The Brag, Issue 180, 9 October 2006
By Jonno Seidler
KELIS
Kelis Was Here
Virgin
*** 1/2
It's pretty difficult to dislike Kelis. The 'milkshake' girl has the kind of attitude that money can't buy and Timbaland can't create (like, say, Nelly Furtado). Her latest effort, Kelis Was Here continues in her tradition of subversive, semi-feminist R&B. However, if she would have ditched the multitude of sub-standard cameos from untalented male MCs, the record would have been even better. But in a genre defined by 'bitches' and bling, it's unfortunately still a man's world. This doesn't stop Kelis stealing the show though, as her unique vocals dominate even on the few weaker tracks.
Expertly put together by a crack team of producers (Will.I.Am seems to be on fire at the moment), every song on this mature record could be a hit. There's the Marvin Gaye- esque soul on Til The Wheels Fall Off' and dirty crunk-funk on 'What's That Right There'. But the cherry on top is the rocking shuffle 'I Don't Think So', which is as close to Sleater-Kinney as this girl is ever going to get 'You want to get in my pants - I don't think so'. It makes Rhianna's acclaimed 'SOS' look positively juvenile, and will have you singing in the shower for days.
If Kelis was a milkshake, she would be the 'vanilla-whipped- cream-psycho-bitch' flavour. Tasty!