5 Years after chirping "The Boy Is Mine", Monica matures a great deal and comes back with her third effort, "After The Storm". During those 5 years out, Monica Arnold went through many tribulations, including witnessing her fiancé commit suicide. This album is sort of the reflection or chronicle of her emotional journey through the hard times, something she eventually overcomes, hence the album title "After The Storm".

The best tracks includes the lead single, "So Gone", where sings about appreciation. It's about a boyfriend that neglects her, making her feel like she's unneeded. "I Wrote This Song" is about her deceased fiancé. The song is meant to be sort of a therapy for Monica. The lines "I love my baby so, but he's not here no more, hard for me to understand, so I wrote this song" sort of sum things up. "U should've known" is sort of her vow of loyalty to her lover. "Breaks My Heart" is about how she never realized how much she was loved. It's a song proclaiming that she knows now, but the fact that she didn't know in the past hurts her. "Ain't gonna cry no more" is sort of the aftermath of "So Gone". It's obviously inspired by Mary J's "Not Gon' Cry" and also shares the same concept. "Too Hood" (one of the bonus tracks) is a song about how she's too good for a guy. It comes off arrogant, but when you understand certain terms, its really not that bad. "Searchin'" (another bonus track) is an uplifting song about finding the answers to problems. "Don't Gotta Go Home" has a nice guitar rhythm, features DMX, and is about an affair. It's kind of the aftermath of "Ain't Gonna Cry No More". Monica's position shifts from being the one cheated to the one cheating; She kind of gets revenge in a way.

But, not all is good. They're a few things I didn't like about this album; one includes the generic-ism. "Go To Bed Mad" is a little bit "been-done" and cheesy. Monica and Tyrese sing about how they need to end a fight. The chorus also includes the line "We need to find a resolution like that Aaliyah song". I give them props for good intentions, but it's really unneeded. "That's My Man" is a little immature. It's not good when you take a step back of progression. Its way too generic and its something I expect "the foolish one" to sing. Another problem I have doesn't have to do with Monica instead, its Missy Elliott. On the songs she produced, she has a tendency of... not shutting up. I understand that she wanted to be part of the songs, but that eagerness sometimes tends to hover over Monica's voice. And if Monica's voice weren't being heard, there wouldn't be a point for the album.

The big problem I have with the album is the repeated subjects. She shifts between 3 main points; 1) The -I'm not taking this BS anymore- ("So Gone", "Knock Knock", "Ain't Gonna Cry No More", "What Part of the Game"), 2) The -sorry, I didn't know- ("U should've Known", "Breaks My Heart", "What Hurts The Most", And 3) the -I don't want you to go away- ("Don't Gotta Go Home", "Go To Bed Mad").

Other than that, I adore this album. Monica's album arrived at a time when innovation was scarce (as in, you heard the same people and same songs). The repeated subject problem is very minor, but I make it a big deal because I take creativity/originality & lyrics very seriously since I go further than just the appeal. I commend Monica for sharing her emotions to us but hate the fact that she finds the need to be commercial (generic subjects). But nevertheless, no matter what Monica sings, whether it's about cheating men or sentimental stuff, it always works. Why? Blame it on Monica's divine voice; that alone can sell any record. There other R&B wannabes out there need to watch their backs, because Monica's about to "Set it off".

Disc 1:

1. Intro - It's got Missy, it's funny, and it's the first hint that this is a completely mature album for Monica.

2.Get It Off - Whoa. The beat is hot to death, Missy is all over this track, and Monica has her game face on. This song is on point, it's very hot, and a great start for the album. The refrain is the best part. Reminds me of the title track of TLC's "3D". score: B+

3.So Gone - You all know this song, one of the bigger R&B hits of the last couple years. score: A

4.U Should've Known Better - Kept from the scrapped "All Eyez On Me" album, and with good reason. You can start to tell that Monica's new album has some meaningful lyrics, and songs that tell stories. Not just vapid trash that says oh baby I love you, or why did you do me wrong. score: B+

5.Don't Gotta Go Home (f/ DMX) - This is actually a slower tempo joint. The lyrics are different, it also tells a story. DMX voice sounds too harsh for it though. But that's made up for by the fact that the hook Monica sings is slick and catchy, very nice. score: A-

6.Knock Knock - Missy's stamp is all over this one. Monica's delivery is unique; her voice is stronger than ever and, if possible, she has more control of it than ever before. This song is incredible though, it is true R&B and somehow sounds like Motown and Dirty South at the same time! Monica and Missy are working on a remix to this song as we speak. score: A

7.Breaks My Heart - Held over from the scrapped album, not a surprise at all. It's hard to make a ballad today that doesn't sound either trite or the same as a hundred other ballads. This is an amazing one though, dare I say on the scale of "For You I Will". Flawless vocals. score: A

8.I Wrote This Song - Also held over from the scrapped album, this song stands out. When's the last time a song, moreover an R&B song, had such revealing or poignant lyrics? Listen to them. Monica wrote it herself. The beat is also very original. score: B+

9.Ain't Gonna Cry No More - One of only two songs out of the sixteen on the album that has standard lyrics. It truly does sound reminscent of Brandy's "What About Us?" but the vocals are still strong. The beat is actually infectious, and the chorus is nice. score: B

10.Go To Bed Mad (f/ Tyrese) - Okay, let's see. The chorus takes some getting used to because it is so understated. But when was the last time we had a duet like this... the lyrics are memorable, Tyrese and Monica sound like they were born to sing together. This has to be one of the prettiest songs I've heard in ages. score: A

11.Hurts The Most - I still love this song (it's held over from the scrapped album), the guitar on it is awesome, the lyrics are mature, and I think it has some of Monica's best vocals on the album. score: A-

12.That's My Man - This song might be considered "neo-soul" and it definitely sounds like India.Arie could have done it. Monica's delivery is original and plays nicely with the guitar. It has the least popular appeal, but I'm feeling this song.

score: A-

13. Outro (So Gone remix) - Some of you may have heard this on the radio, or on the internet. The versions floating around on the internet do not do it justice. Here on the album you can hear it better and it's even more amazing. A great remix, approves on the original. That's why it gets this score. score: A+

Disc 2:

1.Too Hood - Held over from the scrapped album, was actually the second single but it flopped. Definitely the worst song anywhere on this album, but still not awful. score: C+

2.Down 4 Whatever - Monica actually wrote this one. It's got one of those beats that uses a water drop, that should explain just about everything. Except that once again the vocals are very nice, she did 100% of them herself and it works really well. This isn't single material but it's an awesome album track. score: A-

3.What Part Of The Game (f/ Mia X) - The beat isn't anything special at all, but Monica is doing one of the rap/singing things on it, and Mia X's rap is very good. In fact the lyrics are pretty entertaining. Not single material again; maybe that's what this second disc is all about. But it's enjoyable. score: B

4.Searchin' - Held over from the scrapped album, it's a gospel song. Monica can sing gospel. And she also wrote this song. If you know anything about gospel you know that it's about feeling the joy and the pain, and showing the emotion. Monica can do that, you better believe it. score: A- if you like gospel, C if you don't.

5.So Gone (Video) - Who doesn't like this? Monica makes good videos. score: A

Recap: Monica has grown up, in every way. But not only that, she's gotten BETTER. I'm impressed with this album; I knew I would love it no matter what, I'll be honest. But I found myself jamming along with the fast songs, grooving to the slow jams, and loving the ballads. And I can tell that she's done it again, only more so. This album in all fairness should do better than her last two, because it's easily her best. It keeps the best values of "Miss Thang" without losing the qualities that made "The Boy Is Mine" great while bringing more to it. Vocals are stronger, lyrics are WAYYY stronger, and she was provided with top notch production. As you all know, that means it's a great album. I expect multiple Grammy, Soul Train, Lady of Soul, MTV, BET, and Billboard award nominations for this album. And hopefully some wins, too.

Monica's latest effort finally drops after several postponements (her last album, "All Eyez on Me" ended up only being released in Japan as a result of heavy downloading piracy). She came back, with a little help from Missy Elliott, with her best music to date.

The album, as of right now anyway, comes with a limited edition bonus CD which is really, really worth the rush of buying the album now (chances are, sometime after its release, the limited edition bonus CD will no longer be included).

The tracklisting is a bit different than what amazon.com originally posted (perhaps they will change it soon?).

1) Intro (a very funny introduction hosted by Missy)

2) Set It Off (a great upbeat song; definitely one of the strongest tracks on the album)

3) So Gone (the first single off the album; currently, 6/17/03, #1 on the R&B charts and #11 on the pop charts; great song! one of the few where you get to hear Monica rap)

4) U Should've Known Better (a sort of upbeat ballad; her vocals work really well on this song, very soulful)

5) Don't Gotta Go Home (this song is great! it features DMX; the two really have great chemistry. the song works really, really well)

6) Knock Knock (rumored as the second single from the album. I can definitely see why it would be. This upbeat song is classic Monica--that sassy attitude that made her a star).

7) Breaks My Heart (this is still my favorite song; although it was featured in her Japanese release "All Eyez on Me" I still listen to this song non-stop; another uptempo ballad-esque song)

8) I Wrote this Song (this song almost reads like a letter; she is speaking to her best friend and ex-lover who committed suicide in front of her a few years back; although it has a great and almost danceable beat, the lyrics are intense--if you comprehend the situation anyway)

9) Ain't Gonna Cry No More (this song is really great; I know I keep on saying that, but it really is! Monica sounds reallys soulful on this track)

10) Go to Bed Mad (this song features her labelmate, Tyrese; the song talks about the importance of resolving any conflicts before the day is over; it even makes reference to her old friend, Aaliyah, and her song "We Need a Resolution")

11) Hurts the Most (this is probably the only "real" ballad on the album; there are other ballad-esque songs, but this is really the only one on the album that follows that ballad formula; as with all her ballads, Monica shines)

12) That's My Man (another great song; another soulful and almost gospel-sounding track)

13) Outro (the outro is actually the remix of Monica's first single, "So Gone"; it features Busta Rhymes; Monica asks Busta several questions on this track)

As for the Bonus CD, it includes a few unreleased tracks.

Monica really shows her growth and maturity on this album.

I never have been a fan of Monica. I like R&B but I am more of a hardcore R&B fan, not a smooth R&B slow-jam fan. On this album Monica does not in any way go hard-core but rather adds a edge to her old formula of sultry and relaxing ballads. She spits out rhymes along side Dirt Bag and Busta Rhymes. She is no natural talent at that sort of thing, but she does show some potential. So Gone and Knock Knock sound a bit alike but both have different tones. Monica also has some classic ballads on here with tracks like Breaks My Heart and U Should've Known Better. Both songs will please those fans who liked her from the start. Get It Off is the only song that speeds it up party style. The reason this album is so different is because Missy Elliot influences most of the songs. Missy is featured in the intro, Get It Off, So Gone, Knock Knock, and the So Gone remix. Although you hear a lot of Missy, she never raps but only says things like "This That New Monica!" and "So Sick!" and "This That Hot New Ish!" Other than that you never hear from her. The album has a lot of attitude as well. Monica's theme is 'boy-you-done-this-girl-wrong' and when she actually raps, she talks about 'smackin ya chic' and 'bustin down doors'. She feels independent it seems this time around. Its a big change from her The Boy Is Mine days. The Album is not perfect and at the end of the CD it goes into slow drive mode. Other than those few last songs the CD keeps a strong theme. In all I would say that this album is some of the best R&B I have heard in a long while.

1. After The Storm -- Intro, Im Not Going To Rate It

2. Get It Off -- Uptempo Dance Song With Decent Vocals - 3/5

3. So Gone -- First Single, Mid-Tempo With Good Vocals - 3/5

4. U Should've Known Better -- Slow, Some Of The Best Vocals On The Album, 3rd Single -- 5/5

5. Don't Gotta Go Home W/DMX -- Slower With Good Vocals And Decent Rapping From DMX, Also Available On DMX's Album "Grand Champ" - 4/5

6. Knock, Knock -- 2nd Single -- Alright Vocals, Follow Up To So Gone, Midtempo - 3.5/5

7. Breaks My Heart -- Slower With Wonderful Vocals 5/5

8. I Wrote This Song -- Uptempo, One Of Monica's Best Songs To Date, My Favorite Track On The Album 5/5

9. Aint Gonna Cry No More -- Midtempo, Alright Vocals - 3.5/5

10. Go To Bed Mad W/Tyrese -- Slow With Great Vocals From Both Monica And Tyrese - 4/5

11. Hurts The Most -- Slow with Wonderful Vocals 5/5

12. Thats My Man -- Midtempo with alright vocals 4/5

13.Outro (With "So Gone" Remix) -- The "So Gone" Remix Can't Compare To The Original Even With Help From Missy Elliot And Busta Rhymes, Monica Does Some Rap Vocals As Well, Her Singing Isn't At Its Best - 2/5

51 Out Of 60 Possible

Limited Edition Bonus Disc

1. Too Hood W/Jermaine Dupri -- Uptempo With Alright Vocals From Monica And Bad Rapping From JD - 2/5

2. Down 4 Whatever -- Slow With Good Vocals - 4/5

3. What Part Of The Game W/Mia X -- MidTempo With Good Vocals From Monica And Rather Annoying Rap Vocals From Mia X - 2/5

4. Searchin -- Slow, Wonderful Vocals, An Amazing Song From Monica Displaying A Lot Of Maturity On Her Part - 5/5

13 Out Of 20 Possible

60 Out Of 80 Possible For Album & Bonus Disc