You can always count on Kelis to be the innovative one in terms of sound, and with this third offering, "Tasty", she pretty much nails a bull's eye. While it's obvious that her voice still isn't developed (as in, she sings the same notes [rarely ever hitting higher ones] & the fact that she sometimes sounds off key), it's evident that it's improving; it's becoming more & more appealing & hypnotic. The album works mainly on the production, which by the way is nearly flawless. In the custom of keeping things `different', Kelis chose a sort of rock r&b/old school funk type of sound.

"Tasty" offers numerous appetizing tracks: "Rolling Through The Hood" is one of the best r&b songs I've heard in a while: It has an innovative sound, a strong hook and flows very nicely as it progresses. It's a song about the bittersweet truth of life, but then goes on to depict a message of "how life goes on":

Baby I want you to know

One day is sooner than you know

The song ends optimistically, with the yearning of potential possibilities when she chants "...maybe tomorrow". "In Public" featuring her fiancé Nas is one of the better r&b/rap collaborations of 2003; there is actual chemistry between Kelis & Nas in which her sexy and mesmerizing vocals compliments his rapping (and vice-versa). "Keep It Down", which is roughly about gossiping girls, has a heavy rock sound to it, while "Glow" with Raphael Saadiq is a love song that has a slow/mid-tempo melancholy feel. Another track with Raphael Saadiq is "Attention", an upbeat track about being noticed and appreciation. "Trick Me" is a fun sounding song based on the quote "Trick me once, shame on you, trick me twice, shame on me." And who could not like "Milk Shake", a spicy, exciting, bass heavy song about Kelis making the public aware of her `assets'.

There are, however, some minor problems; "Sugar Honey Iced Tea" has a nice mid-tempo flow, but with repetitiveness of the mediocre lyrics, it fails to really go anywhere. The Prince-esque "Millionaire", although unique in its own way, sounded a bit odd during the initial listen. The beat sounds...different, sort of resembling a cheerleader's anthem (you can literally almost hear somebody shout "READY? OKAY!")

But nonetheless, this album is one of 2003's best. Yes, this album has a few tiny flaws, but with that fascinating voice and unique hooks, the album manages to pull together with a breeze. She might not have the widest vocal range, but she knows how to use what she has. Kelis also has an excellent sense of rhythm; there is at least one part in each song that sounds appealing (not necessarily the hook). It's sad that Kelis is still known only as "that girl from the Neptunes", because to be straightforwardly honest, she is one of the better R&B singers out. So good that she makes the line "damn right! Its better than yours" a fact... rather than a belief.

Those of us who miss the days when soul jams had just as much melody as beats will find "Tasty" difficult to remove from their stereo. Kelis manages to alternately channel Donna Summer ("In Public"), Cherrelle ("Attention"), and Lisa Lisa ("Protect My Heart") and still maintain her own identity. Outkast's Andre 3000 steps in for "Millionaire," which sounds remarkably like an abandoned Prince demo from the early 80's, and Dallas Austin takes the record in two distinctly different directions on the punky rocker "Keep it Down" and the tight hip-hop workout "Trick Me."

The only misstep is the ho-hum "Stick Up," which goes for a moody hip-hop sound but ends up sounding disposable. Much better is "Rolling Through the Hood," a song that concentrates on a player at first but eventually sends a message to Kelis' neighbors in the ghetto: "God will never forget you...this is your world, careful what you do with it." The track is a perfect example of how Kelis may appear one way on the surface (the freaky "Milkshake" is a pure pop guilty pleasure), but closer inspection shows she can go far deeper than that. Toss in hook-heavy retro tracks like "Sugar Honey Iced Tea" and "Glow" and you have one of the strongest soul outings of the new millenium. Kelis may have appeared to be a novelty at first, but this set proves she's in it for the long haul. Tasty, indeed.

Great album. Every single song could have been released as a single in my opinion. Its too bad that her album didn't do as well hear in America as it did in Europe. One of the best videos of the year "Trick Me" along with "Millionair" f/ Andre 3000 of Outkast wasn't released in America or Canada. What is so great about her album is that so many of the tracks had a lot of base. Something that sets her apart from other R&B artists is that she doesn't need to add in a lot of annoying runs in order to keep the listeners interested in her music. She simply has her infectious hook along with a great beat. Every song on the album is different. She had a variety of producers for the album which in tern gave the album an eclectic sound that albums with only one producer don't have.

I would normally give my top 5 favorites but the whole album is excellent so I just have to list them all:

1) In Public (f/ Nas)[european dance sound w/ hypnotic vocals]

2) Protect My Heart (f/ Pharrell) [Love changes in beat]

3) Glow [Love base line and hook]

4) Trick Me [Used to be fav song.Great Reggae vibe + video.]

5) Sugar Honey Iced Tea [low key song. Almost jazzy]

6) Attention [Always blast this song b/c of heavy base]

7) Stick Up [beat reminds me of origional Mario games]

8) Marathon [great music. good for easy listening]

9) Millionair [fun song. video is okay. Love beat]

10) Rollin through the hood [good message. Beat is good.]

11) Keep it down [remenicent of first 2 albums. Rock sound]

12) Milkshake [Loved song when came out.1st vid version was better]

13) Intro [sexy intro.]

14) Flashback [good song but already apeared on 2nd album.]

I highly recomend this album for people who pay attention to beats. Every song has beat changes and great hooks that shows all of the time and effort she put into the album. I would also tell people to get her first 2 albums "Kaleidoscope" and "Wanderland". Both excellent albums also.

At least five strong songs on this album. The album really distills the good stuff from the 80s. What stuff? I can't put my finger on it but when you listen to 80s music from Madonna to Run DMC, it just has a wholesome goodness. This is exactly what Kelis brings into her music. Kelis addresses sexuality like in Lodi Dodi, uses some of Madonna's writhing a la "Like a Virgin," and even some Cyndi Lauper type sentimentalism.

I also recommend that you seek out "Oasis" by Kelis (I believe it was unreleased but can be found online) and that you see all of the videos put out by Kelis. She is adorable and the videos are full of 80s nostalgia.

I am really impressed with this release from Kelis.

I got this CD around the time second single Trick Me was being played, and have really loved it ever since.

It is so nice to hear an album that is not filled with songs about 'love' etc. This is a woman who is not afraid to speak about sex.

1. Intro- Probably the best intro on any album. Really funny, and sorta dirty!

2. Trick Me- a feel good, sing-a-long, summery tune. Everyone knows this, and loves it. it is so catchy, and the perfect was to start the album. it sets the tone for the whole thing. 9./10

3. Milkshake- the first single from here. Produced by Neptunes, with a fantastic beat, sexy lyrics and catchy chorus, wot more could u want! 8/10

4. Keep It Down- I think this song is about a sex act (keepin the head down!). I love this. Rocky feel to it, with smashing drums. Really like this. 7/10

5. In Public- THE BEST on the album! it was a single, but i never saw the vid!his features husband Nas, and is brilliant. RnB/HipHop. The bass line is phat, the lyrics are wicked, u can dance to it, and chill to it. LOVE IT! 10/10

6. Flashback- 'U make me cum, a lot'. Says it all! i really like this. it's a simple song, wicked beat, again very catchy. 8/10

7. Protect My Heart- Did NOT like this at first, but REALLY like it now! Neptunes again. Beat is phat, her vocals are so smooth,a nd i love the two breakdown bits! 7/10

8. Millionairre- Talk about a beat! everyone knows this, wrote, produced and featuring Andre 3000, this is fast, beaty, catchy and crazy stuff! The rap is sheer quality! Kelis dont feature much on this, but it is wicked! third single. 7/10

The rest of the album is very good, but nothin to write home about. Even if i had heard the album before i bought it, i would have still bought it for the first 8 tracks.

This is real feel good. somethin different.

I really recommend this to RnB, HipHop and Pop fans. Im even gonna say some Rock fans will enjoy this if they aint scared to look outside the box, coz the beats on this are wicked!

OVERALL- 8/10.