Ludacris

Release Therapy

Disturbing Tha Peace/Def Jam

James Simons (CHARTattack)

09/26/2006 8:55am

Despite what Oprah might tell you, Ludacris is a great guest, one whose flawlessly flavourful flow has outshone everyone from Nas to Usher. Unfortunately, Luda’s never managed to sustain this scene-snatching charisma throughout an entire album. Predictably, Release Therapy, his fifth record, has a few weak moments, from overly serious guidance counsellor corn ("Runaway Love") to typically cruise-controlled comedic similes ("Wake ‘em up like Folgers cause I fold ‘em like origami"). Still, Luda’s smoothly syncopated spitting and wisely chosen beats make Release Therapy one of his most consistent outings yet. Perhaps aware that he’s 30 pounds in boots, the rapper mostly avoids his characteristic fuck-you-up crunk choruses. But Luda still knows how to flex his big-ass mouth, bragging that he’s gone from "Birds on my nerves to chicks on my dick" on the 2Pac-sampling standout, "Grew Up A Screw Up."