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Mama's Gun
12/14/2000 5:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
B_Sarah Meadows
In 1997, Erykah Badu released her critically acclaimed debut Baduizm, which sold more than two million copies and spawned successful hits like "On And On" and "Next Lifetime." She was praised for her bluesy soulful edge and her Mother Earth approach to a genre where sex clearly sells. Numerous comparisons were made between her and the late, great Billie Holiday; but she seemed to take it all in stride and actually lived up to all of the expectations.
In the years Badu's been off the scene, anticipation has been growing for her to deliver an equally powerful and influential studio follow up to Baduizm. Can she do it again? Well, her latest offering, Mama's Gun, is jazzy, intelligent, and straight from the soul. The lead single, "Bag Lady," is far from "On And On" and may not exactly pull people in initially, but hopefully that won't keep people away from giving Mama's Gun a listen.
Standout cuts include "Booty," where Badu is playful, smart, and witty; and then she shows her sweet and sassy side on "Cleva." On the tracks "Orange Moon" and "In Love With You" featuring Stephen Marley, she reveals a more vulnerable and intimate side of herself. Other notable songs are "Time's A Wastin'," "Kiss Me On My Neck (Hesi)," and "My Life."
Needless to say, Mama's Gun is a complete package. The production, lyrics, and hooks make this an impressive sophomore effort from Ms. Badu. If this release is any indication of the direction that she's headed in, expect only stellar work in the years to come.
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