Having proved herself with 2001's rough and tough
Scorpion,
Eve changed direction slightly for Eve-Olution. The focus here is less hip-hop and more contemporary R&B, with fewer rappers invited as guests -- only two tracks, "Hey Y'All" featuring
Snoop Dogg and
Nate Dogg and the
Scorpion sequel "Double R What" featuring
Jadakiss and
Styles. After the intro,
Eve focuses squarely on neo-soul, but doesn't contribute much to the style; "What" (with
Truth Hurts) and "Gangsta Lovin'" (with
Alicia Keys), are surprisingly mediocre, with the guests vamping over bland choruses and
Eve contributing only a few good rhymes. Elsewhere, the productions keep the groove going, but not much else: definitely a surprise, considering the beatheads behind the boards (
Irv Gotti,
Dr. Dre,
Swizz Beatz,
Poke & Tone) don't get much hotter. ("Irresistible Chick," one of the few keepers, features a smooth
Irv Gotti production that's moving almost as fast as
Eve's fluid raps.) There are a few OK tough-love tracks along the lines of
Scorpion's "You Had Me, You Lost Me" and "You Ain't Gettin' None," and a nod to her
Ruff Ryders past with "Ryde Away," but Eve-Olution can't offer as much as either of her first two solid LPs. [The album is also available in this clean version.] ~ John Bush