In a recent interview, Lloyd asserts that his third album, Lessons In Love, is his attempt to re-educate young girls who confuse sex with love. An admirable goal, but one that is not certain that he’ll achieve. Don’t get it wrong, I’m sure there is a message between the lines of Lloyd‘s sexy serenades, but the young ladies he seeks to reach may be simply too frenzied to notice. Chances are, the group that most likely to be his target demographic–the tweens, teens, and barely-old-enough-to-take-drink crowd–are gonna wind up all hot and bothered this summer, courtesy of Lloyd‘s lust-filled lesson plans.
No need to worry though. If you’re of the proper age to be getting your grown and sexy on, this album is right up your alley. He’s not writing for kids anymore, ladies and gentlemen. Lloyd obviously got a testosterone boost from somewhere (though not immediately evident due to his pre-pubescent voice tone), and subject-wise, he’s ready to step into the adult music-making arena. He’s no longer the syrupy-sweet boy introduced on 2004’s South Side and he’s dropped the “pretty boy player” persona he had on 2007’s Street Love. If grown men and women out there can get past the airy vocals and the little-boy image of the past, they’ll find a grown man–and one who churned out a really smooth album, at that. On LessonsLloyd speaks about love and sensuality expertly and intuitively, well beyond what you would expect from today’s 22-year-olds.
R&B’s newest Professor of Love gives a lot of directives–homework assignments for lovers, if you will–like “We’re all alone/Turn off the phone/Now that you’re right off that Patron/Let that freak out” on “Love Making 101”. On Lesson‘s first track, the electric “Sex Education”, Lloyd quickly gets class started, as he sings: “Show me your spot, and shawty I’ll show you mine/I’ll start at your heart and go deeper inside.” You might as well assume the position when Lloyd begins to instruct on the Polow Da Don mixed “Party All Over Your Body”: “I’m kissing on your stomach/Feeling on your booty/I wanna have a party all over your body.” The almost entirely slow- to mid-tempo LP proves just right for those steamy summer nights.
In a time where people are quick to snatch up a classic sample and twist, bend, blend and screw it to pieces, (no matter how ill-conceived), the use of Rakim‘s 1987 classic “Paid In Full” on “Girls Around The World” is a new/old marriage made in heaven. Just as well-suited is his guest star on the track, who is very much at the top of his own game, Lil Wayne. The production choices on this album are a big part of what makes it great. Producers Big Reese and Jasper Cameron‘s work is laced throughout the entire album (“Sex Education”, “Girls…”,etc.) and Oak produced “I Can Change Your Life.” Eric Hudson (of “Kanye-Flashing Lights” fame) lends exquisite productions skills to the joint “Treat U Good”, wherein Mr. Lloyd Polite Jr. promises to have you beggin’ for more.
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Lloyd goes where no other youngin’ has gone before on “Have My Baby.” It can be argued that not too many artists out there make authentic baby-making music nowadays–the mellow song shows off a really mature side of this young crooner. “Year of the Lover” is Lloyd‘s own sensual seduction, and is the shining star of the album. With assistance from super-producer Bryan-Michael Cox, Lloyd‘s voice soars.
Honorable mentions include pretty much every song left on the 12-joint LP, including, “Touched By An Angel,” “I’m Wit It,” and “Heart Attack.” Producer Adonis The Phenom handled the latter, and you’ll find that your heart actually beats along with the track. Kudos to him.
I once compared Lloyd to Michael Jackson (when he was Lloyd‘s age), noting their similarities in looks, voice tone and sweet likeability, and was told I was crazy. After hearing Lessons, the argument is given new life. Lloyd, as Michael did, possesses the power to make the ladies melt with his songs; his uniqueness among his peers will continue to set him apart from the crowd for years to come. Even though his short but sweet (47 minutes to be exact) LP borders on being too sexy for his young fan base, there is a saving grace that lies within. Lloyd sings of sexuality within the confines of true love, a concept his counterparts have all but forgotten. And that within itself, takes Lessons In Love to the top of its class.
