September 17, 2008 @ 11:33 am

Nelly: "Brass Knuckles"

Pharoh Martin

Beefed up St. Louis rhymer turns in a not so strong album

NELLY
BRASS KNUCKLES (Universal)

Nelly is this era's LL Cool J, but that's only in image. While the ladies may love him, the St. Lunatic has yet to put out an album critically celebrated that could truly compare him to his legendary counterpart. Besides going extra hard on the bicep curls and sit-ups, Nelly's return after a four-year hiatus with Brass Knuckles (Universal Records), his fifth solo album, is lackluster.

With big names such as Snoop, T.I., Usher and Fergie, the guest list for Brass Knuckles reads like the invite list for a Diddy white party. There's only one song with the album's host, and the production credits are light on star power, with the notable exceptions being the Neptunes and Polow da Don, who produced four tracks.

Brass Knuckles is standard Nelly fare. There is the club-friendly pop song ("Party People"), the ode to Nikes ("Stepped on My J'z"), the melodic-singers-on-the-chorus single ("Body on Me" with Akon and girlfriend Ashanti) and other TRL fodder that's anchored by Nelly's sing-song delivery, energetic production and high-profile features.

The Sean John underwear model's high-heeled fan club will be content with Brass Knuckles' accessible crossover tracks and it's accompanying artwork but Cornell Hayes isn't gaining any new ground with critical rap purists with this one.

Nelly's Brass Knuckles is in stores 9/16/08

The album cover for "Brass Knuckles"

Track Listing for Brass Knuckles

1. U Ain't Him feat. Rick Ross
2. Hold Up feat. LL Cool J and T.I.
3. LA feat. Snoop and Nate Dog
4. Long Night feat. Usher
5. Lie feat. St. Lunatics
6. Party People feat. Fergie
7. Self Esteem feat. Chuck D
8. Body On Me feat. Akon and Ashanti
9. J'z feat. Ciara and JD
10. Let It Go Lil Momma feat. Pharrell One and Only
11. Chill feat. St. Lunatics and City Spud
12. Who F**ks w/ Me feat. Avery Storm
13. U Can Get It feat. Gucci Mane and R. Kelly
Ne-Yo

Article tags: Brass Knuckles, Nelly, Reviews, Revolutions