"LETOYA" REVIEWS

 

LETOYA LUCKETT ENSURES YOU'LL SAY HER NAME!

LeToya Luckett's debut LeToya: An Example of How All Debut Releases Should be Arranged Considering how merciless and unforgiving the music industry - and fans - can be and factoring in her being 6 years removed from her untimely and unexpected boot out of the global phenomenon that is Destiny’s Child - not to mention her failed attempt at forming a second girl group, Anjel - it’s safe to say that purple pigs probably would have flown before LeToya Luckett had a fair shot at a successful solo career. Yet that is exactly what she has managed for herself and thru no half-baked means. Aside from her hefty lawsuit settlement against her former management - which sees her receiving royalties from all things DC to this day - and her successful fashion boutique in Houston, TX, LeToya did receive a second chance in the spotlight; and this time, a shot at solo stardom. She inked a major label deal with Capitol Records, got a slew of A-list producers to support her sultry soprano, compiled it into a solid 55:00 and issued forth the #1 album in the country: LeToya. But even though she got a second chance at stardom, LeToya still had to work twice as hard to prove herself. That stigma of being “the girl kicked out of Destiny’s Child” still lingered in many fans - and skeptics - minds and the ultimate question of whether LeToya could carry an entire album herself or be better off left in the background remained. So did she pull it off or make a fool of herself? The answer depends on whether or not you’re biased against good, solid, and consistent R&B music. As far as album sequencing goes, it must be noted that LeToya is a prime example of how all debuts should be arranged. From top to bottom, the album glides between smooth R&B rhythms and crunked-out club beats without losing momentum or the listener’s interest and keeping Toya’s vocals afloat the whole way thru. The first half of the album establishes and maintains the momentum nicely. U Got What I Need has a breezy, summertime flow thanks to Just Blaze’s sampled vinyl being spun on top of twinkled synths and drum machines and Toya’s spunky vocal dripping with infatuation. A nice segue into So Special, which is basically “U Got What I Need” with a subtly harder edge due to Teddy Bishop’s pulsating drumline, frenetic piano licks and Toya’s sassier vocal about how awesome her man is. Inserting a song about heartbreak into the mix so soon may seem like a surefire killjoy to the album’s momentum but thankfully, Torn is subtle and vulnerable without the melodramatic edge. The chopped-up Stylistics’ sample is completely overdone and Toya’s vocal flirts with aggravation and heartbreak nicely; our first true sample of the prowess packaged inside her sultry soprano. From there, the album takes on a bit more serious tone with What Love Can Do which has Toya expressing a clear-eyed perspective over some of love’s more harsher realities. But Toya quickly lightens the mood with the flirtatious She Don’t which is every female R&B singer’s requisite “I am the sh*t and your new girl will never ever be in a million years what I was to you and I’m gonna make sure you never forget it” record; this one being supported by a killer bassline (courtesy of a classic Spinners sample) and insane drum loop at the end. Then the album transforms into a 4-record suite dedicated to Toya’s various club excursions. While most may cringe at the thought of another R&B singer doing crunked-out club tunes, Toya actually manages to inject some entertainment value into them by doing records that come off as natural instead of intentional, half-baked cuts constructed solely for guaranteed airplay. Tear Da Club Up is Jazze Pha gone crunk with Toya’s laidback vocal generating enough laidback attitude sure to fill floors nationwide. J. Rotem laces Toya with a blaring, Middle-Eastern groove for All Eyes On Me that boasts an infectious cascade of marching drums, handclaps, and a cameo from Paul Wall. Hey Fella, featuring Toya’s ex-beau Slim Thug, sounds more like a “come hither” type record with a catchy-enough-for-the-clubs melody and rhythm. And Gangsta Grillz is Toya’s ode to the “chopped and screwed” club sound her hometown is famous for that surprisingly isn’t ruined by a cameo from Mike “Most Unnecessary Rapper In History” Jones. After the club intermission, the album ventures right back into deeper territory with the album’s centerpiece Obvious. A tried but true tale of mistaking complacency and fear for love, Toya showcases her songwriting and vocalizing skills in a simple yet effective manner for what is sure to be a career staple. Scott Storch stops thru with his skittering drums and synths for I’m Good which sees Toya with some genuine vitriol in her delivery of kicking some loser to the curb. And then she has Jermaine Dupri help her close down the album in a downright sexy fashion with the “grown and sexy” vibe of This Song which has Toya effortlessly enticing her man into the bedroom to record a late night “duet”. They say that she who laughs last, laughs hardest. And seeing as how she has managed to make the most fluid and consistently entertaining solo album from any DC member, past or present, I suggest Toya let out a chuckle or two right about. . . Now. Source: AssociatedContent.com

EJAMS.COM

This is one of the best albums of the year. Every song has the potential to be a hit. And that's rare! Her vocals are flawless. The tracks, a combination of r&b with a hip hop bounce, are awesome. There's a feeling of ol skool meets new skool with some of the tracks and LeToya works them to perfection. Her collaborations with Bun B, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and others give the album an edge. However, the smoothed out ballads and dance floor joints make for a very thought out and well rounded project. This is a must-have CD. - 4.5 out of 5 flames.

URBAN-REVIEWS.COM

If you were LeToya Luckett, you'd probably think that debuting number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart would be sweet revenge. Revenge? Yeah, for all the mess you had to endure from being treated like dirt and dropped from the biggest girl group of the decade. And for what? Being upset with the way management was "managing" the group? Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but it is when management is the father of the the lead singer. So maybe she should have followed the Rock's advice by knowing her role and shutting her mouth. But when you look and sing as good as the lead singer, it's bound to irk your nerve eventually. Now that her solo career is soaring, a part of LeToya is probably relieved that she doesn't have to say goodbye to her singing career just yet. And things look very promising with her debut album LeToya getting a lot of good publicity. She starts off the album with "U Got What I Need," a teen pleaser that fuses Hip-Hop elements with her R&B vocals. "So Special" follows that same formula, only using a more pounding beat for the background. "Torn" is her monster song that commanded the singles charts and video playlists for weeks before the album's release. LeToya goes with a more adult sound on "What Love Can Do" and "She Don't." Jazze Pha brings his signature sound while Bun B provides a rap verse for "Tear Da Club Up." She stumbles a little with "All Eyes On Me" even with the help of Paul Wall. LeToya makes up for it with the banger "Hey Fella" with Slim Thug. She satisfies the chopped and screwed crowd for her hometown fans with "Gangsta Grillz" featuring Mike Jones and Killa Kyleon. She slows it down for a bit with a huge ballad titled "Obvious," a song that proves she can please multiple tastes. Then Letoya switches to the teen-friendly, mid-tempo track "I'm Good" with a sound similar to what you would find on older Destiny's Child albums. She slows it down again for the Jermaine Dupri-assisted "This Song." She closes out the album with an okay yet pointless remix of "Torn" with Rick Ross and Mike Jones. Even though the young adult crowd will enjoy this album a lot more than the 'Grown and Sexy' people, it doesn't make LeToya any less worthy of superstardom than anyone else out here. And with early buzz about Beyonce' album B-Day being a bust, maybe the success of LeToya will help her reach the top sooner rather than later.

EJAMS.COM

This is one of the best albums of the year. Every song has the potential to be a hit. And that's rare! Her vocals are flawless. The tracks, a combination of r&b with a hip hop bounce, are awesome. There's a feeling of ol skool meets new skool with some of the tracks and LeToya works them to perfection. Her collaborations with Bun B, Slim Thug, Mike Jones and others give the album an edge. However, the smoothed out ballads and dance floor joints make for a very thought out and well rounded project. This is a must-have CD. - 4.5 out of 5 flames.

BALLERSTATUS.NET

Say her name, say her name... After 6 long years, Ms. LeToya Luckett is back and ready to take on the music industry once more, but this time solo. We all know what happened in the past, but that's history. The ladies have been waiting to hear, the guys have been waiting to see and LeToya did not disappoint. "Torn," LeToya's first single, was a hit right away as it blew up on the airwaves, making the #1 spot on Billboard's Top 100 three weeks in a row. Following the single, she released the video to "Torn," looking beautiful as ever. Requests were high and demanding, and it was a perfect time to drop the highly anticipated album simply entitled LeToya. The Houston native teamed up with many guest artists including Paul Wall, Slim thug and worked with producers Jazzie Pha and J.D. The first song, "U Got What I Need," LeToya is professing to her man all she wants is him: "Baby you got what I need/And I want you close to me/cause no one makes me feel the way you do/that's why I'm with you." Moving through the album, we get to the first single, "Torn" written and produced by Ms. solo artist herself. This song, which is the best on the entire album, shows us what it is like being caught up in a dilemma. Ladies and guys too, can relate as Letoya is trying to decide if she should leave or stay. "A part of me wants to leave you alone. A part of me wants you to come home/ A part of me says I'm living a lie and I'm better if without you/ A part of me says to think it through/ Part of me says I'm over you/ A part of me wants to say goodbye." The song doesn't have a direct solution to this problem, which suggests that it is up to the person to decide what is right for them. Moving to "What Love Can Do," we are still somewhat caught up in the same situation. "Everytime we get it right we go wrong/...should I stay should I go/ Do I do, do I don't/ Will I will, will I won't." Continuation of "Torn?" Perhaps. Midway through, we hit "Tear The Club Up" featuring Bun B and Jazze Pha, and "Gangsta Grillz" with Mike Jones and Killa Kyleon. The two tracks sounds like a messed up boot-leg club joint. Don't get it twisted, we all know that Jazze Pha has had much success with Ciara, Cherish and the list go on. But for Letoya, it didn't work out too well. It was more of unnecessary junk. In "Gangsta Grillz," it is a clash between the chorus by Mike Jones and Letoya's voice. And up till now, there's a part in the song where Mike seems to just be rambling. At least, we didn't hear Mike Jones repeatedly say his name right... who? Mike Jones! In both songs, we were left with not hearing the full potential of Letoya and it felt like her voice was over shadowed by these Southern collabos. The album did get back on track though, with "Obvious." It was very easy going and soft, which makes you remember who letoya is. "This Song" also had a melody that is uplifting, but then fell if judged lyrically. Despite the two unsuccessful club bangers that were clearly not the style for Letoya, the rest of the album did manage to do justice. To finish it out, "Torn (So So Def Remix)," is the right song that showcased the most vocal performance from her and proved that she can still have rappers like Mike Jones and Rick Ross featured on the remix to compliment her voice. Though there is an obvious difference in the vocals of Letoya to Beyonce (to compare the two would not be fair), Letoya is still growing as a singer and as a person. What we can say though is that many people will be continuing to say her name. LeToya: 3 stars of out 5

LA DAILY NEWS

"There's been some things on my mind, and it's time that I let them go," declares LeToya in the breathy introduction to her self-titled debut. She's talking about love. So don't expect the Grammy-winning r&b singer and "Say My Name" co-songwriter to get snarky about how her former Destiny's Child mates cast her aside. She's forging her own destiny starting with the oh-so-soulful "Torn," her chart-topping hit about a strained relationship that features a sample of the Stylistics' "You Are Everything." Other highlights include the silky "She Don't," the crunktastic "Tear Da Club Up," featuring Jazze Pha and Bun B, and the bass-heavy "I'm Good." Add her gorgeous voice and LeToya should have no trouble convincing fans to say her name, again." - 3 out of 4 stars

USA TODAY

LeToya Luckett may not have always aspired to a solo career, but the former Destiny’s Child singer (she was dropped from the group in 2000) is doing nicely on her own. On hit single Torn, she flows easily over an old Stylistics beat while contemplating whether her relationship is worth the aggravation. Other ballads — such as Obvious, which finds her uneasy about a proposed engagement — are in a similar vein. Songs such as She Don’t and This Song show a sultrier side. The Houston native reps the city on several bouncy club tracks with the help of hometown rappers Bun B., Paul Wall, Slim Thug and Mike Jones and Killa Kyleon. It’s her time to make a name for herself. - Jones - 3 stars

CHRONIC MAGAZINE

LETOYA LUCKETT : LeToya The last time we heard of LeToya she was exiting Destiny’s Child - a move which ultimately caused a revolving door of group members. While the allegations that Matthew Knowles doted over his daughter Beyoncé as her fellow colleagues stood in the wings isn’t hard to believe, it did appear to be a CLM – career limiting move. Hell, the group she helped to lay the foundation for went on to be world-renowned. It seemed safe to say we would never hear from her again – that is until “Torn” hit the airwaves. While it was a big breakout hit, LeToya still remained “the girl from Destiny’s Child.” Can her self-titled debut album propel the H-town chick beyond her bubblegum past? The album starts out strong with the Just Blaze produced “U Got What I Need.” The lullaby melody proves to be an ode to love. “Torn,” which samples the vintage “You Are Everything,” follows. The slow jam has become the breakout single ripping the Destiny’s Child veil. Losing no stem, “She Don’t,” the official second single, keeps the momentum. With ex beau Slim Thug in the video, you can’t help but wonder where the two stand. This girl certainly knows the building blocks of marketing. Other standouts include “I’m Good.” Possessing all the ingredients of a woman’s anthem, LeToya doesn’t hold back: “Don’t try to run that bullsh*t on me…I got my own and I’m not concerned/ Quit holding on, just let it burn.” Meanwhile, “Hey Fella” featuring Slim Thug brings a perfect mix of hip-hop and R&B as “What Love Can Do” has radio single written all over it. Surprisingly, there aren’t too many bad things I can say about the album. The So So Def remix of “Torn” brings little to the table while appearances by Mike Jones are almost toxic. Luckily, neither one are breakers. Faults aside, I liked this album. LeToya gave listeners a more than solid project. Since music has been at an all time low, I was actually excited to hear this. Like most people, I certainly bought into the hype. Hell, I wanted to hear if the girl could actually sing. Despite the ever changing cast, there has always been one star in Destiny’s Child and her name begins with ‘B.’ I’m happy to report that LeToya can more than hold a tune. Even better, she avoids the bubblegum image of her childhood and doesn’t even begin to touch the Tina Turner reincarnation that Beyoncé often annoyingly channels. Instead, she brings her own b-girl flavor. It’s safe to say there will be no comparisons to Kelly, Michelle or Beyoncé here. She has the right mix of hip-hop and R&B with help from fellow H-town natives Bun B, Paul Wall, Mike Jones and ex-beau Slim Thug – gotta love it when home reps. Bottom line: Go cop this one. It’s a solid album - light on ballads, and heavy on hip-hop which fans of MJB, Ashanti or even Beyoncé should enjoy.

MORE REVIEWS

Spin Magazine Full Review from Spin Magazine!   People Magazine "Songs like the soulful hit ballad 'Torn' and the bouncy hip-hop track "Gangsta Grillz" will have R&B fans saying her name." - 3 stars The Jamaican Observer If one-time Destiny's Child LeToya Luckett were as adept at interpreting songs as she is at striking poses, the eponymous solo debut for Capitol would certainly be a keeper. VH1.com 4.5 out of 5 stars Entertainment Weekly LeToya: B