a few slower ones too, and a few of the songs have an electronically-altered feel. All around it makes for a great mix, and the best TLC album yet. I've had this CD over a year and it still hasn't grown old, and I doubt it'll start anytime soon. Here's a quick summary of each song:

1. Fanmail: What the CD's all about - the fans; pretty good song, a little slow in the beginning (starts off as an intro) but gets a little more into it throughout - 8.5/10

2. The Vic-E Interpretation (Interlude): Not much to say cuz it's just an interlude (extremely short too); some culture

3. Silly Ho: This song ROCKS!! expresses TLC real strength in bounce-beats and cool lyrics. Proves that TLC are NOT like today's typical music "silly ho", they just know their stuff - 10/10

4. Whispering Playa (Interlude): another interlude, kinda funny

5. No Scrubs: You've all heard this song, so you know what I'm talkin' about. It's real, out there, and the message comes across with the kind of crisp clarity that only TLC can master on these subjects - 10/10

6. I'm Good At Being Bad: Another one of the real highlights on this album. TLC keeps it tight especially with Left Eye's rap, good alternating soft/loud. Great song to be the longest on the CD - 10/10

7. If They Knew: Continuing the streak of faster songs, this song also has a great beat and cool lyrics, but without as much in-your-face; still great - 9.5/10

8. I Miss You So Much: First real slow song, but it's a pretty good one. I'm not as much into the slow songs but this one's a sweet love song - 8/10

9. Unpretty: This song has great classic guitar playing and the hook chorus we all love. Great message that's painfully but still singably (is that a word??) well-sung - 9.5/10

10. My Life: My personal fave - it's really catchy and again Left Eye shines in her rap, that's what it's all about. Explosive - 10/10

11. Shout: Like "My Life", it's got a catchy hook and a tight rap, the kind of song that makes TLC, but the topic's a bit fried. Last of the great songs - 9.5/10

12. Come on Down: another slow song, I don't like this one as much. It makes TLC vulnerable and to me it doesn't demonstrate their real style, still listenable though - 7/10

13. Dear Lie: Also slower, but with more depth to it. It was released as a single but didn't see much success, but is has some potential. In the beginning it sounds like #8 - 8.5/10

14. Communicate (Interlude): Interlude so whatever, it has some point to it but I'm not so sure it's worth it

15. Lovesick: This song seems to be pretty popular, but in my opinion it's missing a little substance. The digital remastering may have been a mistake, but the beat's still good and the hook's catchy - 8/10

16. Automatic: I think this song's cool, the title really fits the song. Kinda robo-ish new techno style - 9/10

17. Don't Pull Out On Me Yet: Also a little slow and the lyrics are lacking. For such a great album they really should've gone out with a bang - 7/10

Even with the few weakpoints on this album, when I listen to the CD I don't skip a single song, I just listen straight through. It's fun to sing along with. In my opinion, Left Eye's raps are the best part because it wraps up the song and keeps it tight, but it's only in moderation or else it'd turn into a rap CD. I think anyone could listen to this CD. If you're new with TLC and you're trying to figure out which album to start with, I recommend this one. I often listen to rock music too, but TLC just does something for me and I hope it does for everyone. As for the slower tunes, just give them time and they grow on you. Trust me, you won't be disappointed - just one hour and you'll be hooked!!!

ps. Rest In Peace, Left Eye