J. Holiday "Back of My Lac" (7.5/10)
by: tessamae
Total views: 252
1. Back Of My Lac’
2. Ghetto
3. Thug Commandments
4. Bed
5. Betcha Never Had
6. Laa Laa
7. Come Here
8. Be With Me
9. Suffocate
10. Fatal
11. Without You
12. Pimp In Me
13. Thank You
14. Fallin’
9/10 The Reviewer / Associated Content
The first single off of Back Of My Lac is the incredibly catchy mid-tempo song Be With Me. The song tells the story of a man who craves to be with a woman who just wants to stay as friends and is unaware to see that he likes her. The song features incredible production, vocal arrangements and lyrics. Fatal is a very well written and produced song by the production and writing powerhouse team The Underdogs. It talks about how life is fatal when you're out of love. The concept is original and the vocal delivery is passionate and real as opposed to most young R&B singers. Suffocate is another masterpiece produced by The Underdogs who are featured successfully on the album. The strongest piece of this strong is the bridge which adds that extra bit to the song. On the title track Back Of My Lac, J. Holiday raps as well as sings. The song is autobiographical and the most personal cut on the album. The song is a good introduction track for the album as it lets the public get a glimpse inside of J. Holiday's world.
8/10 Mark Edward Nero / About.com
J. Holiday and Back of My 'Lac are a breath of fresh air compared to the stereotypical poseurs who jump through musical hoops for a quick buck. Or in other words, J. Holiday's definitely a true, genuine artist. The album's next song, "Ghetto," much like the title track, is a life-in-the-projects anthem about "corner spots, crack rocks and gunshots," that, like the best songs by artists like Marvin Gaye and Lyfe Jennings, matter-of-factly exposes what goes on in the 'hood without sounding exploitive or too sensationalistic. And the song after that, the Jaheim-ish "Thug Commandments," does an amazing job of dispensing wisdom in a smooth, confident manner. As far as the more romantic material, the album's surprise hit "Bed," fits perfectly with the tone of the album, as does the sexy, Rodney Jerkins-produced "Be With Me." It's rare that young artist puts out such a well-rounded album, one that young men can totally relate to and that young women will be swept off their feet by, but Back of My 'Lac, is just such an album. It's charming, gritty, sensual, original and most of all - real. Ladies and gentlemen, J. Holiday has arrived. And he definitely is that dude.
8/10 Christian Hoard / Rolling Stones
For a handful of hot cuts, Holiday turns out brash, hook-centric R&B that complements silky singing with some fine beats: The bumping "Ghetto" underpins Holiday's insistent sermon on underclass misery with Santana guitar, congas and lite funk, and "Thug Commandments" is an ultrawarm thing with an ace chorus and D'Angelo-worthy falsettos. It's too bad that Back of My Lac sinks into slow, sexy tedium: Bland love odes like "Be With Me" sound like they came from the same assembly-line mill that turned out T-Pain's lesser cuts, which is pretty lesser. By Track Twelve, Holiday's praising a hottie who's got "the body of a call girl." How's that for running short on good ideas?
7/10 Hillary Brown / Artist Direct
His first hit, "Bed," gave hints of what was to come, mingling a beat that was gentle without being sappy, a chorus of Holidays (each with a very slight lisp) and a sexy but non-threatening vibe. "Fallin,'" the last song on the album, could have been a throwaway, but the undulating vocal lines pair unexpectedly well with saxophone to produce a marvelous hook that's topped only by a melodic and all-too-brief acoustic bridge. If you bother to listen to the lyrics, you may find reasons not to like the record, such as too great a concern with getting high or Holiday's tendency to get freaky with his "sexy as" similes, without taking them to the level of baroque genius that is R. Kelly's. But if you leave lyrical analysis to the side, it's easy to close your eyes and let the shiny bubbles and warm tones work your tension out.
7/10 Gareth Fields / In The News
Holiday has produced a solid album from start to finish showcasing his musical talent. The LP doesn't conform to stereotypical R 'n' B and has a variety of ballads; up-tempo material and hip-hop influenced songs. The stand-out tracks are the up-tempo Rodney Jerkins-produced Be With Me and the soulful, top five US hit and potential club banger Bed which is about Holiday being romantic with his woman and reminiscent of the soul singers of the past. Pimp On Me is one of the weaker tracks of the album and refers to his woman having a body of a call girl. Not very original, but the good outweighs the bad and I'm sure we'll be hearing more of Holiday in the future
6/10 J.Protege Magazine
There is a street smart edge, but a vulnerability for love and hope that comes across throughout every single song on here. He speaks about everything from relationships, fatherhood, respecting womens' bodies, looking people in the eye when speaking to them, the lifestyle of living in poverty-stricken areas and the legal system around it, being inside a woman's legs, and the man even made talking about weed sound soulful. This is one of those albums that you press play and let it ride out while you drive, cuddle with your significant other, and even get ready for work to. It's versatile for all listeners--from the dude who swears he's a thug to the girliest girl. I can't stand still when "Bed" comes on no matter where I am. My head is bobbing now, and I'm at work. This album makes my work day go by quicker because I stop concentrating on time and just live in that moment. You've got to love it!
Positive: Jose Vilson / Blogcritics
After giving the album a first listen, I noticed his appeal to both men and women. His mix of sensitivity and real talk makes him a talent with true promise. On his romantic cuts (like “Betcha Never Had,” and “Without You”), he shows tons of promise. His sensuality and ruggedness work in those instances. His hood songs (“Thug Commandments,” “Ghetto”) show his ability to discuss topics outside of a regular R&B crooner’s range, including politics and how they relate to his own neighborhood. On his romantic cuts (like “Betcha Never Had,” and “Without You”), he shows tons of promise. His sensuality and ruggedness work in those instances. His hood songs (“Thug Commandments,” “Ghetto”) show his ability to discuss topics outside of a regular R&B crooner’s range, including politics and how they relate to his own neighborhood.
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