Lately 3LW has been drawing more comparisons to Destiny’s Child than to the more accurate (albeit younger version of) TLC. Having ousted member Naturi Naughton over what I have dubbed “The Saint Lunatics Fried Chicken Incident” – 3LW is not only due for a name change, but some major spin control for their image. The “little women” part of the 3LW couldn’t be further from the truth. Their album is full of sexuality, sexual innuendo, and sexual undertones – let’s all face it, sex does indeed sell and these girls got it. The remaining two members of 3LW: Kiely Williams and Adrienne Bailon are now what makes up 3LW and their sophomore cd (which still contains vocals from Naughton) is a very real departure from the sugar coated debut.

- Track Listing -

01. I Do (Wanna Get Close To You) Featuring Loon
02. Neva Get Enuf Featuring Lil’ Wayne
03. I Need That (I Want That) Featuring Lil’ Kim
04. Ain’t No Maybe
05. Ghetto Love & Heartbreak
06. Good Good Girl
07. Put Em UP
08. This Goes Out
09. Leave Wit You (I Think I Wanna)
10. Crazy
11. Funny
12. One More Time

Armed with a team of excellent producers and writers, 3LW isn’t breaking any new ground but they are making solid R&P (Rhythm & Pop) songs that are radio and listener friendly. Their first single the Bad Boy produced “I Do (Wanna Get Close To You)" is catchy as all hell. I’ve always thought rapper Loon was a loser and I don’t think he adds anything to this track.

Bailon who sings lead vocals for 3LW has one of those voices that draws a parallel to Beyoncé. It’s one of those interesting voices that isn’t particularly beautiful, but its seductive. I couldn’t imagine her singing solo for an entire album (I said the same about Beyoncé) but she is the lead and she holds her own. The first sign that I’m getting ill in my old age is that I actually like Lil’ Wayne on “Never Get Enuf”. Based on the old Teddy Pendergrass song “Close The Door” – it has a classic R&B feel. The vocals on this track are perfect - the harmonies, the adlibs by Lil’ Wayne, it all works.

The ladies of 3LW try to get some street cred on “Ghetto Love & Heartbreak” and “This Goes Out” two songs that throw around “hood” references. The latter I am a bit partial to however for its slick production. It has a staccato beat and Bailon shares co-lead vocals with Williams for something a little different. Montell Jordan (the PG version of R.Kelly) stops by for some background vocals and a co-writers credit on “Good Good Girl”. Here Bailon’s vocals impress for a bit of Prince-inspired (inspired, not sounds like) audio.

“Leave Wit You (I Think I Wanna)” is the girls’ attempt to rock out a little bit. The beat is harder and edgier and the vocals just a bit naughty: “Looking at me like you want more/ So after the party let’s explore/ Turn off the lights and lock the door/ When we’re ready/ We ain’t leavin’ here ‘til around four/ We freakin’ each other ‘til we’re sore / I think I’m the girl you came her for…” Doesn’t sound “little” at all does it? What does take the edge of this track is the “rap” by Kiely Williams, which is so juvenile, and terrible, there is no reason that it should have made the cut.

“Crazy” is a sweet little mid-tempo jam that seems to really fit the group. Having to keep in mind that the girls 16 (Williams) and 18 (Naughton and Bailon) respectively, some of the material just seems a bit advanced. What crazy does have is an excellent melody and sweet tone that all meld together well. Also right on target with what I think a 16 and 18 year old should be singing is “One More Time” which is about lost love (sigh) to be a teenager again.

Because the ladies of 3LW are nice the even threw in 2 bonus hidden tracks: “Be Like That” a dance jam that probably should have been included as a real track and a very under whelming ballad “More Than Friends”. You can also access two additional tracks by sticking your cd in the old PC and heading over to 3LW.com.

- Final Thoughts -

They’re making a real effort to be more mature and to get past whatever controversy they were prey to with Naugton. “A Girl Can Mack” is a good start at letting people know they’ve grown up and aren’t just little women.

Final Rating: 3.5 stars



Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out